Academics – Page 14 – Pueblo High School

Ms. Melissa Espindola: ‘Teaching Is Tiring, But Rewarding’

By Lauren Ahern

As the 2016-17 school year begins, Pueblo gives warm welcomes to the many new teachers and staff who are ready to become a part of the Warrior family.

On the list of official new teachers is Ms. Melissa Espindola, who graduated from the University of Arizona last May and is now a full-time chemistry teacher here at Pueblo.

Last year, Espindola was a student-teacher for the entire year with veteran science teacher Ms.Wilma Amaro, which was part of her master’s degree program fulfillment.

melissa-espindola-chemistry-teacher-pueblo-high-school — Ms. Espindola (center) teaches a lesson on mixtures by making ice cream

“Pueblo gave me so much, so I stayed here to give back,” said Espindola.

Already in this school year, Espindola said that she has enjoyed getting to know her students and their interests.

Espindola said that she finds chemistry interesting because she feels that, “the world should know it in a molecular level.”

She paused and added, “I am happy to be at Pueblo! Although my job is very tiring, it’s simultaneously very rewarding.”

Mr. William Richards ‘Drawn’ To Magnet Position

By Yamilex Garcia

Former biology teacher Mr. William Richards joins the administrative staff as the new magnet coordinator following in the position of Ms. Laura Gallegos who retired last school year.

The magnet coordinator is responsible for recruiting students to Pueblo from other areas of Tucson in an effort to balance the ethnicities at Pueblo.

“One thing that I’m going to try to do is have more communication with magnet and culturally relevant teachers so that we can work together to be more effective with our magnet plan,” said Richards.

He added that thus far he enjoys the challenge of this new position and feels confident that within time he will make a colossal difference at Pueblo.

“I miss teaching and the bonds with my students,” said Richards. “However, I feel that I can make just as much of an impact outside of the classroom and put Pueblo on the map regarding its magnet status.”

Maria Servellon Accepted to Medical Workshop

By Daniela Moreno

Junior Maria Servellon (Class of 2018) was accepted to the Perry Initiative, a one-day program for young women interested in orthopedic surgery and biomechanical engineering.

Servellon is excited to be the first Pueblo applicant to be accepted to this program. Out of more than 200 applicants in Arizona, Servellon was among just 35 young women to be selected.

“I feel like being accepted has been a stepping stone for young women who are interested in this field,” she said.

On Saturday, September 17, 2016, Servellon attended the one-day program at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Pueblo science teachers Dr. Andrew Lettes and Ms. Elaine Straub accompanied her to this event.

“I really learned a lot performing six mock surgeries,” Servellon said. “I learned how to repair fracture using plates as well as spinal repairs due to scoliosis. I even had a chance to learn how to perform knee ligament reconstruction and to perform surgeon stitching.”

The application process consisted of a paragraph on why she was interested in attending this event as well as stating her short- and long-term goals in life.

“When I learned that I was accepted, it was totally unreal,” Servellon said. “I didn’t feel that I was that worthy of acceptance.”

Her former teacher, Dr. Andrew Lettes, is extremely proud of Servellon’s accomplishment and hopes many more females will follow in her footsteps in the future.

“Dr. Lettes truly encouraged and inspired me when I had him for the first time last year in Biotech 1-2, and even though I don’t have him for a teacher this year, he still inspires me because he is my ‘Science Dad’.”

Lettes said that Servellon’s acceptance into this program is a validation that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and are motivated enough.

Straub echoed Lettes’ words and added, “I’m beyond proud of what Maria Servellon has accomplished this year. I hope that she inspires more female students to follow in her footsteps.”

Servellon is open to all sciences and hopes this experience will help guide her towards her future career. She said that she would like to help in the efforts to develop more effective plastic hearts to those who are in desperate need of heart transplant.

Servellon said that she is starting to investigate colleges and universities to pursue her medical education, and she is curious about the University of California at Berkeley, which is her original home.

“This [event] exposed me to even more science, and I’ve always been very passionate about science,” she added. “There are not many women devoting their careers to sciences these days, still, but more women are needed in sciences because I believe that women are more precise and meticulous than men.”

On Oct. 18, Servellon will be recognized and honored by T.U.S.D. Superintendent H. T. Sanchez during the Governing Board meeting. Servellon has been asked to invite her family to this special occasion.

Welcome Back, Ms. Tiffany Mendibles-Muñoz!

By Nayeli Sanchez

At the beginning of this new 2016-17 school year, Pueblo welcomed back a former teacher (who also completed her student-teaching here): Ms. Tiffany Mendibles-Muñoz. This year, she is teaching senior and junior-level English classes.

Before returning to Pueblo, Mendibles was working at Changemaker High School. She said she missed Pueblo and really wanted to return here so that she could teach “culturally relevant” courses.

As a co-sponsor of MEChA, (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlan), which connects to the culturally relevant courses, Mendibles-Muñoz said that she believes that beginning her kick-classes reading the poem, In the Lak’ach, written by Luís Valdez, helps to motivate her students.

This poem, which translates to “You are my other me”, is a “great” philosophy that grounds her classroom and minimizes classroom management problems, she said.

“[Pueblo] students are amazing,” Mendibles added. “They’re so open to my teaching philosophy.”

Mendibles also added that it felt good to give back to the community she grew up around, and she said that she hopes to stay here for a long time.

“Pueblo is a community filled with love,” she said. “Stepping away for two years opened my eyes to the beauty that lies within the school. I have the privilege of being part of this community, and it is something I will cherish as I embark on the journey of educating and empowering the youth.”

Arizona Universities Visit Pueblo 2016

By Lauren Ahern

tri-universities-presentation-pueblo-high-school — Tri Universities Presentation makes a stop at Pueblo

During sixth period on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, seniors were treated to presentations from Arizona’s three public universities: the University of Arizona (here in Tucson), Northern Arizona University (located in Flagstaff) and Arizona State University (located in Tempe). Of the nearly 385 seniors at Pueblo, more than 300 were able to attend.

Representatives from each of the three universities spoke for approximately 25 minutes each, promoting the positive qualities about each of their campuses as well as discussing financial aid information. Near the end of these presentations, seniors were encouraged to pick up brochures and other informational literature about one, two or all three of the universities.

College and Career counselor Ms. Mandy McTavish organized this event, which was deemed a success by the high number of seniors in attendance and by the comments of those seniors following the event.

One senior, Alejandro Carrazco, said, “This event couldn’t have come at a better time for us seniors because a lot of us were getting too comfortable about just being seniors. For me, hearing from these universities inspired me to start thinking about my future. I want to pursue a career that has something to do with math, and I’m thinking about attending N.A.U.”

pueblo-students-attendtri-universities-presentation — Class of 2017 Seniors taking advantage of presentation

Another senior, Griselda Miranda, said, “These presentations reminded me that I am really a senior and that I need to start preparing for college this semester and not waiting until the last minute. I thought the whole event was extremely well-organized and eye-opening to every senior in attendance.”

Senior Adnan Taleb said, “I’m not decided yet where I’m attending college next fall, but I’m starting to get information from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University regarding engineering and science-related degrees. Today’s visit from all three state universities is definitely a wake-up call for all of us seniors.”

Counselor McTavish said, “I was pleased by the number of seniors who showed up for the presentation today. But, seniors need to do more than just attend these events. They actually have to apply for colleges—and soon. They need to study for ACT tests as well as prepare to apply for FAFSA.”

McTavish added that she and the other counselors will be delighted to assist all seniors throughout the school year but adds that NOW is better than next April or May.

Class of 2017 Seniors Get Serious At College Fair

By Lauren Ahern

On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, Pueblo class of 2017 seniors attended this year’s first college fair during second period. Because of the block schedule, the senior class was divided into two sections so that students would have enough time to visit with various colleges and programs.

Many colleges were available to Pueblo seniors, including Arizona Christian University, Central Arizona College, New Mexico State College, Pima Community College, Universal Technical Institute and Prescott College. Several military branches were also present.

Senior Mikaela Sesma-Nuñez said, “This college fair was very helpful to me, and as I get ready to graduate from high school in about nine months, it helps me transition to the next step.” She paused and added, “I want to study cosmetology at Pima [Community College], and I was able to get a lot of useful information from the PCC reps today.”

Another senior, Griselda Miranda, said, “This [college] fair made me realize that I need to start preparing for my future, and college is definitely a part of that future. What an eye-opening experience, but it’s reality. I’m seriously considering attending either N.A.U., the U of A or even New Mexico State [located in Las Cruces] because their admissions office doesn’t require Tucson residents to pay out of state tuition.”

Ms. Mandy McTavish, Pueblo’s new College and Career readiness coordinator, organized this event.

She said, “This college fair required a lot of organization—including a lot of phone calls! I was very pleased with that the seniors conducted themselves professionally. This won’t be the last college fair seniors will experience this school year.”

McTavish added that she would like all seniors to attend Tucson College Night at the Tucson Convention Center on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, an event that hosts more than a hundred different colleges and universities from around the state and entire nation.