PuebloWarriors.org

Dr. Avila: Preparing Students For The ‘Real World’

By Ariana Garcia & Leia Ortega

For the past year, Dr. Manuel Avila, Pueblo’s College and Career Readiness Coordinator, helps to ensure that students have the necessary tools to succeed after high school, no matter how grand or how modest their goals.

Coming to the U.S. from Mexico about 20 years ago, Avila decided to become a classroom teacher. After 18 years in the classroom, Avila pursued and completed a degree in law at the James E. Rogers College of Law, graduating in May 2022.

He decided to return to education and to use his training in law to make a difference in students’ lives.

“I always thought that education is the foundation of any society in all aspects,” Avila said.

One of his primary objectives is to help students properly complete their college applications and their financial aid information. He is also instrumental in helping students attend workshops and college and career fairs.

“I encourage and invite all students to visit me if they don’t have plans for their post-high school lives,” Avila said. “I would be glad to help them explore their future careers together.”

He added that students can schedule an appointment to see him on the Pueblo website—on the same page as students would schedule an appointment with their counselors. They can also view scholarships and dates/locations for college and career fairs.

Avila said, “I want to build trust first with students and to let them know that there is, indeed, a College and Career Center at Pueblo—to advocate for themselves in order to help them with successful futures.”

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.”

‘Project Contact’ Returns For Another Year

By Estevan Alvarado & Adam Bonillas

Project Contact has returned to Pueblo High School once again this school year.

Project Contact is a mobile clinic that provides essential services—offering students condoms and birth control as well as sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment. They also educate students about safe sex and teen pregnancy.

“It is absolutely important for everyone to get informed,” said Nurse Kate Straub, who is credited for providing Project Contact to the Pueblo community.

Services are available to both male and female students on campus every second, third, and fourth Monday of the month from first period to the end of second lunch. Students can sign up for a visit in the nurse’s office, and they will be notified to visit the van with a call slip.

“Say ‘Yes’ to education! You can help yourself and your friends with accurate information,” said Straub.

She added that all services provided are confidential.

“It takes two to have sex, and STDs do not care if you are a girl or a guy,” said Ms. Michelle Magana, one of the several workers in the mobile clinic.

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.

Ms. Connors Gets ‘Artsy’ At Pueblo

By Saul Arias & Aubrey Garcia

Pueblo High School welcomes Ms. Margaret Connors as a part of its community starting the new school year as a visual arts teacher.

Connors may be a new Warrior, but she has been teaching for 21 years, initiating her career as a private art and fitness teacher at her home studio.

She continued her teaching career at Valencia Middle School for five years.

Besides instilling her love of art to her students, Connors said that she plans to help them apply for colleges and to help them earn scholarships.

“From the very beginning [at Pueblo], I feel that this is my community, and I feel like I’m a part of it all,” Connors said. “I hope to be here for a while.”

She added, “I’ve always loved teaching, and I know that this chapter of my teaching career will be wonderful.”

Welcome, Dr. Rosario Hutchings, To The ‘Hood’

By Natalie Salazar & Alicia Santa Cruz

Newly hired teacher, Dr. Rosario Hutchings, comes to Pueblo this school year as a curriculum service provider/teacher supporter. She will help teachers having challenges with their teaching methods and learning objectives.

Hutchings, who comes from East Los Angeles, said that she had early ambitions of becoming an electrical engineer, but her plans changed when she became an assistant teacher.

“My identity early on was to be a teacher, and I still believe that being part of education is my true calling in life,” said Hutchings.

Hutchings said that she gladly accepted this position at Pueblo because she wanted an opportunity to help teachers and to show how much she cares about the PHS community.

“I want to ensure that teachers are doing the right things regarding their curriculum and to let them know that I truly care about their roles in the classroom,” she said.

Hutchings added, “I like that Pueblo High School is in ‘the hood’,” she said, “and I say ‘hood’ with great affection. People say ‘ghetto’ and ‘hood’ like they’re a bad thing—and that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”