Warrior Cheer Advances To Nationals

yamilex-garcia-el-guerrero-pueblo-2016  omar-quintana-el-guerrero-pueblo-2016

By Yamilex Garcia and Omar Quintana

pueblo-warrior-cheer-2016

For the second consecutive year, Warrior Cheer will be attending national competitions in March because of their performance on Saturday, November 19, 2016, in Goodyear, Arizona, where they scored qualifying numbers—more than enough to advance to the next level.

The Cheer team left Tucson on Friday night in order to be ready to wake up at 5:30 a.m. the next morning and check in to the competition by 8 a.m. on Saturday. The team warmed up for 10 minutes before performance time—one of the first teams to compete.

Mr. Frankie Grijalva, who has been Cheer’s coach for the past three years, said that his team’s success this school year is “a big deal”.

“Despite having a slightly smaller group than last year,” Grijalva said, “the team is very talented.  We need to focus on improving our tumbling between now and the national competitions [in March].” He paused and said, “Last year, the team placed 13th nationally, and I think that we can do better this year. It’s all up to the Cheer team.”

Senior Alisa Gutierrez, who has been a member of the Pueblo Cheer team since her sophomore year, said, “After we seniors leave, I have a feeling that the team is going to keep doing well—as long as they have the mind-set to win. The talent is definitely there. They just need to realize this for themselves. They can reach any goal that they set their minds to. Practice how you perform, or you’ll perform the way that you practice.”

Calista Gonzales, a junior, said, “Going into the competitions last weekend was definitely an adrenaline rush. I was shaking and beyond nervous, but this seems to be what motivates me to do my best.” She added, “I’m sure we’ll do well in competitions next spring in California—that is, if we can all stay eligible.”

Senior Shadie Grajeda-Dabdoub, who has also been a member of Cheer since her sophomore year, said that she feels confident about the national competition in March. “We know that there are tough teams to beat, but somehow Pueblo’s Cheer team pushes harder. Instead of feeling intimidated by these superior teams, I look at them with great respect and apply this respect to myself—which is an attitude that everybody on the team should also mirror.”

Enrique Navarro, a senior, has been committed to being a part of Cheer all four years at Pueblo.

“Cheer is more organized this year, and team members are more motivated because we strive to become better,” Navarro said. “Our competitors really inspired us to be stronger and to be in a league of winners.”

Between now and March, Navarro said that the team will need to practice daily and clean up their routine if they are to be victorious in March in Anaheim, Calif. Cheer also needs to become stronger as a team and said that although competing against one another adds strength to the team, too much competition can add unnecessary tensions.

Alisa Gutierrez said, “I love my team with all of my heart. They are my second family.” She paused and added, “I push my teammates because I know that they can achieve greatness, and I’d never set them up for failure.”

Shadie Grajeda-Daddoub said, “I have high hopes for Pueblo’s Cheer program. I know that we will continue to do great things.”

Coach Grijalva said, “Between now and March, our Cheer team needs to raise money for the trip to California. Other than that, with practice and determination, we’re ready.”

Cheer Coach Becomes New Monitor

By Laura Conde

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After Mr. Sean Jack left for a new position near Denver, CO, last quarter, Pueblo was without a monitor—but not for long. Pueblo’s Cheer coach, Mr. Frankie Grijalva, applied for this vacancy and was hired as Pueblo’s newest campus monitor several weeks ago.

Grijalva said that he is very excited to expand his bond with Pueblo students.

“Pueblo makes me feel at home—I’m always very comfortable,” Grijalva said. “I’m planning to stay here as long as I can.”

He added, “Being a campus monitor is good practice for me getting to know just about everybody at Pueblo,” he said, “and so far it’s been a lot of work but also a lot of fun. This job is teaching me how to have patience, that’s for sure.”

Grijalva, a Class of 2004 Tucson High graduate, stayed active in three dance groups, and he knew then that he wanted to pursue a dancing career.

As for future plans, Grijalva added that he would eventually like to be a full-time dance teacher at Pueblo.

“When I was a student in high school, I wanted to become a dance teacher and dance coach,” he said, “so I’m definitely halfway there. However, I really would love to add ‘full-time dance teacher’ to my resume.”

Last Spirit Assembly Spotlights Class of 2016 Seniors

Sandra Iniguez El Guerrero Pueblo 2015

By Sandra Iniguez

Pueblo Warriors Class of 2016 Seniors Goodbye Spirit Assembly
Class of 2016 Seniors ready for their Goodbye Spirit Assembly

The week of March 7-March 11, our Warriors brought their school spirit and dressed up for the entire week based on the days assigned by student council.

Monday was “Double Trouble”; Tuesday was “Messy vs. Dressy”; Wednesday was “Gender Bender”; Thursday was “Pixar Day”; and Friday was “Jungle Day”. Friday was finalized with a boisterous assembly that took the Class of 2016 seniors on an emotional rollercoaster.

Here’s video of their traditional grand entrance:

The assembly consisted of performances by the KWXL Radio staff and Pueblo’s Warrior Cheer squad, competitive games, and acknowledgement of multiple sports and clubs. The cheer performance seemed to captivate the audience the most—a preview of their awesome talents that they will showcase on Saturday, March 19, when they compete on a national level in Anaheim, California.

Pueblo Warriors Cheert At Class Of 2016 Goodbye Spirit Assembly
Warrior Cheer ready for nationals

At the very end of the assembly, after the traditional seat change, seniors were presented with a slide show that commemorated their past four years at Pueblo. Not surprisingly, judges Mr. Rana Medhi, Ms. Kelly Crane, and Ms. Angela Gonzalez unanimously chose the seniors as the most spirited group.

“It’s hard to believe that my senior year is almost over, I remember my freshman year as if it were yesterday,” said senior Eneida Flores. “The assembly was a great tribute to the seniors, and it was heartbreaking to see a lot of my peers cry during the slide show.”

Warriors Place 5th In State, 1st In Tucson; Prepare For Nationals In March

Avae Velasquez El Guerrero Pueblo

 

 

By Avae Velasquez

Pueblo Warrior Cheer 5th In State Competition

On January 23, the Warrior Cheer team competed for the first time in at least seven years at the AIA State Competition at Grand Canyon University, placing fifth in Division 2.

Before the Warriors left for Phoenix, they had a team conversation about what they wanted to happen.

“The biggest thing that we all agreed on was not regretting anything about our performance,” said Coach Frankie Grijalva.

Although the team did not come back as state champions, they were the only Tucson team to place in the top five in all three divisions.

“I know we have a strong team, we just had to prove it,” said senior Xamantha Williams. “Being top five in our state and number one in our city is such an awesome accomplishment.”

Grijalva said, “I knew that this team had it in them to make a name for our school and that is what they did and will continue doing as we get ready for Nationals in March held in Anaheim.”

The cheer team will be competing in Anaheim, California in mid-March at the UCA National competition. The Cheer Boosters set up a “GoFundMe” account in order for Pueblo students, faculty, staff and community members to donate money to the team so that will be able to afford the trip.

The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/pueblo

Williams said, “I’m leaving Pueblo happy to say that I was a part of the magic that helped our sports programs do so well this school year.”

Pueblo Cheer, Start Packing Your Bags for California!

Avae Velasquez El Guerrero Pueblo

By Avae Velazquez

The Warriors Cheer Team participated in two competitions in mid-November and qualified to compete at both the state and national levels, making Pueblo history in the process as the first time the club/sport has made it to Nationals in cheer.

On November 14, 2015 the Warriors traveled to Grand Canyon University for the AIA State Qualifier competition and placed 3rd among 24 teams.

Warrior Cheer at State Qualifiers finish 3rd out of 24.

“I knew my team had it in them. We dedicated so many hours to perfecting our routine that I would have been surprised if we hadn’t placed in the Top Three. I cannot wait to go back in January to represent my school,” said Senior Jovanna Jimenez.

The AIA State Competition will be held at Grand Canyon University on Saturday, January 23, 2016 and where the Warriors will compete for the state title.

Last month, on November 21, the team competed once again at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, AZ (west of Phoenix). They qualified to compete at Nationals which is held in Anaheim, CA from March 18-20, 2016.

“I am so proud to say my cheer squad will have the opportunity to represent Pueblo at the national level, being the first team of any sport in school history to do so,” said senior Lupita Ortiz.

The Cheer Boosters set up a “GoFundMe” account so Pueblo students, faculty, staff and community members could donate money so the team can make the trip. Pueblo cheer wants to challenge all teachers and staff members to donate ten dollars in support.

The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/pueblo

Meet Wally & Wonda Warrior

After much debate, surveys, voting & many other obstacles, our new mascots Wally & Wonda Warrior made their grand entrance today during both lunches.

Students gathered to greet our new head cheerleaders. They will be representing Pueblo at school sporting events and functions.

Meet Wally & Wonda Warrior

Everyone wanted to take pictures with Wally & Wonda!

Check out the Photo Gallery Of Wally & Wonda with the students.

We are looking forward to the Warrior Spirit our new mascots will promote.

What do you think of the new mascots?