Title-Hungry Warriors Feed Off Sotos’ Drive To Improve

Lauro & Raul Soto

The personalities of brothers Lauro and Raul Soto couldn’t be more different. Lauro is quiet and reserved. Raul loves to talk and joke around.

One thing they do share, however, is their love of volleyball.

Their dedication to the game is a big reason why Pueblo is 8-3 and sitting in the top five of the Division I power rankings. The Warriors opened the season on a seven-game winning streak, giving the entire team hope that they could make a run at a state championship this year.

“It’s a good goal for them,” said Dan Chan, who has been Pueblo’s coach since 1997. “Any time a team has a goal like that to shoot for, it jells the group.”

As the team continues to push toward its goal, Lauro, a senior captain and outside hitter who leads his team in kills, knows he has to set the pace for his team.

Raul, a sophomore libero, takes a more verbal approach. He’s the one who keeps everyone loose during games.

Here are three ways the Soto brothers have taken their games to the next level.

Family time

Before Lauro was pushing Raul to work harder and get better, it was Lauro being pushed by the oldest Soto brother, Armando. He graduated from Pueblo in 2009.

Lauro got his first taste of Pueblo volleyball by watching Armando play. Practicing with his older brother gave Lauro the foundation he needed and some ideas about how to guide Raul when the time came.

Now any family gathering can turn into a game when the Soto brothers are around. Throw in their cousin Fidencio Armenta, who also played at Pueblo and graduated in 2008, and the competition level can get sky-high.

“We like to keep things competitive,” said Lauro, who had a 17-kill performance against Palo Verde and a double-double (12 kills and 10 digs) against Sahuaro. “Sometimes when we play with our family, we’ll start talking smack to each other. Raul talks more than I do but I try to get him back.”

Vertical gains

During the offseason Lauro wanted to work on his vertical leap. After looking on the Internet, he found Jumpsoles, a platform that weighs nearly 5 pounds and attaches to the shoe. It is used in training to focus on the calf muscles in order to add inches to an athlete’s vertical.

The Soto brothers added the Jumpsole workouts to their offseason regimen and saw results.

“Before I could barely touch the rim,” Lauro said of a 10-foot basketball hoop. “But now I can grab it and hang on it. And it’s helped with my power too. I feel like my striking has gotten better because I have more power in my legs.”

YouTubing the basics

When they’re not working out or practicing, the Sotos are watching videos on how to improve their game on the site that can teach a person just about anything: YouTube. Whether it’s videos about how to improve their techniques or different strategies, Lauro and Raul have found YouTube to be a helpful tool.

“We’ll look up videos on the basics and some of the more advanced things too,” said Raul, the team leader in digs. “We get a lot of good workout ideas and tips on how to improve our games just by watching YouTube.”

Read more. (azstarnet.com)

Pueblo Biotech Featured On NSTA

Pueblo’s Biotechnology Program was featured on National Science Teacher Association’s website.

Here’s the excerpt:

Another awardee also has introduced innovations to the classroom. Andrew Lettes, a science teacher at Pueblo Magnet High School in Tucson, Arizona, received the Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award, sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories, and says he has “worked for over 10 years to bring biotechnology into the classroom.” He points out that “students must be engaged with relevant ‘hands-on’ curriculum, but the trick is to find the ‘hook’ for our student population…At Pueblo, I found the ‘hook,’ biotechnology.” He says his school’s biotechnology program “provides college preparation for our students, plus provides genuine work-based learning. Students work in science, not simply read about it during a career search on the internet.”

According to Lettes, biotechnology “not only attracts the already college-bound students, but also those who are interested in work experience. Students who have mastered the content and students who have mastered the technical skills are equally valued in my classroom. This fosters a cooperative atmosphere where all students try to do well. Truly biotechnology is the rising tide that lifts all boats.” His award also provides funding to attend NSTA’s national conference. When asked about his agenda in Indianapolis, he replies, “I plan on enjoying the workshops given by my peers. Classroom teachers have a wonderful insight on what works. I also would like to network with other educators.”

Congratulations Dr. Andrew Lettes!  You represent Pueblo with Pride!

Read entire article.

Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant 2012

Pueblo held it’s first annual Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant on January 27, 2012.  Each contestant had to participate in the following events: Strike the Pose Dance Routine, Swim Suit Cat Walk, Talent Show, Ritzy With A Gift & Question & Answer.

Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant 2012 Contestants

This years constestants were:

  • Peter Casillas- YES Club
  • Omar Enriquez- Warrior Soccer
  • Alvaro Gallego- Warrior Wrestling
  • Oscar Hernandez- KWXL Radio
  • Manuel Lopez- Science Club
  • Blake Maddox- Warrior Golf
  • Marco Ortiz- Pueblo Cheer
  • Christian Rios- Ixora Dance
  • Brandon Sanchez- National Honor Society
  • Edgar Toledo- Mariachi Aztlan

Congratulations to Edgar Toledo for winning the crown of Mr. Pueblo Warrior 2012!

Mr. Pueblo Warrior 2012 Edgar Toledo

View Entire Photo Gallery: Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant 2012

View Videos Of Show: Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant 2012 YouTube Channel

Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant 2012 Escorts

Escorts: Elisa Velasquez, Karime Hernandez, Briana Sanchez, Dalia Gracia, Monica Velderrain, Jocelyn Canchola, Clarissa Barrientos, Ana Islas, Kimberly Martinez & Melissa Martinez.

The judges included: Mrs. Anne Abbott-Gee, Mr. Nathanial Adams, Ms. Wilma Amaro, Mr. Lorenzo Chavez, Mr. Ned Gray & Mr. Eleazar Ortiz.

Video of contestants:

Prom Committee announced the theme for this year’s Prom: Moulin Rouge

Thank you to everyone that made this such a successful event.  Don’t miss next year’s event!

Warriors Meet With Mayor Jonathan Rothschild

Two of our Pueblo students, Erick Gutierrez and Andrea Bakos, who serve on the Metropolitan Education Committee’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) met with Tucson’s new mayor Jonathan Rothschild.

Erick Gutierrez & Andrea Bakos Meet With Tucson Mayor

The goals of the YAC are to provide youth/student input on policies and programs designed to improve the quality of education throughout Pima County and to engage in activities which foster both leadership, citizenship and the best educational opportunities for all Tucson youth.

Pueblo Has Two Wendy’s High School Heisman Award Semi-Finalists

Pueblo is proud to announce that Class of 2012 Seniors Damen Romero & Michelle Godinez are 2 of 20 student athletes in the state of Arizona selected as semi-finalists for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.  We are very pleased to have a male and female selection this year. 

Damen Romero & Michelle Godinez

This award honors well-rounded young men and woman who excel in learning, performing, and leading in the class room, on the field and in the community. They will both find out in December if they have been selected as finalists.

Finalists will be brought to New York City for Heisman Weekend activities and the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award Banquet in which the two National Winners will be announced nationally on ESPN. 

Congratulations to both and way to represent Pueblo!

Pueblo Takes 1st Place At UA Trebuchet Competition

Pueblo science students took 1st place at the 1st Annual Trebuchet Competition at UA on Sunday October 30th sponsored by Raytheon, MESA, and the Physics Factory.  Warriors competed and beat teams including Salpointe and adult engineers.

Pueblo trebuchet fired 98 meters hitting target  dead-on on second attempt.  1st attempt was only 3 feet off.

Pueblo Warriors Trebuchet Winning Rig

Competition was to design, construct and fire a trebuchet (gravity-powered catapult) for distance and accuracy.  Competition took place on the UA Mall where over ten teams competed from various schools and groups including Salpointe Catholic High and a team of professional engineers.

Teams were given four shots (2 for distance and 2 for accuracy.)  Pueblo’s range was around 100 meters.  Despite having the option of pulling target back in to have a better chance of accuracy as most teams did, Team Pueblo was so sharp that they set their target at the maximum distance they fired previously and still hit the 7 foot by 5 foot target dead center 98 meters away. This is the length of about a football field! Here’s a short video of winning shot:

A big crowd gathered at the UA Mall and the team definitely represented Pueblo well.

No team was more efficient in setting up and launching within the 3 minute time limit than Pueblo.  No team showed more spirit than Pueblo.  No team showed the most character in helping other teams than Pueblo.  No team deserved the win more than Pueblo.

Pueblo Warriors Trebuchet Team

Student participants were:

Maricela Bravo (Freshman), Cecilia Machado (Freshman), Zelin Pallanes (Freshman), Raul Ballesteros (Junior), Rafael Lopez (Junior), Aaron Barrera (Junior), Rodger Seratt (Junior), Bill DeLaRosa (Senior) & Arthur Hernandez (Senior).

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.  Special thanks goes to Diane and Mark Bouchard for financial, carpentry, and engineering support.

[Story compiled by Jim Uomoto]