Pueblo’s Cajero Library

Why Cajero Library?

If you’ve graduated from an Arizona high school in the last two decades, you owe something to Carmen Cajero, the 90-year-old former state legislator who died Sunday.

Money.

And perhaps the fact you got a diploma in the first place.

That’s because until the 1980s, Arizona high schoolers had to pay for their textbooks. It was Cajero who, 72 years after Arizona became a state, finally convinced her colleagues it made no sense to charge high school students to go to school.

Carmen Cajero

She inherited the quest from her husband, Bernardo, who was president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Tucson’s Pueblo High School.

Bernardo "Nayo" Cajero

Their daughter, Olivia Cajero Bedford, said he learned of kids who did not come to school. She said he would get a list of absentees and visit the parents.

“They would tell him, ‘We’re embarrassed, we can’t afford the textbooks, so we’re keeping our children home,’ ” recalled Cajero Bedford who, like her mother and father before her, now is a state legislator.

“That became his mission: to run for office and change the law,” she said. Bernardo Cajero was elected to the Legislature in 1966 but died seven years later, no closer to his goal.

His widow, Carmen, 56 at the time, persuaded the Pima County Board of Supervisors to appoint her to finish out his term. And she continued getting re-elected every two years.

But Cajero, a Democrat in a Republican-controlled Legislature, said in a 1984 interview that she’d had no idea how difficult it would be to accomplish the goal.

“Even with the budget surpluses we were running in those days, in the area of $40 million a year, everyone said we had to save that money in case there was an emergency,” she said.

For Cajero, the emergency was there for children in her district. “They sent me letters. They even sent me their bills from the (school) bookstore.”

It took until 1984 for the political winds to blow in Cajero’s favor.

A gubernatorial commission on public education supported free texts as one of its recommendations. And Gov. Bruce Babbitt called on lawmakers to provide the necessary funds.

Governor Bruce Babbit with Carmen Cajero

But what may have finally turned the tide is that House Majority Leader Burton Barr signed Cajero’s bill as a co-sponsor, giving it the official blessing of the most powerful elected Republican in the state.

Former House Minority Leader Art Hamilton said it also helped that Cajero — unlike other legislators, including himself — did not use the textbook issue as part of any larger political agenda. “They knew she just cared about the issue,” he said.

That helped her overcome an effort by Sen. Jacque Steiner, R-Phoenix, to tack the issue onto her own legislation to require students to stay in school through the 10th grade, two years longer than required at the time. But Steiner was willing to provide free texts only to those whose family incomes qualified them for the federal free-lunch program.

“When Jacque introduced her ‘only for the needy’ bill, I blew my stack,” Cajero recalled. She said those classified as needy may actually have more available cash than the working poor who do not have the benefit of welfare, food stamps and free medical care.

Hamilton said Cajero also used her position on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure Southern Arizona — and the University of Arizona in particular — did not get lost in the budget negotiations. He said she would “beat the crap out of the rest of us on making sure the U of A got its money.”

She was known for her frugal living style, trying to stretch legislators’ pay as far as possible. During sessions she lived in a travel trailer set up at a Phoenix mobile home park. Cajero retired from the Legislature in 1996.

She also is survived by another daughter, Monica Cajero, and two grandchildren.

Courtesy Of Arizona Daily Star Obituary (April 3, 2007)

A True Trailblazer

State senator Olivia Cajero Bedford didn’t have to look far from home for mentors. She credits her parents Bernardo and Carmen Cajero with having instilled in her a passion for civic engagement and public service.

The family’s history of public service started with Olivia’s father, Bernardo “Nayo” Cajero. The Morenci native settled in Tucson and opened a barber shop in the historic barrio known as “El Hoyo.” It attracted a steady clientele of neighbors, local politicians, teachers and prominent community leaders.

He entered politics encouraged in part by individuals affiliated with the civil rights organization Alianza Hispano Americana and members of the Democratic Party. In 1968, he won a District 10 seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. His work as a precinct and city ward committeeman, and his popularity as an astute businessman and president of Pueblo High School’s PTA, made his election an easy victory.

In January 1973, Bernardo passed away following a series of heart attacks, just as he was beginning his third term as a state representative. Gov. Jack Williams left it to the Pima County Board of Supervisors to select his successor; Carmen Cajero, his widow, was selected to finish his term.

Assuming office, Carmen matched Nayo’s zeal and soon established her own solid reputation as a skillful and smart legislator. Her calm but firm manner won her numerous friends and the respect of colleagues, many of whom fondly called her La Paloma.

She was a champion for the elderly, the poor, women and children. She was particularly proud of introducing an education bill that had been first favored by her husband. The bill called for free textbooks for Arizona’s high school students. She fought for this bill for more than a decade; it was finally passed and signed into law in 1985.

In the 1990s, she introduced a bill that provided state funds to the University of Arizona for bone marrow and cancer research. With her support, the university’s Cancer Research Center was established. She also supported funding for a clinic in her district to help victims of water contamination and pollution. The National Honor Roll of State Legislators acknowledged Carmen for her leadership and efforts to promote and protect the rights of women.

Courtesy of Latino Perspectives Magazine

Art Students Awarded

Three of our talented Pueblo Student Artists have been recognized and honored for their artistic excellence.

Christiane Valenzuela, Class of 2011, has been selected as a recipient for the prestigious and highly competitive Pima County Youth Scholarship Award 2011, for her portfolio submission in the Visual Art category. Christiane will attend the Annual Crystal Apple Award ceremony May 6 to receive her Pima County Youth Art Award for $1,200 based on the merit of her artistic excellence.

Christiane Valenzuela presents her award winning portfolio

Nadia Ayon, Class of 2011, has been selected for the Award of Honor Scholarship to the college of her choice by the judges of the 2011 Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild (SAWG) Art Scholarship Competition. Nadia will receive her $750 award at the Annual SAWG Art Scholarship Awards Reception and Ceremony.

Title of award winning ink drawing: Melding the Eye, Hand, and Heart

Nadia Ayon with her award winning piece

Jorge Ramirez, Class of 2013, exhibiting participant in the Joel D. Valdez Main Library High School Art Invitational was selected to receive the Best of Mixed/Other Media Award. Jorge was presented with a gift card to Barnes and Noble at the Artist reception held on April 16.

Title of award winning construction paper assemblage: Ilusión/Illusion

Jorge Ramirez's award winning art piece

Cristiane & Nadia are enrolled in Mrs. Dolores Carrion’s AP Studio Art Drawing Class and Jorge is in Beginning Art.

Congratulations to all of them!

Click To Enlarge

2011 Warrior Baseball Team Marches On [Updated]

Update #2:  Warriors fall short to Sabino 4-6.  Great season comes to an end.  Great effort by our baseball team.

[View Entire Photo Gallery Of Round 2]

Warriors come up short vs. Sabino
Great season Warriors! Congratulations!

UPDATE: Round 2 vs. Sabino will be Wednesday, May 11 at Hi Corbett Field. First pitch is at 7:00 p.m. Come support our Warrior Baseball Team!

The Warrior Baseball team advances to 2nd round round of the 2011 state playoffs. They defeated No. 5 seed CDO 3-1 in the first round behind the brilliant pitching and timely hitting of Angel Roman (Class of 2013).

The Warriors face off against Sabino in the 2nd round on Wednesday, May 11. Go BASEBALL WARRIORS!

Here are some pictures of CDO victory courtesy of AzStarnet:

Pueblo Promoting Wellness

Pueblo is the first school in TUSD to willingly adhere to the Wellness Policy, which is expected to become mandatory in October 2012, in that no non-nutritional food/beverage items may be offered on campus before, during, or after school.

In January 2011, Pueblo High School in collaboration with the U of A’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) team (Gayle Alleman) created a student health advisory committee (SHAC) of students and certified and non-certified staff members.

This Wellness movement is part of a national initiative kick-started by Michelle Obama to address the issue of rising obesity and lack of activity among the youth. This generation is the first generation to face a shorter life span than its parents due to these issues.

By adhering to the Wellness Policy Pueblo H.S. requested Desert Oasis to remove all non-nutritional foods from its vending machines and replace them with healthy snacks that are in compliance with the AZ District Nutrition Standards. The cafeteria was already serving healthy foods, but in order to support us in our application for the US Healthier School Challenge silver award, TUSD food services (Pam Palmo and Amy Weitekamp) upgraded the school breakfast/lunch menu to offer a wider choice of fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods.

The Warrior Store has stopped selling non-nutritional items such as candy, power drinks, cookies etc. and has replaced its food/beverage items to be in compliance also.

Nineteen children were selected by their peers and teachers to participate in the Student Advisory Leadership Team (SALT) training at Camp Y in collaboration with the U of A’s CPPW team. They are now providing peer to peer education with Wakefield and Drachman/Hollinger elementary schools.

We also did a health fair in April to introduce students to new healthful foods/beverages through taste tests and health information. Pueblo’s journalism and media class supported us by publishing the Guerrero magazine focused solely on health topics and covering the health fair event with Pueblo media.

The Blenheim Institute has also approached us to collaborate with Pueblo to create a more healthful living environment for the school.

We have been given grants through Fuel Up to Play, and anticipating more grants from the US Healthy School Challenge and CPPW monies. These monies are being used to erect a fitness course for the students’ use, re-decorate the cafeteria to create a more attractive and informative eating environment and to purchase shade trees for our patio area from Trees for Tucson. We are also in the process of using the money to create a sanctuary for the endangered spade foot toad on Pueblo campus, where a natural habitat for them already exists in collaboration with the herpetology department at the U of A and to purchase additional yoga equipment.

It was very hard work in the beginning to persuade students and staff to make the change and risk possible income loss from the vending machines and Warrior store, because this income financed student activities and athletics. However, student council and the site council voted that Pueblo High School students’ health was not for sale and the movement took off from there.

We want our Warriors to live long and healthy lives!

Girls Tennis Reaches Final 32

Two weekends ago, the girls tennis team competed in the first and second rounds of the Division 2 State Tournament in Phoenix.  The doubles team of Cynthia Lona and Carolina Felix unfortunately lost in the first round, but played a great match.  Isabel Morales also played well and won her first round match and then fell to the #6 seed on the second day.

This past weekend, 3 members of the girls’ tennis team made it to the third round in Phoenix. Singles player Estefana Hernandez and Doubles team Dulce Corte and Yanseli Alameda won their first and second round matches.  In the third round this last Saturday, they unfortunately lost two tough matches.

State finalists Dulce, Estefana & Yanseli

However, these three ladies finished in the top 32 players in the state (Division 2).  They played very well throughout the tournament and made it farther in the state competition than any player in recent years.

Coach Sarah Wilson (JV) and Coach Tara Bulleigh (Varsity) are incredibly proud of these girls as they have watched them grow as athletes and students since they were freshmen.

Congratulations to them for their efforts.

Parking Lot Gets A Makeover

The YES! Club and Future Teachers of Arizona collaborated this weekend to give our parking lot a little makeover. Members of both clubs came on Saturday morning to paint the curb barriers with Pueblo colors.

Painting barricades Pueblo colors

The following spirited students worked very hard on this project:

Philip Alvarez, Yahaira Barcelo, Angel Barcelo, Peter Casillas, Chantelle Contreras, Manuel Encinas, Brandon Garcia, Alejandra Gonzalez, Adilene Guevara, Oscar Hernandez, Laura Karina Lopez, Yaritza Martinez, Jazmin Nogales, Rheannon Olvera, Alvaro Oquita, Ben Rios, Gabrielle Rios, Clarissa Romero, Lauro Soto, Brisenia Sosa, Gardenia Tapia & Brianna Valencia.

The painting crew
Parking lot painting project

It’s a work in progress and we look forward to the completion of the project.  Great job Warriors! Thank you Mrs. Avila-Miranda & Mrs. Stull for pictures.

BIG THANK YOU to Mike Stanford from the City of Tucson Graffiti Abatement Office and Dunn Edwards Paint for donating all of the blue paint!