Cyclone Storm Sheets
November

Pueblo West A.C.E. Outlet
What is it A.C.E. Outlet?
It is a new CTE program located in the Media Center that can create graphic designs to put on t-shirts, a metal sign, key-chains, classes, cups, mugs etc.
-If you have a design we can print it on our sublimation printer or direct to film printer and we can heat press it onto your t-shirt, canvas bag or whatever you choose.
-If you need to buy t-shirts for a club we can provide you with them at a discounted price!
-Need a gift for your mom? We can make a wind chime with your picture or place a family picture on a piece of slate.
-A new hat for dad.
-A puzzle for your prom-posal!
-A gift for a teacher.
-Bring us your idea and we will make it happen.
What does A.C.E. stand for? Alternative Cooperative Education and is part of Career and Technical Education.
Senior Countdown
Important End-of-the-Year Senior Dates
- May 1st - All Scholarship/College/Military Acceptance Letters Submitted to your Counselor
- May 12th - Senior Finals (4, 5, 6, 7)
- May 13th - Senior Finals (1, 2, 3)
- May 13th (10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) - Clearance/Computer Check-In and PAY FINES (PWHS Auditorium Foyer)
- May 13th (6:00 p.m.) - Westpy's
- May 20th (6:00 p.m.) - Senior Night (PWHS Auditorium)
- May 20th/21st - Senior Walks at Elementary Schools
- May 22nd (9:00 a.m.) - Graduation Rehearsal (PWHS Stadium) THIS IS MANDATORY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.
- May 22nd (following rehearsal) - Senior BBQ
- May 23rd (8:30 a.m.) - Graduation Ceremony (Students report 7:30 with caps and gowns, no tennis shoes, flip flops or jeans)
CTE Competition Roundup
Career and Technical Education (CTE) students attended various competitions this month. Construction, Law and Justice, and Multimedia and Broadcast students competed at the SkillsUSA State Leadership Competition April 9-11, 2025 in Pueblo, Colorado. Students competed in cabinet making, construction, welding, crime scene, t-shirt design, video production, news production, cinema, photography, job interviewing, customer service, quiz bowl and more. Sophomore Jayden Artichoker brought home gold in T-shirt Design and will attend the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia in June. Artichoker became the first state champion in any SkillsUSA event in Pueblo West High School’s (PWHS) history. Senior Gavin Hanson, Senior Keegan Tack, and Junior Gavin Hanson also made the podium and took home bronze in Welding Fabrication.
Future Business Leaders of America students also competed at their State Leadership Conference this month (April 21-23) at the Gaylord of the Rockies. More than 35 students competed in various categories displaying skills in presenting, organizing, leading, communicating, and collaborating. These students qualified to compete at state at the district competition held earlier this year at Otero Junior College. National qualifiers will attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California in June. DECA (Marketing) students Gabriel Brubaker and Mario Kaufmann will also be heading to the DECA International Career Development Conference April 26-29 in Orlando, Florida. There, they will join more than 20,000 students from around the world to compete to be the best.
Lastly, PWHS students competed in the 11th Annual Southern Colorado Entrepreneurship Competition hosted by the Colorado State University-Pueblo Healy Center Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. Freshmen Jordan Easton and Lain Mathews placed 5th for their business plan: Errand Runners. These two students also participated in the District 70 and CSU-P Summer Business Academy this past summer. In addition, seniors Andrew and Adrianna Robinson placed 3rd and were awarded $500 from Sunwest Credit Union. Congratulations to these future entrepreneurs and all of the CTE students who competed this last year.
Well Deserved Staff Recognition
Dianne Petkoff, Pueblo West High School Safety Officer and Unified Boys Swimming Coach, was recognized at the March 19th District 70 school board meeting for her outstanding work with the Unified Boys Swim program. Petkoff volunteers many hours, along with some of the swimmers from the Pueblo West High School Girls Swim team, to make this program possible. Petkoff has been coaching for 27 years and has coached Unified Boys Swim for the past 15 years. Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work!
Go Go Girls Golf
Pueblo West Girls Golf Off to a Strong Start
The Pueblo West girls golf team is having an outstanding start to the season, competing in five tournaments so far and securing top-three finishes in each. The team has claimed two 1st place, two 2nd place, and one 3rd place finishes—an impressive record that currently puts them over 60 strokes ahead of the next team in the Colorado Springs Metro League standings.
Arts in Action
Pueblo County District 70 High School Art Show
The District 70 Art Show is going on now at Fuel and Iron. See examples of the excellent work our students are sharing with the community.
Fashioned Out of Clay
Check out these Ceramic Works!
Purse by Raylee Fuller
Converse by Makenzie Kukulski
Chessboard by Sophia Kizzie
Upcoming Performing Arts Dates🎵🎶🎵
- 5/6 - Choir Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
- 5/8 - Murder Mystery @ 6:30 p.m.
- 5/14 - Band Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
Counselor Connections
Scholarship Opportunities
Here is a great place to start looking for scholarship opportunities. You can find scholarship funds under any field or trade. It is updated on a regular basis.
Tidbits from the Trainer
Rest and Recovery: A Key to Peak Performance for All Athletes
By: Susan Cunningham, UCHealth
Published on March 31, 2025
Whether you're a student athlete or just someone who enjoys being active, rest and recovery are just as important as your workouts! In fact, experts say recovery is often overlooked but crucial for maintaining peak performance and preventing injuries.
Why Recovery Matters:
Athletes put their bodies under stress during training, but stress isn't limited to just physical exertion. School, work, and daily life can also take a toll on your body, making it harder to recover. Jessica Yeaton, a physical therapist at UCHealth, explains that recovery helps our bodies repair muscles, regulate hormones, and reduce stress. Without proper recovery, the body can’t heal, and performance may drop.
Top Tips for Rest and Recovery:
- Prioritize Sleep: Sleep is where your body does most of its repairing. Aim for a consistent, quality sleep schedule to help your muscles grow and recharge.
- Dynamic Stretching: Before your workout, try dynamic stretching (active movements like leg swings) to help improve flexibility and reduce injury risk.
- Active Recovery: After intense exercise, go for a walk or do light movements to keep blood flowing and help your muscles recover.
- Rest Days Are Essential: Make sure to schedule days where you don’t train intensely. Your body needs these breaks to rebuild strength and avoid injuries.
- Fuel Your Body Right: Eating healthy foods—especially carbohydrates and protein—helps replenish your energy and supports muscle recovery.
The Importance of Listening to Your Body:
Feeling fatigued, experiencing muscle aches, or noticing a dip in performance could be signs you need a rest day. Overtraining can lead to overtraining syndrome, which can result in burnout, fatigue, and even injuries. It’s important to give your body time to rest to stay healthy and perform at your best!
Additional Insights:
- Dr. Karin VanBaak, an expert in sports medicine, reminds us that recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on your age, sport, and activity level. While younger athletes often benefit from multiple sports and regular breaks, older athletes might need more recovery time between intense sessions.
- Experts recommend keeping a training log to track your workouts and recovery days. This can help you stay mindful of your progress and avoid overtraining.
Takeaway:
Incorporating rest and recovery into your routine isn’t just about relaxing—it’s about boosting your overall performance and keeping your body healthy for the long term. So remember, recovery is just as important as the workout itself!
Resources and Experts to Know:
- Jessica Yeaton – Physical Therapist, UCHealth SportsMed Clinic
- Dr. Karin VanBaak – CU Sports Medicine & Performance Center
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) – https://www.acefitness.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics Sleep Guidelines – https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/
- Susan Cunningham’s Blog – susancunninghambooks.com
Source: Cunningham, Susan. "Rest and Recovery Are Critical for Athletes of All Ages." UCHealth, 31 Mar. 2025.
Important Upcoming Dates
- April 26th - Prom
- May 12th/13th Senior Finals
- May 20th Senior Night
- May 23rd Graduation
- May 27th - 29th 9th/10th/11th Grades Finals
What's Happening at Pueblo West???
Check our online activity calendar to find information on upcoming games, concerts, conditioning and more. You can access the calendar through our school website or here.