Christian Malena is a Pueblo Alum from the Class of 2011. This article appeared in the Arizona Alumni Magazine.
I am a first-generation college student. My father was one of the few on both sides of my family to graduate from high school. My mother only went to school until the 7th grade. Embarking on this new phase of my life, as well as in my family’s life, was both exciting and terrifying. We were entering unknown waters, but we have done it together.
The biggest barrier I faced was fi nances. I am from a typical middle-class family, so I am not eligible for grants and scholarships that are primarily awarded to lowincome families. At the same time, my parents can’t afford to cut me a $20,000 check to pay for tuition and other college expenses each year.
As a scholarship recipient, I truly appreciate my time at the University. I never take this opportunity for granted and being on scholarships encourages me to do my best.
Out of all the applications that the scholarship committee received, they choose to award one of their scholarships to me! The fact that people are willing to invest money in my future gives me confi dence and motivation to succeed.
Scholarships have also provided me with a tremendous support system. Through the UA Hispanic Alumni
scholarship, I have mentors who encourage me and who I can go to with questions. I have had valuable professional networking opportunities, one of which opened doors for me to become a student worker at the UA Alumni Association.
I am humbled by the tremendous blessing I have been given!
Warriors Jahlil Anderson, Dulce Cordova, Enrique Garcia, Vero Robles and Gardenia Tapia represented the Pueblo Team for the United Way-Days of Caring. The Pueblo Team was joined by United Way Representative, Mike Vogt, and C.E. Rose Principal, Steven Trejo.
Gardenia Tapia helping out.
After arriving at school at 7:00 a.m., the team represented Pueblo at the rally at Hi Corbett Field and then proceeded to C.E. Rose to collaborate on breaking ground for the new primary playground. C.E. Rose is a natural site for our service learning as it is one of our feeder schools. They are recipients of the fieldwork by Pueblo students from our Education Professions class and our Early Childhood Education class under the excellent instruction of Ms. Bonnie Stull.
As University of Arizona Baseball Coach Andy Lopez said at the United Way Rally, “everything you do in life is a value statement”. Today the Pueblo Team showed that we are willing to work to make our extended community a better place for children.
Sabrina Avitia, Pueblo Alum of the Class of 2011, is Assistant Office Manager, at Castillo Associates, specializing in health and life insurance. Daniel Castillo, President of Castillo Associates, is so impressed with Sabrina’s skills and work ethic, he wants to hire another Pueblo Alum for his expanding business.
Ms. Avitia credits her CTE Tech Apps/Business with her mastery of typing, composing business letters and organization of Excel Spreadsheets. She also says her job shadowing and internship at St. Mary’s Hospital were meaningful opportunities that taught her to interact with the public, skills she uses in her current job.
Jose Santay- Jim Click Nissan
Jose Santay, the poster child for hard work, won the prestigious Jim Click Automotive Scholarship in May 2012. He is now working in the service department of Jim Click Nissan on Automall Drive. As the Scholarship winner, Jose receives $4,000 in free tools and his education is paid for courtesy of Jim Click. After Jose completes his Automotive Certification at Pima, he will continue on to complete his Associates Degree and then his Bachelor’s Degree.
Jose’s supervisor, Jason Davis, said that, “Jose has the attitude and the aptitude to succeed.” Jose gets up at 5:00 a.m. to open the shop at 7:00 a.m. Jose credits his Pueblo experience for where he is today. Endless hours working as Manager for the Basketball Team with Coach Romero, and his internship with Spraymasters Autobody, readied him for work at the professional level.
The 2012-2013 season of Warrior Football is about to begin. To kick-off the season with a bang, we want to invite all Pueblo fans, students and alumni to our White Out Party vs. Tucson High on August 24th. (7:00 p.m.)
We are asking all Pueblo fans to wear white. You can purchase official t-shirts from any member of the football team or at New Stitch, two blocks north of Pueblo for $5.00. Let’s jam the stands and support our Warriors!
Pueblo Warriors White Out Party 2012 Tshirt - $5
Donald Escalante, a proud alumni of the class of 1995, is donating all proceeds to the football team. New Stitch is a proud sponsor of Warrior Athletics and wants Pueblo to return to dominance.
During the summer, almost 150 incoming freshmen (Class of 2016) got the chance to experience high school classes through the Freshman Academy Program at Pueblo. For eleven days students took scheduled classes in Math, Statistics, English, Science, and Study Skills learning a multiple array of subjects and the organization of the campus to help them prepare for their first year in high school.
All the summer program classes laid the foundation for the future academics these students would encounter at Pueblo, with an emphasis on the Core Standards and STEM projects. For example, in science, the students were challenged to design and create a pond ecosystem to replace the old drained cement pond located in the area of the new campus community garden.
Pond in Community Garden before renovation.
First, student teams used classroom laptops to research about the ecological aspects of pond wetlands. Then they brainstormed about different pond designs. Nathan Novak, a local landscaping expert and owner of Canyon Pondscapes, worked with the student teams to draw out pond design plans that were within the renovation parameters. Each class voted on team proposed designs and a consensus was reached. For four days each class eagerly participated in bringing this design to fruition despite the June heat. Under the direct supervision of Mr. Novak and Mrs. Straub, their science teacher, the students used a jackhammer and sledgehammer to break apart two feet of concrete to deepen the pond and remove the loosened concrete.
Students use jackhammers to loosen concrete.
The students then carted in dirt to shape the pond to their design and laid down a liner to prevent water seepage. Rocks and gravel were placed in and around the pond to hold the liner as well as create a natural look.
The next step was the creation of the water fall. Every class wanted to see this to be the main attraction of the pond. This meant the coordination of many dirt toting wheelbarrow teams and lots of dust. Before they knew it, a hill of dirt was ready for rock placements to create the waterfall.
Students hauling dirt to shape pond.
Finally water was added, the pump turned on and manure was placed along the edges of the pond for future planting of flowers. A pond and waterfall emerged from the ideas and hard work of these new Pueblo Warriors.
The students felt a great accomplishment not only in completing a student driven project, but in learning how to work as a team to benefit the community by building a wetland pond ecosystem.
Rocks going into place for new pond.
As a final assignment, the students wrote about their experience. Overwhelmingly they wrote that despite the oppressive heat the experience was exciting, fun, and rewarding (the following student names are changed for privacy). Sam cherished the fact that he got to, “know how it feels to work like a grownup.” As Lisa pointed out, “a lot of sweat and hard work went into building something pretty that didn’t work and was plain before”.
Finished Pond in Pueblo Community Garden
Many students also wrote about how they found the teamwork rewarding in accomplishing this goal, as well as, a great chance to meet their fellow classmates. A few talked about the ecological and physiological benefits of the finished product and the hopes to use this area in their future at Pueblo. As Ana wrote, “a successfully built pond provides a feeling of restfulness in an area of interest”. So many voiced their interest in visiting the pond when they return in August, like Lucy who wrote, “getting the chance to see a pond come alive was (an) amazing experience, every day we saw it get better and better. Our pond will be so beautiful I can’t wait to see the final product.”
The students did not get to see the addition of plant and animal life, but water plants and fish will be added this summer in order to balance the pond ecosystem. Thanks to the Freshman Academy 2012 students, this new wetland pond ecosystem can be visited and studied by Pueblo students as well as enjoyed by those using the community garden for years to come.
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!
