Students Attend Camp, Learn Leadership Skills

By Julie Harrison and Cynthia Rojas

Pueblo SkillsUSA Students attend Camp

Pueblo Magnet High School’s SkillsUSA 10 club members and its two advisors attended the 2014 SkillsUSA leadership training camp in Williams, AZ, for three days, Nov. 12-14.

One of the primary objectives of this trip was to train SkillsUSA members to build leadership skills and to unite the group through a multitude of activities during the three-day event.

“The trip was very helpful—not only for me personally but for the entire group as well,” said Jesus Alvarez, a senior. He added, “We were able to bring back ice-breaking techniques and learn new ways to become effective leaders.”

During their trip, SkillsUSA members networked with other SkillsUSA groups and programs across the state, and in the process, they learned their own strengths and weaknesses as well as communication skills between their own members and other groups.

When the students arrived, they had the opportunity to set up their cabin rooms. Then, they had a chance to socialize with other students until opening session that evening. At this session, students listened to a key-note speaker who engaged them in ice-breaking activities. Dinner followed this session, and then students were divided into six regional meetings.

A dodge ball tournament, which was hosted and organized by one of the Tucson schools (Canyon Del Oro), followed the meetings, and Pueblo’s team advanced to the semi-final tournament.

The next day, the students participated in various classes that provided them with a multitude of leadership activities and trainings.

Advisor Pete Pederson, who also teaches graphic arts and the yearbook, said, “As an advisor, I also was able to gain knowledge of how to incorporate my students’ talents and their individuality into the classroom. This camp helped me with altering my curriculum in a way that built a community and develop student leadership.”

Pederson added that he noticed that members who attended this camp were already exemplifying better and stronger leadership qualities upon their return to Pueblo.

Ms. Marie Little, the other SkillsUSA advisor, said, “I picked up materials in leadership and personal responsibility that can be integrated in automotive skills and utilized by myself and my students in the delivery of instruction.”

Leonardo Serrano, a senior, said, “When we got back from this trip, we decided to plan a new lesson with Ms. [Marie] Little. We participated in ice-breakers, and gained a lot of knowledge about each other.” He added, “This trip and all of the activities that we did during those days really brought us together while helping us students to become better leaders.”

Warrior Wrestling Finishes 7th At William Bell Tournament

This past weekend, the Warrior Wrestling team participated in the TUSD William Bell Wrestling Tournament.

As a team, Pueblo ended up with a 5 win, 3 loss tournament record, which was not bad considering we fielded only 10 out of 14 possible wrestling weight classes. Pueblo ended up in 7th place out of 15 teams and qualified 6 wrestlers for the individual mini- tournament. In this part of the tournament, we finished in 4th place with those 6 wrestlers.

Anthony Montiel takes down opponent at William Bell Tournament 2014

We are very proud of the performance these young men gave and are anticipating an excellent season, especially when we get back some key wrestlers in January. Sadly, Anthony Montiel dislocated his shoulder and will not be able to continue. He was undefeated in his 4th match when it happened and ended up with a 3-1 record.

Congratulations to following wrestlers:

Champions

132- Christian Felix (Jr)
160- Samuel Sierra (Fr)

Runner-up Champion

220- George Majuta (Jr)

3rd Place
195- Miguel Moreno (Jr)
285- Ares Benitez (Jr)

4th Place
113- Nick Gallegos (So)

The other young men who also wrestled and did well are;
126- Matt Luna (Jr)
145- Lazaro Tovar-Fimbres (Jr)
152- Billy Bertsch (So)
170- Anthony Montiel (Sr)

Pueblo MEChA Honors 43 Mexican Victims

By Sabrina Parra and Anais Salais

Display of support for 43 Missing from Ayotzinapa

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Pueblo Magnet High School’s very own MEChA Club demonstrated their support and respect to the 43 students who vanished on Sept. 26 in Guerrero, Mexico.

The 43 students were on their way to protest the lack of funding in their school when they were stopped by policemen and were said to be taken. Their whereabouts are still unknown, and the investigation on these students has been on going ever since.

Pueblo’s MEChA students decided to participate and take a stand in these demonstrations to inform the Pueblo community of the situation happening in Mexico.

Damaris Ponce, a member of MEChA, said, “A lot of people didn’t know about what was happening in Mexico and we wanted them to know that we cared and to show Mexico that we are supporting their cause.”

Yajaira Ceballos, MEChA. Co-chair said, “It hurts me to see what they’re going through, someone shouldn’t be punished for wanting to make a difference. We want them to see that we care and that we want to help them make a difference.”

The displays included 43 ribbons, posters hung on teachers’ doors, and 43 chairs laid out in the patio with the pictures of the students.

43 Chairs for the missing from Ayotzinapa

“The pictures and displays were a way to humanize the students and to show that this could have happened to anybody fighting for their rights,” said teacher and MEChA. Co-counselor Jessica Mejia.

Demonstrations were not just held at Pueblo but globally, including support from countries such as Argentina. The demonstrations were purposely held on Nov. 20 because it is the same day of the Mexican Revolution. (The Mexican Revolution brought the overthrow of dictator José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori after 35 years of rule. In 1920 General Álvaro Obregón became the new president.)

“This event has been a lot like starting a new revolution for Mexico and putting pressure on the Mexican government to change and take back their country,” said Mejia.

Although MEChA and other protesters around the world brought attention to this situation in Mexico, the support towards this cause and the search for the students does not end here.

Display of support for 43 Missing from Ayotzinapa

“This is a continuing issue and the people protesting are not going to rest until the 43 students are found and their family receives some closure,” said teacher and MEChA Co-counselor Mr. Jesus Orduño.

MEChA encourages the Pueblo community to follow along with the story in Mexico and to continue showing their support for the families.

“MEChA is about seeking social justice and we have a lot more in store for this year. We meet every Friday, and our door is always open to new members,” said Orduño.

Display of support for 43 Missing from Ayotzinapa

Library Opens (Finally!)

by Cynthia Rojas

Pueblo Magnet High School’s wait for our library to open full-time has finally ended. This week, Pueblo’s library will be open to students, as a library assistant has been hired: Mr. Leo Graves.

For the first 15 weeks of this school year, Pueblo students did not have access to the library throughout the entire school day.

“Not having a full-time library goes against common sense regarding education, especially at a time when I desperately needed help researching or looking for a book,” said Julie Harrison, a senior.

Our new principal, Dr. Augustine Romero, was working diligently to ensure students access to their school’s library.

“The district thought we had a set fund for a librarian, but when brought to their attention, they saw that there was no budget for this position,” he said.

Up until this week, some Pueblo teachers served as substitute librarians in the mornings and after school. However, this was little comfort to some who needed access to the library throughout the school day.

Ms. Karen Rimmell, who teaches sophomore and junior English, said, “It is difficult for teachers and students alike to receive the help they needed when it comes to researching a subject for an essay, especially when their time in the library was limited to before and after school.”

Students also were unable to visit the library before the school day to finish work. This frustrated many Pueblo students.

Yasmine Osuna-Saenz, a junior, stated, “For the first quarter and a half, I had to interrupt teachers who have a computer lab in order to finish work I have yet to complete.” She added, “Unfortunately, during this time, students who did not have access to computers at home needed to use a computer in the library—when the computer labs were completely full. To even have an assistant librarian is awesome! Maybe nobody will be stealing books now.”

Mr. Jesus Orduño, Spanish teacher, said, “It is a shame that we could not afford a librarian at Pueblo until now. Throughout my K-12 grade years and all throughout my college years, I have always had a librarian. They were major contributors to my success.”

Not having a librarian for the first 15 weeks of the school year made our library a popular ditching spot, according to parent-mentor Ms. Evelia Lopez, whose office is near the library. She said that students ditched in the library every day and nearly every period.

Dr. Romero said that many students and teachers have vented to him about the hardships of not being able to use the library and is relieved that students and teaches will be able to use this important resource. He added that he is aware that some books have been borrowed or have “walked away”—and he asks those who have taken these books to return them to the library.

Dr. Romero insisted, “There will be a full-time librarian next year—the district will ensure that we have a budget for this much-needed position.”

Class of ’15: All the Way to May!

by Anais Salais

Pueblo Class Of 2015 Motivated To Graduate
Back row: Julio Moreno, Destiny Felix, Leo Serrano, Hilario Ochoa, Joseph Ochoa. Front row: Catalina Flores, Julian Francisco, President Maria Louisa Vega, Sabrina Parra, Sierra Mejia, Esmeralda Salazar

The past 2013-14 school year experienced the lowest graduating class in the recent history of Pueblo Magnet High School, with only 197 students walking the night of graduation, May 22 (although another 23 graduated after attending summer school), according to Ms. Marina Ordonez, Pueblo’s registrar.

There are several factors why not all 283 seniors walked in May, but the biggest was students’ lack of credits, she said.

Another factor that held back seniors were AIMS scores. Of the 2013-14 seniors who still needed to pass math AIMS, only 17% actually did—accounting for just 12 students.

Despite the grim Class of 2014 graduation numbers, the statistic could have been even worse. Several dozens of students were able to graduate on time because of AIMS prep courses and through the CCLC program, which allowed many students to pass one or more portions of AIMS.

This school year, CCLC is in full-force, Ms. Mary Wallace said. Also, math tutoring will continue this school year after school with various math teachers; Mr. Rashad Robinson will continue to tutor students on Saturdays to help those students who are struggling to pass math AIMS.

To ensure that all 360 seniors graduate on May 21, 2015, some believe it will take more than just credit recovery classes and AIMS prep.

Few students care as much about this year’s graduation numbers as senior class president Maria Louisa Vega.

“I think that last year’s seniors may not have been as academically driven,” Vega said. “The graduation number was small, but they were a small class to begin with at the beginning of their senior year. We [the class of 2015] are a larger class, and I feel that our class of 2015 is a more unified group [than the class of 2014] who really wants the best for each other.”

Vega is hopeful that this year’s seniors will continue to motivate each other.

“I plan to be everyone’s shoulder to lean on whenever they need help,” said Vega. “I just feel that if everyone has someone to help them along the way, we can make sure that our class remains united and, in the end, triumphant.”

Wallace said, “First and foremost, our [Pueblo] students need to step up. We also need to better educate the students and their parents on the importance of graduating and furthering their education.”

King Zelin and Queen Gelsey Crowned at Homecoming

By Ezra Valenzuela

Homecoming celebrations would not be complete without the traditional crowning of our king and queen—Pueblo’s royalty. This year’s contenders were seniors Sergio Cordova, Sabrina Parra, Zelin Pallanes and Gelsey Grijalva.

During halftime, our Warriors’ choice was announced: King Zelin and Queen Gelsey!

Grijalva, who is a member of the Spirit Line, accepted the crown with great surprise.

“I felt excited to be chosen as my school’s homecoming queen because it’s such a great tradition!” Grijalva said. “Becoming queen was such an honor especially at the last home football game during our awesome winning season.”

She paused and added, “This is the last home [football] game that I’ll ever attend as a Pueblo student, so the entire night was very sentimental and especially memorable. I’ll never forget the magic in the air—not only to be voted queen but also to be a part of this triumphant season at Pueblo.”

Homecoming King Zelin Pallanes said, “I was totally surprised that my peers would vote for me, so I am definitely humbled by the entire experience.”

“My crown is going to remain a treasure in my life,” Pallanes said. “It means a lot to me that I won during the last home game of this triumphant football season.”

For the rest of the evening, Pallanes and Grijalva cheered on their Warrior team. In the end, Pueblo defeated Empire by a score of 47-27.

To view complete picture gallery of Homecoming 2014: Click Here