Freshmen – Pueblo High School

Girls Basketball: Learning From Their Mistakes

by Darian Aldaco & Getsemani Cazares

Girls basketball is now halfway through their season, and with a record of 7-14 (as of Jan. 28), their conference games are now coming to an end.

Clearly, the girls’ basketball season is not going as expected, however, they continue to push forward and make the best out of the remaining season.

Coach Ismael Galindo said, “The goal is always the same, State championship; unfortunately, with a recent loss, we are out of the state tournament for the first time in five years.”

Galindo has a few words to say about his young varsity team.

He said, “I’m always excited about freshmen because it gives me time to teach them, although I feel that I can teach anyone who wants to learn.”

Freshman point guard Victoria Cazares is making huge strides as the leading scorer and starter for the varsity team.

She said, “Being a freshman on the varsity team takes hard work and dedication. A spot on the varsity team isn’t given, it’s earned.”

Myla Truitt, another Class of ’23 freshman, is a shooting guard and a starter on varsity.

She said, “Playing on varsity is fun, it’s more competitive and faster pace. Our season has been good, but it could be better.”

Coach Galindo said the season is not over until it’s over; however, he does admit that the team will have to make some adjustments.

He said, “I’m not giving up on this season, but we can take what we’ve learned this season and use it for motivation to work harder and get better for next season.” “The differences year to year doesn’t really matter. Players have to play, and coaches have to coach,” he said.

Class of 2023 Freshmen Finding Their Way Through First Semester

by Ismael Angulo & Alina Cuen

Every new school year at Pueblo High School, many freshmen seem to struggle to transition to high school—from being “kings/queens of the hill” in middle school to feeling insignificant as ninth graders in a new environment.

Even though we’re close to the end of the first semester, several freshmen admitted that they were challenged by their first few days at Pueblo back in August—including getting lost finding their classes or being confused about which lunch to take. Now, at the near-end of the first semester, most freshmen have found a routine and admit to enjoying their new school. Truly, they have found their ways…

Kortez Rodriguez, one of the more than nearly 500 freshmen this year at Pueblo, said, “This first quarter wasn’t as confusing as it could have been for me because a lot of upperclassmen helped guide me. Not all upperclassmen hate freshmen!”

Transitioning from a middle school to a high school can be a big milestone for many freshmen.

Freshman Eve Woods feels proud of herself to have earned a perfect GPA for first quarter, but she admits that she had her share of personal challenges.

“It was difficult to put myself out there,” Woods said. “But, in the end, I found that being involved in volleyball really helped me to meet new people.”

Woods suggest that all freshmen should become involved with an activity because it will help them to establish new friends and to help them feel that they are part of a community.

Another freshman, Issac Palomo, said that making new friends has been his biggest struggle.

“I came to Pueblo from Pueblo Gardens, and only friend from that school came with me here,” Palomo said.

“I plan to get involved with sports,” Palomo added, “and this will hopefully help me to make more friends at Pueblo.”

Pueblo counselor Ms. Marian Finley said that freshmen have many opportunities to transition smoothly into high school.

“Freshman Experience is a great program for incoming freshman, and this past summer, we had a record number of participants,” Finley said. “Each student gained high school exposure and one-half credit to start off their freshman year.”

Class Of 2022 Freshmen Endure First Quarter

By Getsemani Cazares & Sophia Shivers

Class of 2022 Warriors: William Santos, Tanya Rivera & Daidryan Mendivil (L to R)

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, wasn’t just the first day for nearly 1,850 students but the first day for incoming freshmen (the Class of 2022), ready to experience their first year of high school at Pueblo.

This year, Pueblo can boast 444 freshmen; that number is up from last year, when we had 410 freshmen, according to Ms. Rachel Apalategui, Pueblo’s registrar.

One new Pueblo freshman, Marie Romero, attended Hollinger K-8 during her middle school years and admitted that she is prepared for her high school experience.

Romero said, “I’m looking forward to passing and surviving my freshman year without any distractions.”

Another Warrior freshman, William Santos, who attended Roberts Naylor K-8 school, said that he had no fear when it came to attending Pueblo.

Santos said, “I’m focusing on getting good grades and making the boys’ varsity basketball team.”

Tanya Rivera, also from the Class of 2022, also attended Hollinger K-8, said that she is currently getting the high school vibe.

“I look forward to learning how to play the flute and making new friends,” Rivera said.

Freshman Jesus Romero attended Pistor Middle School prior to officially becoming a Warrior, and he said that he had a very exciting first day as a high school student.

“My plan is to earn good grades the entire year and be a part of the Pueblo High School wrestling team,” he said.

Daidryan Mendivil, who graduated from South Gate Middle School last spring, said the he had an easy transition from middle school to high school. Mendivil said that he plans to stay committed to a few sports and clubs. In fact, he already joined TRIO, a club that focuses on students’ collegiate futures.

Mendivil said, “I’ll admit that I’m a little nervous, but I’m going to continue to focus on earning good grades and football and basketball.”

Freshman (and sophomore) counselor Ms. Marian Finely has some great advice for our freshmen to be successful this year and for the remainder of the school year.

“Don’t flunk any of your classes,” she said. “Also, get involved in clubs, and don’t get involved with the wrong group. Stay true to yourself.”