Academics – Page 11 – Pueblo High School

From Paper & Pencil To Virtual Reality

By Alina Cuen and Jacquelyn Gutierrez (Beginning Journalism)

Mr. Somoza with some of his CTE Students

As the world grows it advances and gets technical. We’ve gone from brick phones to smart phones in a short period of time. Even education has evolved to using smart technology as well, such as 3-D printers. Robots are beginning to take jobs. This is the 21st Century.

Not too long ago, Pueblo’s women’s sports teams convened at the football field for a picture when they had realized a drone flying over their head was actually taking the picture. Mr. Ernesto Somoza, the graphic and web design teacher as well as the freshman communication media technology (CMT) teacher here at Pueblo, was responsible for this modern way to take pictures—and he is always teaching students in his classroom the latest in technology.

“Technology can fundamentally improve anything,” said Somoza. “I know that a lot of our students use their cell phones during class, so I started using this thing called “Poll me” for their bell work question. They just text their response, and it gives them credit.”

One of Somoza’s latest technological tools is the 3-D printer. It creates three-dimensional objects in which layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object.

“I want to stay current to what my students like, that’s why I got into 3-D printing,” Somoza said.

His first attempt to using the 3-D printer wasn’t so easy.

“First, it was very challenging, then easy then difficult again,” said Somoza. “However, it all takes some practice—as I teach my students. They definitely contribute to the learning of this new technology.”

The first creation, in November, was a cookie-cutter, then a skull, which took three days to complete. Then, there were the plant holders, phone case, and even a map of Europe. The U.S. Capitol building was fun, Somoza said, because it could be taken apart and then reassembled.

“I believe every classroom should have one of these [3-D printers] because of how engaged this device keeps students,” Somoza said. “We [teachers] need to stay ahead of times.”

There are numerous applications for a 3-D printer, Somoza added. For example, student would be able to dissect a “fake” frog instead of the “real” thing.

Somoza also has virtual reality goggles, and just by wearing them, students are “transported” to different cities and different continents—not to mention different planets!

“I took a student to Pluto the other day!” Somoza said. “It’s amazing how I could change every student’s perspective on the world, if only I had 30 of these!”

Next year, Somoza hopes to stay ahead of technology and teach his students and himself new ways of improving education.

“We’ll see what next school year brings,” Somoza said.

Get the latest news from Mr. Somoza’s CMT class by following him on Instagram.

Class Of 2019 Sophomores Challenged By AP Exam

by Laura Conde and Adrian Zuluaga

After several grueling months of prepping for the AP world history exam, 11 Pueblo sophomores took on the challenge of the AP exam for the first time on May 11.

As a new AP world history teacher this year, Ms. Victoria Bodanyi said that the experience was definitely memorable.

“I like how much I also get to learn while teaching,” said Bodanyi. “Teaching an AP class is definitely a challenge, but I enjoy it. I’m a history nerd.”

At the beginning of February, Bodanyi began the process to help her students to prepare her students for the exam in three months.

Prior to the exam, all 11 of the AP world history students expressed that they were prepared for the big exam and had been even more challenged during class.

Jazlin Ladriere, a sophomore who took the exam, said, “I did feel like I was prepared, and the mock exams that Ms. Bodanyi gave us were actually harder than the actual AP exam.”

Another sophomore, Yazmin Almazan, said, “Before the exam, I felt like it was going to be the hardest test I would ever take. However, I felt pretty confident about my score after the exam.”

Jessica Noperi, yet another brave sophomore, said, “If you’re taking AP world history next year, be sure to do you work on time and keep up with the AP standards throughout the year.”

This year’s sophomores were the first class to experience the rigorous curriculum of AP world history. Despite this, most of them confirmed that they were continuing their AP journey and felt more competent to continue the AP trend.

National Honor Society: Still In A League Of Its Own

By Josselyn Rivera

Pueblo’s National Honor Society (NHS) continues its highly reputable status. This organization continues to corral some of Pueblo’s highest-achieving students—not only in academics but also in character.

The requirements for being in NHS continue to be very specific and very high. Students are required to earn at least a 3.6 grade point average (GPA), have some community service experience, possess a “good” character, including having leadership experience and/or motivation to be a great leader.

NHS is a community service-based club, serving the needs not only at Pueblo but also the community itself. This year, for example, NHS has committed to fundraising for Pima Animal Care Center (PACC). NHS students have raised money from car washes and other activities to raise funds for the PACC.

According to NHS sponsor Ms. Kelly Crane, “We raise money so they [Pima Animal Care Center] can use it as they need.”

NHS currently has 63 members. Of these, 29 are new members joining this spring semester. Crane reported that 20 seniors in NHS will be graduating with honors in May.

One of those seniors, Valentino Lugo, president of NHS, said that this club helps contribute to society by getting students to volunteer because that is the way to get into this club besides having high grades.

Valentino said, “I have really liked being president this school year because it’s a good way to communicate with everybody in the school. I’ve really gotten to know a lot of underclassmen.”

He added that although he has enjoyed the privilege and prestige of being one of Pueblo’s most elite clubs, he is ready to “pass the torch” onto somebody else next year.

Welcome, Mr. Berns! (And Thanks For Helping Students Read Better!)

By Victor Garcia and Anthony Gutierrez

Starting this 2016-17 year, Mr. Drew Berns joins the Warrior family as a reading interventionist, helping struggling readers improve their vocabulary skills along with reading fluency.

“We learn a lot of different strategies to help students improve their reading,” Berns said. “One of the best ones is to read a lot of different genres which helps out the students a lot.”

Although this is Berns’ first year at Pueblo, this is his 13th year of teaching. He has taught in several cities, including Nogales and Phoenix.

After graduating from Canyon del Oro High School, Berns then pursued several degrees from the University of Arizona, including a bachelor’s degree in family consumer services and a master’s degree in Mexican-American studies in 2014.

Berns said that the transition to Pueblo was an easy one.

“I really like our students here [at Pueblo],” Berns said. “I think it’s hard for our students to sit in a classroom for 90 minutes on block days [Wednesdays and Thursdays]—especially freshmen.”

Although he works primarily with freshmen, Berns said that he also helps juniors in RTI (Response to Intervention) classes.

“I really enjoy working with our students one-on-one, and I find it rewarding—for both the student and for me,” Berns said.

It’s no surprise that as reading specialist, Bern loves to read. He said that his
favorite novel is The Devils Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea, a story about a group of immigrants crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S.

Government Teacher Joins Warrior Staff: Mr. Nicholas Gunn

By Victor Garcia and Anthony Gutierrez

This school year, Mr. Nicholas Gunn joins the Pueblo faculty family as a new government and history teacher.

This is Gunn’s first year of teaching, and he definitely has his hands full teaching both juniors and seniors.

“There is a distinct school culture that creates a real sense of community,” Gunn said. “The students, teachers, and administration alike share a connection with Pueblo on a common goal which benefits all aspects of this school’s productivity.”

Gunn graduated from the University of Arizona in 2016, majoring in history, but he said that he also studied anthropology along with some educational work.

Although it’s still very early in his new career, Gunn said that he enjoys teaching very much, although he admitted that his job could occasionally be “demanding when it comes to preparing and tailoring assignments in a way that resonates with students.”

Gunn thinks that the teachers, faculty and students are all great but only wishes that we would be able to obtain more resources that the students and our faculty deserve.

“Virtually all schools in Tucson could really utilize extra funding and resources,” Gunn said.

Gunn further added that students should be aware of how real forms or movements of change have stemmed from the efforts of small groups of people.

“My main focus has always been on student activism,” Gunn said, “as well as the facilitation of building individual identity within government and building a personal connection with politics.”

Warriors, Let’s Welcome Ms. Rawlings

by Yessica Sanchez and Lya Thurston

Ready to teach and learn, Mrs. Lore Rawlings joined the Pueblo High School community this school year as the new P.E. and health teacher.

Rawlings was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia and attended West Virginia State University where she majored in health and education.

“Coming from a long lineage of teachers, I was inspired to follow in their paths,” Rawlings said. “It’s in my blood. I really love working with kids!”

After teaching for about 22 years in West Virginia, she said that she decided to make a change from West Virginia and move to Tucson to be closer to her husband’s family.

“I love having the students participate in hands-on projects because it really increases learning,” Rawlings said.

After nearly five month’s at Pueblo, Rawlings said that she truly loves teaching here as well as the community atmosphere of the school.

“I’ve fallen in love with the students here!” Rawlings said. “Everyone is so polite!”