MLA’S Lifting Bulldogs
The lifting Bulldogs is a club which was started up by the cadets here at MLA. This club is run by Master Gunnery Sgt Casteneda whose mission with this club is to encourage young teens to strengthen their mind, body, and souls in a positive way.
Interviewees: Master Gunnery Sgt Casteneda (club sponsor), Israel Nunez ( teammate), Luis Zapata (teammate), Ariana Mendoza (teammate)
Master Gunnery SGT Casteneda (Club Sponsor)
MLA NEWS:Who is a part of weightlifting?
Master Gunnery sgt Castaneda: “There was some interest by cadets so we began opening it up during lunchtime…-as the weather changed more cadets showed interest in not only doing this during lunch, but afterschool as well.
MLA NEWS: Is this a competition team or just a club?
Master Gunnery sgt Castaneda: “it’s more of a club but if we start competing it would be amongst the members because I don’t believe there is any weightlifting competitions among the JROTC schools”
MLA NEWS: Howe did you get involved with being in charge?
Master Gunnery sgt Castaneda: “I became the sponsor because I’ve been there sometimes lifting weights myself and i’ve always been a fan of exercising with weights and there was an interest with that among the cadets our philosophy is honor courage and commitment, but we also like to say mind, body, and spirit & whatever spirit that may be or each respective cadet, it’s good to go in there train and do exercise”
EXTRA INFO:
Master Gunnery sgt Castaneda: “We would like everybody to know that all are welcome, its open to everyone”
Additional information: signs are posted up around the school for cadets still interested, All cadets are welcome and encouraged to stay if they need/want something to do after school.
Israel Nunez (team member)
MLA NEWS: When did you Join the lifting bulldogs?
Israel: “ I’m not gonna lie I joined about a month ago because I had raiders and I didn’t know how it would work into my schedule but I go every Wednesday”
MLA NEWS: How did you hear about this club?
Israel: “Master Gunnery Sgt Castaneda told me about it during lunch that he wanted to start this program for the cadets at school who wanted to get in better shape”
MLA NEWS: Why do you enjoy weigh-lifting?
Israel: “ The reason I enjoy weightlifting s because it makes you feel good about yourself, helps you take your mind off of other things and you’re just focused on working out and you feel good about it at the end because you know you’re doing something hard but at the end it’ll be worth it”
MLA NEWS: What got you into weightlifting itself?
Israel: “What got me into weightlifting itself was is year in January was going through these really tough times for two years straight I gained weight and didn’t feel good about myself I was really shy and I told myself change wouldn’t happen unless I do something and ever since then I’ve been working out and i feel good I have no regrets i’m happy I told myself If i’m not gonna do anything i’m not going to change because that’s something I needed and it’s something i’m really proud of”
MLA NEWS: How do you feel about the environment?
Israel: “The weightlifting club is really supportive there’s no intimidation or anything everyone is really nice they push you to be better, after you finish a workout someone always dabs you up or gives you a high five because they saw what you did and they know it takes a lot of courage so everyone is just really supportive nice and there for each other”
MLA NEWS: What is something you feel is beneficial about this club?
Israel: “ something I feel is beneficial is that you start to become more confident about yourself as a person you get in better shape it makes you feel really good about yourself and the other thing is you’re not as shy anymore you come out yours hell more and lets you know who you are”
Luis Zapata ( team member)
MLA NEWS: When did you Join the lifting bulldogs?
Luis: “ There was just one day I felt I should be consistent with doing something over all so I was like theres this new weightlifting club and y friend had suggested e so I was like why not”
MLA NEWS: How did you hear about this club?
Luis: “My friend had told me that master guns was gonna hold a club specifically for weightlifting and that anybody could come”
MLA NEWS: Why do you enjoy weight lifting?
Luis: “ I mostly enjoy t because it’s about lifting weights you just come over there and it’s a free space no judgment zone just go work out whatever you need to do there are people to support you and just put you up there”
MLA NEWS: What got you into weightlifting itself?
Luis: “ Well honestly just looking TikTok and watching these gym freaks go crazy about being better and persevered and I was just like and I want to be that and decided to take up that privilege because why not?”
MLA NEWS: How do you feel about the environment?
Luis: “It’s a pretty well no judgment zone free space nobody will judge you, you need help with something you just ask”
MLA NEWS: What is something you feel is beneficial about this club?
Luis: “ well there’s honestly a lot of things beneficial like first off the consistency and just being able to build up specific part of your body that you never thought would need building”
EXTRA INFO: Luis: “ I’d just like to say that like if anyone wants to come it’s free for everybody and later on i’d like take this into an actual team so if there’s people who want to be consistent and be part of the weightlifting team they’re more than welcome to,but more information will be out about that hopefully before 2023”
Ariana Mendoza ( team member)
MLA NEWS: When did you Join the lifting bulldogs?
Ariana: “ Well I joined barley this month, so i’m very new”
MLA NEWS: How did you hear about this club?
Ariana: “ I just kind of heard round tat we had weightlifting room available to us and I love to lift so I decided to stop by”
MLA NEWS: Why do you enjoy weight lifting?
Ariana: “ I enjoy weightlifting because it makes me stronger and more competitive against men”
MLA NEWS: How do you feel about the environment?
Ariana: “ The environment is very friendly very welcoming, there is a little tension on who can lift more, competitive but all in all friendly and welcoming”
MLA NEWS: What got you into weightlifting itself?
Ariana: “ Not being able to carry my weight was a little embarrassing to me so getting into weightlifting to get a little stronger and get my physique up”
MLA NEWS: What is something you feel is beneficial about this club?
Ariana: “ It’s a healthier lifestyle and once you start working out it’s kind of like that same high of wow I look pretty good doing this and it makes you feel good and i think it’s called dopamine which scientifically makes you happier”
MLA NEWS: How many girls is there doing weightlifting ?
Ariana: “ I feel that the only reason why there’s only two females is because they’re shy, I feel that it’s not a sense of oh women cant do it lie en can but a sense of shyness”
MLA NEWS: What is a message you would send out to the Females to aspire them?
Ariana: “ It’ll make you look like a beast and make you feel good that you can lift more than your body weight and it encourages you to be more confident knowing you have those capabilities, and it’s a great way to relieve stress and possible anger, it’s a great way to cope build yourself up and build some confidence”
EXTRA INFO: Ariana: “Get into weightlifting”
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