Pueblo Pride – Page 3 – Pueblo High School

Warriors Attend University Of Arizona Press Conference

By América Cárdenas and Avae Velasquez

Bobby Taylor, Cedric Cotton & Principal Dr Romero being interviewed by America Cardenas & Avae — Basketball players Bobby Taylor, Cedric Cotton & Principal Dr. Romero being interviewed by America Cardenas & Avae Velasquez at the MLK Classic 2016

On Friday, January 15, two members of Pueblo’s varsity boys’ basketball team participated in a press conference at the University of Arizona—regarding the Martin Luther King Classic, alongside Coach Kelvin Eafon.

The boys’ basketball team participated in the 13th Annual Martin Luther King Basketball Classic that was held at the McKale Center at the University of Arizona.

“It is such an honor to be able to coach on the court that I played on years ago,” said Coach Eafon.

The Warriors took on the Rincon Rangers in the final game of the night; unfortunately, they came up short with the final score of 54-67.

Pueblo Basketball Cedric Cotton Coach Kelvin Eafon Bobby Taylor — Cedric Cotton, Coach Kelvin Eafon & Bobby Taylor at the MLK Classic press conference

Sophomore Bobby Taylor said, “I’m glad my team had the opportunity to participate in such an honorable event in honor of Dr. King.”

The Warriors are currently 12-8 and will take on the school’s rival team the Cholla Chargers tonight at 7:30 in Lever Gym. The team urges all members of the Pueblo community to attend the game tonight and to wear white to show their support.

Pueblo Administrators Limits Hall Passes

By Iram Arce

A new rule effective at the beginning of November 2015 limited students’ hall passes. Students are no longer allowed to obtain passes from their teachers during first, fourth, and seventh periods. Students who do not follow this policy will receive a consequence, including ISA (In-School Suspension)—according to Assistant Principal Alma Carmona-Alday.

Carmona-Alday said that students wandering the halls became a serious problem earlier this semester, and many teachers complained about the noise levels in the halls. Many students were ditching their classes and talking to their friends during class time.

She explained that the three worst times for students being in the halls are first period, because it is the beginning of the school day; fourth period because of the confusion between students having class or lunch; and seventh period, because it’s the end of the school day, and some students do not have a final period and need to be off campus.

Mr. Frank Rosthenhausler, assistant principal at Pueblo, said that administrators are doing everything possible to limit the traffic in the hallways, especially due to the shortage of security staff—two away from fully staffed.

However, there are exceptions.

“We understand that some students have important needs,” Rosthenhausler said, “and some students will be allowed to leave their classes. However, what we administrators are trying to do is stop chronic offenders who are always asking for a pass with no legitimate reason.”

This policy will remain in effect for the rest of the school year in the hopes to better our educational life, Rosthenhausler said.

“If we [administrators] start something, it is our responsibility to finish it,” Carmona-Alday said. “Our primary job is to keep our students safe, followed by keeping our students in class, and help them to be successful.”

Mr. Burney Starks Honored In Game

By Avae Velasquez

On Oct. 10, Pueblo’s boys and girls basketball hosted the first annual Burney Starks Alumni Game. Along with Assistant Principal Frank Rosthenhausler, former coaches and athletes participated against current athletes.

Starks passed shortly after the end of the last school year, and as a Warrior who graduated in 1968, he always strived to make things better, and it was always a dream of Starks for alumni to play against current players.

1st Annual Burney Starks Alumni Game (Photo courtesy of Kuuleme Stephens)

“We thought we’d pay homage to Starks,” Rosthenhausler said, “and we organized this game to bridge the gap between the alumni and current students.”

There were about 20 alumni players at the game, and they played our current boys’ basketball team during the first half and played against our current girls’ basketball team during the second half.

Senior Danielle Orozco said, “The game was fun because it was something that I’ve never really done before. Plus, it was a really touching thing to do for Burney.”

Rosthenhausler said this was a great event, and he’s happy to see future, current, and alumni faces all enjoying the same activity.

Pueblo Pride Day ~ October 27, 2015

By Iram Arce

October 27 was Pueblo Pride Day, a time when our Warriors and other volunteers met after school in the cafeteria at 3:30 p.m., and for an hour, they cleaned and better our Pueblo community.

Pueblo Pride Day Warrior Volunteers — Volunteers participating in Pueblo Pride Clean-Up Day

This event, which was started by the Science Club (sponsored by Dr. Lolita Levine) was bigger and better this year. CCLC provided snacks and water for participants who worked hard to beautify our campus.

Students and volunteers performed duties such as weeding the garden, picking up trash and painting the red drive way curve.

“Everybody is smiling, and that’s the best part,” Levine said. “It’s nice to see teachers and students working side by side.”

Students were separated into different groups in the cafeteria, which will each be led by their own leaders for different sections at school.

Pueblo Pride Day Elizabeth Raizk — Ms. Elizabeth Raizk hauling off some brush.

One of the group leaders is Ms. Elizabeth Raizk, one of Pueblo’s science teachers, and she was in charge of the garden group.

“This is how we show our Pueblo community that we are doing more things [community service] to make Pueblo a better place,” Raizk said. “Pueblo gets cleaner, and it shows our community how great we are. This event is a win-win scenario.”

“I really want to emphasize our school and nourish our soul,” Levine said. “This is not just a school—it is our home.”

Brianna Bertsch: How Football Saved Her Life

By América Cárdenas

For the past two years, Class of 2016 Senior Brianna Bertsch has been a committed varsity football player, the only female on the field this year.

When Bertsch toured the Pueblo campus as an eighth grader, she recalls seeing the mural in the cafeteria, and one of the images was a dignified native holding a football, and this image inspired her to want to be dignified as well.

“I suffered from low-esteem because of a poor family life,” Bertsch said. “So, I knew that I had to get myself out of the gutter—and I found that sense of belonging on the football team.”

In the past four years, Bertsch has been awarded many accolades for her commitment to the football team, including the Superintendent’s Cup Scholarship as well as numerous pins and patches.

“I learned early on that I was a big girl,” Bertsch said. “I was teased a lot in elementary and middle school, but once I entered high school and tried out for football, all of the teasing ended and I started to have friends.”

She paused and said, “Being on the football team literally saved my life. I stopped a lot of bad habits in my life, and I found direction.”

Bertsch said that when she became the only girl on the boys’ football team, as a freshman, some of the players ignored her and didn’t take her seriously. “I was like a ghost to some of these players,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started breaking records in the weight room when I started to get the respect that I always thought that I deserved.”

Following high school graduation next spring, Bertsch plans to attend Pima and become a member of the AZ Prep Team, which is an organization that caters to players who may not be prepared to be on the regular college football team.

Eventually, Bertsch wants to pursue a career to be a paramedic.

“I’ve always wanted to save people—always,” she said.