Cafeteria Gets Final Remodel

By Sofia Larribas & Jessica Palomares

Despite all the work that was completed to Pueblo High School’s cafeteria last summer, there were some residual remodeling projects; during winter break, the final details were added, including new tables and chairs.

In his continued efforts to improve archaic infrastructure at Pueblo, Principal Frank Rosthenhausler had applied for a grant and was awarded $225,000 and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to direct the funds to the cafeteria renovation project.

Rosthenhausler stated, “The idea of the renovation came about last year, I saw that there were areas that needed improvement.”

Rosthenhausler said, “We wanted to make the cafeteria look truly artistic, and the shades of orange chosen on the soft seating in the cafeteria also affect mood.”

Mr. Rosthenhausler found a West Coast designer, Ella, to come up with models for the new look.

“There are plans for a big TV to go in the cafeteria that was donated to us by Lapan Foundation, a generous organization that provides students with scholarships and mentorships, but other than that, the project is pretty much done,” Rosthenhausler stated.

Cafeteria employee Mr. Rafael Garcia thinks the cafeteria looks nice, but it is also harder to clean because of all the chairs because a lot of the kids move the chairs to other tables.

One cafeteria employee, Ms. Sonia Lopez, said, “I love the renovation, I think it looks beautiful.”

Renovations: What’s Next for Pueblo?

By Jessica Palomares & Sofia Larribas

Cafeteria, Library & Patio Upgrades

In the last few years, Pueblo High School has boasted some very impressive renovations, including a modern library, artificial turf in the patio, a much-needed cafeteria renovation, newly updated bathrooms, but PHS Principal Frank Rosthenhausler has many additional plans of improvement.

Rosthenhausler plans to continue the trend of campus renovations including adding art on the front office doors. He also would like to see new windows and doors for Lever Gym.

Speaking of Lever Gym… New bleachers should be added to the facility before the end of February.

To afford these projects, Rosthenhausler stays busy writing grants to find the money for these renovations and finding workers to complete his visions.

“Improving a school is what a good principal does,” he stated.

LaVetter Gym Floorboards Damaged!

By Saul Arias & Aubrey Garcia

Pueblo High School’s LaVetter Gym floorboards are warping and causing mold due to a water leak from roof.

It is still unknown what caused the leakage from the pipes, but the damage is extensive.

“The leakage started years ago,” said Assistant Principal Meg Tully, “we have contacted TUSD about this issue.”

TUSD contacted Risk Management Facilities, who have yet to determine a plan and date for the repairs.

“I hope it gets fixed as soon as possible,” said Assistant Principal Karla Martinez. “We’re just waiting for the district to contact us with a plan and date for repairs.”

It is estimated that the repairs will take a week to be completed, and the gym will have to be closed due to toxic fumes from chemicals used for restoration.

“We have to take into account that boys and girls basketball practices there,” said Martinez. “Also, students use the gym during both lunches.”

PHS Cafeteria: From One Star To Four Stars!

By Jose Nagore

Throughout much of the summer, Pueblo High School’s cafeteria was renovated, which has dramatically improved the atmosphere where hundreds of students gather for lunch each day. Even those who have been at PHS more than 30 years have said that nothing significant (except the mural on the north wall) has been done to the cafeteria during their tenure.

New renovations include new flooring, repainting, added padding to walls, new bathrooms, and new lighting. The $700,000 price tag for this prodigious project was paid for by grants—and money well spent on the cafeteria’s first “face-lift” in decades.

Students have been quick to evaluate the project.

“The cafeteria looks a lot cleaner than ever,” said Pueblo senior Jonas Vazquez, “It looks amazing, and I hope that students take better care of it all—and that means picking up after themselves every day instead of leaving everything a mess!”

“There is a lot more room on the tables,” said Pueblo sophomore Angelo Ortega. “We students get to hang out with more people during lunch now.”

Sophomore Magle Andrade said, “The [renovated] cafeteria is not as dark, which seems to really brighten our lunch time.”

Besides the impressive renovations, students have also noticed the food quality.

“[The food] is way better compared to last year, especially the pizza,” said Pueblo junior Israel Figueroa.

“I’ve noticed that we have a lot more variety in the food choices this school year,” said Pueblo junior Sebastian Marinval.

“The kids [last year] complained about the appearance and taste of the food,” said cafeteria worker Manuela Drum, “so a lot of what is on the menu this school year has been changed to satisfy students.”

According to PHS Principal Frank Rosthenhausler, there are still a few late additions to complete the cafeteria renovation project – including new furniture, bar-style tables, round tables, and even some sofas.

“The library was the first major overhaul at Pueblo, and now with the cafeteria near completion, we can focus on the next project—which will be new gym floors and bleachers,” he added.

Library To Get New ‘Cover’

By Eve Woods & Kevin Salazar

Library Practice students help with the packing & storage of books.

After 20 years from its last major makeover, Pueblo’s Cajero Library is at last undergoing new significant renovations coming to the Warrior community in early 2022.

Ms. Marsh-Jean Burrola, Pueblo’s librarian, shares her enthusiasm.

“I can’t wait to feel how clean the [renovated] library is going to feel!” she said.

Stained, dirty carpet throughout the library will be removed, replaced with tile in most areas. All of the old furniture—several dozen tables and countless bookshelves—has already been removed, donated mostly to teachers. A lot of new equipment is going to be added to this renovation project.

“There were times when it breathing felt icky in the library,” Burrola said. “Sometimes it was very uncomfortable to be in there.”

“I’ve been here for four years, and I’ve seen the same old carpet every day,” she added.

According to Burrola, these new renovations will be costly but a worthy investment for our current and future students.

“The library is the core of most schools,” Burrola said, “and that’s especially true of Pueblo’s library. I anticipate that more teachers and students will be utilizing its resources once the project is completed hopefully during the third quarter.”

Burrola said that her students have helped her nearly since the beginning of the school year to temporarily move books to other locations.

“Moving tons of books was grueling, and I’m grateful for the help that I received,” she said.”

One of Burrola’s students, junior Samuel Gonzalez, said, “Helping Ms. B [Burrola] was a pleasure. She always told me and the other students how lucky she was to have us to assist her.”

Gonzalez added, “At times, it seemed that we’d never finish packing all those books, but slowly but surely, we had it all cleared out, ready for the major renovations. Finding boxes was challenging, but through a lot of teachers’ donations, we got thousands of books out of there.”

Burrola would like to thank Principal Frank Rosthenhausler for supporting her vision of a much needed and modern library.

She would like to especially thank Assistant Principal David Montano for being instrumental in finding “homes” for the old furniture for teachers’ classrooms.

Solar Panels Project Shines At Pueblo

by Paula Fierros & Celestina Marinez

Pueblo Solar Panel Project 2018 by Leo Parra

Even though the solar panels project in the parking lot was supposed to be completed before the beginning of this school year, this construction project did not begin until July 16, making the beginning of the school year a bit chaotic for many employees and students looking for parking spaces.

More than three months later, the project is nearing completion. Final work continues,and an expected date of completion is estimated to be near the end of the semester.

Mr. Mark Farcis, a foreman for the Future Vervan Energy corporation, said, “We are nearing the end of our stay here,” he said. “All that is left is to connect all of the panels to one power source.”

Completion of this project will ease parking nightmares for faculty, staff and students.

“Traffic in and out of Pueblo has been horrid,” said Assistant Principal Mr. David Montaño, “but we’ve done the best we could do under these circumstances. We hope that everybody can be a little patient because in the end, we’re going to have a beautiful new parking lot that will be environmentally impactful.”

Due to a reduced number of spaces in our usual parking lot due to the installation of the panels, many teachers have had to park in the several new areas that have been designated temporary parking locations.

In the end, the solar panels will be improving the environment as well as reducing the district’s electricity bill.

“Cutting the energy bill in half is always a good thing,” said Ms. Kathryn Gunnels, assistant principal.

The big plan is to go green will take over the district. Many schools in T.U.S.D. have already completed their own solar panels projects in those schools’ parking lots.

Gunnels said, “We live in a world with limited resources, and it makes perfect sense to use our unlimited resource in Arizona—the sun.”