Class Of 2016 – Pueblo High School

Class Of ’16 Student Returns As Teacher

By Moises Hernandez

Despite the unusual circumstances of this school year—teaching online for the foreseeable future—Pueblo High School still has its share of new teachers and staff, including Ms. Lucero Ramirez, who is teaching freshman English.

Ramirez, who said that she would rather teach in person than online because students could do more activities in the classroom, said that she will make the most out of ZOOM sessions.

“It’s been very stressful teaching online,” Ramirez said. “It’s very complicated, but I am getting the hang of it.”

Ramirez is happy to return to Pueblo because it’s her alma mater. She graduated in 2016, just four years ago, and said that even after she graduated, she didn’t want to leave.

“It’s good to be back home and being the teacher this time,” she said.

She added that she chose to become an English teacher because of her positive experiences in her own high school English classes.

“I loved writing in high school,” Ramirez said, “and I want to share that love with students.”

She added, “Ms. [Kelly] Crane [who retired from Pueblo several years ago] inspired me to become an English teacher because she was always understanding, patient and thoughtful. She really took the time to coach and mentor me. I really loved going to her class every day.

Ramirez said that she is happy to have chosen education as a career, but she said that she wishes public education would invest more money and time to have more resources to address students’ emotional and mental issues.

“I think that a student’s overall well-being is a critical factor in their academic success. I think we would start seeing more enthusiasm for learning from our students.”

Online or back in the classroom, Ramirez said that she is very enthusiastic about beginning her teaching career at Pueblo.

Last Spirit Assembly Spotlights Class of 2016 Seniors

By Sandra Iniguez

Pueblo Warriors Class of 2016 Seniors Goodbye Spirit Assembly — Class of 2016 Seniors ready for their Goodbye Spirit Assembly

The week of March 7-March 11, our Warriors brought their school spirit and dressed up for the entire week based on the days assigned by student council.

Monday was “Double Trouble”; Tuesday was “Messy vs. Dressy”; Wednesday was “Gender Bender”; Thursday was “Pixar Day”; and Friday was “Jungle Day”. Friday was finalized with a boisterous assembly that took the Class of 2016 seniors on an emotional rollercoaster.

Here’s video of their traditional grand entrance:

The assembly consisted of performances by the KWXL Radio staff and Pueblo’s Warrior Cheer squad, competitive games, and acknowledgement of multiple sports and clubs. The cheer performance seemed to captivate the audience the most—a preview of their awesome talents that they will showcase on Saturday, March 19, when they compete on a national level in Anaheim, California.

Pueblo Warriors Cheert At Class Of 2016 Goodbye Spirit Assembly — Warrior Cheer ready for nationals

At the very end of the assembly, after the traditional seat change, seniors were presented with a slide show that commemorated their past four years at Pueblo. Not surprisingly, judges Mr. Rana Medhi, Ms. Kelly Crane, and Ms. Angela Gonzalez unanimously chose the seniors as the most spirited group.

“It’s hard to believe that my senior year is almost over, I remember my freshman year as if it were yesterday,” said senior Eneida Flores. “The assembly was a great tribute to the seniors, and it was heartbreaking to see a lot of my peers cry during the slide show.”

Seven Warriors To Play Collegiate Sports

By América Cárdenas and Avae Velasquez

Pueblo Magnet High School hosted the first annual student athlete signing ceremony on Friday, Jan. 15. Seven of our Warriors announced their schools of interest or their choices of where they will be attending college in the fall.

Among these Warriors, only one senior, Vanessa Molina, officially signed. She committed to attending Central Arizona College to play softball.

“The student athletes had the choice of signing at the college, their home, or here at Pueblo,” said Assistant Principal Frank Rosthenhausler. “Vanessa Molina decided to sign here at her high school and wanted to give the opportunity to her fellow student athletes.”

Three of her fellow softball teammates, Vanessa Duarte, Alizea Corday, and Sierra Gaskill, committed to attend Phoenix College and signed the next day, Jan. 16.

“I am extremely proud of the girls’ commitment on and off the field,” said first year high school softball coach Curtis Ruiz. “It makes coaching worth every minute especially when you get to see the players you have had for years finally achieve their dreams of playing ball at the next level.”

Senior Frankie Gomez was also apart of the celebration, and he expressed three schools of interest for baseball. Gomez is still undecided as to where he would like to attend college in the fall.

“I would like to thank God and my family for the amazing opportunities and support they have gave me over the years.” Gomez said. “I still haven’t committed to which college I’ll attend. It’s going to be a difficult decision.”

Jasiah Booth and Justin Pledger have both received offers to play football at the collegiate level.

Booth said that he is also undecided about where he will attend college but has narrowed the choice between Arizona Christian University, Jacksonville University, and three community colleges: Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale.

Pledger has the two choices of attending Pima and Eastern College.

Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Brandon Sanders said, “Our student athletes deserve the best. This ceremony was very successful, and I hope this will become an annual event for our Pueblo students.”