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.

Pueblo Fire Science Takes Charge At Regionals

On Saturday, February 4th, 2012 the Regional SkillsUSA Fire Competition met at the Rural Metro Fire Training Center here in Tucson. The 40 participants from the region were from the west and east campuses of the JTED Fire Program including 6 from Pueblo’s Fire Program.

The competition included the following events: ropes & knot tying, hose rolling, breathing apparatus timed competition, climbing a ladder with tools in hand and a victim drag with a 200 lb. dummy.

The day culminated with a Fire Fighter Combat Challenge that mixed Pueblo students with JTED students and a very delicious barbeque.

Pueblo Fire Science At SkillsUSA Competition

We are very ecstatic to announce that our team made Pueblo proud. Out of the top 10 scores, we had 4 of our 6 participants in the following places:

  • First Place- Carlos Meraz (Senior) – 2nd year in the program
  • Second Place- Juan Aguilar (Freshman) -1st year in the program
  • Fifth Place-Victor Grutzius (Junior) -2nd year in the program
  • Sixth Place- Luis Mendivil (Freshman) -1st year in the program

Manuel Cedre & Hector Ortega made a great showing and just missed being in the Top 10.

Congratulations to the Pueblo Fire Science Program! They showed up at the competition with one thing on their minds and that was to put Pueblo Fire on the map. They did it in a big way!

Thank you Chief Jeff Smith for sharing.

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.

Alvaro Gallego Hungry For Wrestling State Title

Alvaro Gallego tries to pin oppenent

Courtesy of Arizona Daily Star

If Alvaro Gallego could eat anything, he’d probably stop by McDonald’s or Burger King, grab a couple of cheeseburgers and a bag of french fries and enjoy a hearty meal with his friends.

But, that’s not happening anytime soon.

For now, it’s oatmeal in the morning, a few pieces of chicken for lunch and vegetables for dinner. Oh yeah, he also has a few cups of water with his meals.

“I really miss the fast food,” Gallego said, laughing. “And to make it worse, my friends always eat it right in front of me.”

Gallego, a senior at Pueblo, will get his burgers and fries soon enough.

First, there’s a state championship to win.

As a junior, Gallego went 35-4 and finished second at 103 pounds in the Division II state meet. This year, he’s chasing a state title at 106 pounds and closely monitoring his diet to stay in his weight class.

He’s already 29-0 this season and has won championships at the William Bell Invitational and the Phoenix Moon Valley Invitational.

“Right now, I haven’t lost yet and I’m just trying to get better each match,” Gallego said. “An undefeated season and a state championship would be the perfect way to go out.”

Here’s a closer look at Gallego’s road to becoming one of the top wrestlers in the state.

Youth

Memories: Gallego first stepped onto a wrestling mat as a fourth-grader and finished second in state his first full year. He was hoping for a first-place finish as a fifth-grader but instead had a disappointing season and he quit wrestling after the season.

Quotable: “I really liked the sport. But, I started losing in fifth grade and didn’t do well at state and didn’t want to do it anymore. I felt like I had dedicated myself to wrestling and it ended horribly. I was mad and had the mentality that I didn’t want to do it anymore.”

Big finish: Gallego took seventh at state his fifth-grade year before walking away from the sport.

Middle school

Memories: Still upset with his finish in fifth grade, Gallego didn’t wrestle or play any sports in middle school. Instead, the fun-spirited Gallego hung out with his friends and focused on doing well in school.

Quotable: “I thought I was too cool for sports. I wanted to be the cool guy, so I just did nothing.”

Big finish: Gallego was in touch with Pueblo coach Steve Lopez by the end of his eighth-grade year and knew he was ready to get back on the wrestling mat as a freshman in high school and wrestle for Lopez and the Warriors.

High School

Memories: Gallego wrestled junior varsity his freshman season because he “was only 70 pounds and wasn’t allowed on varsity yet.” He got his weight up to 86 pounds as a sophomore, his first year on varsity, and eventually 103 as a junior, when he broke out with his 35-4 season.

Quotable: “They just told me to keep eating and I’d get there sooner or later. They had me lifting weights and working out and I gained about 10 pounds each year. It seemed like I would eat whatever I wanted and still wouldn’t gain any weight. Now, that I’m there, I have to control it.”

Big finish: As the No. 2 seed at 103 pounds, Gallego took out Nogales’ Juan Dorame in the semifinals, before dropping a 9-7 decision to Moon Valley’s Mikah Trejo in the finals.

Senior year

Memories: Gallego was named the wrestler of the tournament at the William Bell Invitational one day after his grandmother, Olga Rosales, passed away. Gallego wrote her name on his headgear during the final day of competition and dedicated the tournament win to her.

Quotable: “It’s been a great year so far, but it’s all about state. My mom has never seen me wrestle in person. She only watches the videos and still gets nervous even though she knows I win. So, I really, really want her to come to state this year and hopefully she can watch me win a state championship.”

Big finish: That’s still to be determined. This year’s Division II state meet in Prescott Valley is set for Feb. 10-11. Gallego, ranked No. 1 in the state at 106 pounds by Azwrestler.com, will likely be the favorite in his weight class.