Academics – Page 6 – Pueblo High School

Class of 2023 Freshmen Finding Their Way Through First Semester

by Ismael Angulo & Alina Cuen

Every new school year at Pueblo High School, many freshmen seem to struggle to transition to high school—from being “kings/queens of the hill” in middle school to feeling insignificant as ninth graders in a new environment.

Even though we’re close to the end of the first semester, several freshmen admitted that they were challenged by their first few days at Pueblo back in August—including getting lost finding their classes or being confused about which lunch to take. Now, at the near-end of the first semester, most freshmen have found a routine and admit to enjoying their new school. Truly, they have found their ways…

Kortez Rodriguez, one of the more than nearly 500 freshmen this year at Pueblo, said, “This first quarter wasn’t as confusing as it could have been for me because a lot of upperclassmen helped guide me. Not all upperclassmen hate freshmen!”

Transitioning from a middle school to a high school can be a big milestone for many freshmen.

Freshman Eve Woods feels proud of herself to have earned a perfect GPA for first quarter, but she admits that she had her share of personal challenges.

“It was difficult to put myself out there,” Woods said. “But, in the end, I found that being involved in volleyball really helped me to meet new people.”

Woods suggest that all freshmen should become involved with an activity because it will help them to establish new friends and to help them feel that they are part of a community.

Another freshman, Issac Palomo, said that making new friends has been his biggest struggle.

“I came to Pueblo from Pueblo Gardens, and only friend from that school came with me here,” Palomo said.

“I plan to get involved with sports,” Palomo added, “and this will hopefully help me to make more friends at Pueblo.”

Pueblo counselor Ms. Marian Finley said that freshmen have many opportunities to transition smoothly into high school.

“Freshman Experience is a great program for incoming freshman, and this past summer, we had a record number of participants,” Finley said. “Each student gained high school exposure and one-half credit to start off their freshman year.”

Pueblo Student’s Life Inspires Film

By Mariel Ponce

It’s not every day that a Pueblo High School student is celebrated in a play/film, but that’s exactly what Bill does—recounting the accomplishments and tragedies in the young 25-year-old life of Mr. Bill De La Rosa, a Class of 2012 graduate.

After a run as a play in local theaters, Bill has been made into a feature film and will premiere at the Fox Theater on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

“The whole thing [my life being turned into a movie] is very humbling, and I originally had no idea that my life was being celebrated publicly,” De La Rosa said.

He added that the film touches on his successes and traumas in life before and since graduating from Pueblo almost eight years ago as his class’ valedictorian—including his numerous scholarships totaling more than $500,000. De La Rosa attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and Oxford University in England, earning two master’s degrees in criminal justice and immigration studies.

“I wish I could say I was finished with school, but I’m not,” De La Rosa said. He plans to pursue a law degree “back East” next summer, either at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. or Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

De La Rosa also shared his tragedies in his young life, including the deportation of his mother to Mexico in 2009 when he was a sophomore at Pueblo. Two years later in 2011, his father suffered a stroke, and De La Rosa was able to see his mother on a “temporary humanitarian parole” status. He saw her again in the summer of 2018 when his father suffered a fatal stroke.

“If all goes well, my mother will back in the United States next June [2020],” De La Rosa said, hoping that immigration lawyers will expedite the process.

For now, De La Rosa said he is staying in Tucson and spending time with his family, including his brother Bobby (a freshman at Pueblo) and his sister Naomi, who is currently a University of Arizona student.

As for the film, Bill, De La Rosa said, “I’m still very humbled that I have inspired a movie about my life.” He paused and added, “I want everybody to know that if I can do it, they can do it.”

Welcome, ‘Queen Bee’!

Elizabeth Olguin & Ivan Rosas

The Pueblo community welcomes Ms. Marie Jose Queen Bee Libe, who moved to Tucson from the Philippines last month.

Libe taught Filipino and the value of education in the Philippines for high school students before moving to the United States to teach 11th grade English.

“As a teacher, it has always been my dream to educate in the U.S.,” she said.

Libe expressed that there are a lot of teachers in the Philippines who would like to teach in America and experience different cultures.

Coming to Pueblo was definitely a culture shock, as education is very different in this country, Libe said.

“One of the classes we teach back in the Philippines is about values,” Libe said, “that stresses the importance of education. I do have to admit that children in the Philippines love education maybe more than America.”

Thus far, Libe said that her transition to this country and this new school has been smooth and added that Pueblo High School is very systematic.

“Pueblo is also very unique,” Libe said. “I like how Pueblo has their own radio station!”

Libe’s has several professional goals this school year including working on self-improvement and honing her teaching skills.

Everybody at Pueblo High School wishes her the absolute best this 2019-20 school year!

“I feel very welcomed here at Pueblo,” she added.

Academy Motivates, Inspires Students

By Daeyalina Moreno and Marla Terminel

Inagural Class Of Pueblo College Preparatory Academy

Pueblo’s College Preparatory Academy, co-coordinated with counselor Dr. Teresa Toro, is an open access program, and has been helping many students to prepare for collegiate futures.

This program has spiked the interest of over 200 Pueblo students who are active members; over six years of preparation was necessary to make the academy become a reality. Students must participate in their selection of 18 AP honors, dual enrollment and culturally relevant classes, as well as participate in volunteer programs.

“This [Academy] is something that I’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” said Toro. She added that her efforts would not have come to fruition if it were not for the co-coordination with Assistant Principal Mr. Rafael Montaño and Principal Mr. Frank Rosthenhausler.

Toro said that the main goal of this program is to help guide students earn as much scholarship money as possible by pushing their boundaries and setting high expectations.

She said, “I want my students to dream big and help expose them to big opportunities.”

Sophomores Giselle-Paris Aubrey and David Cañez have big dreams for their futures, and they admitted that they wanted the challenges that the Academy offers students.

“I want to go to the U of A,” said Aubrey, “and the Academy is going to help me get there.”

Cañez said, “The courses [in the Academy] are rigorous, but I’m up for the challenges that the Academy is going to provide me and to prepare me for a great college future.”

Despite the academic benefits, students are willing to work hard and address all of the stress that committing to the Academy may cause.

“A lot of students may think that they want to join the academy,” said Cañez, “but they need to make sure that they can commit to its rigorous pace.”

She added that students who want to be in the Academy are welcome to attend support groups. Tutoring also is available to Academy students before and after school, everyday throughout the school year.

She added that there is support for all students who are taking rigorous classes.

Toro wants everybody to know that the study groups are all year, and held in the Parent and Student Café; also, Game Day is on Mondays; walk-in Distress groups are held on Tuesdays after school; and tutoring is every day during “zero” hour in the library.

“I want my students to feel like they’re part of a family and that we support them in their post-secondary endeavors,” said Toro.

Mr. Frank Rosthenhausler Named Principal

It’s official, Mr. Frank Rosthenhausler will lose the interim title and will be our new Principal effective July 1. The TUSD Governing Board made the announcement during their meeting held on April 9, 2019.

Mr. Rosthenhausler(fifth from the left) with TUSD Governing Board & other appointees

Mr. Rosthenhausler met with Pueblo’s faculty & staff on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, to express his gratitude for all the support during this school year. He was very appreciative of his administration team composed of David Montaño, Kathryn Gunnels & Steve Lopez.

Mr. Rosthenhausler shares his vision for Pueblo for next school year & beyond.

He finished the special meeting by sharing some of his vision for next school year & beyond. Congratulations Mr. R!

Class Of 2022 Freshmen Endure First Quarter

By Getsemani Cazares & Sophia Shivers

Class of 2022 Warriors: William Santos, Tanya Rivera & Daidryan Mendivil (L to R)

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, wasn’t just the first day for nearly 1,850 students but the first day for incoming freshmen (the Class of 2022), ready to experience their first year of high school at Pueblo.

This year, Pueblo can boast 444 freshmen; that number is up from last year, when we had 410 freshmen, according to Ms. Rachel Apalategui, Pueblo’s registrar.

One new Pueblo freshman, Marie Romero, attended Hollinger K-8 during her middle school years and admitted that she is prepared for her high school experience.

Romero said, “I’m looking forward to passing and surviving my freshman year without any distractions.”

Another Warrior freshman, William Santos, who attended Roberts Naylor K-8 school, said that he had no fear when it came to attending Pueblo.

Santos said, “I’m focusing on getting good grades and making the boys’ varsity basketball team.”

Tanya Rivera, also from the Class of 2022, also attended Hollinger K-8, said that she is currently getting the high school vibe.

“I look forward to learning how to play the flute and making new friends,” Rivera said.

Freshman Jesus Romero attended Pistor Middle School prior to officially becoming a Warrior, and he said that he had a very exciting first day as a high school student.

“My plan is to earn good grades the entire year and be a part of the Pueblo High School wrestling team,” he said.

Daidryan Mendivil, who graduated from South Gate Middle School last spring, said the he had an easy transition from middle school to high school. Mendivil said that he plans to stay committed to a few sports and clubs. In fact, he already joined TRIO, a club that focuses on students’ collegiate futures.

Mendivil said, “I’ll admit that I’m a little nervous, but I’m going to continue to focus on earning good grades and football and basketball.”

Freshman (and sophomore) counselor Ms. Marian Finely has some great advice for our freshmen to be successful this year and for the remainder of the school year.

“Don’t flunk any of your classes,” she said. “Also, get involved in clubs, and don’t get involved with the wrong group. Stay true to yourself.”