Fine Arts – Pueblo High School

Drama Gets Dramatic

By Emely Villanueva

Pueblo Theater hosted a show on Wednesday, Feb. 7 during both lunches and 6th period in Pueblo’s Burnes Starks Little Theatre with advanced theater students taking the stage.

This month’s show was taken inspiration off of the Netflix Show Squid Games and Susan Collins’s Hunger Games. This show took place at a hospital, more so a hospital ward. It followed five “test subjects” with appearances from a doctor. The five subject battle it out to see who can survive the “game” longer.

“I did like the show, something that stuck out to me was this is something very different to what we’ve done before. It was very interesting and fun to perform for the show and just a little stressful,” said Kassandra Espinoza Senior in Advanced Theater.

The five subjects were Compassion, Impulse, Courage, Orderly, and Deviousness. They all battled it out during five stages to see who would survive. The lone survivor being Deviousness.

The main take away from this script, is people that manipulate or are devious will quickly learn to manipulate people and if we allow them to manipulate, they will always win.

“Another takeaway is we need to be careful how we label people, people should not conform to the labels placed on them by others, if someone labels you as something you start believing that you start acting like the label,” said Theater teacher Sarah Sutton.

This show had originally been made and scripted in November but had to be pushed back due to their big December show. They started working on it officially two and a half weeks before the show date.

“I feel like we were prepared enough since we’ve had the script since November, the process for getting ready is a collaborative process you have to put in the effort just as much as your peers” said Natalie Salazar Junior in Advanced Theater.

Ms. Sutton knew this was the right show for her students to act in by analyzing her students. She first sees what kind of cohort she has and reads about 40 to 60 scripts per year to choose the perfect script that will fit her students. Pueblo Theater will continue to have shows during March, April and May.

In March theater will be hosting 10-year alumni show, where current and alumni students will be able to perform on stage, in April they will host musical Good Man Charlie Brow, and in May they will be hosting senior show Clue, and this is also where they will wish farewell to the 2024 seniors.

“Our march show is our alumni show, we currently have 15 alumni as of right now, it’s going to be nice I have students d from last year, but I also have students from like the 2nd year I taught, I’m excited for all of them,” Sutton said.

Pueblo Band Marches To State Championships 2021

By Dayanara Gonzalez & Isaiah Sotelo

Pueblo’s band performing at the University of Arizona on ‘Band Day’. This was the State qualifying competition that the band earned a Top Five spot to qualify.

Pueblo’s nearly all-new marching band has not only made music for our Pueblo community during sports games and other events. Their enthusiasm has been palpable, and students have been very passionate about trying their best.

Their passion and dedication, uniformed cadence propelled this marching band to attend State competitions on Nov. 13 at Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix.

Out of nearly 200 bands in competition, Pueblo placed 35th.

However, despite students’ triumph this school year, the season began a bit awkwardly—due primarily to students’ inexperience. However, that was just temporary. Many of the beginners learned quickly—as they strived to be their best not only for themselves but for the entire team.

“It [the marching band] had so much to learn at the beginning of this season that I considered cutting the season,” said Mr. Jesus Jacquez, the band director.

He added that even though it wasn’t easy for them, marching band members gave it their all by practicing not only when they had to but in their spare time as they were motivated to become better musicians.

Jacquez is proudest of his students for their growth and for their motivation. For three years, he has been taking his students to State, and this is the best placement his students have performed.

Junior alto saxophone player Charles Foster said, “I practiced in my spare time because it’s a great feeling knowing that I’m not only improving but also helping out the entire band. Making music is one of my favorite things to do.”

Students remained motivated primarily because of Jacquez’s frequent pep-talks, and this support and unyielding encouragement inspired his students.

“Every year I try [to motivate students to do their best],” said Mr. Jacquez. “We all work really hard, and if students want to be pushed, I will push with them.”

Jacquez, who also teaches AP music theory, orchestra, and choir, really enjoys working with his students and wants to help kids grow and reach new heights.

“Nobody knows exactly when students in the band got so good, but they were all excited about making it to the State championship,” he added. “Obviously, we were good enough to qualify for State.”

Senior tuba player/low brass section leader Raul Velazquez said, “We are breathed a sigh of relief to know that all of our hard work and determination was recognized—as we advanced to the State championship.”

Many of the teammates were nervous but also excited and ready to show the world what they could do at State competitions.

“I’m extremely happy we went to State, although it was nerve-racking,” said junior Joey Rodriguez, tenor saxophonist.

Color guard senior Marla Terminel, said, “We [Pueblo’s band] made history this year! It’s crazy-good to be a part of this success and recognition.”

Pueblo Community Invited To Attend ‘Borderlands’

by Paula Fierros & Daniela Moreno

On Saturday, Feb. 3, in Room T-12, graphic design teacher Mr. Ernesto Somoza held a meeting promote a project called “Borderlands”. Since then, he has organized and orchestrated other meetings—all leading up to an April 21 trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.

In February, six local artists attended the meeting and shared the same enthusiasm as Somoza, as well as their experiences in the field of art, specifically on and about the border.

“Our mission for this project is to help the students interact with the community and focus on the seriousness of the border,” Somoza said. “Beautiful art work is needed to change the ugliness of the border.”

The first artist to speak was Pueblo alumni Ruben Romero, from the Class of 1994; he donated pieces of his artwork, which contain a lot of political and cultural symbolism.

Romero said, “It is important to fuel the fire for the next generation of activists and to shine the light on human cruelty.”

A group of activists known as Derechos Humanos (Human Rights) with three representatives spoke about the way they have dealt with controlling of immigration and the border.

“What our group does is represent the rights every immigrant that crosses the border has,” said spokesperson Rachel Garcia. “Our group has a tradition where we have a pilgrimage to San Xavier carrying crosses that we made with the names of dead people found in the Arizona desert border towns—which is known as The Disappeared Art Project, and we lay the crosses down in front of San Xavier.”

Mr. Alfred Quiroz, an art professor at the University of Arizona, recalls several experiences with artists to create a more “aesthetically pleasing” border. However, in 2010, he was forced to remove the pieces due to the reconstruction of the border.

“A funny story is that I went to Nogales, and I saw my art,” Quiroz said. “I noticed it was little crooked, so I went to fix it, and an older man across the street yelled at me not touch the art. I explained to him that I was one of the artists who created that piece, and I asked him why he yelled at me. He responded that everyone from around there loved the art. It built the community’s unity.”

The last speaker was a former Pueblo student/artist, Hecho Diaz.

He said, “I came to this school [Pueblo] but was kicked out.”

Diaz said that he later became a graffiti “writer”, and he is also a graphic designer who has worked with big companies, creating graphics for them. He remains fervid about his community using his social media platform.

“I have seen and experienced things but the border is ridiculous, this country was built by immigrants,” Diaz said. “The border is a representation of how America feels about the Mexicans.”

Somoza said that the theme of the competition will be butterflies, and anyone who chooses to attend the event will be able to put these magnetic butterflies on the border wall—as well as project their artwork on the border wall.

He added that the butterflies are a metaphor—as they are creatures who migrate from the South to the North for better weather, “Immigrants migrate for a better life, too,” Somoza said.

The art competition ended on March 24. The first place winner received $300, and his/her art will be projected onto the border April 21 in Nogales, Ariz., with the following longitude N. 31 and latitude 19.998 W 110 54 651, along with all submissions near the Hudgen’s abandoned courthouse.

Somoza suggested that those wanting to attend this event should leave Tucson at 5:30 p.m. in order to arrive in Nogales at approximately 6:30 p.m. He added that if people have questions about this event, they should contact him ASAP in Room T-12. Somoza said that he is also providing transportation to the border wall for students with permission slips and approval—pending district approval.

If anyone is interested in submitting art, please email it to: submitborderlandsart@gmail.com.

Representative Raúl Grijalva (D) has publicly acknowledged his approval of this project and may attend the event on April 21.

‘Beatlemania’ Rocks Pueblo

by Yamilex Garcia

On Thursday, March 15, 2016, Pueblo’s fine arts department students entertained a small crowd with a concert, performing some of the most influential music by the 1960s English rock and roll band, the Beatles, who, even to this day, hold the record for the most number one singles by a band and the most singles in the Billboard Top 100. In fact, in one week in early April 1964, the Beatles occupied all of the Top Five singles—an amazing feat that has never been duplicated.

After 50 years since the Beatles landed at New York’s JFK Airport in February 1964, “Beatlemania” has not waned. Here at Pueblo, there are many who consider the Beatles one of the greatest bands ever.

The concert consisted of guitar class students, mariachi students, solo performances by teachers, staff, and students, and included the jazz club’s first performance, all whom performed Beatles song in different musical styles.

“The performances were a new concept and all of Mr. Vargas’ ideas, but the concert took on a life of its own,” band and jazz director Mr. Jeff Shepherd said.

After teaching his students Beatles classics for the third quarter, guitar teacher Mr. Jonathan Vargas used the performances as an evaluation for his students and their progress. Mariachi Aztlan also took part in the event, interpreting two Beatle songs in a mariachi style, including “All You Need Is Love”. They also performed Tony Bennett’s 1962 classic “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” and the 1960 R & B classic, “At Last”.

Music teacher Mr. Jim Hill, along with Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Vargas sang two songs, including the Beatles’ “Oh, Darling”.

Also, teachers Ms. Sarah Sutton (drama) and Mr. Shepherd sang two duets.

Mariachi teacher Mr. Johnny Contreras said, “This concert was awesome! I think Pueblo should have more concerts that involve students and teachers.” He added, “Maybe next time Dr. Romero could sing a song for the audience.”

“The night was an awesome collaboration of all the fine arts programs,” said Vargas. “I’m proud of all of the students who participated in this event. We had really positive criticism from the Pueblo community, including Dr. Romero, who announced over the intercom that he really enjoyed the concert.”

Mariachi Aztlan Performs At Arizona State Capitol

This past Monday, March 4 Pueblo’s Mariachi Aztlan performed at our Arizona State Capital. Three performances were given, one to Secretary of State Ken Bennett and Senators Bradley and Lopez, one on the mall between the House and Senate and the third was at the opening of senate meeting.

Pueblo students with Secretary Bennett and Senators Bradley and Lopez.

This is the first time a student group has been invited to perform for a senate meeting. The students received a standing ovation by all the senators. The House plans to extend an invitation in the future and the comments from everyone were of the highest compliment.

Secretary Bennett Senators Bradley & Lopez And Teachers — Secretary Bennett, Senators Bradley & Lopez And Teachers

Fine Arts Teachers with Secretary Bennett and the Senators.

We are so proud of our Mariachi representing our school at the local, state and national level!