Student Council – Page 2 – Pueblo High School

‘Legend’ Themes Dominate Spirit Week

By Kenya Acosta and América Cárdenas

Folklorico Los Guerreros De Pueblo Perform At Spirit Assembly

Spirit week, Nov. 30 through Dec. 4, featured the following themes: Monday was Legends of Myths and Tales; Tuesday was Legends of the Screen, Wednesday was Legends of Arcade, and Thursday was Legends of Music. Friday’s theme, Lost in Time, definitely was an original way to end this spirit week.

Last Friday, freshmen were sporting their disco gear inspired by the 1970’s music genre. Sophomores wore their hippy clothes, inspired by the 1960’s. Juniors showed off their neon to represent the 1980’s. Lastly, but not least, our seniors boasted the famous greaser-inspired look from the 1950’s.

The assembly was initiated with a rocked-out version of The Star Spangled Banner performed by three members of the guitar club.

Winter sports teams were spotlighted during the assembly, as well as several academic clubs, including Anatomy and the Anime Club.

The Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant contestants revealed their escorts for the upcoming pageant early next semester.

Senior Sal Varela, who is a participant in the Mr. Pueblo Warrior Pageant, revealed that his escort will be senior Pamela Soto.

“I’m ecstatic about being part of this event,” Varela said., “even though I know that I’m going to win because I’m beautiful.”

Folklorico dancers also graced the assembly, dressed in their complete costumes.

Another highlight of the assembly was announcing our Warrior seniors who have been accepted to the University of Arizona.

Class or 2016 Seniors Accepted To The University Of Arizona

One of those students was Jovanna Jiminez. She said, “I’ve known for a while that I was accepted to the U of A, but the recognition that I received at the assembly was really exciting and at last made it official.”

During the first and last 20 minutes, many students saw a drone hovering around Lever Gym—all courtesy of Mr. Ernesto Somoza and his Communication Media Technology class. Two students in the class, Andrew Romero, freshman, and Luis Castanada, sophomore, trained after school to fly the drone from 3:30 to 6 p.m. for an entire week, leading up to the assembly.

“The drone is now used to take videos and pictures,” Somoza said. “Currently, students are creating a video that will be used in an effort as a recruiting tool for future Pueblo students.”

The assembly ended with our Pueblo band performing “Chop Suey”, and Color Guard danced, successfully ending another highly-spirited assembly.

Pueblo Community Reacts Negatively to ‘Fox’ Song

By Xamantha Williams

On Monday, Feb. 16, the song, “What Does the Fox Say”, has been repeatedly played on Pueblo’s KWXL radio station between passing periods in hopes that students and faculty members will get tired of hearing the song—thus, donating money to student council, who is striving to raise $1,500.

The money that student council raises will help fund spirit assemblies, school dances, supplies to promote clubs and sports teams, activities during lunches, teacher appreciation events, and money to send students to leadership conferences and other events, student council advisor Ms. Kari Warner said.

Pueblo Fox Fundraiser Drawing Dominic Garcia — by Dominic Garcia

As of Friday, Feb. 20, student council has raised $245.

Student council president Jorge Ruiz, a senior, said, “A lot of people don’t realize that this money is to benefit the entire school—not just student council.” He added, “We want to continue this fundraiser, but a lot of the commotion has caused student council to abandon the event.”

Senior class president and a member of student council, Maria Louisa Vega, said, “We’re disappointed in how some of our students are reacting. Their behavior has been less than professional. Having food thrown at us at lunch and threatening some of my club’s members has been disgraceful and shameful.”

Vega added, “The money that we are asking for will help the entire student body. I can’t believe that even one of my teachers verbalized her disapproval of the fundraiser—threatening to obliterate the speakers in her classroom.”

Student council advisor Ms. Kari Warner said that administration has been as supportive as possible.

Mr. Frank Rosthenhausler, assistant principal, said, “I love the song and the idea—but not the students’ negative reactions.”

Assistant Principal Ms. Alma Carmona-Alday said, “I think that the Pueblo community should continue to donate in order for student council to attain its goal.”

Despite student council’s good intentions, many students and some faculty members have reacted adversely from hearing the 2013 song “What Does the Fox Say”, a song from a Norwegian singing duo named Ylvis.

“The song is highly irritating, and student council knew people would get tired of it,” said junior
Yasmine Saenz.

“Annoying is an understatement!” said auto teacher Ms. Marie Little.

Senior Ricardo Manjarrez said, “Instead of aiming to irritate students into giving money, I feel they could’ve broadcasted a message to positively influence our students.”

Some students reacted even stronger.

“Other students have been bullying student council members because of this fundraiser,” said senior Destiny Felix, a member of student council. “This is not true Warrior spirit.”

Felix added, “This first week was a hard week for all of us. Students at Pueblo really need to change their mind-set in order to improve our school.”

However, some teachers and students feel that opposition to this event has been hyperbolized.

“It’s a fundraising strategy and a fun way to raise money for the whole school,” said junior Daniel Motley. “It kind of makes you want to donate to stop the song from being played.”

Photography teacher Ms. Emma Tarazon said, “On Monday, the first day of the fundraiser, hearing the song over and over was really annoying, but the song actually grew on me, and then I looked forward to hearing the song.”

Graphic arts and printing teacher Mr. Pete Pederson said, “At first, I felt like we were the hostages of the radio. Then, when I found out it was a fundraiser of student council, I thought it was a pretty cool idea. Now that students are bullying student council members, I feel upset that our students are trying to squash student council’s First Amendment rights.”

Radio teacher Ms. Sarah Wilson said that she is disappointed at how strongly opposed students and even teachers are to this fundraiser. “With so many horrible events occurring around the world right now—like the 21 men who were publicly executed by ISIS last week—I can’t believe that some people at Pueblo are giving this issue so much energy and attention.”

Ms. Warner added that the fundraiser will continue until further notice.

Student Council Attends Convention

Our Student Council attended the Arizona Association of Student Councils Convention in Phoenix at North High School this past weekend. Students participated in workshops and listened to motivational speakers.

Pictured are back row from left to right: Alvaro Oquita, Jesse Garcia, Travis Klein, Gabe Garcia, Elaine Acuna, Bottom row: Ann Abbott-Gee, Vanessa Lopez, Katrina Anaya, Isabel Morales.