Category: Around Campus

New Dean At PHS Receives ‘Big’ Welcome

By Jonathan Redondo

The 2023-24 school year is definitely a school year of “new hires” at PHS. One of the more than two dozen new faces to grace our campus is our new Dean of Students, Mr. Simon Arriola.

Coming from Austin, Tex., Arriola is bringing “big” plans from the state where everything is bigger. He oversees all disciplinary actions at Pueblo, focusing on keeping students productive and maintaining order on campus.

“If you aren’t in trouble, there’s a good chance you don’t know me,” Arriola said half-jokingly.

Arriola said his first impressions at Pueblo were positive.

“It was clear from my first few days at Pueblo that this great school has many diligent students, and they have multiple opportunities to be successful,” he said. “The sheer number of students hoping to graduate and move on in their next chapter of life is very impressive.”

He added that the College Preparatory Academy is one example of offering students big opportunities for success.

“I already feel like a Warrior,” Arriola said. “I’m excited about helping students strive for excellence and success.”

Pueblo Administration Closes Hallway, Now Reopened

By Alyvette Moreno & Jenna Twaje

As Pueblo High School students walked the halls and climbed the stairs near the end of the first quarter, they were met with an unexpected block on their treks to classes.

The main hallway and stairways leading to it were closed and stayed closed until the end of the quarter. PHS administrators had been considering this idea for a while due in part to some of the violent, chaotic events at Cholla and Tucson High.

One day after second lunch ended, a “mob” started with students throwing water bottles around. Admin then decided to implement the closure of the main entrance.

“It [discipline problems] was [were] becoming a real safety concern,” said Principal Frank Rosthenhausler.

For some monitors, the closure made their jobs more challenging with students trying to sneak into the main hallway from the main entrance doors.

Security monitor Ms. Nellie Rivera said, “If the kids didn’t throw water bottles, then the hallway wouldn’t be shut down. Students suffer with the consequences of their bad actions.”

Mr. Simon Arriola, PHS’s Dean of Students, said, “The closure is only effective if the students realize they should not throw water bottles at each other.”

Many students had negative opinions on the hallway closing.

“It honestly sucked, and I didn’t like going around, I was late to all my classes,” said Kaz Detwiler, a sophomore.

Malo Anaya, a senior, believes admin’s decision wasn’t effective. “I think way more people were hanging out upstairs or on the stairs.”

Rosthenhausler said he didn’t like closing the hallways but said, “It was effective in removing what I thought was a dangerous situation.”

After a week of fall break, students were welcomed to the main hall and stairs being opened again.

A majority of PHS students took this return to normalcy positively.

New Business Officer Manger…New Coat Of Paint

By Natalie Salazar

Mr. Eli Lopez (standing) with Alicia Santa Cruz.

Students were greeted this school year to several projects—either in the making or completed. One of the most needed was a new paint job at Pueblo’s Business Office.

The idea of repainting this space has “been in the making” for a few years, but the project wasn’t completed until July.

Mr. Eli Lopez, Pueblo’s new Business Office manager, said that the previous manager, Ms. Melina Montiel, had proposed the idea, but the job was not completed until three months ago.

Lopez said, “The compliments of the new paint job have been incredible. This was a project long overdue.”

With the help of a student, sophomore Alicia Santa Cruz [now a junior], who was working with Lopez and the front office at Pueblo High School during the summer, the project was finally completed.

“Painting was a two-person job,” Santa Cruz said, “and it was fun working with Mr. Lopez. In the end, I feel proud that I’m leaving a legacy of my hard work. Every time I walk past the Business Office, I am happy to have been part of making Pueblo shine a little brighter.”

CCTV Goes Live At Pueblo

By Jose Nagore

More than 50 new cameras have been installed throughout Pueblo High School, replacing the old, dozen-year old nonfunctional cameras.

These new cameras cost nearly $90,000 and were funded by Tucson Unified School District, keeping Warriors safer than ever. In the short time they have been completely installed—a project that began late last school year and completed before the beginning of this school year—they have already prevented trespassers from entering campus; they have stopped fights quicker; and they have proved to be instrumental in getting more information about “other incidents”.

“[The cameras are] not necessarily to catch students doing wrong things,” said Ms. Karla Martinez, Assistance Principal, who was instrumental in this project. “These cameras are primarily for safety purposes. We can see if a student runs away from a fight, or see if someone jumps the fence to get in.”

These cameras are not located in the restroom for privacy purposes.

The screens for all camera film can be found in the offices of all four offices of our administrators, who are the only ones who have access to the recordings, which record 24/7.

“Do I feel safer? Yes, I do!” Martinez said.

‘Big Brother’ Keeping An Eye On Warriors

By Mariah Lopez & John Ruiz

Sample image of new security cameras.

“Big Brother” has made its way to Pueblo High School as 25 cameras, in virtually every corner of school, have been installed.

These cameras cost $150,000, which has been paid for by the district’s “special budget.”

Assistant principal Karla Martinez said, “I am very happy to have updated cameras because they produce much clearer images than the old cameras.”

Most staff members interviewed for this story approve of the cameras. However…some students have mixed opinions about the “eyes” around campus, which are inconspicuously smaller and harder to detect than the old cameras.

Emely Villanueva, a junior said, “The new cameras are a little creepy, but they will provide for a safer campus. With a shortage of monitors, these cameras might fill the void of campus security.”

Freshmen Marquis said, “I feel weird being watched all the time. It ruins my privacy.”

Senior Diego Ramirez said. “It’s also scary not knowing where all the cameras are… they could be anywhere.”

…Which is the whole point. Administration is confident that these cameras will aid in controlling discipline and inhibiting bad behavior.

Martinez said, “The cameras were installed in all areas around the school. It’s now possible to see virtually every inch of Pueblo’s campus.”

Security monitors are also optimistic about the new cameras helping keep order on campus.

Security monitor Ms. Nellie Rivera said, “No matter where a student is located, administration and school safety have access to cameras in any location, from phones and monitors in the office. These cameras won’t solve every problem, but they will certainly help.”

Warriors’ Christmas 2022 Wish List

Compiled by Victoria Cazares

Every year, El Guerrero asks the Warrior Family for their Christmas wish list; this is this season’s list—and, like most lists in recent years, most want clothes and/or electronics.

Juju Ballesteros (junior): “I’d like to have some Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s.”

Ms. Claudia Valenzuela (Drop-Out Intervention Specialist): “I want health and prosperity in the New Year.”

Ms. Wilma Amaro (science teacher): “I would love better electricity for Pueblo and to rid the world of gun violence.”

Ms. Susie Ugalde-Vazquez (administrative secretary): “I want to pay all of my bills or some perfume.”

Illianna Valenzuela (senior): “I want money for college.”

Isaiah Sotelo (senior): “I want money to buy clothes.”

Eve Woods (senior): “I want a new car.”

Adrian Perez (senior): “I want new shoes.”

Alicia Santa Cruz (sophomore): “I want Gucci shoes, a GMC single cab—all black, leveled, 5% tint, with a pink interior.”

Natalie Salazar (sophomore): “The only thing I want for Christmas are Burberry shoes.”

Christopher Santa Cruz (junior): “I want Melo shoes.”

Haley Tarazon (sophomore): “I want Takis.”

David Hernandez (junior): “I want Yanis shoes.”

Beatriz Villalva (sophomore): “I want money for clothes.”

Virgio Roiles (sophomore): “I want beanies.”

Abelardo Tovar (junior): “I want money for video games.”

Eli Lopez (Business Office Manager): “I want items that will help me with my card collection.”

Jessica Navarrete (senior): “I want a new hat.”

Alexis Rivera (senior): “I want a cow.”

Leo Duarte (senior): “I want lots of Ramen.”

Goya Ruiz (Campus Monitor): “I want a Corvette.”

America Cazares (freshman): “I want new basketball shoes.”

Lariyah Jackson (senior): “I want a kiss from my crush.”

Ms. Meg Tully (Assistant Principal): “I want time with my family and my staff.”

Mr. Miguel Sandoval (Athletic Director): “I want Jordan 4s psg, size 13.”

Paul Lopaur (sophomore): “I want new shoes.”

Brianna Reyna (sophomore): “I want Dutch Bros.”

Nicole Martinez (senior): “I want a new phone.”

Carole Martinez (senior): “I want a bag and two boyfriends.”

Juan Luna (senior): “I want a 2018 RT Ram.”

Leslie Burgos (senior): “I want Jorge.”

Alan Munoz (junior): “I want Pokémon cards.”

Juan Valdez (junior): “I want a girlfriend.”

Luis Ramirez (junior): “I want 100 dollars.”

Andres Chavez (junior): “I want a computer for school.”

Alan Salazar (junior): “I want the Fortnite Battle Pass.”

Ms. Lacey Pratt (yearbook/psychology teacher): “I want my husband to give me free time from my kids.”

Mia Garcia (sophomore): “I want a new necklace.”

Ms. Laura Niverson (language arts teacher): “I want a new puppy.”

Victoria Cazares (senior): “I want money for the Europe trip.”

Ivana Vecerra (sophomore): “I want a new phone.”

Kamila Vazquez (freshman): “I want my family to be happy and new clothes as well.”

Zoey Rosthenhausler (junior): “I want black Nike 270s.”

Annah Gutierrez (junior): “I want makeup, new shoes/dunks, and air pods.”

Amaya Cortez-Guzman (freshman): “I want makeup, lightning McQueen crocs, and fuzzy socks.”

Alandra Montoya (sophomore): “I want new stuffed animals.”

Jazmin Ahumada (senior): “I want Jordan 4s.”

Milo Murphy (freshman): “I want new pencils.”

Mariana Gastelum (sophomore): “I want Jordan shoes.”

Joselynn Madrid (freshman): “I want a new iPhone.”

Ariana Romero (senior): “I want a new ring and a turtle.”

Katherine Durazo (senior): “For Christmas, I want to be healthy.”

Natalia Arteaga (senior): “I want a new puppy and to be with my family for Christmas.”

Esmeralda Macias (senior): “I want a charm for Christmas.”

Brianna Sierra (senior): “I want money for Christmas and more sleep.”

Yulissa Celaya (freshman): “I want new perfume.”

Brianna Portillo (freshman): “I want jewelry.”

Marco Hernandez (freshman): “I want a new phone.”

Nicole Corrales (senior): “I want a Chanel perfume.”

Elian Moreira (senior): “I want a new apple watch.”

Sadie Avalos (senior): “I want cute Uggs.”

Johnny Fuentes (senior): “I want an Apple watch.”

David Medina (senior): “I want Jordan 1’s.”

Favian Moreno (senior): “I want more clothes.”

Isabel Hernandez (senior): “I want money.”

Maria Garcia (senior): “I want shoes.”

Arianna Flores (senior): “I want more money.”

Alessa Lopez (senior): “I want new earbuds and a Waffle House gift card of $20.”

Ximena Arvizu (senior): “I want everyone to be happy.”

Jazmyne Garcia (senior): “I want more makeup.”

Sydney Grandberry (sunior): “I want Air pods.”

Robert Escalante (senior): “I want to go to an NBA game.”

Isaiah Coleman (senior): “I want for Santa to be real.”

Monica Martir (senior): “I want my first car.”

Prisilla Garcia (junior): “I want my mom to be happy.”

Giselle Beltran (sophomore): “I want a car.”

Ms. Karla Martinez (Assistant Principal): “I want students to go to class.”

Dr. Mario Reyes (In-School Intervention teacher): “I want a 2023 Dodge Ram.”