by Dulce Hernandez & Aileen Ortiz
If you’re not much into celebrating the highly commercialized and overrated Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, perhaps you can show your love and appreciation for Arizona, which was admitted as the 48th state on Feb. 14, 1912.
President Howard Taft signed off on Arizona becoming a state. A month earlier, Arizona’s eastern neighbor, New Mexico, became a state, and at one time, both states were part of the New Mexico Territory.
A lot has changed in the past 112 years since Arizona became the last state in the “Lower 48”. Arizona’s population was just 220,000! Today, Arizona’s population is quickly approaching eight million, nearly 40 times more than in 1912. The population of Phoenix was just 30,000; today, the Phoenix metropolitan population is more than five million. Tucson’s population in 1912 was a mere 22,000; today, more than one million live in Tucson and its metro area.
Arizona’s population of 7.5 million makes The Grand Canyon State the 14th most populated state in America. Phoenix is now the fifth most populated city in the U.S.; Tucson is ranked 33rd in population among American cities. Many Phoenix suburbs are now ranked in the Top 100 U.S. cities, including Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe and Glendale.
But, for most Arizona lovers, it’s not necessarily the cities we love. Here are some comments from the Pueblo High School community:
Sophomore Desiree Noriega said, “I love the one-of-a-kind pink sunsets that we have in Arizona.”
Senior Shenail Arvicio said, “I love the weather.”
Assistant Principal Meg Tully said, “My favorite part of Arizona are the orange sunsets.”
Assistant Principal Ms. Jeniffer Mayerson said, “My favorite thing of Arizona is the long seasons of warm weather.”
Journalism teacher Mr. Rana Medhi said, “Despite Arizona having probably the worst drivers and people with the lowest IQs of anybody in the country, I love the smell of the desert after a rain and rainbows stretching across mountain ranges.”
Junior Yoseline Otakara said, “My favorite part of Arizona is Sedona.”
Junior Emily Flores said, “I love the sky and sunsets.”
Sophomore Kiara Aguilar said, “I love going to the Grand Canyon.”
Angie Valdez said, “I like the mountains.”
Freshman Francisco Ortiz said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the weather.”
Sophomore America Cazares said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the bipolar weather.”
Freshman Priscilla Bella said, “My favorite part of Arizona are the cacti.”
Freshman Ulises Federico said, “My favorite part of Arizona is Phoenix.”
Monitor Josiah Lopez said, “My favorite part of Arizona are the outstanding sceneries.”
Sophomore Dario Felix said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the rain.”
Junior Beatriz Villalba said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the nature.”
Junior Precious Riley said, “I love the sunsets and sunrises.”
Junior Alicia Santa Cruz said, “My favorite part of Arizona is Sedona.”
Journalism guest Ms. Bianca Morales said, “My favorite place in Arizona would be Bisbee, and I love the natural resources Arizona has.”
Senior Jose Jovel, “I really like the scenery and the open roads.”
Junior Alexandra Garcia said, “I love the desert in Arizona.”
Junior Emely Blanchet said, “I love going to the Grand Canyon because it brings me peace.”
Freshman Randy Gallegos said, “Arizona’s climate is perfect to go off roading!”