PuebloWarriors.org

Who’s Your Crush This Valentine’s Day?

Complied by Emely Villanueva

February is the season of love, and in recent days, El Guerrero asked a few dozen individuals in the Pueblo High School community: Who is your special someone?

Jose Jovel, senior: “Sergio Guterriez Lopez”

Amy Aldama, sophomore: “Mathew Weisbroad”

Mathew Weisbroad, sophomore: “Amy Aldama”

Marisol Carino, senior: “Dylan Mendez”

Dylan Mendez, senior: “Marisol Carino”

Esmeralda Beltran, senior: “I have this crush on a mystery guy”

Fernanda Casillas, senior: “My crush is Miguel Placeres”

Miguel Placeres, senior: “Fernanda Casillas”

Mya Vaughn, senior: “My crush is Valentina Leal”

Valentina Leal, senior: “My crush is Mya Vaughn”

Tatei Lopez, senior: “Nebai Merino”

Alexia Merino, senior: “Juju Ballesteros”

Juju Ballesteros, senior: “Alexia Anari Merino”

Nebai Merino, senior: “Tatei Lopez”

Louisa Serrano, senior: “Ruben Olivares”

Edward Gámez, senor: “My girlfriend”

Gael Ochoa, senior: “My Girl”

Daniel Almeida, junior: “Cami”

Ruben Olivares, senior: “My girlfriend Louisa Serrano”

Brandon Gámez, freshman: “They don’t go here”

David Hernandez, senior: “I don’t have one”

Jr Rascón, freshman: “My girlfriend”

Ryan Rodriguez, junior: “My talking stage”

Nas Martinez, freshman: “Taylor Swift”

Javier Mancera, freshmen: “My girlfriend”

Gabriel Alvarez, sophomore: “My crush is Jojo”

Joel Moreno, senior: “Mario”

Daniella Ojeda, senior: “Frankie”

Malo Anaya, senior: “Dani Ojeda”

Oscar Miranda, junior: “I don’t have one”

Everd Ochoa, freshmen: “I don’t have one”

America Cazares, sophomore: “Shawty Pookie Pookie Bear”

Brianna Portillo, junior: “Pookie Shawty Bear”

Gaddiel “Vez” Chavez, junior: “Bri, Coach Jones and Coach Bullar”

Bobby Levas, junior: Coach Francisco and Ms. Rincon”

Preston Ames, junior: “Ms. Wallace”

Sergio Lopez, senior: “Tara Yummy”

Jonathan Redondo, senior: “My crush is my Girlfriend Xam”

Jessica Palomares, junior: “My boyfriend”

Sofia Larriban, sophomore: “No one”

Priscilla Borquez, senior: “My mommy”

Alexis Vargas, senior: “Jazlynne Fernandez”

Why Do We Love Arizona?

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!”

Who Do You Love Most?, 2024 Edition

by Alyvette Moreno & Kassandra Espinoza

Each February, El Guerrero journalists ask random students/ faculty and staff members to answer the question: “Who do you love the most?” Here is a compilation of responses for 2024:

Sergio Lopez (senior): “Food.”

Jet Fausto (junior): “Myself.”

Marianna Molina (senior): “My mommy.”

Ms. Jeniffer Mayersohn (Assistant Principal): “My baby girl.”

Ms. Karla Martinez (Assistant Principal): “My husband and three kids.”

Nebai Merino (Senior): “My cat.”

Edward Gomez (senior): “My mother”

Kinora Wilson (junior): “My brother.”

Ms. Sarah Sutton (Theater teacher): “Myself, I go first before everyone else.”

Mr. William Hill (English teacher): “My spouse Debbie.”

Ms. Marsha-Jean Burrola (PHS librarian): “Bella (my dog) and my parents.”

Juju Ballesteros (senior): “My girlfriend.”

David Alvarez (freshman): “My dog.”

Natalia Ochoa (senior): “My sister.”

Louisa Serran (senior): “My cat.” Cristian Tellez (senior): “Me, Myself and I.”

Emily Villanueva (senior): “My friends and Mommy.”

Jose Jovel (senior): “My best friend, Serigo Lopez.”

Jonathan Redondo (senior): “My Mommy.”

Klarissa Lopez (senior): “My best friend and boyfriend.”

Daniel Almeiva (senior): “My parents.”

Bianca Inzuza (senior): “My older sister and myself.”

Estevon Osuna (senior): “My dog.”

Isai Soto (senior): “My mom.”

Mr. Josiah Lopez (monitor): “Myself.”

Mr. Esteban Manriquez (Algebra teacher): “My family and my best friend Diego.”

Ms. Martha Avila-Miranda (geometry teacher): “Jesus Christ and my family.”

Andres Gaspar (senior): “The boys.”

Alex Arguelles (senior): “My girlfriend.”

Diego Montijo (junior): “My cat, Cosmo.”

Xavier Valenzuela (senior): “God.

Pueblo Community Makes New Year’s Resolutions For 2024

Compiled by Alyvette Moreno & Jenna Twaje

The New Year is upon us, as is the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Dragon!) on Feb. 10. There’s a lot to look forward to in ’24 including a Leap Year Day (Feb. 29), presidential primaries and the big election in November, the Summer Olympics and of course graduation day on May 23.

Every year, the Pueblo Community makes resolutions to better their lives. Here is a compilation of some of them:

Edward Gomez (senior): “I hope to commit to a sturdy career plan after high school.”

Alexis Campbell (counselor): “To exercise and spend more time with family.”

Dominic Arambula (freshman): “To lose more weight.”

Jose Alvarez (counselor): “Go camping once and return to hiking frequently.”

Cristain Portillo (senior): “To graduate this May!”

Nebai Merino (senior): “Invest in myself and my future.”

Tati Lopez (senior): “Be open to everything.”

Annluise Santos (senior): “Put myself first.”

Ms. Karla Martinez (Assistant Principal): “To say ‘I love you’ and ‘Thank you’ more often.”

Ms. Jeniffer Mayersohn (Assistant Principal): “To be a better person.”

Jasel Siliva (senior): “To draw more.”

Ruby Avyote (freshmen): “To not have too many absences.”

Mr. Simon Arrola (PHS Dean): “To make sure all my family members are safe and happy.”

Mr. Toby Manthai (social worker): “Spend less money and save more.”

Ricardo Alvarez (senior): “To learn more music theory.”

Ruben Arambula (junior): “To try harder in school.”

Mr. Rana Medhi (journalism teacher): “To commit to retirement—and to mean it this time!”

Kimora Wilson (junior): “I want to eat healthier.”

Adriell Salazar (sophomore): “To focus on my classes.”

Leodardo Santa Maria (junior): “To go to the gym more.”

Dr. Rosaria Hutchings: “Exercise more.”

Baiza Medeina (junior): “To work on myself.”

Juliana Baeverien (junior): “To better my health and myself.”

Mr. William Hill (English teacher): “To get more physically fit.”

Juju Ballesteros (senior): “To earn more money.”

Rodrigo Arcocha (freshman): “To earn straight A’s.”

Miriam Rivera (senior): “To actually show up to school every day.”

Andrew Chagolla (senior): “I want to try to enjoy life more.”

Giancarlo Jaimes (sophomore): “To earn better grades than last year.”

Thomas Almeida (junior): “To get my money up.”

Ylisses Ortega (freshman): “To stop saying the ‘N’ word.”

Lourdes Mendez (senior): “To save up money for a car.”

Ms. Marsha-Jean Burrola (PHS librarian): “To throw away extra items that I don’t need.”

McLeod Joins Pueblo Faculty, Shares Love Of Worldly Cultures

By Anyssa Fimbres & Jessica Tarango

After 10 years of teaching anthropology at the University of Arizona—and after many “worldly” experiences”—Mr. Jonathan McLeod has ventured to Pueblo High School to teach English.

McLeod teaches four classes of freshman English; one sophomore English class; and this second semester he will teach an ACT Prep class to juniors.

“In the first semester at Pueblo, I have enjoyed developing student-teacher relationships,” McLeod said. “I’m just now really started to feel comfortable with those students in my classrooms.”

McLeod has been friends with PHS nurse Ms. Kate Straub, and she convinced him to apply for teaching positions at Pueblo. He was a frequent substitute-teacher last school year, and he jumped at the chance to become an “official” teacher for 2023-24.

“What I’ve really enjoyed most as a high school teacher is seeing improvement in my students’ work,” said McLeod. “I gain a lot of satisfaction from their academic success.”

Originally from Chicago, McLeod has lived and worked in many places around the world. He attended Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and lived in several American cities—most recently in San Francisco, Calif., before moving to Tucson.

However, McLeod’s early life reads like a global map. He attended many years of school in Singapore and Indonesia, which he said influenced his decision to become an anthropologist because of his fascination with many cultures. McLeod has even lived in Alaska for a few years.

He said, “I worked in the New Guinea jungles as an anthropologist from 2014 to 2019 conducting research with indigenous people because I wanted to know how these people live in the rain forest and how they were adapting to development.”

McLeod defines “anthropology” as the study and research of how people live and adapt to their environments, and although he would like to someday return to teaching college anthropology, he is happy right where he is now.

“I hope that my love of different cultures is contagious to my students,” McLeod said. “I have a lot to share with my students.”

Mariachi Aztlan Joins Pro Group For Christmas Concert

By Alexis Vargas

The Grammy-winning, fifth generation, and world-famous Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, visited Tucson on Dec. 15, for their annual “Merry-Achi Christmas Show” at the Fox Theatre.

It has been four years since Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School was invited to perform alongside the professional mariachi group, and PHS Mariachi director Mr. John Contreras described the very special feelings he experienced.

“I know Jose Hernandez’ [the musical director’s] expectations as a musician that has grown up listening and learning from him and knew that we had our work cut out for us to be able to impress him and the members of Sol de Mexico,” said Contreras.

In preparation, Mariachi Aztlán learned three of the mariachi’s arranged pieces, including the well-known Christmas carol, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

Clarissa Salinas, a senior violinist, said, “Performing was definitely exciting, but as the day arrived, the nerves really kicked in. Nonetheless, it was an honor to play with them and experience the concert live.”

Everybody interviewed for this story felt thrilled to be playing alongside their favorite professional mariachi ensemble.

Armonía section leader Jorge Ramirez expressed how he felt playing the final pieces to conclude the show, including “El Son de la Negra” and “Viva México.”

“The faces of the audience reminded me of why I love being a mariachi,” he said. “Even with these songs being mariachi standards, there’s such a difference when they are performed by professionals.”