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Monday, May 10, 2021 | Vo l u m e 1 2 5 | I s s u e 3 3
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
Nick Romero graduates UNM an accomplished and beloved photojournalist By Shelby Kleinhans @BirdsNotReal99
Nick Romero’s life has been defined by being an unsung hero. Whether as an offensive lineman for his high school football team or as a full-time employee stocking shelves, Romero has felt his vital contributions are often overlooked. However, his raw talent behind a camera put an undeniable spotlight on him, and after a year with the Daily Lobo he’s graduating to leave behind a legacy of stunning work in his wake. Romero has been an avid consumer of media ever since he was young, but a degree in journalism wasn’t always part of the plan. After graduating from CNM with an associate degree in communications and working a full-time job for a few years, he couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. “I just didn't feel like I was making a difference in the world, like I knew that I could. And now I kind of feel like, you know what? Maybe I can make a difference,” Romero said. “And that's kind of
where I’m at now, and I know it’s definitely a much better place.” What Romero never saw coming was that photojournalism would become his speciality. Like many photographers, it all started with a camera. From taking pictures of his beloved dogs to capturing his friends on a semi-professional basketball team, Romero started to gain confidence in his abilities. Romero knew his newfound skills could be useful to the team at the Daily Lobo and had even spoken with the editors about coming on board as a photographer, but staffing changes and technical difficulties stood in his way. Never one to waste good lemons, Romero made lemonade and spent every chance he could independently covering the wide range of protests that started in the spring of 2020. Liam DeBonis, the former photo editor and current copy chief at the Lobo, said he remembers the eventual hiring of Romero vividly. “I just remember him bugging me about getting him hired and before he was hired, I’d see him at protests and I was so happy
when I was able to finally hire him … I only wish we could have hired him sooner,” DeBonis said. Former Daily Lobo managing editor Gino Gutierrez has known Romero for over five years and said he was thrilled to have him join the team. He described enjoying their previous relationship, which was built on jokes like referring to Romero as a “knucklehead.” But working together at the paper allowed him to gain a greater appreciation for the professional side of Romero and his raw talent with the camera. “For every photograph I ever saw him take for any story he took, regardless of if it was news, sports or culture, the human element always came across and the understanding was always there right off the bat,” Gutierrez said. Romero’s eye for good composition and human emotion caught the eye of one of his photography professors, Roberto Rosales. Romero’s work stood out to Rosales on his very first assignment because he went “...above and beyond what was
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Shelby Kleinhans / Daily Lobo / @BirdsNotReal99
Daily Lobo photographer and reporter Nick Romero is graduating spring 2021 with a degree in journalism.
Romero page 2
From Shakespeare to journalism, Daniel Ward graduates with two degrees and an unforgettable experience at UNM By Gabriel Biadora & Tina Memarian @gabrielbiadora @DailyLobo
Matisse Fields / Daily Lobo / @DailyLobo
Daniel Ward, a reporter for the Daily Lobo, is graduating with English and journalism degrees this month.
While the Daily Lobo editors were finishing their issues on print night, former culture editor Daniel Ward would finish early and recite Shakespeare across the hall, manifesting both his reporter and thespian sides to life. With a double major in English and in journalism, Ward is stepping out into the professional world to pursue his love of acting and writing. Ward is continuing from the Daily Lobo having completed a successful career as a senior reporter and a prominent tenure as editor of the culture desk. Ward originally sought out journalism as a means of infusing his passion for writing and connecting with people. Media journalism was also a way to support his pursuit towards a career in the film industry. Shortly after graduating from CNM with associate degrees in English and pre-law, Ward found the humble booth of the Daily Lobo at a jobs fair where former Editor-in-Chief Justin
Inside this Lobo GLEASON: Daily Lobo designer Jerome Sena graduates with art and a humble confidence (pg. 2) DEBONIS: Alexandria Wiesel finds her voice and a passion for helping others at UNM (pg. 3)
Garcia wrote his name down. “He was one of the most reliable reporters. I could always count on him to turn in his stories on time. And they were always well written,” Garcia said. “Just reading his stories I could tell he was interested in what he was writing about.” Ward’s initial interest in culture led him to networking with and interviewing artists, performers and international filmmakers to better understand the film industry. “One of the bigger ones that made me super excited was when UMI came to (UNM) to perform. And I was like, ‘This is going to be super cool, I get to interview an artist, she’s kind of famous. And a lot of people kind of know about her,’” Ward said. But to his discouragement, the interview was only conducted over email. Ward would later turn this experience into a learning moment, however. “I wanted it to be a Zoom interview and I wanted to meet her. I started to realize that if I want to get into the field, where I’m interviewing people on a red carpet, or whatnot, I have to do this first,” Ward said. “It’s a slow climb up the ladder of success to get
to where I want to be. And that’s where it starts.” And surely enough, the thespian reporter would cash in on his lesson a few weeks later when he conducted an interview with Spanish film director Jaume Balagueró for a review on his film “The Vault” — a journalism career highlight for Ward. Before working for the Lobo, Ward was a production assistant for the TV show “Briarpatch” in the summer of 2019. However, joining the Daily Lobo team did not stop Ward’s ability to succeed in multiple facets. He also balanced a freelance tutor job along with work at Twisters. Ward currently has an internship at the Santa Fe Film Festival as the director of the cinematic journal. He is in charge of interviewing and writing stories on actors, artists and producers. His interests in film and production were fostered by his parents, who encouraged his early involvement in theater. Ward recalled his first time on set with his father, and said this was the moment he decided he wanted to pursue acting. “[The set] had unlimited snacks
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Ward page 2
SCOTT: First-gen grad Jesus Mata explores love of sports journalism supported by family (pg. 4) BROWN: Daily Lobo reporter Hannah John graduates with a clear path toward diversifying journalism (pg. 11)