September 26, 2025
OPINION Page 2
A deep review of Sabrina Carpenter’s new album
NEWS Page 3
Department of Communication welcomes new chair Roberto Avant-Mier
ARTS & CULTURE Page 5
A love letter to El Paso; Sincerely, Kali Uchis & Thee Sacred Souls
SPORTS Page 8
Lucha Libre fighter El Hijo del Santo wins match on his farewell tour
The UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with the Latin Music Festival, a three-day event where guitar and piano faculty and students performed classical and commercial music from composers across Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
Piano Professor, D.M.A, Dena Kay Jones, who helped organize the event, said planning began in back in January, with full organization starting in the summer. Freshman to graduate level students auditioned on the third week of classes; with pieces they had studied for months.
“I feel like this music deserves to be heard, and these students and these faculty put a lot of effort in,” Dena Kay Jones said. “It’s an even higher level; there’s a lot of validity in that some students studied really hard over the summer.”
with a performance by guitar Professor Hiram Rodríguez and guest artist Cesar Aquino, also known as the “Iberia Duo”. For Rodriguez, the event was a chance to highlight student’s and faculty’s talent.
The festival opened Sept. 8
“It’s crucial for us to give the students the opportunity to go on the stage. To experience the anxiety of preparing and step up on the stage in front of 30, 50, 100 people,” Rodríguez said. “Feeling what it’s like to perform in front of a live audience, because it’s music. We cannot just hide in our practice rooms. No, we have to show the world what we do. But once you’re on the stage, you just want to keep going.”
The duo performed pieces by composers such as Vicente Amigo and Martin Espinoza, and they closed with “La Flor de la Canela” by Chabuca Granda. Their energetic finale earned an encore and a standing ovation from the entire auditorium.
The second day began with
student recitals featuring solo and group performances. Participants chose their own Latin composers and wrote short notes about their selections for the program.
Guitarist Alberto Torres, a master’s student in performance, played “Sonata Clasica Allegro” by Manuel M. Ponce.
“I love Latin music, I think the most exciting part was choosing the music I was going to play,.” Torres said. “It means a lot because I come from a Mexican family. I mean, my first language is Spanish, and I used to live in Juarez almost my entire life, so it’s exciting to show this type of music.”
That evening, Jones returned to the stage for her concert “Imágenes de Espana” which featured works by composers from Spain’s Nationalist school, including Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla and Joaquin Rodrigo.
Love Bewitched)”, which she described as a “simple depiction of a small village united to cast out evil.”
Dena Kay Jones said the piece resonates with current events as well as her own personal journey.
“Classical musicians, we’re always so exposed to music from Italy, France and Germany. But there’s this whole pocket of music circling Spain and Portugal, and then that Spanishlanguage connection with Central America, Mexico, right on the border here, and all of Latin America,” Dena Kay Jones said. “This music, this culture that we feel has a real connection with who we are, as faculty, as students and as guests.”
Guest artist Cristina Ana Jones who performed with Professor Dena Kay Jones on Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios, praised the El Paso Music scene.
Jones said. “El Paso has always been a really warm and welcoming music community. There’s no music community like it, honestly.”
The festival was concluded with “Mi Cuba”, a concert that traced the history of Cuban music and dance through Latin Jazz and Folklore.
The performance featured UTEP professor of commercial guitar Shawn Mahoney, bassist David Rodriguez and Troupe.
The three-day festival brought together students, faculty and guest artists to celebrate the deep connections between Latin music and El Paso’s cultural identity setting the stage for performance and community.
Dena Kay Jones closed with de Falla’s “El amor brujo (The
“We love performing with each other, so that’s why I’m here,” Cristina Ana
Evelyn Palma, editor-in-chief
Do you feel it? The sights of overcrowded classrooms, the sounds of zipping bags 10 minutes before class ends and the smells of caffeine paired with body spray.
If you do, then congrats, you’re a college student! I’m a believer that the first month is always the toughest one, but just like a good ole tootsie pop, there is actually an end to the adjustment cycle.
So, let’s invoke this publication’s status as “the assayer of student opinion,” and share my totally expert and not at all ‘winging it’ attitude by sharing tips on being a college student. You know that I’m most qualified for this considering that I have one full year of college behind me!
Consider this my tryout at being a life coach.
Read your syllabus
Sounds basic, but this step is really important. Your syllabus has all the information you need for your class. That includes test dates, rubrics, emails, and office numbers that work every now and then.
To quote my former psychology professor, if you have not read your syllabus, then my friend “You have sinned!” Of course, he’d use that verbiage to call students out for not reading their textbooks.
I won’t lecture you on reading though, your syllabus’s Artificial Intelligence section can already do that for you.
Talk to your professors
If you’re a freshman, or have just been incredibly lucky with class scheduling, you’re more than likely encountering what it’s like to be in lecture halls for the first time.
It’s fun at first. Lecture halls are cozy, spacious, there’s no assigned seating and it feels like you’re watching a movie, a very slow movie, but a movie, nonetheless. Here’s the thing, your professor is
not going to know you unless you introduce yourself. So, stick around after class and make sure to talk to your professor. They’ll really appreciate this action. Just don’t ask them on the first day if there is extra credit. Instead, you can make them your friend and then ask them for extra credit after.
More than likely, it won’t work unless it’s in the syllabus, but hey, as my friend Nate says, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
He wasn’t talking about professors but there’s a connection.
Talk to students
Listen, I understand that college is the time to ‘lock in’ and unleash your inner academic weapon. But does doom scrolling through your phone while sitting alone with your headphones really constitute as ‘locking in?’
Oh, and as for the academic weapon part, that’s not being unleashed till finals week.
So, if you have the time, or in other words if you get off of TikTok, talk to other students! Make friends, and create a close group you can each lunch with, spill the tea, and cry over getting dumped on your second day… no?
Just me?
Mingling in “serious” places is how I’ve made a majority of my college friends. That counts for my job, clubs and my classes. Just go up to people and be yourself.
After all, The Prospector sports editor and my good friend Kristian Hernandez said that when he met me, he thought “who is this tall guy with too much energy?” Now he gives me rides home, so I think I did something right.
College life will never be easy; every semester is a new challenge but it’s important to remember that rough patches can always be beaten.
So don’t let the nervousness of challenging courses, the late nights of textbook readings, the general smell of the Liberal Arts building or that one lunch date you went and thought went really well but then you just got ghosted bring you down, because all these factors are part of your investment into building up your future.
Just make sure there’s a shower in that future, preferably tomorrow. No, body spray doesn’t count.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is the multimedia editor for The Prospector and can be reached at spereznavarro@miners.utep.edu or Instagram and X @sebastianpn8, and on LinkedIn @sebastianperez-navarro.
EDITORS
Evelyn Palma, Editor-in-Chief Abby Pedroza, Arts & Culture Editor
Kristian Hernandez, Sports Editor
Iziah Moreno, Photo Editor
Ximena Cordero, Web/Copy Editor
Sebastian Perez-Navarro, Multimedia Editor
Kahri Reyes, Audience & Engagement Editor
Mia Colmenero, Layout Editor
ADVERTISING STAFF
Adrienne Garcia, Account Executive
Elias Segura, Advertising Videographer
Vivien Noe, Staff Reporter Jewel Ocampo, Staff Reporter
Cameron Mason, Staff Reporter
Alan Acosta, Staff Photographer Nate Flores, Staff Photographer
ADMINISTRATION
Veronica Gonzalez, Director Crystal Hinga, Assistant Director Isabel Castillo, Accounting Specialist
Amy Ontiveros-Bocanegra, Administrative Assistant
CONTRIBUTORS
Adrian Gonzalez
Aylin Montanez
Aylinne Morales
Brisa
Erick Olguin
Jazmine Gracia
Lesly Chavez
Sadie Briones
Tori Adler
VIVIEN NOE B Y
STAFF REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR
After the massive success of her sixth studio album “Short and Sweet,” Sabrina Carpenter’s hard work of 10 years finally paid off, winning her two Grammy Awards and establishing herself as the breakout artist of 2024. This success granted her full creative freedom for her following album “Man’s Best Friend.”
The album was released on Aug. 29, and in contrast to “Short and Sweet,” Carpenter’s mission for this album was completely different..
“I made this album for me,” Carpenter said, “If you don’t like it, it means I did something [right]. This album is not something that is so digestible. There’s something about this album that I knew was going to take a second, simply because of how much is going
house tour of “Man’s Best Friend.”
First floor: Sarcastic rage meets disco sound
Sabrina introduces the album with this era’s only single, “Manchild.”
The singer keeps her catchy melodies, and upbeat rhythm that reminds us of some of her other songs like “Busy Woman.”
With a strong narrative, her use of language and lyrism mimics a real-life conversation with the iconic lyrics “Why so sexy if so dumb and how survive the Earth so long?” She manages to introduce the theme of the album, which could be synthesized by the lyrics “Manchild why you always come a-running, taking all my loving from me?”
Carpenter is known for her blunt lyrics and “Tears” is a great representation of her signature style. With lyrics that could be
on. It’s up and down and the instrumentation is so vivid, lush and full of strange things.”
“Man’s Best Friend” is not an album where songs are unrelated to each other, it’s quite the opposite. The album follows Carpenter’s narrative of being in a relationship with someone who is immature, or as she describes a manchild, and keeps giving her mixed signals.
Even though it describes relatable and mundane feelings, ranging from crushing on someone in “When Did You Get Hot?,” to someone who she knows is not good for her in “We Almost Broke Up Last Night” or getting the bare minimum in “Tears,” she manages to keep through lines of the core story of the album, giving it a cinematic feeling.
Now, it’s time to go on an intimate
taken out of a TikTok comment section, she manages to encompass pure Gen-Z humor in a song. In contrast to the first track, “Tears” is pure comedy, and its joke-fulness would probably scandalize older generations. However, that doesn’t mean she didn’t take inspiration from 70s records and incorporated lots of country disco elements into her own work.
Still, Carpenter doesn’t really pay mind to the negativity asshe warned the audience in a recent interview saying: “This album is not for those clutching their pearls.” Carpenter has been judged before for making her songs sensual however, she has decided to empower herself in that sensuality
Second floor: Taking off her cool
When paying attention to the...
Evelyn Palma, editor-in-chief
Roberto Avant-Mier, Ph.D., has been a professor at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) since 2010 and moved up as the Department of Communication Chairman in the beginning of fall 2025. Being new to the position, Avant-Mier says he is excited to lead and improve the department.
Before starting his college career at UTEP, AvantMier was a U.S. Marine, which initially made him want to go to college after being released in 1994. Finishing his college education in 2004 with his Ph.D., AvantMier began teaching at Boston College then moved to El Paso where he was offered a job at UTEP in 2010.
After his predecessor Richard Pineda, Ph.D., left the chairman position, AvantMier was promoted to be a full professor. Avant-Mier believes this to be the perfect timing to take on this responsibility after being the highest ranked professor in the communication department.
Communication changes rapidly, and Avant-Mier says that he has noticed an incline and decline of certain majors in this division. This led him to the realization that there is a need to adapt the curriculum to meet students’ interests and stay up to date with technology.
“We have a major called
UTEP is filled with Hispanic and international students. Avant-Mier believes that the communication department does well in opening students’ perspectives of the international world and hopes to leverage it more.
cooperate communications and the enrollment in that major has been down, so that speaks the questions of, are students not interested?”
“At this point, I am the highest-ranking professor [in the] department that hasn’t been a chair,” Avant-Mier said. “It’s an opportunity to lead the department, and that could mean leading it in new directions, reinforcing it. I’m saying there is potential in shaping it.”
Avant-Mier said. “On the flip side we have had a rapid increase in film studies and have also an increase in DMP [Digitial Media Productions]. Do we want to make film and DMP stronger, offer more classes, hire more professors? What are we currently offering to what students’ want now and then going into the future?”
“We are multilingual or at least bilingual. I think our department’s curriculum has to adapt to that,” Avant-Mier said. “We have to teach those things and use them as a strength, our jobs are to meet students on where they are and emphasize it moving forward.”
Taking this new position, AvantMier sees this opportunity as a complete change for this department. Getting to hear from his colleagues and students about what the communication department holds and what it can improve on makes him look forward to being the
“I hope stepping up in this leader position I can take us in a positive direction and hit the reset button, and if that means hiring more professors [and] changing the curriculum, I think there’s an opportunity to do something new and make corrections.”
Avant-Mier emphasizes his continued commitment to making the UTEP Department of Communication even better to serve students and faculty.
Mia Colmenero is layout editor and may be reached at mjcolmenero@miners.utep.edu
On July 18, President Donald Trump signed the Recessions Act of 2025, authorizing the elimination of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting (CPB) funds. The bill went into effect immediately, forcing CPB to begin shutting down operations all over the country. This raised concerns for how local TV and radio stations, including The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) KTEP, would gain the fundings needed for upcoming programming.
KTEP launched in 1946, holding a history of nearly 80 years providing the multicultural border community of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez with everything
drive on Aug. 15 and 16, where instead of regular programming, they played many hits commercial radio usually does not play and brought on special guests.
Among the guests, were Jim Ward, musician and entrepreneur, who said, “KTEP is part of our community. It has been in my ears for my entire life, and I want it to continue being in my ears, supporting the arts, the music, El Paso and the news.”
The directors declared their goal was to raise a total of $50,000 for the next fiscal year. They say they were met with an incredibly positive response. Marina Monsis, KTEP’s host of the State of the Arts segment, went on Instagram to thank the listeners with the
they need to know about, as they declared in their mission statement, “knowledge of the world, appreciation of the arts and understanding of the human condition” all while using tools such as music. Additional to their mission, their directors teach UTEP students knowledge on broadcasting and multimedia journalism, in a professional, realworld setting.
With the purpose of continuing with its objectives, KTEP has turned to the community for help with the funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The administrative directors, staff, UTEP students and student organizations, came together to encourage the community to make donations.
KTEP General Manager John Carrillo went on air to make the making the following statement, “KTEP is facing an unprecedented loss of funding, and we’re looking to our community to support us during this time of need. We’re taking a fresh approach to fundraising in hopes of connecting with our current and new audience through music.”
They ran the emergency fund
following words: “Thank you so much for your support of KTEP… The phones are ringing, we have so much beautiful support.”
Public broadcasting offers free educational programming, unites people through the joy and power of music and sparks curiosity with conversation. With continued donations and a community to support them, KTEP has sustained its legacy by providing listeners with songs from all genres and highlighting the voices, stories and culture of the border region.
On Sept. 18 the Office of International Programs & Study Abroad transformed the Union breezeway into a mini airport for its annual study abroad fair. Students checked in with their UTEP IDs, picked up their boarding passes and “flew” toward their future destinations abroad.
The fair, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., aimed to spark student interest in global experiences and encourage applications to study abroad programs. Study abroad adviser and head contact for the study abroad office Jennifer Pitre remained clear on the purpose the fair served.
“The study abroad fair is to get students, of course, excited, but also applying,” Pitre said. “The main goal is to get students to study abroad with one of our programs.”
UTEP offers more than 1,000 programs in over 50 countries, ranging from semester-long exchanges to short term faculty-led trips. Europe, particularly Spain, remains a popular destination, but students also pursue programs in Mexico, Italy and beyond.
For some students, the draw to travel comes from personal passions. Cassandra Garza, a kinesiology major, said her love of soccer and travel fuels her interest in studying abroad.
“I’ve played soccer my whole life, so travel has been a big part of my life,” Garza said. “I think being able to have a new experience in a whole different country builds independence and helps you learn a lot.”
Garza added that her top concern was the price tag, a worry she shares with many students. Cost is often the biggest barrier to studying abroad, but Pitre emphasized that financial aid and scholarships can make programs more accessible.
“Students sometimes feel like it’s always too expensive or they can’t afford it,” Pitre said. “But there’s also different types of scholarships and grant opportunities, as well as external scholarships that we help our students also apply for.”
The International Education Fee Scholarship awards $800 to $1,000, and federal or state aid can apply to many programs.
For Laura Acosta, a linguistics major, the fair provided the push she needed to start seriously considering the possibility of studying abroad.
“I just think it would be such a good experience for me. [I am excited to] build community, and even, you know, see if I want to live there one day,” Acosta said. She hopes to travel to Spain, particularly Barcelona.
Like many students, Acosta admitted she was nervous about the application process, but the office’s support has made it less intimidating for her.
“I learned it’s okay to take your time and let things process,” Acosta said. “They’re really warm and welcoming.”
That support extends beyond the fair itself. Students can find more information through the
study abroad website, by attending information sessions and meeting with advisers. Once accepted into a program, Miners will complete mandatory pre-departure orientations covering health, safety and cultural preparations. For those without a passport, UTEP even operates its own Passport Acceptance Facility inside Union East, simplifying one of the first steps to going abroad.
Beyond the adventure of travel, Pitre said studying abroad helps students stand out after graduation.
“This is something that you can add onto your resume,” Pitre said. “This is not an experience that all students have. So, it does stand out, especially during interview processes.”
With hundreds of programs across more than 50 countries, UTEP’s study abroad office hopes to remind students that the chance to see the world may be closer than they think.
Abby Pedroza, editor
Kali Uchis and Thee Sacred Souls took the stage on Aug. 28 as part of “The Sincerely, Tour.”
A concert can be the dream getaway, with it being an open invite to step inside of the mind and world of one’s favorite artists, even if it’s just for a few hours. For one night, El Paso fans of Kali Uchis and Thee Sacred Souls received that invitation.
Following the release of her fifth studio album, “Sincerely,” Uchis announced, “The Sincerely, Tour,” a 25-city North American run that included an Aug. 28 date at the Don Haskins Center, featuring Thee Sacred Souls as the opening act.
Unexpected rainfall didn’t stop crowds from showing up.
Lines wrapped around Don Haskins, packed with fans dressed up in predominantly pink and white outfits, which is a common theme for fans attending “The
Sincerely, Tour.”
“It [the outfit] took like three hours to find because I was so picky, but I found it at Aeropostale on clearance,” UTEP Alumna Brianne Lucero said. “I came to her show last year I had to come back; I’m looking forward to hearing her new album [live].”
Thee Sacred Souls kicked off the night with a performance full of heart, soul and charisma. They brought a vintage feel to the stage, mixing a 60s and 70s soul sound with a modern twist. Their laid back, sensual yet upbeat sound paired with the aesthetic of Uchis’ new album.
Even as openers, Thee Sacred Souls felt like the main act. Their sound turned seats into a dance floor with fans singing and moving to hit songs like “Can I Call You Rose?” Lead singer Josh Lane brought an extra spark to the set
by running up and down the arena stairs greeting fans.
Once Thee Sacred Souls gave their final bow, anticipation started to build again. Lights dimmed, and a video segment played on screen showing lines like “Isolation is not rejection, it is refinement,” setting the scene for what was about to unfold.
Hoisted in the air on a swing, Uchis opened with “Heaven is a home…” a dreamy, heartfelt ballad of strength and love. Uchis sat draped in a flowing white fabric, engulfed by the soft blue lights and thick waves of fog, bringing her fans into heaven and making it impossible to look away.
Uchis continued to play songs off her new album, including “Sugar! Honey! Love!,” “It’s Just Us,” and “All I Can Say.” Each song came with its own coordinated ensemble, including choreography and visuals
that matched each tone of the track, while staying true to the lover girl dream aesthetic of the album.
The “Sincerely,” segment closed with “Sunshine & Rain…,” a warm, intimate song about life’s shifting seasons. During the intermission before the hnext portion of the show, Uchis displayed a video of her upbringing and childhood as a Colombian American and addressing immigration.
“I was raised to believe we had to work harder,” Uchis said. “We have to educate others that Latinos are people who have achieved many things worldwide… without immigrants, there is no America.”
From the heartfelt moments, the energy dove into a fiery rhythm, with Uchis performing her Spanish album “ORQIDEAS” including songs like “Muñekita,” “Diosa,” and “Dame Beso // Muevete.” This part of the show brought a vibrant,
sultry shift both visually and emotionally with its cumbia and reggaeton inspired beats.
The setlist covered a wide range of her career, from the early sounds of her 2015 debut album “Por Vida,” to her 2018 album of heart break and independence, “Isolation.” Songs like “Speed,” “After the Storm,” and “Rush” brought waves of nostalgia for fans, while wellknown hits like “telepatia” brought the crowd into a singing frenzy.
As the night ended, Uchis took her time with fans, reading signs, taking requests and even singing a few lines in acapella. It was more than just a concert, Uchis gave a journey that took the crowd through love, pain and identity leaving both new and old fans with a memory of a lifetime.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) campus was lively as the final classes of the day were concluding on the evening of Aug. 25. Hundreds of students crowded Centennial Plaza with yellow glowsticks hanging down their necks acting as their entry ticket to the Fifth Annual Texas Western Gold Rush.
The event, a highlight of a twoweek series of Miner Welcome that began on Aug. 21, served as a festivity to intertwine students with campus culture, with the help of performers, student spotlights, and of course, fireworks.
The event was set to take place
from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but by 7:20 p.m., the line for students to scan their IDs to enter spanned from Centennial Plaza all the way to Bell Hall.
Amid the excitement, first-time attendee Leticia Quinonez, a sophomore nursing major, was surprised to see the length of the line to enter.
“I was barely getting out of class at 7:30 p.m. So, when I was walking out of class, I was like ‘The line is huge,’ because it was all the way to the library,” Quinonez said.
With the goal of trying to meet new people this school year, she saw Texas Western Gold Rush as the perfect opportunity.
“I am trying to socialize a lot
more this year, so I decided it starts off coming to school events,” Quinonez said. “I’ve always met new people through student events so hopefully I meet people and make friendships.”
After a long wait, Texas Western Gold Rush commenced with President Heather Wilson and Paydirt Pete taking the stage. The crowd cheered in excitement as they counted down, 3…2…1 *BOOM*. President Wilson and Pete popped the dynamite and fireworks erupted into the night sky. After an energetic welcome, student representatives of each college stood on stage for roll call each trying to outcheer the last.
Following the college roll call, attention turned to Student Government Association (SGA) President, sophomore Ryan Boatright, who was making his first appearance as president at such a large scale.
“That’s a feeling I have never experienced before. It was cool and kind of surreal to be honest,” Boatright said.
As a representative of UTEP’s student body, the SGA President hoped to spotlight the campus as the positive light it has been to him.
“I just wanted to hone in on UTEP [being] such a welcoming
campus. Everyone wants to be engaged and involved on campus, and I think this (Texas Western Gold Rush) shows it,” Boatright said. “If a student that has no public speaking experience could get a crowd reaction like that, it shows the quality of our students.”
Throughout the night, Gold Rush highlighted two exemplary students, their achievements and what UTEP has meant to them in their journeys. In between the student leaders energizing the crowd, University President Heather Wilson took the stage to address the message of community and finding oneself through the college journey.
“We are here to help you become a better version of yourself, not society’s dream of who you should
got an overwhelming amount of love and support from people we’d never met, or maybe people who don’t even listen to this kind of music, was like overwhelming,” Hernadez said.
With their triumph, Acrolein earned the opportunity to record at Genuine Reference Studios, gaining firsthand experience of a professional studio environment and a deeper understanding of the recording process.
Performing at UTEP’s Minerpalooza expanded their reach even further, connecting them with a new audience and asserting their place in the local scene.
For Acrolein, it wasn’t just about exposure—it was about proving that dedication and passion could translate into opportunity.
be, but your own very personal dream. Who you are and who you will become,” President Wilson said in her speech to the students. She then mentioned the lifelong friendships that can be created in students’ college years.
“Somewhere in this crowd are one of two of your very best friends in life but maybe you haven’t met them yet. So, get involved, reach out, do this together, help each other. Goodluck and welcome to The University of Texas at El Paso,” Wilson said.
With the formal welcome complete, the night of celebration continued as Head Coach Scotty Walden introduced the captains ...
Their next goals are to open for a major artist at Lowbrow Palace and eventually sign with an independent record label to gain more resources while staying true to their sound. Still, they emphasize a day-by-day mindset, staying consistent and grateful for every step forward.
“We’re grateful for every opportunity that comes our way, people underestimate what they can do in the month that they don’t even think about the stuff they can do in a year,” Lopez said. “Take it day by day and slowly do something towards that goal, even if it’s not a huge step, taking those small steps, those are the ones that end up counting on the long run.”
Whether playing or conversing within the band, the bond between Acrolein’s five members is strong according to its bandmates. Luis Lopez handles the lead guitar and sharp riffs, Aveytia steps into the light as the lead singer, Leo Chacon locks in on the bass, Carlos Hernandez rounds out the guitar work and Ryan Balibrera drives the rhythm on drums.
Each member found music in their own way, but together they’ve built a sound that thrives on energy and grit.
The origins of Acrolein date back to their eighth grade, just before the pandemic, with their founding members Aveytia and Balibrera.
The two shared a love for classic rock, trading songs and admiring the late Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
Their friendship soon evolved into the idea of starting a band,
slowly expanding their lineup with the other three. After three years of friendship and growing in their passion for music, the band officially came together.
Now entering their official fourth year as a band, Acrolein blends a mix of influences while carving out their own style. They cite genres of 90s and 2000s “emo-sprinkled” rock and infused with soulful elements, as some of their favorites. Their goal is to never copy and paste but create with sound that strikes a balance between heavy riffs and melodic undertones shaped by the perspectives of each member.
Songwriting often begins with Hernandez, Chacon and Balibrera outlining the structure before lyrics are added, making it a collaborative effort where everyone contributes. Their track “737” exemplifies this, weaving together different ideas into a song that feels both raw and melodic.
“You’re not getting the whole song
from one person. You’re getting that little piece from everyone else, making it that much more authentic,” Aveytia said. “Not to sound pretentious, but I do feel like there isn’t someone in the scene that sounds exactly like us.”
Acrolein reached a major milestone when they entered The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) Battle of the Bands.
Excited for the opportunity, they signed up immediately and were thrilled to be selected as one of the top 10 groups.
The competition gave them their first chance to perform for an audience of over 500 people, and the reception was overwhelmingly positive. Their music connected not only with devoted rock fans, but also with casual listeners, proving their sound has a broad appeal and why they were among the top contenders.
“That was the biggest show we’ve ever played, so the fact that we
Looking back, the group was stunned by how far they had come: from recording in a garage to a performance of their lives in front of hundreds.
Yet even with the progress made, they remain grounded, creating music for themselves first and not for outsider approval, all while keeping aspirations alive for what’s ahead.
Music is more than a career ambition to Acrolein; it’s the joy of friendship, expression and shared passion. Their story shows that with persistence and authenticity, even a band with “rough edges” can carve out something lasting.
After over 40 years of wrestling, world-renowned lucha libre fighter, El Hijo del Santo, decided to retire and announced his farewell tour, where he was set to fight in El Paso, alongside local icon Cinta De Oro.
This news came as an honor to the local lucha libre community, as it highlighted the impact the El Paso/ Juarez region has had on lucha libre. Lucha libre fanatic, Julian Chavez, a 25-year-old, who runs the El Paso Knows How to Party Instagram page in his free time, sees a trend of more wrestling stars visiting El Paso.
“Now that I’ve seen around [the local wrestling community], the big people like TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) and AEW (All Elite Wrestling) are starting to come more frequently because they know [about local talent]. Not only because of Cinta de Oro [but] also the great Eddie Guerrero, who helped make way for the wrestling scene here,” Chavez said.
The match was set for Sept. 6 at Ascarate Park, where local food trucks and artisan vendors, as well as live performances were set up. Spectators were gathered at the park hours before the matches were set to start, buying merch and waiting for meet-and-greet opportunities. However, as time passed, the weather worsened, and right before the lucha was set to start, the event was called off. Cinta de Oro Productions announced the event would be moved to on Sept. 7 at the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso.
The weather mishap was not enough to dissuade fans from showing up the following day. By noon, the Boys and Girls Club was filled with spectators, some wearing masks to show support for their favorite wrestlers, others wearing merchandise, but all were ready for the show to begin.
The opening match was between Flama Roja Jr. vs. Akantus. After a long and entertaining match, Flama Roja Jr. came out victorious. This match made the crowd alive and more excited for the closing act.
The next match was a tag team match with the Anklayer and Masacre Infernal vs. Sexi Mimi and Ramon Romantico. The former and senior team had a classic fighting style, while the freshman crowd brought a more theatrical performance. After a 23-minute match, where both teams fought outside of the ring on multiple occasions, Sexi Mimi and Ramon Romantico pinned down their opponents and come out on top.
The third match, “Choque de Amazonas,” was special as it featured the only two female luchadoras of the night, Zafiro
and Sakura. This fight brought the crowd to life as many were shouting moves and strategies throughout the fight. After a rigorous fight where strikes landed and hair was pulled, Zafiro was able to pin Sakura down and win the match.
The “Battle on Star Mountain” match featured luchador Cosmo Orion wrestling against El Dragón. This match drew everyone’s eyes to the ring once again, as El Dragón asked for a time-out to catch his breath, and the crowd booed. Shortly after, Cosmo Orion pinned him down, and the match was over.
The fifth match was the second tag team match of the night
featuring Rugido Infernal and Relampago Infernal vs. Minotauro and Monaguillo II. The fight started off structured, with one luchador from each side in the ring while the others waited their turn. After seven minutes, it evolved to both teams in the arena creating a challenge for the referee to keep order. Both groups went off the arena and among the chaos, it was hard to distinguish who would win. However, Los Infernales would be the victor.
The second to last match of the night, known as the triple threat match, involved a three-way match between Fray Tormenta
Jr., Kempo Jr., and Skybird. All of them performed many jumps and maneuvers and soon after they began the match they were already outside of the ring. After one of them managed to come back to the ring, he took this opportunity to do a ‘topé con hilo’ maneuver, where he jumped and flipped from the ring into the stands to bring both of his opponents down. After a long match, Kempo Jr. managed to outwit his opponents and come out victorious. The final match was the one that the crowd had waited two days to see. As the music started playing for the luchadores to enter, everyone
was on the edge of their seats. The match was called, ‘La Despedida de una Leyenda y el Comienzo de un Legado,’ featuring Ráfaga Jr., Romeo and Magno versus Cinta de Oro, Cinta de Oro Jr and the headliner, El Hijo Del Santo.
As tension rose in the ring, the crowd did not shy away from cheering on Cinata de Oro’s team and disparaging their opponents. This made the opponents more determined to win their match.
The match grew into mayhem, luchadores were thrown on chairs, and fans scattered to get away from the landing zones. An older woman even got her cane taken from her by one of the wrestlers to use against his opponent.
El Hijo del Santo was almost unmasked by Ráfaga Jr., which only brought more negative chanting from the crowd but after a welldrawn-out match full of action Cinta De Oro’s team would be victorious in this match.
The event ended with El Hijo del Santo thanking the fans and giving words of encouragement to Cinta de Oro Jr.
“Tú lo único que tienes que hacer es entrenar mucho, hacer esto con pasión y querer a toda esta gente,” El Higo del Santo said.
Alex Dominguez, 54, who has been of fan of wrestling since he was 9 years old, was thankful for the chance to attend.
“I’m honored that I was able to make it to the show, it would’ve been a shame if he [El Hijo del Santo] would’ve lost his last match here in El Paso being the son of a legendary wrestler like El Santo,” Dominquez said.
Dominguez also expressed his hope that this event would bring more attention to the lucha libre scene in El Paso.
“Hopefully, we get more crowds into the local promotions. We get about four or five local promotions here in El Paso currently, and I hope that people start attending the shows and supporting the local promoters and the wrestlers. Also, the ones that come from Mexico City,” Dominguez said.
Despite complications, Cinta de Oro Productions, alongside El Hijo Del Santo, were able to put on a successful wrestling match that celebrated El Hijo Del Santo’s legacy one last time, while also raising money for the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso–bringing the Lucha Libre borderland community together.
Editor’s note: This is not the most recent UTEP football game.
After leaving the Sun Bowl in fashion last week against the University of Tennessee-Martin, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) made the long trek and faced the seventh-ranked team in the nation, the University of Texas at Austin (UT).
The UTEP Miners (1-2, 0-0 Conference USA) ultimately came up short against the UT Longhorns (2-1, 0-0, Southeastern Conference), 27 to 10, but performed at a level that jumped out to sports pundits and college football fans nationwide. Throughout the entire game, UTEP was trending on X.
UT is one of the best football programs in the United States, boasting four national titles. But entering the 2025 college football season, the biggest narrative surrounding this team was all about their man under center, sophomore quarterback Arch Manning.
Due to the weight that the 21-year-old’s last name carries in football history, it was a given that once Manning picked up a football, all eyes would be on him. Once he started playing in high school, Manning quickly gained collegiate level attention.
Yet, he wasn’t the top quarterback (QB) in his class, according to ESPN’s 2023 high school ranking. On that list, Manning ranks fifth,
with the number one slot belonging to UTEP’s redshirt sophomore quarterback Malachi Nelson.
The Athletic, two days before UTEP took on UT, released a feature piece on Nelson and reminded the world that the QB played his last season of high school with a torn labrum. That injury hindered Nelson’s ability to compete for a starting role at the University of Southern California (USC), as ESPN’s broadcasters reiterated during the game.
Nelson’s journey isn’t as linear as Manning’s. He had the original intent to play for his home state of California, but after not securing the starting role, Nelson moved to Boise State with the hope of playing for the Broncos, but again, Nelson slid into a backup role.
Originally, according to The Athletics’ reporting, Nelson hadn’t intended to play at UTEP, as he was holding offers from power four schools. But, after his father, Eric Nelson, told him, “This dude is different,” in reference to UTEP Head Coach Scotty Walden, Nelson took a second trip to the Sun City, which ultimately convinced him to stay.
According to Nelson and Walden, a main contributor as to why he chose to stay is because UTEP was the only school that didn’t guarantee him the starting role; he’d have to earn it, and that was enough to motivate Nelson.
Now, two of the top five high school quarterbacks of their generation were facing off in a game
that UT was paying UTEP $1.63 million to play.
Manning’s start to the season has been interpreted as a mixed bag by analysts. Some, such as ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, have articulated that Manning will be “fine.” Others, however, like ESPN’s Ryan Clark, have publicly voiced their opinion.
“Arch Manning is not a generational talent. People have placed expectations upon him without any evidence,” Clark tweeted on Sept. 2.
With the college football world paying close attention to the matchup, Manning earned two rushing touchdowns but posted 69 passing yards, one interception, and a 0.31% pass completion rate at halftime.
During the first half, Texas fans booed Manning. UT Head Coach Steve Sarkisian responded to the boos.
“You’re not a quarterback until you get boo’d,” Coach Sarkisian said at halftime.
His performance caused concern among pundits but was no surprise for those paying attention to UTEP’s “Orange Swarm” defense, led by new coordinator Bobby Daly. Entering the game against UT, the Miners ranked first in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in sacks with ten. Second in tackles for losses (TFL) with 23, and 10th in stopping third down attempts.
The Miner’s defense tamed the Longhorns throughout the entire game. UT was limited on third down attempts, converting only
five in 16 tries; they averaged only four yards per rush, and restricted Manning to only throw 114 yards, one touchdown, and a season low 44% completion rate, making his passing performance against UTEP his worst of the season.
The Longhorns only scored three touchdowns the whole game and had to rely on field goals to complete two of their offensive drives. UTEP’s defense was given credit by the Southeastern Conference (SEC) analysts during halftime, as the unit was able to limit the production of a power four program that last year was one game short of playing for the national championship.
Offensively, the Miners were challenged by UT’s stout defense. Nelson, in his third career start at the collegiate level, threw for two interceptions but earned 209 yards.
The first year Miner finished on a strong note. With four minutes left in the game, Nelson pioneered an 87-yard drive that was defined by a 43-yard pass to redshirt senior receiver Trevon Tate, and a pair of rushes by redshirt freshman and hometown QB Shay Smith. The offensive spark culminated in a two-yard rushing touchdown from Smith for UTEP.
The Miners may have lost against the Longhorns, but left Austin, Texas, with a strong performance that further builds up excitement for UTEP’s Conference-USA (C-USA) slate. UTEP football gave UT fans, and the institution itself, a reason to worry according to SEC
host Dar Nowkhah.
“If you’re a Texas fan and you continue to watch this, you’re asking yourself, ‘Are we going to be good enough offensively?’” Nowkhah said after the game.
Editor’s note: This is not the most recent UTEP volleyball match.
On Sept. 12, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Miners (6–1, 0–0 Conference USA) squared off against the Texas Southern University (TSU) Tigers (1–7, 0–0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) on the second day of the Sun City Classic. After suffering their first loss of the season to the No. 24-ranked University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins, the Miners looked to bounce back and regain their rhythm.
with a 7-3 start, setting the tone
early. The Miners quickly seized control, stringing together teamwork that left the Tigers scrambling. Texas Southern tried to mount a comeback, rallying for a few points, but their momentum was halted by a powerful kill from UTEP. The Miners claimed the set 25-17.
Set Two
UTEP didn’t let up, coming out on fire once again. Even an early timeout by Texas Southern couldn’t slow the Miners’ momentum. Capitalizing on every miscue by
themselves on the brink of victory.
Set Three
TSU tried to fight back, opening the set with a couple of quick points and showing some early spark, but UTEP regained control, tightening up their defense and firing off a series of attacks. Despite a few pushes from the Tigers, the Miners completed the rest of the set, closing out the match 25-16.
UTEP doubled Texas Southern in nearly every statistical category, leaving little doubt about who controlled the match. From precise
that TSU couldn’t match. UTEP’s efforts were led by senior right-side hitter Sara Pustahija, who had 11 kills, and junior setter Kalia Kohler who recorded 20 assists. Meanwhile, sophomore outside hitter Landry Braziel notched four blocks while junior libero Fuka Sekita contributed nine digs alone.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro, editor
The Propsector Podcast is back at UTEP with season 13. Sports Editor Kristian Hernandez, Multimedia Editor Sebastian Perez-Navarro, and Editor-In-Chief Evelyn Palma, sit down to host UTEP President Heather Wilson. She discusses the possibility of a law school at UTEP, the return of a Mining Program, and the University’s AI curriculum, which even includes a tease about possible changes for campus parking coming next Fall.
With the fall semester back in full swing, it’s important that college students have some “pick me ups” to get through the semester. Author of the novel “Early this Morning,” Darrell Barry, discusses his new book and Fuba Tea co-owner Justin Chang joins the podcast and shares the company’s history and drinks.
The 35th Annual Minerpalooza rocked the Sun City this September. The night included bands, foods, booths and increased the sense of community in El Paso. But the one night spectacular is a result of a year of meticulous planning to assure a great event for the Miner faithful.
Relieve The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) back to school celebration, Texas Western Gold Rush, by listening to the sights, sounds and hype that make the event unskippable for students. The Prospector audibly transmits a five year tradition welcomed every year by the Miners. Students comment about their experiences at Goldrush. Take a listen and learn more about UTEP’s history as it’s being written.
Cameron Mason is a staff reporter and may be reached at cmason@miners. utep.edu
The so called “UTEP Rizz Guy” has caught attention on social media and campus. Students give their thoughts on how this polarizing figure has effected their day to day lives, and whether his attention on social media has come at the cost of distrubing others.
Kahri Reyes is the audience and engagement editor and may be reached at krreyes2@miners.utep.edu
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) volleyball program has come back to Memorial Gym only a year after reaching their first NCAA national tournament, and two years removed from their deepest run in postseason play. The Miners return to El Paso with high expectations, and hopes.
