The Prospector 11 28 2023

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

Assayer of Student Opinion

theprospectordaily.com

VOL. 109, NO. 7 NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Photo by Gianluca Cuevas/The Prospector

Little

section

BIG news

NBA INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS The NBA is investigating Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey after an inappropriate relationship of him with a minor surfaced online. An anonymous social media user in a now-deleted post reported the minor seen with Giddey in numerous photos and videos is a high school junior.

Giddey has no comment at the time as the NBA further investigates.

DISTURBANCE AT DISNEYLAND

ISRAEL UPDATE

STUDENTS KILLED IN VERMONT

The famous Disneyland ride ‘It’s a Small World’ was halted Nov. 26, after a man jumped out of the seat, then sat near the Taj Mahal in only his boxers. The man was reported to be under the influence after being escorted out of the park by Anaheim Police. Police later confirmed the man at one point was completely naked at the park.

Tensions continue to brew in Israel as Hamas and Israel agree to stretch out their cease-fire for two more days past Monday, Nov 27. This extends a longer wait for a deadly war in the country.

Exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel continue to further on.

Three Palestinian college students were shot in Burlington, Vermont, on Saturday evening after officials say they were approached by a white man and then shot. The 20-year-old men are all in critical condition, according to a Sunday news release from the Burlington Police Department. The suspect has been arrested and has pleaded not guilty.

PAGE 2 · NOVEMBER 28, 2023· THE PROSPECTOR

Opinion

Itzel Anahi Giron, editor-in-chief

Goodbye. Don’t cry! Because I won’t

BY MICHELLE HERNANDEZ The Prospector

Reflecting on my college journey, it has been quite a ride. I started at EPCC aiming to be a kindergarten teacher, but soon realized that was not for me. Next was architecture, but math and I did not click. It was not until I got to UTEP and dove into media advertising with a minor in graphic design that everything clicked. I discovered my love for chatting it up, leading the pack, and getting those creative juices flowing.

My journey at UTEP made me feel at home when I started making friends, attending UTEP events, and joining student organizations. With UTEP Lombardi Racing, I kicked off the media department from scratch, juggling social media, snapping pictures and videos at events, and sprucing up their website. I still might not know anything about engineering, but I was left with more passion for my career.

Then there’s UTEP Student AdFed, which was a game changer for me. I climbed the ranks from VP to president, and now I am dishing out advice as a student advisor. This club has been like a mini advertising world where I got to experience the world of marketing campaigns, networking with people from UTEP’s Communication Department, and a lot of cool projects. This is also where I met my best friend Sofia and the people who inspired me and mentored me during these years.

My time as a web and social media editor for UTEP’s Minero Magazine was short, but it was so much fun, and I learned so much.

It was my first real taste of the field of media and publications. I had the opportunity to mix promoting the magazine with some out-ofthe-box thinking and camera time.

“This week at Minero,” along with Yoali, Minero’s editor-in-chief, was

the best part of my last semester at UTEP. It helped me realize how much I love being on camera and interacting with people. All my projects and ideas at UTEP Student Media and Publications were supported and helped me grow.

I always felt com-

fortable voicing my ideas and knowing that having a “crazy idea” was never too crazy to accomplish. I always felt like my visions were supported.

Stepping into the dynamic realm of advertising, I am thrilled to embrace the challenges and opportunities that await me at MonsterLink Marketing, where I will be taking on a full-time position this upcoming January after finishing my recent experience as a social media manager in December. It is the place where I have been shaping my skills and passion for the evolving world of digital marketing. Beyond the corporate landscape, I am eager to dream of becoming an actor someday or becoming a celebrity with my art and my success.

I want to give a big shoutout to Yoali for letting me be a part of Minero Magazine and always being up for my wild ideas. You will always be a big inspiration to me, and my favorite cohost. To Crystal and Vero, thank you for helping me grow and navigate through this short journey. And to my mentors, Professor Sondra, Professor Cochran, and Professor Giangiulio – you have been my guide during my career and was always there with the right advice at the right time. Last but not least, to my mom, stepdad and sister.

You have been my cheerleaders while always pushing me to chase what I love, no matter what that is, you forever pushed me to become the best version of myself every day.

Four years, three majors, life-lasting friends, a pandemic, uncountable essays and projects, X-acto knife finger cuts, countless hours at the library, and many sleepless nights later, I have nothing but one of the best life experiences at UTEP, where I feel that I have left a part of me in everything that I do, which makes it even more worthy.

As Yoali and I used to say at the office all the time, may all your delulus come trululus.

Michelle Hernandez was a guest contributor and may not be reached.

VOL. 109, No. 7 November 28, 2023 EDITORS & STAFF Itzel Anahi Giron, Editor in Chief Fatima Alvarado, Designer Meagan Elizabeth Garcia, Arts & Culture Editor Erik Acosta, Web Editor/Copy Editor Annabella Mireles, Photo Editor Avery Escamilla, Multimedia Editor Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela, Sports Editor Marco Hinojosa, Audience & Engagement Editor

PHOTOGRAPHERS Sofia Sierra, Staff Reporter H. Catching Marginot, Staff Reporter Gianluca Cuevas, Photographer Elisha Nuñez, Staff Reporter Joel Molina, Photographer ADMINISTRATION

CONTRIBUTORS

Veronica Gonzalez, Director Crystal Hinga, Assistant Director Amy Bocanegra, Administrative Assistant Isabel Castillo, Accounting Specialist Vacant, Account Executive Vacant, Advertising Coordinator

Daniela Gonzalez Bustamante SalmaPaola Baca Eugenio Cantu Angelica Gutierrez Brandon Johnson Nicholaes Maes Izaiah Moreno Alyson Rodriguez Katy Ruiz R. Venus Urquiza

End of an era

BY ELISHA NUÑEZ The Prospector

I remember my summer break of 2021. I just got back from a vacation in Florida, and was relaxing, trying to see what I could do during my spare time. After browsing the internet and social media, I found out that one of my high school friends was working at the campus newspaper, The Prospector. I had never heard of it until then and was pleasantly surprised to know that there was a resource at UTEP that could give me the experience I needed for my degree and future.

I messaged my friend, Julia on Instagram and asked her what the process was for applying for a position. She told me about the application on Mine Tracker and told me to apply. I was nervous, but I went for it. After a talk with some of the staff at The Prospector, I secured my position as a contributor.

Two years later, here I am writing my last story.

Time flies by super-fast! We all know it, but we never acknowledge it until we look back. It seems like just yesterday I was registering for my first UTEP classes. Seeing Calculus II and Physics made me sick to my stomach, which is why I chose to study multimedia journalism instead. It was at that time, as a 17-year-old, I had my first mid-life crisis. What was I going to study if all I had worked towards in high school was engineering? How could I find a job that I would enjoy and pay me well? Well, like I said, the answer was journalism.

I always liked writing in school, and I remember excelling amongst my classmates in my English and writing classes. For me, journalism was a method to execute my creativity and love for writing. Unbeknownst to me, it was also a way to make friends.

Starting college during the pandemic was probably the hardest point in my life. Being forcibly isolated from friends and slowly losing them was terrible, and I remember some days just feeling nothing.

That all changed after I made some friends from Student Media and Publications. Starting off, I barely

knew anyone in the office because I was a contributor, and my other job never gave me the extra time to come in for meetings and other events the team would have. After being promoted to a staff reporter in the fall of 2022, I started to enjoy my time at The Prospector a little more.

Though it took a year, it felt like it was meant to be. I started mingling with other students while writing for The Prospector, and some from our sister publication Minero Magazine. I remember laughing, bonding and talking about things that I thought only I was interested in and no one else would have the smallest interest in. I did it. I made friends in college, some of whom I still talk to today.

The Prospector not only helped me socially, but it helped me professionally. During my time at UTEP, I was able to complete two internships along the way, one at The Texas Observer in Austin and the other at The San Antonio Express-News in San Antonio. Both were super fun, and I met some great people at both. Because of my time writing for The Prospector, I was able to experience a newsroom before going into two others outside of El Paso. It helped me discover what I love writing about and prepare me for what is to come.

While I did not get to reach certain goals I set for myself at The Prospector, I am grateful to have completed many more. Thanks to the support of family and friends, I was able to do so much. I am going to miss my time laughing with other students in the office and our useless debates about cinema or music. I would not want it any other way.

To my editors, writers and photographers, both from The Prospector and Minero Magazine, who I spent birthdays, hangouts and a hiking trip with. To the reporters whom I just started talking to this semester but found out we had a lot more in common. To the ones in charge who helped me and worked closely with my writing. To all of you who were there with me and for me, thank you.

Elisha Nunez was a staff reporter and may not be reached at egnunez2@miners.utep.edu

SP E A K YO U R M IND! …and submit a letter for publication. Please include your full name, street address, telephone number and e-mail address, as well as your student major, classification and/or titile if applicable. Write to us at 105 E. Union, 500 W. University Ave. El Paso, TX 79968; email us at prospector@utep.edu, or call us to 747-5161.

Personal information (phone numbers and address) will be used for identification only.

Letters are subject to editing to fit available space, clarity and brevity.

The Prospector is published by Student Media and Publications, 105 Union East, 500 W. University Ave. El Paso, Texas, 79968. The Prospector appears in print biweekly on Tuesdays during the fall and spring semesters. The newspaper is not printed during holidays and when classes are not in session. The Prospector provides news online at www.theprospectordaily.com.

The Prospector is provided to students through student fees. First copy is free. Any additional copies, if available, must be purchased for $1 through the Department of Student Media and Publications. The Prospector is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. Additional policy information may be obtained by calling The Prospector at 915-747-5161. Opinions expressed in The Prospector are not necessarily those of the university.

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

NEWS Page 3

Bhutan to the Borderland: The Story of Sonam Choki

BY ELISHA NUÑEZ The Prospector

Sonam Choki remembers the few pictures of UTEP her sister showed her back in the late 2000s. It was at that time Choki, now graduating senior from UTEP’s College of Nursing, saw her future school for the first time.

Born and raised in Thimphu, Bhutan, Choki always knew UTEP was the place for her. After graduating high school, she decided to make the move to El Paso, Texas. Though it meant living and studying in an unfamiliar hemisphere, Choki was ready to make that change.

“I finished my high school and I came here for college and at first, yes it’s very different but being in UTEP, the architecture and everything made me feel a little bit homely,” Choki said. “I always wanted to be in the medical field, and I knew I wanted to come to the U.S. to study as well for college.

My sister went to UTEP way back in 2009 (or) 2008. When I was applying here, I saw the option they had in nursing, which is similar, like with what I dreamed of growing up.

So, I was like, I’ll take a chance for nursing.”

UTEP’s Bhutan-inspired architecture reminded Choki a little bit of home, but it was more than campus sights like the Lhakhang that helped her settle in. From the

nice locals to the school’s Bhutanese Student Association, there was comfort everywhere to make Choki’s move a little easier.

“I would say over here like in the U.S. I became more open than before, and the exposure and basically everything (is) like culturally different, language and everything.

At first it was a little bit hard to get used to, but it wasn’t that difficult,” Choki said. “The people

the last to graduate from college, education was always important to her family. While her home is thousands of miles away, it does not stop them from keeping in contact with her mom even by visiting

Choki in her new home.

“My mom did visit me once when I was in college. She was really excited, and she was like ‘Oh, people are really nice here.’ I took her to a campus store and, she did really like it,” Choki said. “I’m still in contact with my family and everything, but it was challenging to be far away.

The struggle that I had was cooking because I never cooked when I was back home, so I’d be

here are very friendly, so that really helped me. The friends that I made my first semester are still my friends. They’re really nice. The transition was very smooth, and the friends here were really helpful.

Also, we have a few students from Bhutan who study here, so we were always together at first, trying to look after each other.”

Apart from friends, Choki’s family has been a big part of her move here. The Sonam Choki, born in raised in Bhutan, is a graduating senior from UTEP College of Nursing. Photo by Iziah Moreno /The Prospector youngest sibling of three and

calling my mom now and then asking about recipes and stuff like that.”

With the constant support of friends and family, Choki has stayed motivated to complete her undergraduate journey at UTEP however, it is only the first part. After graduation, Choki hopes to go back to school for her master’s

degree, along with other options from working to moving cities.

“I wanted to go back to school for my master’s, but the field that I want to go to requires me to work for at least two years. So, for now my plan is to go work for at least two to three years and go back to get my master’s in the United States,” Choki said.

Not planning too far ahead for her future, Choki is taking time to see what choices she has.

Working locally, moving to New York with family and going back to visit Bhutan are some of the things she has considered for her post-undergraduate era. It may be uncertain, but what is certain is that Choki is excited to graduate and be accompanied by those who love her the most.

“I’m super excited to graduate. It’s hitting me that I’m graduating now that I only have a few months left.

I am feeling nervous at the same time, but yeah, I’m very excited,” Choki said. “(My family is) super excited. They’re actually coming here for my graduation. Yeah, I haven’t seen my brother for almost like four and a half, five years because I haven’t gone back home since I came. I am planning to go back after graduation, at least to visit and then I have to come back obviously to take my license and start working.”

Elisha Nuñez is a staff reporter and can be reached at egnunez2@miners.utep.edu

THE CENTER FOR ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES (CASS) IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS WITH

AIM

CASS ONLINE PORTAL AIM allows students to access or request services online and from the comfort of their home 24/7.

Glean is a new app offered by CASS that helps students record and transcribe class lectures, take notes and more to guarantee students a successful learning experience.

Students interested in using Glean must be registered with CASS and qualify for this accommodation.

Use your UTEP logins to request accommodations, check your status or apply to be a notetaker.

AIM is for faculty as well!

cassportal.utep.edu

UTEP

CENTER FOR ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

utep.edu/cass cass@utep.edu (915) 747-5148

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Page 4 NEWS

A glimpse into the life of President Wilson

BY ERIK ACOSTA The Prospector

With dedication and a love for aviation, UTEP President Dr. Heather Wilson has begun to leave her mark at the university since her start as the president in 2019.

UTEP students may know the hardworking president as someone who brought in an era of innovative research and growth, but there is more lying beneath her stylish suits.

Dr. Wilson painted a picture for The Prospector as to what her life was like growing up. As planes flew around her in a dairy farm field, someone she admired dearly was also flying above her, her dad and his best friend a small Piper Cub plane.

“I can remember my dad taking us flying when he had to put a pillow in the front seat of a Piper Cub, which is a small airplane, to be able to see out, and he would start the propeller and take us flying and his friend would as well,” Wilson said.

“So, I never remember not flying.”

Wilson‘s grandfather flew for the Royal Air Force in World War One (WWI) and was a barnstormer in the 1920’s and 30’s and opened small airports around New England.

After her dad passed away when she was younger, Wilson saw her grandfather as a hero and a significant figure in her life.

During President Wilson’s time as a junior in high school, the U.S Air Force Academy began to admit

President Dr. Heather Wilson explains how her life experiences have led her to where she is today during her one on one interview with Erik Acosta. Photo by GianLuca Cuevas/The Prospector

women it is when she saw the news on her mother‘s black-and-white television screen, she was intrigued and interested in joining the Air Force.

Throughout her time in the academy, Dr. Wilson was the first woman to command basic training and the first woman as Vice Wing Commander. Having roles with high responsibilities and pressure did not stop Wilson from getting the job done and proving to people at the time women belonged in the military.

“I think I was aware that they

were certainly people, there not so much my classmates, but sometimes other officers who weren‘t exactly convinced women should be in the military, or they should be officers, and I ran into that,” Wilson said. “I was determined to prove them wrong by being competent, and I knew somehow that I was also maybe changing the minds of people around me by just doing the job and that it would be easier for others who came after me.”

From her time in the military, Wilson learned many lessons that stuck with her, but one has never

left her side; the core values of the Air Force ‘Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do’.

“I think the other one from the academy is the honor code, ‘We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us who does’ that sticks with you,” Wilson said. “The hard part is not the lying, stealing, or cheating bit, it is that we will not tolerate anyone who does, so if we know something is wrong you have to speak up. I think those things shaped me as a young person, and I think they still do today.”

In the Air Force until 1989, Wilson‘s call to service did not end there as her career path would then go in a different trajectory than she would have thought.

Wilson was in the realm of politics when her predecessor, Rep. Steve Schiff for New Mexico‘s 1st Congressional District, passed away from skin cancer in 1998 where she later won the special election that same year to fill his position.

Wilson remained in congress for 11 years and was the first female military veteran to have a full term in Congress. She would later run for U.S. Senate for New Mexico in 2008 and 2012 but lost those elections but Dr. Wilson did not let that defeat her.

“I had just lost a race for the United States Senate, one of the highest profile races in the country, but it didn’t even occur to me that was a failure because I didn’t think of it that way,” Wilson said.

Despite her passion for policy, Wilson would have yet another call in assisting students in higher education. From the dry southwest to the frigid winters of South Dakota, Wilson became the president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) in 2013.

A position she kept until 2017 when she became Secretary of the United States Air Force.

“South Dakota Mines was much smaller; I like the research mission here a lot (UTEP), but they are very different universities,” Wilson said. “The one thing that I liked

about South Dakota, cause it was smaller, I had more interaction with the students, and I did like that.

While there are more students here, I don’t get to interact with so many of them all the time because it‘s bigger, so I have to make a point to always stay connected to the students and that’s important to me.”

In her fourth year of presidency, UTEP has formed stronger relations with NASA, seen increased enrollments, abundance of research grants and more. As the year winds down, she continues to connect with students and showcase the accomplishments at UTEP. “It‘s been a wonderful year, it has been, and I get to be the number one cheerleader for a great university,” Wilson said. “People accomplish things, and part of my job is to point those things out.”

Passionate about her job and leading students to the future, Wilson does not seem to see her career stopping anytime soon, as she sees herself ten years from now working and active in the community. Though she has made UTEP and El Paso her new home, the Sun City continues to welcome her with open arms and Wilson likes to think that the man flying above her in his Piper Cub plane would be proud of the person she turned out to be.

Erik Acosta is the web and copy editor and may be reached at emacosta6@miners.utep.edu

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

NEWS Page 5

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chosen by their peers for this position can serve one full term.

UTEP SGA released this statement regarding the issue: “Alex Rodriguez and Alejandro Balderrama-Sanchez resigned their positions as President and Vice President for Internal Affairs with UTEP Student Government Association, November 9, 2023. In accordance with the SGA Constitution, Article VI, Andrea Nunez, former Vice President for External Affairs assumed the office of President.

The Vice Presidents of Internal and External Affairs positions shall be filled by an election held from among the membership of the Senate. For the privacy of the individuals involved, no further information will be shared.”

There is no word yet on any future both Rodriguez and BalderramaSanchez will have with SGA.

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UTEP Student Government Association (SGA) President Alex Rodriguez and Vice President of Internal Affairs Alejandro Balderrama-Sanchez have resigned from office The resignations came at the end of the weekly Fall Senate Session, Nov. 9. Rodriguez and Balderrama-Sanchez filled their roles for six months prior to the announcement of their resignation.

The resignations come as a surprise to many but during the SGA Facebook livestream, Rodriguez discussed the incident leading to his resignation.

“In the summer there was an incident involving alcohol in the office and everything was resolved,” Rodriguez said. “It was my understanding that we could move on from that but upon opening Alejandro’s investigation our advisors noticed that based off of what happened with me that I am also ineligible to hold office.”

Rodriguez was second to resign

however, during his announcement to the Senate he mentioned his resignation came after an investigation into Vice President Balderrama-Sanchez. The investigation in question was brought upon Sanchez after unknown allegations were made.

“I have found victim of an unfair, unjustified and ill intended accusation,” Balderrama-Sanchez said.

“I defended myself from those accusations, trusting in the university mechanisms to distinguish the truth from lies but those mechanisms failed.”

There has been no official statement on what accusation was made or when the investigations started.

Due to the resignations, the Senate held a special election Thursday, Nov. 16 amongst senators to see who would hold the positions of vice president of internal affairs and vice president of external affairs.

Edgar Loya won the election for vice president of internal affairs and Alexa Gonazlez was appointed to vice president of external affairs.

Rodriguez and BalderramaSanchez were elected last spring semester by the student body. Those

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BY ERIK ACOSTA The Prospector

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Members of UTEP SGA executive leadership resign

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The Prospector will continue to update this story as more information comes in.

Erik Acosta is the web and copy editor and may be reached at emacosta6@miners.utep.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

2023 FALL COMMENCEMENT Don Haskins Center Saturday, December 16, 2023 1 p.m.

College of Health Sciences and College of Nursing 6 p.m.

College of Science and Woody L. Hunt College of Business

Sunday, December 17, 2023 1 p.m.

College of Liberal Arts 6 p.m.

College of Education and College of Engineering

For more information, visit: utep.edu/commencement

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Page 6 NEWS

A congratulations delivered through flowers

BY R. VENUS URQUIZA The Prospector

To express love, gratitude, or pride, flowers may serve the purpose of showing loved ones how one feels about them, and with grad season approaching what better way to express those feelings than by giving beautiful flowers.

Choosing the right type of flowers and gifts for graduates can be a difficult task and the number of choices people have on their hands can be overwhelming, but at Wine and Blooms, they make sure to find the perfect flowers for the perfect moment.

Wine and Blooms El Paso Florist have been serving the El Paso community for 11 months, and in such a short amount of time, they have grown in the community.

“We saw a need in the community for a place in which individuals could find a new and unique approach to traditional floral arrangements and flower shops,” said owner of Wine and Blooms Magaly Macias. “When I contemplated making a business, I truly focused on what I would like to see in my community.”

In hopes to bring more flower culture appreciation into El Paso, Texas Wine and Blooms has taken a unique and different approach to floral arrangement by looking at the craft as form of art.

“My vision was to bring different flowers from different parts of the world, I wanted to show my community different options and more high-end floral arrangements for a reasonable price,” Macias said.

When it comes to inspiration, the shop closely looks at its community. At Wine and Blooms, local art is featured in the shop, allowing the community to explore art outside of floral arrangements.

“We like to offer our customers the opportunity to discover and appreciate the creativity our local artists have because there are a lot of talented people in this community,” Macias said.

Different colors, shapes and textures of flowers have also inspired florists at Wine and Blooms.

“When you look at a flower it gives you an emotion, or it transmits something into your heart, and the inspiration comes through our customer's stories and experiences,” Macias said.

With grad season approaching,

Wine and Blooms has seen an increase in work and business.

“Throughout graduation season, we definitely see an influx of work, because our customers seek floral bouquets and gifts to celebrate the accomplishments of our grad students, and of course, it gets really busy during those times,” Macias said when asked about grad season.

For Macias providing these gifts and experiences to customers is truly what holds the business together.

Macias feels serving her community is what brings her happiness.

“It is truly gratifying, and it fills me with a sense of pride and purpose to bring joy, beauty, and unique offerings to people in my community, and connecting with them through our flowers and art, it creates meaningful bonds with them, it fulfills me and my team,” Macias said.

As the day where graduates cross the stage gets closer, it is time to start thinking about a gift for them that would be meaningful and at Wine and Bloom's, they will get more than just flowers.

R. Venus Urquiza is a contributor at The Prospector and can be reached at rsurquiza@miners.utep.edu

Owner Magaly Macias said employee Loni Guillen works to ensure “a place in which individuals could find a new and unique approach to traditional floral arrangements and flower shops.”

All Photos by Annabella Mireles/The Prospector

Congratulations

Class of 2023 Daniel Aguirre Alfredo Armenta Christopher A. Frayre Jacqueline Gonzalez Ashley Gracia Virginia Hernandez

Ana Jasso Elizabeth Olivas Jasmine Reyes Jimena Saldaña Karla Vazquez Sasha Zavala

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

Class of

SUMMER 2023 Graduate

College of Engineering Doctor of Philosophy

Annatoma Arif Monica Delgado Md Mahmudulla Hassan Bhushan Lohani Adeel Ashraf Malik Jesus Alfredo Rivas Escarcega

Master of Engineering in Civil & Environmental Engineering Clinton Nwagbo Chijioke

Master of Science

Sharmila Afsha Mustafa Almoola Aaron Daniel Amato Steven L. Antunez Andrew Alexander Aristizabal James Ryan Attebery Anthony Alfred Bonacorsi Derek Brosig Lauren Elaine Brown Luis Alfonso Camacho Alan Caraveo Loya John Andrew Carchedi Luisa Andrea Castrejon Varela Laura Viviana Corral Christian Cota Tereso Cruz Zetino Armando Abel Felix III Dajalma Garcia Laura Garcia Noelyn Nahomy Garcia Zepeda Judy Gilbert Andres Ibarra Alexandra Wildes Idelson Cruz Markham Jacobo Larissa Lizet Lara Olivas Jaime Alejandro Martinez Diamond Desiree Mata Luis Roberto Melendez Tomas Mica Jorge Moran Joel Muniz Elizabeth Narvaiz Christian Steve Nieto Steven Joseph Prieto Md Fazle Rabbi Brandon Ramirez Owen Travis Reid Alejandra Rodriguez Jaime Ernesto Rodriguez Oscar Miguel Rodriguez Samina Samrose Ayushma Sharma Timilsina Maribel Soto-Sandoval Lauren Uyen Trinh Ricardo Urias Jose M. Villarreal Izaz Zunnurain

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering Martin Chavarin Jr Isabel Lopez

College of Liberal Arts Doctor of Philosophy Ligia Atzimba Arguilez Candice Fawn Coffman

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

College of Education

Master of Public Administratio n

Master of Arts

Terrence Dewayne Johnson

Guadalupe Chavez Diaz

Master of Arts

Fior Daliso Garcia Lara Kyung Kun Lee Kiran Misra Cayleb Bryant Stives Turnip Alana Mystery Van Dyke Vianney Zuniga

Master of Defense & Strategic Studies

Lance Edward Davidson Kelly Garmer Zulema Lizet Gonzalez Jose Miguel Hernandez Navdeep Singh Hira Janice Leach Daniel Shealy Aaron Joseph Waller

Master of Music

Ronfled Eriko Dela Cruz Espinoza Ernesto Villalobos Jr

College of Science Doctor of Philosophy

Maribel Jacquez Baeza Patrick D. Brown Jennifer Holguin Armando Manuel Pena Duarte Nayeli G. Reyes Nava Selim Sabag Romero Gonzalez Erick Benjamin Saldes Kathleen E. Schaeffer

Master of Arts in Teaching Laurencia Almeida

Master of Science

Nuria Valeria Andreu Garcia Amanda Maria Bataycan Israel Michael Blevins Bernice Justina Caad Angelica Araly Chacon Abigail Cobbinah Rebecca Emily De Jesus Kwabena Gyamfi Duodu Alex Christopher Eddy Denise Gandara Marco Alejandro Gomez Luisa Veronica Gracia Mazuca Gileydis Guillama Barroso Maxwell Kwesi Mac-Ocloo Stephanie Nicole Marquez Jorge Andres Mayo Rios Pedro Ulises Medina Gonzalez Noah Owusu Philip Adeniyi Oyedele Christiancel Joseph Joven Salazar Eleazer Tabi Serebour Dayan Viera Robert Neil Walsmith Jr Nicholas James Wilson Madison Clare Woelfel

Doctor of Education Louisa Aguirre-Baeza

Zury Melissa Andrade Marie Borjon Omar Carmona Ricardo J. Cortez Pablo Diaz Destiny P. Garcia Alyssa Nichole Huizar Michael Kelley Luis Javier Martinez Maria Fernanda Moya Cynthia Ochoa William David Slaght Stephanie Sturgeon Cristina Tejeda Quintina Thomas Sahaly Valadez

Master of Education

Brandon Michaelsergio Amato Sofia Antunez Emma Aveytia Julie Marie Black Timothy Austin Burdan Denisse Carlos Ana Laura Cooksey Manuel Delgadillo Sabrina Nicolette Garcia Edna Patricia Gonzalez Yvette Gonzalez Jennifer Marty Guidry Ashley Marie Hernandez Vanessa Marie Juarez Martinez Flora Esmeralda Morales Mayra Magdalena Nava Maria Jacqueline Pace Beatriz Ileana Palomino Alejandra Plascencia Esther Portillo Francisco Oswaldo Rodriguez Gelin Loretta Rubio Isis Jasen Silva Rosaangelica Holguin Soria June Collette Straight Ronda Jean Ward Vanessa Zubia-Meza

Master of Rehabilitation Counseling Lorena Dominguez Crystal Stakeman-Hicks

Master of Science

Olga P. Acevedo Erica Marie Arras Briana Bueno Aisha Dagher Adrian Gonzalez Manuel Gonzalez Katryna M. Lord Joanna Quintana Granados Mariana Vazquez Gabriella Berenice Velazquez Cynthia Villarreal Annalee Zamarripa Melea Margaret-Jane Ziegler

WOODY L. HUNT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Accountancy Annabelle Renee Alvarez Mariana Bailon Fierro

Mayra Marcela Cobos Alba M. Corona Debora Gonzalez Victoria Regina Hidalgo Youda Ma Antonio Mendoza Jr Victor Ulises Montoya Chavez Miguel Angel Rivera Manuel Rubio Jr Maria Fernanda Salas Prado Jeniffer Alejandra Tarin Gonzalez Juan Pablo Torres Mendez

School of Pharmacy

Master of Business Administration

Hugo Alarcon Jr Navid Attarzadeh Katalina Salas Kazi Afroza Sultana

Eliana Avila Lluvia Natalia Brown-Velasquez Diana Esmeralda Bueno Olague Nidia Annette Cano Benny Carnevale Jocelyn Rocio Espinoza Jasso Kristina Renee Guevara Stacy Rosa Emma Huhn Angel Adrian Munoz Jesus Rogelio Nevarez Bernardo Norzagaray-Garcia David Luis Pantoja Alejandra Perez Laura Alejandra Perez Hazel Jasmine Sama Carla V. Taboada Mariano Dagoberto Urbina Oscar Wilson

College of Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy

Christian Servando Quinones Ronald Mariano Ramon

Master of Public Health

Nayla Paulina Bejarano Chacon

Master of Science

Scout Analise Gonzales

College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing

Esai Zacarias Barrios Adriana Bustillos Pack Celeste Nan Calhoun Arlene Castanon-Ortiz Katherine Nancy Castro Andrea Cathey Amy Yvette Delgado Diana Ferguson Cesar Fernandez Tiffany Gentry Allison J. Henry Natalie Marie Hudgins Brandi R. Ing Petrina Lowery Chance Evangeline Mace Laura Leticia Martinez Ivanna Melchor Cindy Myrick Martha P. Ramirez Alexandra Itzel Sanchez Victoria Lynn Sanders-Renova Jose Angel Silva Berenice Martinez Stubbs Braulio Vazquez Anthony Mark Venegas Sara Lee White

Doctor of Pharmacy

Bryan Zachary Alawneh Victoria Inez Corella Kassandra Nikole Moran Cesar Octavio Moreno Aguilar

Engineering Science/ Interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy

SUMMER 2023 Undergraduate

WOODY L. HUNT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting

Brandon Bustamante Cristian David Chavez Savannah Franc Cornejo Jose Rogelio Fontes Portillo Luis Fernando Jaime Luis Leonardo Mendoza Alejandro Nanez Carlos Alejandro Reyes Jocelyn Salazar Mabel I. Sanchez Saenz Pardo Angelica Sotelo

Economics

Karla Andrea Armenta Mauricio Carlos Rocha

Finance

Estefania Bustillos Dania Lucero Gobea Bustillos Daniela Guadarrama Mejia Enrique Hernandez-Rios James Starr Inzer Karim Khalfi Vanessa Nunez Jonathan Ramirez Saul Retana Mariana Reza Serena Rose Soledad Jerome Benjamin Wilson Jr

General Business

Neungphuumin B. Houser

International Business Rodrigo Parolari Soto

Management

Pedro Rene Attaguile Avery Rubin Avalos Jose M. Brito Mark A. Casper Zair S. Cervantes Cassandra Bernadette De Leon Joanna Ibarra Rios Andrea Loya Kenta’ Allen Mcdougald Vi Quan T. Nguyen

T H E U NI V E R S I TY O F TE X A S AT EL PASO Rene Pinoncely Jr David Jonathon Sanchez

Marketing

Valor Delano Blazer II Mario Alejandro Munoz Nancy Daniela Sarmiento Vivian Esther Serrano Joseph Daniel Woodward

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Abdulmohsen Bader Al-Mutairi Saleh A M M Almatouq Tania M. Avitia Eric Barragan Sarah Flores

Mechanical Engineering

Tatiana Alyssa Aguirre Adriana Balderrama Edward Cardenas Shaylee S. Gomez

Alexander Ruben Appelzoller Roberto Benavides Aguilar Steven Andrew Cadd Derrick Mark Castillo Christopher Arturo Flores Austin Ryan Kelly Gisel Ruby Martinez Alejandro Arath Mena Jr Christopher Mucci Andres Ivan Rodriguez Juanita Herlinda Rout

Bachelor of Science Education

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts Applied Learning and Development

Griselda Argumedo Liliana Iveth Avila Roxana Barcellano Ana Teresa Cabrales Cynthia Campa Jacqueline Chairez Dylane Duran Alejandra Sofia Garcia Erika Gutierrez Dahlia Abishai Madrid Lyric D. Miles Meagan R. Moncibaiz Samantha M. Nunez Graciela Pacheco

Jose Miguel Gonzalez Mario Yomir Mata Corral

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES Bachelor of Science Health Promotion

Electrical Engineering

Computer Science

Mohammed Saqer Althuwaini Brian A. Alvarez David A. Camacho Ordaz Jr Daniel Flores Alexis Garcia Marco Antonio Garza Karla Samantha Medina Jose Miguel Moreno Christopher Munoz

Enginnering Innovation and Leadership

Haydee Guadalupe Holguin Najee Tahree Martinez-Shabazz Sebastian Palacios

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Applied Arts and Sciences

Alliana Alvarez Joshua Valentine Blouir Viviana Ali Cabral Victoria Castillo Rudi Marie Ceniceros Dominique Nikole Cordero Benjamin Estrada Leslie Jeane Fabela Paola Gallegos Ana Victoria Garcia Elyssa I. Gardea Arlene Gardea Soto Stephanie Marie Gomez Yaretsy Nahomy Hernandez Brianna Hurtado Leah M. Johnston Cynthia Nicole Llanas Bernadette J. Luna Alejandra Sara Narvaez

Digital Media Production

Adriana Cruz Mariana Marroquin Alyssa Victoria Robles

Spanish

Media Advertising

Carina Gonzalez Vianey Lozoya Helena Claire McCarty Noushin Sharifi Loretta Raquel Tavizon Alexis Elizabeth Vasquez

Communication Studies Ismael Gonzalez Amanda Denise Nava Norma Soraya Urias

Organizational & Corporate Communication

Magdalena Adame Valery Isela Aldaba Armando Alvarez II Alejandra Arvizu Andrew Castro Raquel Delgado Michael Anthony Dubrule Lorenza Elias Michelle Erving Andrea Ferrer Darla A. Fraga Arturo Gardea Jr Deisy M. Glastelo Kayla Lynay Gomez Sharon Gomez Emily Gonzalez Nubia Valeria Gonzalez Jennifer Granados Carshaylah Jerronique Harrison Jesus A. Hernandez Raul Ricardo Hernandez Jr Zhassan Hernandez Gustavo Sergio Ibarra-Mendoza Joshua Ituarte Irvin Martinez Ashley Maxwell Mireya Olague Orlando Peregrino Jr Aylin Yeliani Perez Lillyanna Perez Madison Alycea Rosen Michael A. Ruiz Adam Kurtis Seaholm Leslie Jhovanna Silva Tatiana Marie Simmons Mark Torres Lovette Irene Valdivia Jesus Alberto Venegas Jr Isaac Zamora

Isabela Diaz Roxanne Guerrero Malea Nicole Mcmurray Leeza Marie Rubio Amelia Noel Starr Annalyssa Maria Terrazas

Political Science

Jamie Melina Arce Paola A. Castaneda Armando Corralejo III Pablo De Pablo Amira I. Landeros Michael Anthony McLaurin Jr Sarah Naomi Mickelson Evelyn Nevarez Sasha E. Valadez

Psychology

Leslie Aguilar Sara Leticia Alderete III Melissa Chaidez Aileen Giselle Chavez Carolina Diaz Abril A. Diaz De Leon Cassandra Alexis Garcia Andrea Nicole Lozano Caytlin Mya Medrano Raquel Sarai Menjivar Castillo Odalys A. Meza Steven M. Michelmann Liliana Isabel Morales Giovanna Angelica Ortiz Laura Itzul Reyes Criollo Abril Rueda Luis Carlos Sanchez Skylar Quinn Sandoval Deandra Alexi Serrano Karla Elizabeth Valenzuela Coronado

HAPPY GRADUATION DAY !

FROM THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS AND STUDY ABROAD “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

CENTER FOR ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

EARTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE SCIENCES

Karen Lizette Mendoza

Georgina Borrego

Jim M. Jurado

Regina Alexandra Alvizo Victoria Perez

Sathya Nicea Tripodi

Kimberly Aguilar

Digital Media Production/ Psychology

Linguistics

Chicano Studies

Psychology/Sociology Sociology

Sylvia D. Altizer Luis Alberto De Leon Tovar Alana Nevarez Mark Terrance Ramos Natalie Christina Schaffino Bridger Taylor West

Bachelor of Arts Art

Ricardo Villalobos

Norma I. Alvarez Eric A. Amador Dominic Andrew Marquez

History

Brenda J. Ramirez

Criminal Justice

Kalina Danae Gallardo Yaritza Garcia

Seannalisa Celeste Baca Cristian Alejandro Cuevas Ashley Crystal Murguia-Rivera Allen Jovan Rodriguez

Marcus Anthony Mclain

Rehabilitation Sciences

Michael Allan Gomez Erubiel Guerrero Xavier Alejandro Lujan Vianney Nichole Luna Pamela Mijares Delgadillo Maximiliano Morales Sebastian Morales Leslie Yared Nunez Heber Alejandro Ovalles Christian Ivan Silva Rivas Cristian Lorenzo Tello

Creative Writing

English & American Literature

Art History/Philosophy

Kinesiology

Ashley Chacon Daniel Estrada Cody Charles Filby Zaul Gomez Miriam Teresa Ramirez Nicholas Hunter Rivers Sims Josue Emmanuel Soto Adrian Valdespino

Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Bianca Rivera

Adrian Brandon Aguilar Angel Alvarez Brenda Alvarez Rosa N. Arellano Huereca Aida Balcorta Casandra Barua Reyes Mckel Broussard Eric A. Bustillos Sergio E. Camacho Victoria Guadalupe Carmona Tranard Pernell Clayton Madelyn Alexa Corral Ivy Lesly Enriquez Priscilla Garcia Miroslava Gomez Hurtado Yezeel Gonzalez Colton Daniel Heredia Celeste M. Lerma Raquel Licon Victoria Marie Lopez Yehoshua Avniel Maturino Alec Miramontes Vidal Omar Morales Hugo Angel Olivas Jr. Graham Robert Potter Yazmin Reyes Audrey Jasmin Sanchez Antonio Torres Rebecca Torres Sam Zambrano

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Karen Denise Nunez Natalie Nunez Sofia Ojeda Jehna Rae Perez Leonardo Andres Pina Eileen Ponce Ivan Porras Elahiny Mairam Portillo Marinah R. Ruiz Nevaeh M. Ruiz Roberto Sealtiel Sosa Sophia Elizabeth Surran Itzel Valles Jasmine Lillybell Vasquez Style

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS AND STUDY ABROAD

Security Studies Ray A. Pages

Theatre Arts

Justin Addison Kalman

Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio Art Adrianne Ramirez Marcos Emanuel Soto

Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies Multidisciplinary Studies

Lilly Esther Adriano Jazmine Ambriz Kemoy Anderson Samantha Mariah Armendariz David Anthony Artalejo Xavier Cruz Bates Amber Nicole Bohnaker Nyah Kristian-Alexandria Boyd Darlene Victoria Brown Seth J. Brown Andre Chaparro Natalia Conchas Lindsey Earl Edwards Savannah Paige Favre Victoria Fierro Legarreta Adrian Flores Daena Edith Garcia Timothy Garcia Jacob Javier Gonzalez Danielle Guerrero Destiny Marie Holguin Steven Wayne Hubbard Jr Jazion Trakel Jackson Wiston B. Jeune Hansell Lara Amanda Law Carlos Eduardo Lemus Jr Axel Lujan Julian Hector Munoz II Vanessa Gail Pacheco Isaac Perez Jose Perez Isaac Sias Valerie Robin Sing Patricia Rodriguez Jose Nicanor Tijerina Adrian Varela Rebeca Vazquez Jose Antonio Yanez

Bachelor of Science Psychology

Clarice Deena Diaz Isabelle Jazmyne Droutsas Brandon Joseph Flaherty Rebecca Gonzalez Megany Guerrero Brenda Lizeth Hernandez Samantha Padilla Alexis Marlene Renovato Zaira Rubi Ruiz Jesus M. Trejo

Congratulations

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Class of 2023 COLLEGE OF NURSING Bachelor of Science in Nursing Nursing

Omar Abu-Raddaha Clara Lucia Acosta Erika Danielle Aguayo Yarida Aguilar Cinthya J. Alvarado Sujey Alvarado Yahaira Marie Alvarez Mayra Alejandra Amezcua Catherine Arreola Rwan Moham Azzam Julianne A. Ballez Christopher Joshua Barbosa Viviana Alexa Barreda Silvana Marie Battle Makaela Chante Bell Jennifer Beltran Julissa Beltran Isabella Nicole Benavides Rebeca Yatziry Bencomo Francesca Soledad Bertolli Alexander Antonio Bustillos Melissa Cardoza-Castaneda Alejandra Maria Castaneda Kayla Angeline Castillo Daniella Yvette Castro Jose Adrian Castro Yaranelly Castro Noemi Chavez Andrea Marian Clement Chelsea Aria Cole Ashlyn Scoutt Colon Anai De La Vega Andrea Delgado Vanessa Vidwattie Denmark Helen Espinoza Azalea Esquivel-Reyes Alyssa Renee Estrada Alfredo Ferrer Alejandra Florentino Erika Mirian Flores Tricia Anne Fogle Natalia H. Franco Irvin G. Galindo Sergio Enrique Gallardo IV Zennia Galvan Sarah Gonzalez Chinise D. Good Ruby Grogan Samantha Jo Ann Gross Jade Elizabeth Havens Andrea Hernandez Andrea Hernandez Janet Hernandez Jalee M. Holland Yaser A. Hussien Bonnie Jacqueline Iaeger Emiru Verenice Ishikawa Reyes Daniela Jolie Jacquez-Delavellano Lauren Paige Johnson Paul A. Jurado Julieta Kennelly Vida Ilusion Lagunas Elizabeth Lea Mayline Leyva Daniel Lopez Mariaelisa Lopez Katia Marlen Lopez Carmona Karla Leticia Lopez Hernandez Ashley Nicole Mancilla Sofia Helena Marquez Timothy M. Marquez Albert Martinez Sidney A. Martinez Guadalupe Martinez Jessica L. Mattison Erik Medina Norma J. Mendez Linda Elizabeth Mora Marco Antonio Moreno Hernandez Nayeli Sarahi Munoz Jacqueline Lee Najar Irving Najera Rocio Navar Lauren Alexis Nieto Jesse Olivas Karyme A. Olvera

f so

Fabiola Orozco Teresita Nicole Ortega Zulmarie Ortega Torres Moses Ochieng Otieno Kimberly Kalin Palacios Emily N. Palomo Destiny Anahi Pedroza Dania Itzel Pena Alexandra Maria Perez Isaac Ismael Perez Ivan Adrian Perez Nadia A. Perez Rocio Perez Monica Lizeth Perez Ledezma Celeste M. Phillips Mariana I. Pimentel Andrea Destiny Pineda Aldo D. Pinon Brenda Denisse Ponce Estrella Crystal Puente Sylvia Alexa Quiroz Hilda Ramirez Duran Edna Ivonne Rangel Jaqueline Hope Reyes Jasmin Lee Reyes Jayleen Reyes Charlize Veronica Rivera Maria I. Rodriguez Bianca Viridiana Rodriguez Gutierrez Amanda Renee Romero Claudia Rubio Apolinar Omar Sanchez Diana Karen Sanchez Sarai Maritsa Santos Yaretsi Sequeira Correa Joshua Erik Serna-Miranda Bianca St Marie Serrano Annette Silva Brianna Monet Silva Daniella Joy Smith Elaine M. Snell Susana E. Solorio Jorge Ivan Soto Olga Lidia Subia Remington James Sullivan Anabel Tapia Celina Tapia Anuja Timothy Andres Torres Diana Araceli Torres Sydney Alanas Truax T’Zarria L’Chele Tucker Cesar Adrian Valdiviez Benjamin Ariel Vallejo Victoria Varela Escamilla Rebeca Venegas Patricia Ann Visconti Alyssa Renee Vite Natalia Wiedenfeld Ashley A. Wilks Nathalie Erica Williamson Caleb Xavier Wise Alexis Brianna Wittke

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Bachelor of Science Biological Sciences

Diana Berenice Acosta Tioluwa Akinjaiyeju Kennya Aleman Luis Fernando Arias Cristian Giova Artalejo Kelly Elizabeth Ash Suhey L. Avena Omar Barraza Gerardo Antonio Briones Catherine Bustillos Richelle Ruby Caldera Jose Chairez Alejandra Contreras Yannel Alexandra De Lara Jennifer Marie Delgado Jaqueline Duarte Desiree Nicole Espinoza Astrid Floy Hilary Floy Angelica Garcia Silvestre Guillen Michael Angel Gutierrez

23

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Congratulations, Graduates!

UNION SERVICES

Froeilan Alfonso Llanas Nayeli Lozano Anabelle Nicole Menchaca Miranda Arian Mercado-Batista Amber Nicole Mullins Jose R. Orona Leeann Rosario Nataly Blanca Sanchez Joshua Amir Segoviano Jovannah Servian Christian Sierra Deandra H. Silva Yasmine Simental Matthew Ryan Sosa Marcela Tinajero Ojeda Axel Tovar Mia Angelique Valencia Delaney J. Valenzuela Dylan A. Vasquez Kimberly Villela-Navarrete

Cellular & Molecular Biochemistry Andrea Yoliet Macias Maria Jose Rojero

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Jean C. Muniz Ninoshka Ivelisse Pachot

Forensic Science

Andrea Nicole Barrera Ana Sofia Bravo Baca Naomi Gissell Nava

Geophysics

Aracely Garcia

Mathematics

Alejandro Patena

Neuroscience

Alina Heredia Sarah Haley Salado Tamia La’Shay Williams

Physics

Ricardo Sebastian Almanza Bahena Glenda Angelica Cobos Fatima Mabel Lariz

FALL 2023 Graduate

College of Engineering Doctor of Philosophy

Jonathan Eduardo Avila Mariana Benitez Edgar Bustamante Ahnaf Farhan Mahadi Hasan MD Sahid Hassan Paul Gaurav Nalam Zackery Ryan Nieto Julio Alberto Reyes Munoz Izaz Zunnurain

Master of Science Data & Information Sciences Lani Nicole Godenzi David Alonzo Medina

Master of Engineering in Civil & Environmental Engineering Margarita Campos Sarah De La O

Master of Science

Jared Matthew Aguayo Miriam Maytee Aguilera Nava Michael Albert Anastacio Arreola

Congratulations College of Science Graduates Class of 2023!

You achieved a great milestone!

Antonio Avila Cristian Banuelos Santiago Barreda Humberto Alfonso Bolanos Carlos Cabanas Lopez Mario Noel Cabral Briana Cardenas Luisa Elena Carlon Dadyane Armando Carrasco Jesus Ricardo Cruz Alex De La Cruz Vincent Thomas De La Torre Marcos Diaz Omar Antonio Dominguez Anannya Doris Nicholas Elliott Durand Andres Hector Escarcega Quezada Ahnaf Farhan Julian Franco Christian Rene Garcia Juan Abraham Garcia Dana Victoria Godinez Sebastian Gomez Jose Hernandez Natalie Patricia Hernandez Donald Robert Hornsby John William Hupp Wilson Kiyemba Kakembo Saul Lemus Santiago Llamas Alan Omar Loera Martinez Juan Antonio Lopez Nicholas Anthony Lopez Ricardo Aaron Lozano Mario Arturo Luna Diazbarriga Laura Itzel Marquez Montserrat Guadalupe Molina Verya Monjezi Cristhian Aaron Napoles Michael Alexander Nigro Armando Olivas JR William Joseph Palafox Alfonso Peralta Juan Lino Puebla Carlos E. Quinones Hernandez Asif Rahman Moqsadur Rahman Maurilio Resendiz Jose Felipe Reza Holguin Chloe Anne Robinson Aaron Arturo Rodriguez Carlos Manuel Rosario Christian Alexander Ruiz Christina Salinas Oscar Angel Sanchez Kenji Gabriel Santacruz Jesus Saucedo III Rajasoundarya Senthil Prabhu Nazia Sharmin Iqtiar Md Siddique Joshua Silva Ozvaldo Ivaan Suarez Antonio Emilio Teijeiro Ian Alexander Torres Joan Manuel Torres Jessica Christine Torres-Cleveland Juan Manuel Trujillo Tarelo Dario Alejandro Vazquez Axel Vazquez Montano Antonio James York Gina Zavala Alvarado

College of Liberal Arts Doctor of Philosophy

Anna Dmitriyevna Ziencina

Master of Arts in Teaching

Renee Alexandra Trejo

Congratulations, Class of 2023 Best wishes to all graduates!

Dream new dreams, embark on who you are, embrace life with a passion and keep reaching for the stars! Enjoy what is ahead of you and best of luck!

Go Miners!

RECREATIONAL SPORTS DEPARTMENT

Master of Public Administration Yaqoub Aghr Ashkenani Edward Alexis Guzman Leopoldo Hernandez Andrea Santana Karina Soriano

Master of Arts

Adebusola Azeezat Adewale Peyton Elyse Angulo Gloria A. Baca Sunday Ayodeji Balogun Zaida Barron Nicholas Glen Becerra Brandon Rashad Brown Thomas Baker Carlson Michaela Dakota Castor Camiron P. Cathey Daniel Cervantes Jr Sangay Choden Alondra Elizabeth Corral Winston Mcgregor Dimel Kendra Marie Farr Betel Alexis Hernandez Simon Hernandez Jr Julia Holguin Adrian Paul Macias Jesus Cristian Marin Pamela Elena Marquez William Edward Moody Sarah Nicole Najera Martin Noriega Victor Manuel Rangel Victoria Rivas Roberto Saenz Jacqueline Nickole Sierra Jessica Alexandra Stone James O. Tupou Jacobo Villegas Morgan Rose Wagner Cal Robert Wallerstedt Claudia E. Zapata

Master of Defense & Strategic Studies Andres Andy Alarcon Christian Paul Martin Connor Grey Mitchell David Prieto-Inciriaga Jr Gary Alan Spratt

Master of Fine Arts

Ariella Berkowitz Olivia Dorothy Daras Justine Marie Hayes Helen Marguerite Jones Lisha Elizabeth McCurry Anthony Mungin Iliana Carmen Pichardo Urrutia Kristina Michelle Thoman Guillermo Adrian Villasenor-Baca

Master of Music

Elizabeth Ann Gott Edward Allen Howard II Dana O. McCarty Ana Cristina Pedraza Mata

Master of Science

David Alarcon Paloma De Jesus Flores Peter Vincent Ruiz Jacqueline Lizbeth Salinas Eva Viera

College of Science Doctor of Philosophy

Sharmin Akter Guillermo Alvarez Samuel Alexander Castillo Eduardo Jose Castillo Fatule Catherine Elizabeth Cort Igor Leandro Estevao Da Silva

T HE U NIV E R SIT Y OF T E X AS AT E L PASO Jenna Lynn Faith Ahsan Habib Md Easin Hasan Jose Hernandez Javier Hernandez Ortega Kiana Latrice Holbrook Afroz Karim Payam Kelich Jessica Kelsch Colin Daniel Knight Asiel Mena Cassandra Idona Monarrez-Grendahl Alexa Noel Montoya Rachel Faye Phillips Briana Elise Pinales Jazmin Quezada Clarissa Reyes Jeffrey Scott Richards Olga Brittany Soto Anahis Tena Carlos A. Valenzuela Eugene Richard Vaughan Daniel Han Von Salzen

Master of Arts in Teaching

Viridiana Fernandez Abigail Damaris Trejo

Master of Science

Jose Luis Alvarado Jr Claudio Andres Araya Torres Vianey Arvilla Villalobos Tristan Antonio Chavez-Poeschel Cesar Adrian Corral Lindsey Renee Dacey Prince Donkor Luis Antonio Gracia Mazuca Santiago Hoyos Echeverri Samuel Koranteng Michael David Laase Hannia E. Mendoza Daniel Eduardo Moran Laila Noor Eric Olvera Hao Tuan Pham Kristina Lynn Sasser Julie Marie Schlichte Cedric Napoleon Shamley Augustine Twumasi

College of Education Doctor of Education

James Dustin Anderson Hector Giron Francisco Enrique Huizar Gonzalez Mae Elizabeth Read Victoria S. Suttmiller Nancy Torres

Doctor of Philosophy

Roque Anthony Aguon Jr Gonzalo Hugo Favela Camacho Jair Alejandro Munoz Majd Sarah Dina Thomason

Master of Arts

Alfredo Aleman Joshua D. Allen Georgina Dajavie Arellano Karla Ayala Alvidrez Stephanie Lane Bauer Kimberly Elaine Bonoan Mayra Angelica Chavez Lopez Jorge Angel Diaz Angelica Cristina Franquera Juan Ramos Hernandez Madeline Danielle Hernandez Kristal Melina Ibarra Junelle Marie Lewis Gabriela Lopez Elisa Janay Love Soledad Lucero Mia Carisa Moreno Cypress Jezebel Rios

Cynthia Sanchez Jennifer L. Spence Julie Thoma Rebecca M. To Noah Martin Vanderzwan Jennifer L. Wilson Amanda Kim Zornes

Master of Education

Jennifer Diane Tarwater Adelgren Romance Chantal Amavizca Jessica Yvonne Avitia Carmen Elena Barrera Lopez Brandy Blanco-Acosta Eliana Calvillo Diana Caratachea-Alvarado Oscar Rafael Cardona Susana Carrasco Jasmin Cordova Cior Elisse De Jesus Ocasio Jordan Seth Dominguez Ruth Marie Escamilla Sergio Francisco Esparza Laura Victoria Garcia Andrea Cecilia Herrera Aguirre David Patricio Hubp Martin Maria Julieta Ibarra Mayra Susana Ibarra Bernal Melissa M. Juarez Justin Mark Kleist Cybel L. Limiac Bree Michelle Loggins Nicole Lopez Daisy Lissette Lozano Candace Elizabeth Lum Christina Erika MacDonald Laura Rose Maloney Jazmine Jewel Marquez Melody A. Mercado Melissa Anne Miller Josiah Justus Morgan Daniel Murillo Luz Maria Murillo Robin Adams Niland Mariana Paredes Vargas Alan Tyler Peinado Israel Perez Jr Yvette Ramos Joel A. Reyes Ernest E. Rodriguez Maria R. Salas Mayra Cristina Saldana Annabel Adriana Sanchez Adrianna Sepulveda-Rodriguez Perla Ivonne Silva Virginia S. Tapia Liana A. Tavizon Heather Marie Tellez Olga H. Valdez Velez Cosette Soraya Velasquez Kenneth Venzor Bernice Mabi Yamamoto

Master of Rehabilitation Counseling Fernie Gutierrez Corina Madrid Rogelio Orozco Jr Tammy Shanta Sexton

Master of Science

Taylor Shyanne Adams Marceli A. Del Valle Samantha Avery Gomez Estefania Montoya Gonzalez Vanessa Rivero Villanueva Jose D. Silva

WOODY L. HUNT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Accountancy

Angel Arturo Chavez Zhefen Chen Robert Arthur Edwards Daniela Escamilla Yaneth Ariana Gamez Jorge Luis Gonzalez Dayna L. Govea Tavares Green Shelby Rose Hamil Gerardo Hansen Yusell Armando Herrera Rodriguez Antonio Jerman Johnso Benjamin Warren Klandrud Crystal Janette Moreno Koumba Ndiaye Jennifer Leigh Ramirez Jessica Stephanie Ramirez Gonzalez Carlos Eduardo Rojas Carlos Alfonso Salcido Lujan Lluvia N. Todd Brenda Liliana Tovar Felix Gabriela Vasquez Gerardo Vizcaino

Master of Business Administration

Ana Laura Alarcon Gallegos Rolando Alvarez Jonathan Steven Avila Francisco Botello Jr Cynthia Judith Cavalier Melissa Chaidez Sergio Ruben Cuevas Jr. Lizeth De la Riva Rose Ella Victoria De Wouters D’Oplinter Cassandra Diaz Fuentes Melissa N. Dominguez Jessica Duarte Milton Antonio Durazo Jason Michael Fisher Martha Alejandra Frias Yenia Itzel Gallardo Fernando Gonzalez Jacqueline Itzel Goodship Ivan Jaquez Leslie Ann Lujan Maria Marin Becerra Carolina Martinez Griselda Danette Martinez Cecilia Melendez Lannie Lee Mendez-Patton Raul D. Moreno Alejandro Ortiz Daniela Andrea Perez Jacqueline Perez Jose Antonio Prieto Victoria Puebla Adrian E. Ramirez Monica Christina Ramos Luz Renteria Claudia Leticia Renteria-Arras Roland A. Rios Isaac Abraham Rodriguez Lisa Maria Romero Christian A. Rubalcaba Julie Saenz Jason Skelton Connor David Stone Edward John Suttmiller Karla Daniela Valadez Jose F. Valencia Nicole Stephanie Valerio Ismael Villalobos Paola Maxine Villanueva Ana Patricia Zuniga

Master of Science

Viviana Aguirre de la Ree Jorge Lorenzo Coreano Hector Daniel Gutierrez Yadira Del Carmen Ochoa Millan Gbolahan Owoeye Brianna Annette Perez

Claudia Y. Aguilar Bryan Alvarez Elena Armendariz Alejandro Balderrama Miramontes Joshua J. Bock

2023

College of Health Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Emily Ann Chavez Jasmin Renee Jenkins Silvia Salinas Lopez

Master of Occupational Therapy

Fernanda Alferez Jasmin Naomi Armendariz Tasha Nicole Bergstrand Chelsea Concha Grecia C. Diaz Martinez Kiran Victoria Esparza Oscar Faz Miranda Garcia Johanna Hernandez Christina Lucio Crystal Nicole Lujan Shelby Lynn Macias Samantha Maltos Pauline Marie Matthews Megan Thy Nguyen Andrea Nunez Matthew Evan Pallini Marcelo Pena Alexandra Marie Pratt Annabel Prieto Brissa Rojo Alejandra Saenz Julio Cesar Vega Sydney Lynn Wilde Nallely Guadalupe Zapata

Master of Public Health

Master of Science Evelyn Avila Cesar Bravo Justin Roman Calderon David Alfredo Guillen Joel Humberto Jauregui Jade Gabrielle Long Emily Martinez Brian James Rathbun

College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing

Ben J. Alvarado Mirabeau K. Bapi Shamekia DaShaun Blackman Felicia Branch JoAnne Carey Marisela Casas Priscilla Kristina Castellano Jenny Chau Danielle Lynn Cook Erin Delagarza Jacqueline Estrada Eva Lizett Fierro Sharon Hazel Henry Alexandra Hernandez Christina Elizabeth Hernandez Deborah LaDuke John Lucero Lessly Lugo Diane Lujan Dulce M. Luna Hernandez Jacqueline Maese Vanessa Marquez Vanessa Mena Stephanie Mendoza Laura E. Morales Alyssa Renee Moreno Zachary Michael Norred

HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE

Gilbert Gregory Anaya Diego Francisco Bermudez Ayala Li Chen Ifeanyi Humphrey Nwigboji Kamal Nyaupane Britanny Lizeth Stark

Graduate Studies Master of Multidisciplinary Studies Luis Alfredo Guerrero Pablo Jasso Jr

FALL 2023 Undegraduate

WOODY L. HUNT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Arts Economics Talia Kamar

Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting

Hector Adame Zulema Aguirre Angie S. Alarcon Zachary J. Althoff Abigail Amaro-Serrato Ana Iris Aragon Cynthia Perales Arellano Bryan E. Arnold Ivana Arvilla Jamey Lyn Bond Jr Angie Calderon Isabel Campa Brandon Daniel Chavarria Pedro A. Chavarria Reyes Oscar Chavez Maria T. Chavez Gonzalez Jose Vicente Cobos Miriam Lizeth Corona Frayre Rogelio Damian Jr Manuel De La Torre Cinthya Janet Dominguez Samantha Espinoza Ana Karina Flores Diana Margarita Flores Lucas Ruben Flores Sebastian Antonio Flores Aaliyah Nicole Galaviz Gabriel R. Gamez Abraham Garcia Guadalupe Gonzalez Jaqueline Hernandez Virginia Nina Hernandez Karla L. Jimenez Jacqueline Lizdebeth Lebario Joshua Inroh Lee Gustavo Adrian Lopez Jr Kaztenny Madrid Andy Martinez Anthony Joseph Mcdaniel Ruby Medina Casandra Meza

Class of 2023

Best of luck with all of your future endeavors.

Class of 2023

Engineering Science/ Interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy

Mariah Victoria Alvarez Ramirez Stephanie Coronado Sonam Deki Aleli Dominique Fernandez Sierra Rae Galvan Mehjabin Alam Hridi Jorge Raul Puentes

A big congratulations to all of our graduates.

Thank you for living on campus with us.

Tanya C. Otti Carlos Andres Ramirez Dina Rico Zuzim Adhylene Rodriguez Elizabeth Marie Romero Raena Eufemia Schneiderman Doris Catherine Sosa Moises Enrique Tovanche Tanya Marie Trujillo Melissa Vasquez Mayra Sonia Vega

The College of Health Sciences is so proud of your achievements!

Congratulations on your impressive achievement.

We are excited for the great opportunities that are waiting for you and wish you the very best.

Go Miners!

COLLEGE OF NURSING

We can’t wait to see your next steps, and we want you to stay connected to us.

Thank you for helping us to build our future together!

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Class of 2023 Samantha Karina Monzon Savannah L. Moralez Abraham Moreno Leslie Eliza Munoz Andrea Berenice Nunez Crystal Ochoa Armendariz Sofia Elena Olague Diego Olivares Leonardo Olivas Zayra Yaneth Pacheco Nunez Ana L. Palacios Jacqueline Pimentel Andrew A. Pineda Andrea Quinones Hugo Alejandro Quinones Alejandro Ramirez Pamela Andrea Rios Bonilla Mayra C. Rodarte Ericka Rodriguez Nancy Denisse Rodriguez Maria D. Romero Martinez Dariana Ruiz Itzel Abigail Saenz Angela Marlenne Salas Erick Silva Emmanuel Soto Gabriela Soto Emily Ann Sprayberry Howard Tang Jessica Tapia Dominick A. Torres Matthew A. Triana Desiree A. Vargas Karla Paola Vazquez Kuenley Pem Yangdey

Economics

Abel Chavira Leos Andres Roman Contreras Maria Victoria Contreras Rojas Jocelyn Kasandra Espindola Marissa Godinez Jennifer Alessandra Hernandez Wilfred Edwin Langfeldt IV Heriberto F. Lopez Gonzalez Julyssa Janet Sanchez Nathaniel Joseph Seufert Jacqueline Trejo Rachel Yolanda Urrea Alejandro O. Villega

Finance

Sergio Alek Adame Abdullah Alajmi Arely Baca Miguel Axel Borjas Arlette Cabral Pedro E. Cabral Evan Daniel Carlson Antonio Centeno Bernardo Cereceres Jr Kenna Sofia Chavez Alan Andres Corral Zaira Amira Cruz Valerie De La Cruz Daniel De La Reza Sabrina De La Torre Valeria Desiree Delgado Olimpia M. Flores Roberto Flores Mendoza Alec Tito Gachupin Luis Andres Gomez Garcia Jr Cinthya Alejandra Gonzalez Jr Alain Yael Jimenez Nicholas Bailey Johnson Bianca Isabel Magallon Luisa Maria Marmolejo Verenice Marquez Karla Leticia Marrufo Priscilla Yanelli Martinez Heather Mendoza Bryan Morales Ivanna Najera Garcia Erick I. Narvaiz Jocelyn Ortega Ivan Alejandro Ortega Zugasti Amaia Regina Ovalle Gary P. Porras Jacob Presutti Mariana Prieto Caballero

Alejandra Renteria Janeth San Martin Alan Osvaldo Sanchez Edmundo Mauricio Torres Morales Matthew R. Turner Mariana Valenciana Luis Arturo Zamora

Finance/Computer Information Systems Irvinng Elihu Rascon

Finance/Economics

Jose Ignacio Matus Morales II

General Business

Daisy Delgado Austin Jacob Farmer Carrington Jorell Mitchell

Information Systems

Darius Adam Belzer Miguel Angel Bocanegra Brandyn Alexzander Chacon Edgar Armando Chanez Oscar Delgadillo Jr Carlos Diaz De Leon Rycardo E. Flores Noah E. Hernandez Esteban Lopez Jonathan Xavier Lopez Abdeel A. Morales Lopez Marissa Ruvalcaba Jimena Saldana Villegas

International Business

Josue Sebastian Barraza Eric Blanco Alejandro Clarke Laura Ivette Cruz Andrea Angelica Fernandez Mia Aneshka Gomez Legarda Danya Gabriela Gutierrez Kimberlee B. Lopez Camacho Regina Mariela Lujan Arecco Josue Jaasa Melendez Gabriela Munoz Castro Jorge Luis Rodriguez Valeria Urista

Information Systems and Business Analytics Joshua De La Rosa Sierra A. Ramirez

Management

Ismael Alvarez Jr Ashley Alvidrez Nathan Caleb Archer Esteban Armendariz Stephanie Baca Kevin Yahir Barron Rebecca Maria Candelaria Eduardo Chavez Jr Martha R. Chavez John Andrew Cuellar Daniel Andrew Davie Rosa Natalie Duran Amy Sofia Fernandez Evangelina Fregoso Ana Lluvia Garcia Herrera Marco A. Garduno Jr Alejandra Gonzalez Jacqueline Gonzalez Herrera Jaquelin Guerrero Victor Gerardo Gutierrez Jr. Corina Nicole Hernandez Gericka O. Hernandez Patricia M. Hernandez Eric Adrian Ibarra Ivan Hiram Ibarra Edgar Lechuga Kent Harvey Leyva Ana Vanessa Macias

Veronica Mares Gustavo Eduardo Mendoza Paulina Quintanilla Luis Carlos Ramirez Valeria Rios Uziel Rodriguez Miguel Armando Sanchez Alvarado Leonardo Villegas

Robert M. Magdaleno Melissa Jennifer Martinez Nancy Judith Mata Jeanette Morales Jimena Paloma Navarrete Karla Faith Nemecek Alisa Ann Nico Jason Isaac Olmos Valeria Paez Javier Pedraza Jr Jordan Powell Elijah Javier Prieto Quentin X. Randle Jasmine Marie Reyes Karla Reyes Karely Salazar Matthew Salinas Karina Serret Melisa J. Sida Derek Soto Ismael Soto Skyler Stogner Irais Torres Antoine Lee Trice Angelica Valdez Ruben Ricardo Vasquez Jr Sheshashayee Venugopal Jr Michael T. Young

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts Applied Learning and Development

Alexandra Aguilera Stephanie Arellano Jaclyn Renae Arias Natalie J. Benitez Cinthia Ivett Bretado Yolanda Yannel Camacho Carlos Alexis Cardiel Harley R. Castillo Natalia E. Cazares Amber Nichole Corrales Berenice Dominguez Shambron Frescas Alondra Garcia Nathania Sarahi Garcia Daniela Gonzalez Allison Monie Guillen Alyssa N/A Gutierrez Mitchell D. Hafer Maria Fernanda Hernandez Celeste Herrera Hannah S. Herrera Samuel T. Kepple Brianna Licon Denise M. Lord Raymond Alexander Martinez Ashley Michelle Mendez Gabriela Meza Jose Raul Perea Marijose Perez Ortega Beni Pinales Noelle V. Porflit Samantha B. Reyes Astrid Susana Rivera Salazar Laura A. Rocha I Jesus Angel Rodriguez Giselle Rodriguez-Arellanos Vanessa Saldana Marissa Anabelle Sandoval Grecia Santoyo Cynthia A. Solano Samantha M. Soria De’Quan Tillman Yvonne Rosemarie Ulloa Stephanie Nichole Valdiviez Audrey N. Vargas Natalia Wong

Marketing

Stephanie Michele Aguayo Daniel Alderete Andrew Jacob Aragon Karen Ashly Arellano Miguel A. Ayala Alan O. Banuelos Karen Marie Berger Elizabeth Diane Canales Carolina Alexa Cereceres Joshua Alexander Cruz Luis Carlos Cuevas II Sebastian Delgado Ramirez Adriana P. Diaz Aaron J. Edens Ashley Renee Escobar Amanda Carla Franco Jackeline Garcia Castillo Aaron Garcia Ramirez Paola Vianney Garza Limas Hunter Renee Harkrider Nicholas Oscar Herrera David Ryan Lugo Josue Isaac Luna Bryanna Cruz Martinez Jennifer Martinez Ana Laura Mendoza Yamilet Mendoza Branden Alexander Montero Elias Obdalla Arianna B. Olague Victor Ariel Orozco Abigail Padilla Daniel A. Pedregon Sahira Y. Pereda Evelyn Rosario Rito Laila Mabel Robles Edgar Franc Rodriguez Jonathan Rodriguez Marlene Rodriguez Frida Ruiz

Bachelor of Science Education

Marco Antonio Sagarnaga Armendariz

Alejandra Cristina Sanchez Ashley Rose Sigala Nicholas D. Silva Diego Alejandro Soltero Viviana Stevens Alba M. Varela Dayanara Varela Marco Antonio Vargas Cornejo Esteban Vasquez Fernanda Vela

Operations & Supply Chain Management Cijay Cardona Andres David Garcia Ismael Rogelio Garcia Carlo Renato Gonzalez Angel A. Limas Christopher E. Lopez

Nancy E. Andrade Gallardo Britany R. Bailey Alexandra Berumen Mary Ashley Birdwell Sarah Lena Bolanos Andres Camacho Esperanza Cano Hazel Cano Berenice Chan Ximena Chavira Mia Xochitl Cooney Abigail Adriana Cuellar Janay Davila Alani Marie De La Cruz Karla Yvonne De La Rosa Cynthia Denise Dean Jessica Cecil Delgado Natalie Enriquez Rotceh Escobar Luisa P. Estrada Brianna M. Eubank Ruth J. Flores Tiffany Amber Flores Rocio Franco Flores Andrea Garcia Miriam Ana Yvette Garcia

Congratulations,

Graduates!

CHEERS TO THE NEW GRADUATES! WE’RE PROUD OF YOU AND HONORED TO CELEBRATE THIS MAJOR MILESTONE WITH YOU!

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

DEAN OF STUDENTS

You are off to great places.

Picks Up! Go Miner Grads!

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP CENTER

Paola Garcia Rosie L. Garcia Mayra Gonzalez Jacqueline Guereque Stella Teresa Guillen Lisa Marie Harman Raisa Cecilia Hedesa Eliana Hernandez Iris Anabel Hernandez Karen Noemi Hernandez Luisa Karelly Hernandez Valeria Jaramillo Lauren Angela Larrea Angie V. Lazalde Sarah S. Lee Karen Haydee Leyva Ashley Marie Lopez Patricia Marie Madrigal Luis Jay Marquez III Berenice Martinez Delfin Alejandra Melendez-Murillo Leo D. Melon Perla Mena Karina L. Meza Leslie Denise Mojica Mildred Muro Karen Vianey Navarro Marla I. Noriega Naomi Oaxaca Alexis Jo Pena Leslie S. Prieto Dianah Quiroz Cynthia Marie Rangel Gisel Rincon Pineda Bianca E. Rios Alicia Rodriguez Cassandra Rodriguez Gianina Juliette Rodriguez Stephani Romo Azul Abigail Salazar Kelly N. Salazar Eileen Salinas Leslie Vianney Samaro Saul Sanchez Andrea G. Seanez Della Mae Sheets Garcia Kasey Jacquelynn Smith Isabel Solis Lorenzo Rene Soliz Aisela Vanessa Sosa Cristian Strawn-Monarrez Iris Berenice Trujillo Martin Trujillo Jaylin Trujillo-Walker Vivian Varela Rebecca Mayo Witter Derek David Wood Liliana Itzel Zamora Michelle Zamora Sasha Zavala

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering

Luisa Fernanda Arrieta Emmanuel Ismael Avitia Destiny Batson Emmanuel Bernal Rebeca A. Bordier Itzel Borrego Valeria Bustamante Leonardo Calzadillas Arturo Elias Camacho Erick Jaenn Castaneda Marcos U. Ceniceros Daniel Jacob Cervantes Arely Montserrat Escobedo Julio C. Estrada Berenice Flores Carlo Ramon Gonzalez Sergio L. Gonzalez Ismael Hernandez Gurkirat Amarjeet Labana Juan F. Lazcano Adan Lopez Victor Emmanuel Marin Aaron M. Martinez Erika Martinez Maritza Martinez Emily Gabriela Mata

TH E U NI VE R S I T Y O F T E X A S AT E L PASO Joseph P. Meraz Alejandra Montejano Juan Alexis Quinones Carlos M. Rascon Ceasar O. Reza Jr Zachary Angel Rodriguez Valerie Rojas Miranda Ray Salinas Cristian Silva Victor Alejandro Taboada Carlos Valenzuela Nicole Abigail Vasquez Andre E. Velasco Ruben Villegas III Garret L. Zeller

Construction Engineering and Management Vianey Candelaria William F. Currey Mercedes Adriana Estorga Nanette Estrada Giron Josecarlos Portillo Diego Imano Vazquez

Computer Scienc e

Tony Alanis III Gerardo Alaniz Carlos Mario Alcazar Kimberly A. Arenas Jonathan Avalos Ruth Avila Rodriguez Sandra Shasandy Barba Bradley James David Beltran Eduardo Briones Isaac Campos Aaron Ivan Cardiel Darinka Indaya Carrasco-Cardona Carlos G. Cepeda Angel Coronel Cristian Cruz Duarte Alberto Orlando Delgado Jose A. Diaz Michelle Veronica Diaz De Leon Jimenez Clarissa Dominguez Lianna Arely Estrada Denisse Aylyne Fernandez Esai Flores Erick Alan Garcia Johnatan Garcia Julio Cesar Garcia Jr Angel G. Garcia Ledezma Edgar Garnica Zubia Christian Alberto Gomez David Eduardo Gonzalez Daniela Guel Valenzuela Daniel Guevara Jr Manuel Gutierrez Jr Alejandro Hernandez Arturo I. Hernandez Jesus Alberto Hernandez Jr Daniel Omar Holguin Martin Alonso Holguin Alejandro Jaramillo Lizbeth Jurado Cameron Isaac Kennedy Geber Y. Leyva Guillermo Esteban Lopez Maria Jose Loya Derrick Mapula Abner Medrano George Michael Molina Holguin Erlan Monarrez Diego Morales Pantoja Mario A. Ojeda Arturo Emilio Olmos Mauricio Ornelas-Gutierrez Carlos Alberto Ortega Pizarro Jr Miguel Emiliano Ortiz Edmundo I. Pariente Jaehyeon Park Carlos Perea Jonathan A. Perea Christopher E. Porras Efren Quijas Jr Consuelo Guadalupe Ramirez Gustavo Ramirez Jr Samuel Ramirez Sebastian Andres Ramos Bryan Reveles Franz Alberto Reyes Antonio Ivan Rosales Aldo Sanchez Jose Sanchez Jr Jr Tomas Sandoval Jr. Marco Alexandro Sarabia Sebastian Servin Joshua Lucas Shoemaker Ricardo Sida Hector Anthony Simental Roman Gerardo Soto Dylan M. Stallings Raul Tinajero Olivas Leobardo Tovar Diana Paola Valles Martinez Jeffrey L. Vanarsdall Rosendo Vasquez II Alexander Luis Bryant Vega Alan Velasco Sergio Raphael Velasco Seth Antho Velasco Paulina E. Villa Courtney Lashay Woods

Electrical Engineering Alejandro Acosta Jacob Emmanuel Almanza

Jonathan Alonso Daniel Alvarado Sebastian Elias Barraza Angel Castro Joshua Kiyoshi Chanez Jennifer Ann Chavez Gustavo Alonzo Cuellar Mario A. De La Cruz Nicholas Edward Duran Alejandra Espinal Jose R. Favela Diaz Jesus M. Fernandez Ricardo L. Flores Flores Christopher Aldo Frayre Octavio Galindo Jennifer Garcia Jesus Gomez Vicente Gomez Jose Andres Gonzalez Juan Uriel Gonzalez Jose Maria Granados Phillip Albert Grant Jr Donald Edwin Hodgson III Agustin Juarez Aldrete Guillermo Lam Daniel Leon Christian Liming Alejandro Lopez David Martinez Jr Christopher Anthony Mendoza Joel Rodrigo Meraz Jorge Minjares Alberto Moreno Jr Mark Anthony Ortiz John P. Perez Leo Romero Catorce Juan Jose Silva Isabel Soto Kevin Soto Matthew Tiberius Tomlinson Jesus A. Valadez Aragon Alejandro Vera

Engineering Innovation and Leadership Elijah Judd Riefenberg

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Abraham Acosta Ixchel Alvarado Silvia Maria Alvelais Esteban Cruz Salcido Marcos Y. Esquivel Aaron Estrada James G. Gehan Joan J. Kimaiyo Alejandra Martinez Fernandez Javier Ochoa Gabriel Alejandro Pacheco Samer Qasem Leonardo Robles Leslie Rodriguez Tania Paola Sanchez Chavez Eric Saucedo Omar Alejandro Vargas

Mechanical Engineering

Luis Enrique Alvarado Mendoza Alfredo Nathan Armenta Diego A. Arroyo Luis A. Barrera Ever Alfredo Benitez Tarin Angel Fernando Bravo David Izaiah Burciaga Victor Manuel Calderon Moriel Francisco Javier Castellanos Lira Lara Alexandria Nicole Chavez Michael Chavez Viriany Cobos Christian N. Contreras Eduardo Contreras Jr Rafael Contreras Ryan Arturo Cruz Andrea De Leon Francisco J. Del Val Mora Sebastian Delgadillo

Angel Ulises Delgado James Gabriel Diaz Jr Juan Manule Enriquez Jr Pamela Escalante Marco Esteban Escobedo Jorge L. Fernandez Jr Ivan Alexis Flores Jose-Arturo Flores Kevin Israel Flores Oscar Flores Jr Alejandro Fonseca William Joaquin Galvan Galindo Arturo Adrian Garcia Brittany L. Garcia Javier Armando Garcia Estrada Isaiah Matthew Garcia-Romaine Edgar Gonzalez II Iram David Hernandez Michael Hernandez Sarah Nicole Hernandez Michael Natheniel Kraft Fernando Landeros Jesus Leon Jimenez Jr Aiden James Long Andres Rene Lopez Jose Bryan Lopez Josue C. Lopez Jr Cesar Alfredo Lopez Carmona Alejandro Lozano Eliana Nichole Lozano Cristian Isaiah Martinez Santiago Martinez Luis Alejandro Martinez Rodriguez Stephanie Caroline McCann Joseph William McKee Andrew Rafael Mendoza Miguel Gerardo Mireles Edgar A. Montes Hector Morales Jose A. Muela Dora Marlen Munoz Onesimo Nevarez David Darren Ortiz Gilberto Alejandro Penunuri Jose Adrian Pompa Yael Prochovnik Adrian Quinones Ashley Janell Rios Jonathan Rivera Carlos A. Rodriguez Kiara Eugenia Rodriguez Zazueta Maximilian Manuel Rothblatt Dolores Orcibeana Salas Esteban Sanchez Stephen F. Sarabia Eva Maria Schiaffino Bustamante Andrea Sofia Soto Pina Luis Eduardo Tarango Ricardo J. Torres Neyda Tovar Zakareya Z. Villanueva

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Jacob Esquivel Angelica M. Garcia Danielle Nicole Garcia Alexandra Danielle Hernandez De La Cruz Noel Andres Iturriaga Marian Landeros Sophia Angel Lechuga Natalia Leon Lauren A. Martell Michelle Nicole Martin Javier Martinez Andres Mendoza Jr Jessica Munoz Paula Isabela Nieto Hector Armando Paz Giovanna Alexis Poblano Jasmine Jade Quintana Elias Raul Rivas Kassandra Rivas Jordyn N. Rodriguez Alyssa Romero Natalia Marie Rosado Bermudez Cynthia Salas Breanna Salcido Alejandro Reymundo Sanchez Alfredo Verduzco Jr. Shadee Zarei Chashtry

Public Health

Andrea Belem Ortiz Hernandez

Yadira Beltran Sarahi Cardoza Danielle A. Chaparro Jackeline Flores Moreno Elisa I. Garcia Diego E. Hernandez Ana C. Jasso Destiny J. Lerma Karina Gabrielle Pedroza Maria J. Placencia Karla Salazar Sarely Santa Cruz - Salais Simone Montserrat Valdez

Edgar Omar Alvarez Robles

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE Bachelor of Science Health Promotion David Andrade Ayline Dominguez Sophia Lorena Duron Alyssa R. Rios Jacob Andrew Whitt

Kinesiology

Jacqueline Castro Bonifacio Julio Contreras Rangel Christopher R. Cordero Cesar Alberto Corona Abigail Correa Victoria Nicole Cruz Jaylen Anthony Davis Jaime De La Rosa Jr Richard Allen Diaz Miguel Angel Diaz Harbich Jr. Jeremy Flores Jimena I. Flores Zachary Wayne Fryar Arturo Galache Jr. Anahi Garcia Jorge A. Garcia Kimberly Garcia Bryanna Gonzalez Dante Granados Claudia Guillen Mya Hernandez Yazmin Vianney Herrera Deyli Fabiola Huerta-Ontiveros Julio Jauregui Jr Jessica Janeen Landeros Adriel Jesus Lezama Isaias R. Licon Taya Lynn Lopez Natalia Dawn Lowe Ashley Lozano Luis R. Macias Jackie C. Martin Diego M. Martinez Justin Andrew Mayers Krysalyn Hope Murray Mylan Vo Nguyen Connie Naydean Olivas Samuel Ortega Jr Nia Moniq Padron Isaiah Antonio Page Joseph Endre Palma Dorian A. Pedregon Javier Armando Ramirez Alexander Javier Rocha Victoria Maria Rocha Aixa Samantha Rojas-Bustamante Adriana Renee Rosales Kimberly Salazar Victoria Salcedo Jacob Antho Saldivar Angel Isaac Santos Yeira Santos Jacob Rene Telles Luisa Fernanda Torres Nicholas Martin Vasquez Braulio Vazquez Alexies Rafael Vega Anthony Paul Velez Devon Danielle Yanez Julia Yescas

Rehabilitation Sciences

Hassan Ibrahim Abu-Raddaha Leslye Valerie Alvidrez Arianna Aragon Samantha Arellano Liliana Aurora Arras Alexia Dominique Bario Ana Cristina Blanco Almeida Alexis Joanne Blasquez Valerie Cabrera Gabriel Carmona Destiny Castaneda

Casey A. Arellano Ashley Patricia Armenta Jesus Avila Jr Sebastian Blancas Alexis Belen Bordonada Vanessa Cabello Joshlyn Alissa Cardona Leonel Caro Gallegos Ailyn C. Castaneda Kayla Clift Brandie Lee Cruz Tristan Michael Davila Elizabeth Ashley Diaz Pamela Escobar

Social Work

Ashley Renee Sanchez

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Bachelor of Arts Art

Erik Cesar Alarcon Carolina Armendariz Moreno Jessica Ceballos Andrea M. Figueroa Marlia J. Galindo-Martine Christian Joseph Garcia Rafael Hernandez Jr Brittany A. Madrigal Kimberly Rodriguez Rachael Salais Ojeda Vanessa Sanchez Morales Sofia Alysse Sifuentes Elaine Valdez Daniela Villescas-Zarate

Art/Biological Sciences Dania Ivette De La Hoya

Art/Media Advertising/ Communication Art History

Hannah Rayne Coats Fatima Flores Abigail Lopez

Chicano Studies

Adrian Acuna John Anthony Cadena Carlos Samuel Chavez

Communication Studies Eileen Tanairy Espino Esmeralda Gandara Benjamin Grajeda III Aaron Ryan Hernandez Jacquilyn Renee Orozco Ramon Andres Rosales III David Serna Jr Dedrick Davaughn Simpson Sofia Terrazas Jayda M. Zamora

Communication Studies/ Political Science Joseline Anahi Avila

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

We celebrate your incredible achievements and determination.

Never stop pursuing your dreams.

Go beyond!

¡Felicidades, Generación 2023!

Celebramos tus increíbles logros y determinación.

Logra tus sueños.

¡Ve más allá!

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Creative Writing

Felix R. Avila Norma Angelica Carnera Paulina Castaneda Alicia Hernandez Charlyne Marijo Hill Maria L. Martinez Valeria Medina Anastasia M. Ortiz Anthony Christian Quezada Ashley Yadira Rivera Reilly Catherine Robins

Creative Writing/ Criminal Justice Flor Marina Mercado

Criminal Justice

Fabiola I. Aceves Jacob Elijah Aguirre Eunice Jacqueline Aguirre Prisila Alcantar Gabriel Alderete Jr

Gabriel Alderete Jr Angela Prisc Alonso Daniel Alvarado Klemens Amezcua Jesus E. Anguiano Jr Angelina Archivald Erika Avila Natalie L. Baca Jennifer Aillen Baker Brendan Barrett Selena Baylon Ana C. Benitez Helen Adelina Bonds Edson Luishino Bravo Paola Caballero Brandon Cabral Elizabeth Cabrales Marcos Calvillo Iveth Adriana Carbajal Jorge Roberto Carreon Erika Nayeli Carrillo Kenna Marie Carrillo Antonio Castro Sasha Ivonne Chavez Vanely Anahy Chavira Hernandez Ryan Edmund Collingwood Myrna Contreras Pablo Correa Ladarius S. Cuyler Victor De La Torre Nayeli Duran Sergio Enriquez Kayla D. Ernewayn Martin Espino Jr Juan Manuel Favela Jr Jasiel Flores Jacqueline Flores Jeimy Galan Abigail Galaviz Briana Gallardo Pablo Antonio Gallegos Hugo Galvan Vanessa Garcia Victoria Alicia Garcia Ashley Lorraine Garcia Maegan Rayne Gardea Dyana Garza Derek Lee Gonzales Martz Jocelyn Gonzalez Samuel Donald Gregory Michelle Guerra Fernandez Leilani Guadalupe Guerrero Joseph Thoma Gunder Lluvia Dinora Gutierrez Leonardo Favio Guzman Ailev Guadalupe Hernandez Monica Hernandez Unique Marie Holmes Luz Adriana Ibarra Karla Cristina Koch Arely Lara Marcela Maria Lara Michael Angel Lopez Amy Carina Loya Miguel Ali Lucho Miranda Lyndsey Luna Bryan Adrian Macias Aysia K. Magallanez Theresa Ann Marquez Alejandro Xavier Martinez Jr. Christian Joel Martinez Stephanie Martinez Anthony Isacc Melendez Jasmine Mendoza Stephanie Mercado Daniela Meza Gabriela Aylin Molina Julio Cesar Molinar Jessica Fern Monreal Melanie Crystal Montes Carolina Morales Christopher B. Nunez Brandon Ortiz Lesly Denisse Pantoja Jaehun Nick Park Hector Perez Reyna Sarai Perez Trinity Perez Aylin A. Pina Raul Pinon III Joanna K. Portillo Carolina Quezada-Castro Selena Ramirez Cristina Ramos Michelle Vanessa Ramos Juan Reyes Ruiz Graciela Reyna Cindy Jahzeel Rivera Stephanie Rochel Samantha Rodarte Adriana Rodriguez Pedro Rodriguez Jr Rebecca Rochelle Rodriguez Richard Jason Rodriguez Edmundo Romero III Nadia Valentina Saenz Christopher Michael Sanchez Laila Sanchez Stephanie S. Seale Sarai Amparo Segovia Sydney Celeste Shandy Sara Yesenia Soto Moreno Steven Trevino Luis A. Uruchurtu Jr Alberto Urueta Iris Cassandra Valencia Daniela Alejandra Valero Dasani Jazzabella Valles Vanessa Vasquez Gilberto R. Venegas Kayla Anahi Villaneda Maria Zapata

Ally Zepeda

Criminal Justice/ Psychology

Noemi Fernandez Miguel Angel Hernandez

Dance

Alyssa R. Aranda Leslie S. Arias Albeldano

Digital Media Production

Joash Allen Alanis Dominique Aneshka Barraza Mancina Anthony Manuel Barrera Ana Jaqueline Calderas Eugenio Cantu Esmirna Y. De La Cruz Diego Salvador Dominguez Daniel Arturo Enriquez Kevin Lee Felix Monica A. Garcia Lopez Michael A. Grijalva Danielle Gutierrez Maria Fernanda Holguin Davila Leandra D. Lagos Jack Truman Lambrick Vianey Lopez-Martinez Mara Marquez Alfredo Moreno Jr Laura Annell Prieto Adrian Rafael Ramirez Ricardo Rodriguez Joseph Anthony Rojero Salvador Romero Torres Alejandro A. Rubio Ana Laura Sanchez Carrillo Jose Andres Vega Lemus Mariana Velasco Aaron J. Zubiate

English

Alva Marinna Alvarado Santiago Barron Madison Paige Carney Genevieve Skylar Centeno Virginia M. Donacio Jarid Raymond Holland Joanne I. Luna Amy Isabe Mena Haleigh Esra Montoya Persephone Lluvia Ventura

English & American Literature

Robyn Melody Alba Julian Michael Cervantes Ashley Estrada Alejandra Flores Grisel Anel Harrison Isaias James Partida Katherine Nicole Villanueva

English & American Literature/Philosophy Miguel Angel Garcia Jr.

History

Francisco Jose Aguilar Gonzalez William W. Belcher Marysol A. Benton Thomas Joseph Brannigan Gabriel Javier Cabral Valerie Vanessa Coudret Victor A. Espinoza Bryan Conan Garcia Andres A. Gonzalez Enoc E. Iglesias Jr Alec Quentin Jamison Samuel Maciel Beltran Jr Cesar Sebastian Maese-Arroyo Adrian Victor Mijares Julianna S. Montero Elizabeth Miranda Olivas Timothy Daniel Ontiveros Vanessa Marie Ramirez Alexandra Moon Roddy Nicholas David Sanchez Marcus J. Soto Miranda I. Soto Tatianna Alex Sulak Jennipher Yanez

History/Art History Ian James McCluskey

History/ Political Science Kyle Anthony Jacquez

Linguistics

Jordan A. Adams Isaac Colin Katherine Lariz-De La Rosa Kariina Quetz Garcia Andrea Zubiate Tirado

Class of 2023 Media Advertising/ Communication

Pablo Andre Bojorjes Palacios America Breceda Luis Roberto Cardenas Sonia Annette Cardoso-Miranda Claudia Ivette Carrillo Daniela Cisneros Stephanie Delgado Jacqueline Delgado Victoria Idaly Duran Obinna Isaiah Duru Annette Paola Escarcega Gabriel Andre Esparza Michelle Hernandez Zendejas Brianna Alyssa Juarez Shyann Lynn McCord Abraham Pichardo Dulze Danyellah Ruiz Brianna A. Salazar Gabriela Maria Samaniego Tatiana M. Scharstein Echo Lyris Valenzuela

Media Advertising/ Communication/Art Rebeca Alvidrez Garcia

Multimedia Journalism

Sergio Alejandro Bustamante Daniel Alec Lopez Ruben I. Martinez Cameron C. Moreno Elisha Gabriel Nunez Laura Arlette Rosales Stephanie Serrano Brianne Janelle Williams

Organizational & Corporate Communication

Denise Rhiannon Castro Imperio Castro Savannah Dixon Emily Guadalupe Gomez Alex Herrera Jonathan Ismael Hinojos Jose Luis Longoria Jennifer Audrey Lopez David Alejandro Luna Jennifer Mellado Jessica Alejandra Villanueva

Organizational & Corporate Communication/Art History Ean Keith Puhlman

Philosophy

Alfredo Gomez Nicholas Nillo

Political Science

Valeria Andrea Aragon Hugo Arturo Arreola II Angela A. Bassett Ivette G. Caballero Gabriel Alberto Carreon Ana L. Cordova Rene Diaz Alek Duran Roberto Samuel Espinoza Jr Michael Andrew Gutierrez Edwing Hernandez Carolina Ibarra Drake A. Jacquez-Rivas Edgar Rangel Ian Reynoso Sahara Fernanda Rodriguez Victoria Saenz-Bailon Brandy Abigail Soto Alexis M. Suchil Ismael Valdivia Jr

Clara Isabe Arguelles Briana Nicole Armendariz Daisy Melissa Arroyo Marlene G. Arteaga Nayeli Avila Giuliana Baca Angelina Crist Baltazar Dominique Camar Benitez Jennifer A. Betancourt Alexa V. Blanco Isabela Blanco Almeida Desiree Nicole Boykin Jasmine Rebec Briseno Luis Sebastian Bueno Maria Antonieta Bustamante Maria E. Calderon Melannie Camarena Jose Carlos Campos Megan Rene Carrasco Ariel V. Casas Camila Alejandra Chavez Lluvia Aylin Cuellar Vianney De La Cruz Genesis Debruhl Marissa J. Del Toro Marguerite I. Delgado Vianey Delgado Diana Dominguez Hannah R. Dominguez Alexia Zahori Duarte Adrian Michael Esparza Aileen Janette Espinoza Shai’Enne Danielle Franks Daniel Alejandro Gallardo Eduardo Garcia Naomi Garcia Alexa C. Gonzalez Stephanie Gonzalez Ashley Gracia Trevor J. Granados Ileen Fernanda Gurrola-Meza Chante Gracelyn Hall Gabriella Marie Hengel Michelle Margarita Hernandez Monika Hurtado Leslie Leanne Johnson Maria Isabel Lopez Karla V. Lozano Desirae Lujan Sophia Isabella Luna Joshua James Lunn Jesus Jose Marquez Garcia Alexa M. Martinez Merly I. Martinez Fernando Ruben Medina Jr Michelle Mena Melissa Molinar Paloma Monst Moreno-Rangel Nayely S. Moya Karen M. Olvera Sapphire Abigail Ortega Brianna Marvella Ostos Dahlia Antonia Perez Savannah V. Perez Andrea Liliana Pinedo Aurelio Adrian Quiroz Crystal Ramirez Flor Ramsey Jorge Alberto Rascon Maria P. Reyes Daniel Rocha Paula Rodriguez Yailin Rodriguez Evan Jacob Romero Susana Valeria Romero Saul Rosales Tianna Contessa Salas-Parks Katherine Lorraine Salazar Kimberly Leann Salazar Frida Salazar-Sanchez Daniela Salgado Edainh Salinas Yadira Sanchez Jesus Ruben Talancon Moreno Elisa Arizbeth Torres Felicia Torres Jake M. Urenda Dalia V. Valdez Destiny Renee Valdez Carlos Valle Marco Alejandro Vazquez Contreras Jennifer S. Young Paola Alexa Zuniga

Psychology/ Chicano Studies Julian C. Quintana

Psychology/ Criminal Justice

Jacey-Lynn Kathl Benson

Psychology/Philosophy Arely Sofia Macias-Licon

Security Studies

Stephanie Cervantes Christine Nicole Diaz Paola Gonzalez Gabriel M. Gutierrez Misty Parsley Juan C. Salgado Jr Idaly Sanchez Molina Stephen R. Torres

Sociology

Athena Zelphoe Ada Jennifer Cabral Valerie J. Foret Talia Kamar Marlene Gisell Salazar

Spanish

Nayeli Diaz Paola A. Marquez

Theatre Arts

Calah M. De La Torre Miguel Angel Escontrias Justin Samuel Hogue Sarah McDaniel

Women’s and Gender Studies Beatrice Alexis A. Holbert

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science Applied Arts and Sciences Joann Candace Guerra

Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Saul Martinez

Studio Art

Julia Raven Bencomo Skylar Jackson Boone Katrina Estrada Diana Gutierrez Leslie Danette Lira Christopher D. Melero Michael Joshua Olivas Bryan Ponce Alejandro Saldierna Jr Evelyn Maday Salido Joel Conda Tomlinson

Theatre

Chloe Christine Curtis Carolina Flores Parada Juliette Nicol Mancha Daniela Mendoza Lucero Mendoza Victer M. Mendoza Gabriela Montserrat Reyes Huizar Fernando Elias Gallegos Romero III

Political Science/ Chicano Studies

Manuel Ivan Victor Guzman

Political Science/ Psychology Tiffiny Drew Stevens

Psychology

Katie Abasta Taylor M. Aguilar Atziry Fernanda Aguilera Arlette Faith Aguirre Daniel Aguirre Bianca I. Aldaz Alekzandria Alegre Adrian Allande Kazzandra Noreen Alvarez Nancy T. Amador Alvarado Angel Luis Amaro Amber Cecilia Andrade Mindy Diane Aparicio Justin Aragon

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2023!

YOUR HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE HAVE PAID OFF. NOW, IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE. GO MINERS! -PRESIDENT HEATHER WILSON

Class of 2023 Theatre Arts Daniela Chavez Garcia Diego Rodarte Darenka Gissel Zamora

Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies Multidisciplinary Studies

Mariaanay Acosta Ruben Emmanuel Alvarado Vanessa Alvarado Yolanda Alvarado Dimas Brenda R. Ameen Jasmine K. Anderson Anna Alexandrina Arreola Jose Avila Christopher Mark Barnwell TeErika Elizabeth Blackmon Lesslie Issel Campos Mckenzie Kalyandra Cantu Alfredo Cardenas III Andrea Celis Danae Chavez Jacqueline Chavez Jessica Corral Karon Adarie Dean Clarissa Danielle Del Toro Nayeli Dominguez Victoria Arlene Duran Christina Estupinan Stephanie Louise Fematt Antonio Rene Galindo Israel Garcia Mateo G. Gomez Elisa Gonzalez Nicole Gonzalez Deion Tyrel Hankins Kobe Tyler Hylton Luna Priscilla Juarez Khaleb Miguel King Marshal Zane Loo Valerie Anne Loredo Sedrick Aren Luke Alyssa Madrigal Alejandra Maldonado Alessandra Anneli Martinez Melissa A. Martinez Daniela Morales Karla Adriana Moreno Souraya Mrad Ramon Martinez Munoz III Adrie Anne Ochoa Emaly C. Ortiz Jonathan Cristopher Patrick Jr Michelle A. Pena Otis Ray Pitts III Analisa Quinonez Lauren Zaidle Reams Fernando Reyes Jacqueline Rodriguez Oscar Ruiz Michelle Sifuentes Justice Celyn Tillotson Daniel E. Torres Erica Torres Eian B. Valdez Selene Patricia Villa Ruben A. Villarreal Alejandra Zamudio Jessica Zapata

Bachelor of Music Commercial Music

Manuel Eduardo Contreras Abeni Janae Merriweather Aaron Morales John Paul Michael Porras Jonathan Omar Reyes Stevan Andres Sifuentes

Music

David Ramon Alvarado Violeta Isabel Arredondo Esparza Joseph Richard Barrios Valeria Haydee Castaneda Sara Victoria Hernandez Isabel Padilla Christian Armando Parra Pedro M. Parra

Bachelor of Science Psychology

Andres Arellanes Vicky Arellanes Kahla Alexandra Balderas Alissa M. Batista Giselle Karla Brito Staci Calderon Luz Pamela Cano Sienna Monet Capellas Dina Samir Elbo Valerie Fierro Lluvia Garcia Danya Ivonne Gomez Renteria Ariel Araceli Guillen Jesus Carlo Huereca Juan Lopez Pamela Luna

Alan Jared Madero David Melendez Diego Mercado Cynthia Morales Elias Olvera Jessica Ortiz Bridney Brigette Reymundo Samantha Lynn Saucedo Ericka A. Torres

COLLEGE OF NURSING Bachelor of Science in Nursing Nursing

Daniela Andrea Abbud Chavez Jessica Nikki Acosta Keila A. Aguirre Valeria S. Alvarado Ivette Alvarado-Beccera Ruby Amaya Felipe Arellano Marleen Avila Valerie K. Avila Judy Laurente Balisalisa Alexis Briana Baltier Thalia Manuela Barboza Ruben Dale Basurto Miriam Betance Crystal Abigail Borroel Alan Bountham Kerissa Aaliyah Bremner Crystal Joy Brown Adriana Jasmi Bujanda Jacqueline I. Camacho Natalie J. Candelas Maria F. Cano Esmeralda Carlos Abigail Marie Castillo Andrea Karina Castrejon Anelice Castro Brianna Chapa Sonam Choki Evelyn Daniela Cohen Stephanie Corral Fernanda Paola Cortez Prenda Irene Cox Daymon L. Coyazo Stephanie Cuanda Marisol Cuellar Jr Shanay Monique Dean Juan Luis Delgadillo Olivia Thiele DeTurk Daniela Del C Dominguez Itzy N. Dorado Lorena Andrea Dragon Kaela M. Dungan Emily Echeverria Lydia Ogochukwu Egwuiyi Brina E. Elkabchi Raquel Escalera-Alvarez Wendy Joanna Espino Kianna Jazel Estrada Claudia Veronica Ferman Ruby Selene Fernandez Ashley Nichole Fierro Daniela Flores Angel Hillary Danielle Gallardo Samantha Danielle Gamez Alicia Garcia Eric Garcia Krystal Gardea Anthony Alber Gonzalez Bianca A. Gonzalez Damares Gonzalez Sydney Andrea Gonzalez Vanessa Abigail Gonzalez Cristina Gonzalez Jaime Efrain Gonzalez Mendoza Maryssa Nicol Guillen Cristina M. Guillen Zachary Elan Gurrola Alyssa Nicole Hall Alizah Lashae Holt Abigail Elizabeth Howell Hyesoo Jang Nakeesha Trameese Johnson-Williams Lizbeth Juarez Griselda Jurado Christine C. Kemboi Rebekah A. Kotter Monica Labrado-Pedroza Annaiz Lara Amri N. Leyva Paola Y. Leyva Isabel B. Lopez Rebecca C. Lopez Galie Andrea Lujan Bryan Alexi Marceleno Giselle S. Marquez Jennifer Michelle Martinez Barron Mariana Meza Armenta Luis C. Miramontes Miguel A. Miranda Gabriela Monarrez Sarah Montez Maryann Morgan Celeste G. Munoz Melanie Munoz Ellyne Elizabeth Nava Desiree Yvette Ng Nadine Ohara Kimberley Ojeda Tolulope Oluwaseun Olatunji Jare Owens Bella Giselle Padron

Alicia Pappas Ratliff Andrea Sofia Perez Hannah I. Perez Liana Marie Perez Sophia Perez Rodrigo Porras Diaz Rebecca J. Portillo Luz Elena Quintana Hayel Antar Rafidi Marylin Roxanne Ramirez Nadia Ramirez Maria Teresa Ramirez Melady Melissa Ramos Alexis Resendiz Amber Elizabeth Rivera Jocelin Rivera Diego Alejandro Rivera Valles Melissa N. Rosas Jessica Monique Rubalcaba Bianey A. Sanchez Jonathan Saucedo Nicolle Ann Espillardo Stout Daniela Tavarez Ernesto Alonso Tellez Stephani K. Torres Jordan Eric Turner Andrea Ureno Maria Elena Valle Gamaliel Valles Annabella Evangeline Vargas Renee Marie Vargas Graciela Vera Zion A. Watford Lauren Haley West Ockhyun Yu Laura Yzette Zapata Maria Fernanda Zarandona Katelyn J. Zaro

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Bachelor of Arts Biological Sciences Natalie M. Andrade Britney Aylin Arostegui Ashley Nicole Cisneros Myrna Sofia Higuera

Bachelor of Science Biochemistry

Wendy Paola Alvarez Leal Hazel Arroyo Rivera Hector Borunda Emanuel Marquez Nawaf Muhsin Muhsin

Biological Sciences

Christian Acosta Raquel Alexis Acosta Dayanara Aguirre Haidar Shehab Ahmed Eileen Aispuro Jazmin S. Amador Andrea Leen Amato Violeta Belen Amaya Lizette Michelle Andrade Lorena Andrade Alejandro Araiza Sabrina Yvonne Arroyos Ashraf Jamal Azzam Aldo Banuelos Claudia Banuelos Madison Barraza Damaris Calderon Rebecca Campa Jose Angel Castillo III Matthew Sal Chacon Kaylee M. Collier Andre Sebastian Corral Alan Alexander Cortez Oziel De La Cerda Jr Benjamin Alejandro Diaz Amanda Janelle Dorado Daisy Eunice Dosal Bustillos Kevin Elizondo Sebastian L. Estorga Vianney Yaritssa Estrada Stephanie Michelle Fanning Miranda Celine Galindo Melissa M. Garcia Annalise Victoria Gonzales Giancarlo Gonzalez Noah Alexi Gonzalez David Ismael Gonzalez-Chavez Axel Fernando Granados Kasaun Dajour Gregory Monica Naideen Guerrero Sieera Een Guillen Jaime David Gutierrez Portillo Elisabeth Guzman Diamond Lee Heredia Mariana A. Hernandez Bianca Janet Hernandez Carbajal Samuel Herren Gretel Melis Hijar Marlen Holguin Yurem Alonso Lazos Vicky Le Astrid Lopez Emily Lopez Fernando Lopez Jasmine V. Lopez Jazmin Lisse Lopez Dalia I. Luna

Sherlyn Maldonado Luisa Fernanda Marta Brianna L. Martinez Natalia Martinez Mara Nicole Medina Leila Marie Melendez Itzel Mendez Sophia Celes Montes Esmeralda Morales Gaytan Alanis Francely Moreno Alyssa L. Muniz Iveth Munoz Destiny Maylani Nelson Frida Khalid Nieto Ontiveros Jacquelyn Olivares Rosario Paloma Olmos Blanca Paris Ortega Tiffany Elain Ortiz Daniel David Paez Corona Kobie Isaiah Payan Victor Pena Michelle Pineda Andrea Ponce Nadia Isela Ponce Carlos Damian Preciado Angelo M. Rivadeneira Adrian Josue Rivera Jannese Rodriguez Veronica Rodriguez Valeria Rodriguez Guardado Sofia Ronquillo Munoz Alysa Saenz Pablo Saenz Rosa Aileen Saenz Garcia Meril Michael Saied Hazel Salais Stephanie Michelle Salas Rhandall I. Salazar Jacqueline Salazar- Ramirez Armando Sanchez Andrea Sarinana Alexis P. Sierra Domenika Andrea Soltero Paola Taboada Melissa Tiongson Eduardo Torres-Martinez Samuel John Trout Isabel Uribe Litzy Darlene Valdez Bryan Ethan Vela Alexis V. Velasquez Samantha Reine Veloz Fernando Venegas Jr Giselle T. Vidalez Valeria Villanueva

Biomedical Sciences

Yashaira Stephanie Alvarado Maria Isabel Cerna Soriano Miguel Angel Cortez Sosa

Cellular & Molecular Biochemistry

Sophia Adame Jessica Aguirre Adrian Fernando Sosa Ontiveros Paulina Vara

Chemistry

Andrew Ahumada Czarena Faye Bush Kevin A. Holguin Alan Murguia Sandra Nefthali Villalobos

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Arianna Marie Anchondo Julian Anguiano Herman Marre Duncan III Jordyn Renee Farina Miranda America Fuentes Faye Louise Humphrey-Griffith Alliyah M. Marquez Michael Alexander Matthews Evan A. Montoya Daniel Morales Cruz Ollie Nunez Laura V. Ochoa Keyan Ezekiel Ozuna Ricardo Ramirez Jr Adan Enrique Saenz Michelle M. Saenz Gavin Braiden Welsh

Forensic Science

Cassandra Almanza Raymundo Anguiano Nyesha Nicole Bento Sarah Chriselda Castro Aylen Paulina Elizalde Cortez Abigail Enriquez Gabriella Arell Garcia Azul M. Gomez Jacqueline A. Guevara Desiree Samantha Hernandez Aliyannah C. Letson Xoria O. Prince Jovana Natalia Puente Kayla Marie Rios Julian G. Rodriguez Priscilla N. Rosales Pablo Solis Myriam Torres Sofia Vargas Marin

Geological Sciences Shelsy D. Avila Leslie Valeria Moreno

Geophysics

Jose Josue Cabral

Mathematics

Janeth Arredondo Valerie D. Baray Josue D. Breceda Brisa M. Castor Rogelio Garcia Jr Samantha Nell Hernandez Dorothy F. Perez Lauren Elisa Rodriguez Victoria Rodriguez Iran A. Romero April Nicole Saenz Marycarmen Vazquez

Microbiology

Luis Acevedo Caballero Viviana Peralta Arreola Louie Angel Baca III Trinity Skyla Bustillos Michael A. Crawford Stephanie Flores Abril Gomez Heidi Marie Gutka Aime D. Martinez Alexandria Daniela Ortiz Mayra Alejandra Romero Clarissa Lisette Ruiz Aylin Lorely Sanchez Guillen Keisha Lise Sepulveda Rivera

Neuroscience

Dina B. Abed Yamile Andrea Aguayo Solis Faisal Mohammad Ali M Alzurifi

Ximena Alessandra Carreon-Morales

Daniella Deleon Evelyn Marie Escobedo Abigail Garcia Evelin Rocio Gutierrez Hernandez Marlo Holguin Lil Zahi Martinez Jaquwan M. Moore Paulina Morales Gabriela Milan Naime Erik Rayo Leslie Lee Sullivan Stephanie Nicole Viel

Physics

Hermilo Barrera Alan Cangas Monica Marie Herrera Sigi Alfredo Lopez Macias

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology/Mathematics Bryan Alexander Yu

Environmental Science Ana Daniela Bencomo Daniel Gil Cantu Anna Romina Cervantes Evelyn Noelle Elkington Jennifer Herrera Diana Isabel Marquez John James Rinker

T HE UNI VE R SITY OF TE XAS AT E L PAS O

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023 · PAGE 19

Arts & Culture

Meagan Garcia, editor

Radiant and representative:

Graduation fits

for student’s special day

BY ELISHA NUÑEZ The Prospector

As UTEP’s graduation ceremony approaches, seniors are getting their outfits ready for the big day. From formal to reflective, graduating students choose outfits with different meanings.

Whether it comes to the outfit design or how it stands for a person’s personality, the importance of graduation outfits varies from graduate to graduate.

One of those upcoming graduates is Mariah Alvarez Ramirez, who is studying public health at UTEP. With graduation approaching in December, Ramirez says she is tying her outfit into the holiday theme by wearing a red lace dress. In addition to the dress, Ramirez plans to wear a charm bracelet that features her grandparents and other family members on it, all of whom have been a part of her journey to graduation.

“I was a little excited that graduation is going to be in December, so to kind of follow the holiday theme. I’m planning on wearing a red lace dress,” Ramirez said. “I have a family bracelet and I have charms for my grandparents and basically, it just signifies family.”

With her outfit ready, Ramirez is prepared to take the stage in this year’s fall commencement ceremony alongside her fellow graduates. As the day approaches, Ramirez has had time to reflect on her journey and what exactly a graduation outfit means to not just her, but graduates across the world.

“So, this time around with my master’s, I’m really looking forward to it and I kind of got to reminisce the significance of graduation,” Ramirez said. “It’s just taking pride in all the hard work you’ve done. It’s commemorating all the hard work over all the years and putting it into one look and being proud.” Like Ramirez, Luis Sebastian Bueno has also prepared his graduation day outfit. As a psychology major, Bueno recounts how some of the professionals in his department dress in ways that reflect their style and personality. For the big day, Bueno’s

outfit consists of black, pleated high water pants, a pullover, a white polo undershirt and Lakai skateboarding shoes, all indicative of his skater psyche.

As commencement approaches, Bueno has prepared an outfit that reflects himself and believes the ceremony gives him time to show off his interests and celebrate the time he spent to get his degree.

“I have a family bracelet and I have charms for my grandparents and basically, it just signifies family.”

Mariah Alvarez Ramirez Future UTEP Graduate

“I think it’s more what represents you.

Being part of the psychology department, there are a lot of professors that have really distinctive dress. I’m not sure if you know who this is, but her name is Anna Schwartz (Ph.D). Her style is really nice, it’s not your typical style,” Bueno said. “I really like the idea that when you graduate, you should be wearing something that you feel confident in. I feel you should wear something that you’re going to look nice in. I think it should be tasteful towards your own personality.”

Overall, graduation is a time to celebrate one’s achievements and journey to getting their degree. According to some students, it is also a day to show who they have been during that time.

Whether it’s formal, fashionable or both, students say that every graduation ceremony is a time to shine in an outfit that makes them feel like themselves.

Elisha Nunez is a staff reporter and can be reached at egnunez2@ miners.utep.edu

Mariah Alvarez is a graduate student at UTEP studying public health. Photo by Iziah Moreno/The Prospector

The sound of a college career coming to a close

BY JOEL MOLINA The Prospector

The illustrious moment of crossing the stage is something many college students strive for. A place that requires hard work and dedication to reach. Each degree path has different requirements in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

For senior music education major, Jonathan Melendez, one of those requirements is a senior recital.

Taking place Nov. 25, from the studio of Nancy Taylor Ph.D., was Melendez’s trumpet senior recital with Patricia Ann Provencio as well as performances with the UTEP

Orange Trumpet Ensemble.

The show began with Melendez playing “Trumpet Concerto” in E Major, then moved on to “From Water Music, Suite No. 2” in D Major, with fellow music major Diego Enriquez joining in with the piccolo trumpet.

A short intermission ensued and then the show was back on in full force with trumpet players, Jesus Escobar, Diego Enriquez, Dominick Rojas, Nik Olsen and trumpet/fluegelhorn player Brianna Yepez joining Melendez for “Durrenhorn Passage.”

To close the show Melendez performed from “Variations on Carnival of Venice” which was

shortly followed by a standing ovation from the audience.

“Amazing playing, a good variety of music in the program, his playing is fluid, he plays with outstanding technique, he’s an excellent musician. It was really exciting, just enjoyable to listen to,” said audience goer Betty Montilla.

Melendez began playing the trumpet in fifth grade and has been practicing for this recital over the course of three months.

“I’m just very relieved to have that over with, I had a lot of fun, I thought I played very well, there’s always room for improvement but I was very happy with my performance,” Melendez said.

“It’s a culmination of

all his school that he has done here, I’m so proud of him being here at UTEP.”

Robert Melendez Father of senior trumpet player, Jonathon Melendez

The recital is in partial fulfillment of a bachelor’s degree in music education, making it all the more significant.

“It’s a culmination of all his school that he has done here, I’m so proud of him being at UTEP and I’m happy with the program and what

they offer these kids and how they prepare them to get to this level from where they start off from when they first get here, it’s a wonderful thing,” said Robert Melendez, father of Jonathan Melendez.

After graduation, Melendez hopes to go into a career of teaching, specifically high school band.

“I’m super excited for it, to get out in the world and teach,” Melendez said. “Hopefully high school, I would love to teach high school.”

This musical conclusion of the night marks a bright symphonic future for all the future grads involved in this senior recital.

Joel Molina is a staff photographer and may be reached at jmolina16@miners.utep.edu. .

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Page 20 ARTS & CULTURE

Baking up a bright graduation for Fall 2023 Camilla McCord Vasquez is the manager and partial owner alongside her mother for The Cake Boutique. Photo by Annabella Mireles/The Prospector

BY AVERY ESCAMILLA The Prospector

Orange, blue and white frosting adorns the multitude of cakes of graduating UTEP Miners as commencement season is on the horizon. Many local cake businesses such as The Cake Boutique and Thaily’s Treats, say they receive numerous amounts of orders for graduation season.

Thaily Rodriguez started her business in May 2020 when she was inspired by her mother who taught her how to bake at a young age. During graduation season, Rodriguez receives a spike in orders in those most cherished summer and winter months.

“With winter graduation season, you still see it and it’s really weird because sometimes it goes all the way to Christmas,” Rodriguez said.

“So, it’s like Christmas, little gifts and parties and then graduation parties, so it’s a mixture of everything for sure.”

As graduation quickly approaches this December, Thaily is starting to receive orders even outside of her

normal business hours.

“My heavy order days are for sure Friday (through) Sunday and every day varies, But I want to say the usual is like three or four orders a day and then that varies with cakes, with strawberries, or with bigger orders,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez says some of her more spontaneous orders ask for a specific “meme” on the cake. She says she prides herself on taking the request and putting her twist on it.

“A lot of orders that are made, at least for my business, are a lot of meme type of orders,” Rodriguez said. “I like to pride myself in that I make almost everything mine, so when people ask for a specific cake I always kind of say, ‘I’m using this as my inspiration,’ but for them not to expect the exact same thing because I do think every baker has their own little style that they can add in.”

Cakes are unique in their own ways based on design and inspiration. An even more unique twist specific to The Cake Boutique is their creation of putting cake into cans for “cakes on the go.”

Camilla McCord Vasquez is the

manager and partial owner alongside her mother for The Cake Boutique. The business first opened in 2010 after her mother learned how to bake growing up in Mexico from her father who owned a panaderia.

“When she (her mother) came to

open in 2010.”

During graduation season, the bakery says they prefer having orders about two months in advance.

“Normally we’re only a week in advance for customs, but graduation season gets crazy because it’s

Mariah Alvarez is a graduate student at UTEP studying public health.

Photo by Annabella Mireles/The Prospector

the U.S., that was something that she was like, ‘Well, I can do this really well,’” Vasquez said. “When I was very little, she sold out of the house, and she was finally able to

During graduation season, owners of The Cake Boutique say they prefer having orders about two months in advance. Photo by Annabella Mireles/The Prospector

not only a ton of orders, it’s complicated ones,” Vasquez said.

Back in 2022, the bakery received an order to build the Bhutan Temple from UTEP’s campus

which took about seven hours.

“Normally it’s about a week in advance, but sometimes we get some crazy designs where it’s like no, that needs to be at least a month in advance,” Vasquez said.

While the business is known for its many orders of cakes in a soda can, they can also be bought at Circle K, a vending machine at Cielo Vista Mall and outside The Cake Boutique.

Graduating is a monumental moment that happens once or a couple of times in life, and getting creative with cakes, tastes and designs is what many families want to celebrate a loved one’s greatest moment. Local cake businesses in El Paso want to help achieve this by sharing congratulations to those graduating students.

For more information on booking or offered services, you may reach Thaily Rodriguez on Instagram @thailystreats or order from The Cake Boutique online at THECAKEBOUTIQUEEP.COM. Avery Escamilla-Wendell is the multimedia editor and may be reached at amescamilla@miners.utep.edu or Instagram @by_avery_escamilla

Thaily Rodriguez started her business Thaily’s Treats in May 2020 and was inspired by her mother who taught her how to bake.

Photo by Annabella Mireles/The Prospector

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

ARTS & CULTURE Page 21

Singing the praises for ‘Songbirds and Snakes’

BY ITZEL GIRON The Prospector

Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers.

It has been eight years since audiences have last been graced with the fictional world of Panem on the big screen. Now a five-movie franchise, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” is the latest installment and another great book adaptation in the series. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” takes place during the 10th annual Hunger Games, where viewers are introduced to a familiar name and new faces. President Snow is seen in a new light as the young, curious and up-and-coming leader from the Capitol. Here, Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blythe) has yet to run Panem and meet Katniss; the girl from District 12 who would later lead the rebellion against him.

Audiences also meet Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) the unlucky girl reaped from District 12 who would later be mentored by young Snow and eventually win the an-

nual Hunger Games.

Some other charPhotos courtesy of Lionsgate acters introthe original trilogy. duced are Tigris Snow (Hunter The Mentor Schaffer) cousin to Coriolanus, In the first part, Coriolanus Snow Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinis struggling to keep his family klange) inventor of the Hunger afl oat after the death of his father Games, Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola during Panem’s civil war. With little Davis) head Gamemaker, Sejanus to no money, Snow is working to Plinth ( Josh Andres Rivera) Snows’ be the best in his graduating class to closest “friend” and Lucretius receive the esteemed Plinth prize; ‘Lucky’ Flickerman ( Jason Schartzmoney given by the Plinth family to man) the first host of the annual cover the cost of university for the games. winning student. In a surprise twist, With so many years having passed the Plinth prize would instead be since the end of “The Hunger awarded to the student who can Games Trilogy,” director of all three turn one of the district tributes into films, Francis Lawerence, took a spectacle during the games. the reins for the latest installment Snow is then matched with Lucy hoping to continue its success and Gray Baird, a singer from District storytelling.

12 who is already seen as somewhat The movie tackles three parts, of a spectacle in the Capitol after The Mentor, The Prize and The her impromptu singing during the Peacekeeper, each part showcasing reaping. the rise of the darker side of the During this part audiences see President Snow many know from the bond and chemistry begin to

form between Snow and Gray that will later be vital during the actual events of the games.

The Prize In the middle of the film, The Hunger Games take place showcasing how different the games are initially compared to what many know them as during the 74th and 75th games.

Here is where many can see the bond Snow has built with Gray as he is willing to cheat to help Gray win the games. Being the climax of the story, although the games seem to add no complexity to the story line it showcases how Snow has let “love” stray his way of thinking.

Audiences see how Snow is willing to do anything to allow Lucy to

win all while looking like the best student. However, Snow is tested on his “love” for his friendships when Sejanus Plinth has put himself in the arena to bid condolences to a tribute from District 2; where Plinth is originally from.

During that moment we see how Snow loses all sense of humanity by killing an innocent tribute when trying to exit the arena. This is where moviegoers see a shift in Snow’s personality and watch him losing his humanity and becoming a cold-hearted capitol resident.

Prior to the next phase of the film, people see this is the downfall of Coriolanus, as he is no longer allowed to live in the Capitol. He is away from his family and friends, even Lucy Gray, and has no sense of control over his life other than with missing Lucy Gray.

The Peacekeeper As we reach the end of the film, we see the rise of Snow. How Snow is willing to kill anyone to make sure he is seen as the best or land on top, as in his own words, “snow always lands on top.” Though we see the rise of Snow we also see how becoming a Peacekeeper, the Panem military, has shifted his consuming thoughts of the ‘Plinth Prize’ to finding Lucy Gray and a way back to the Capitol.

Read more about it at theprospectordaily.com

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Page 22 ARTS & CULTURE

Fitting in a world of ever-changing beauty A minority

BY H. CATCHING MARGINOT

The Prospector

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” as they say. This popular expression used throughout literary culture is widely credited to Irish author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford in her book “Molly Bawn” in 1878.

After years of the concept of beauty being tested and shaped through generations, many have questioned the idea of beauty and its role during the age of the internet.

Since the rise of social media apps like Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, beauty trends have been hitting the digital scene instantly.

As the popularity and rise of these trends flamed over the internet, the more specific they became over time. Around 2013 and 2014, one trend that swept over beauty store aisles everywhere was bright orange lipstick, an encouraging orange lip trend. For many, it was fun to showcase that part of their face with a bright orange smile. Now, in 2023, there are concerns about the way newer beauty trends perpetuate negative body image. Trends like “Clean Girl Makeup” and “Which Girl Are You” have spawned, focusing on beauty’s natural elements, some have been critiqued if they have more negative mental health effects than meets the eye.

Beyonce Vasquez, a UTEP student and digital creator, worked

Fitting into the popular “Clean Girl” makeup look. Photo by SalmaPaola Baca/The Prospector

with brands like Curology Skin Care and BeachWaver. Vasquez is from El Paso and recently moved back from a small city in the south of Texas for college. Vasquez was interested in the media and started posting on TikTok for fun during the pandemic. Never imagining being in front of the camera would be her new found success, but more importantly, she found enjoyment in posting more on Instagram.

“I’ve enjoyed it, and it’s something I did because it was fun,” Vasquez said. “I cared more about how much fun I was having and how happy I was at a time when I felt very alone and isolated moving back to El Paso by myself without my parents. Everyone has a different skin, and I don’t think anyone should be forced to put makeup on or do something they don’t necessarily want to do. I post makeup

videos and post about skincare because I have always struggled with my skin, especially in high school.”

Vasquez speaks to the beauty trends throughout media and her positivity mission as someone with an unexpected platform.

“I think sometimes these trends can be a little harsh on some people because I feel like it can put a persona out there for people to try and be different,” Vasquez said. “I have never wanted to make it seem I am above everyone else. My page (Instagram) is all about positivity, empowerment and me being myself.”

Anell Hernandez is another beauty, cosmetics and personal care professional who goes by @ anelldoesmakeup on Instagram.

Hernandez weighs in on the significant influences social media and trends have had on beauty and

its industry.

“I was initially going to school to be a doctor, well into my pre-med with a few years under my belt, I was sure this was my route,” Hernandez said. “Later down the road, I had gotten chronically ill, leaving me with the result of memory loss, and the only thing I remembered at the time was how to do makeup on my friends, so I figured I would give it a shot since I needed money.

Social media has grown so much in the beauty industry and many now have made livelihoods from social platforms, compared to years ago, we didn’t have these opportunities. Women and men are more comfortable in the expression of makeup now than ever.”

However, Hernadez stresses the importance of being comfortable with oneself and knowing one’s true worth and beauty.

“In my opinion, it is not harmful when we remind women (and) men that makeup should always be used as a tool or an outlet of creativity,” Hernadez said. “I try always to tell my clients that makeup should only and always add to the beauty everyone already has in their possession.”

Beauty trends may not have a concrete look or definition, but it’s worth appreciating if it helps boost the confidence of a person and adds to their life rather than detracts from it.

H. Catching Marginot is a staff reporter and can be reached at hcmarginot@miner.utep.edu

graduate’s guide to finding many opportunities

BY ALYSON RODRIGUEZ The Prospector

Diversity in internship opportunities have expanded significantly, offering a wealth of options for minority students. Internships are a crucial pathway for minority students’ post-graduation. The leading Hispanic institute, UTEP’s career center helps students find these opportunities during their undergrad and post graduation.

“We start engaging with students since they come in for new student orientation freshman year,” said assistant director for internships at the UTEP Career Center Sandra Najera said. “We make sure that they know that they have us as a resource. One of the things that we are always promoting out there to students is to recognize that they’re part of the largest Hispanic serving institution.”

Read more about it at theprospectordaily.com

Special thanks to The Prospector’s Graduation Issue Sponsors Center for Accommodations and Support Services College of Health Sciences College of Liberal Arts College of Engineering College of Nursing College of Science Dean of Students Earth, Environmental, and Resource Sciences Housing and Residence Life Office of International Programs and Study Abroad Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office of Student Fellowships and Awards Office of The President Recreational Sports Department Student Engagement and Leadership Center Student Government Association University Events Union Services Vice President for Student Affairs

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023 · PAGE 23

Sports

Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela , editor

Juggling stadium lights, textbooks and teachers Behind Cade McConnell’s success on and off the field

BY ITZEL A. GIRON The Prospector

Being thrusted into the starting quarterback position in late September was not quite on redshirt sophomore Cade McConnell’s radar. After senior quarterback Gavin Hardison fell to injury during the team’s fi fth game against the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, McConnell was put in to step up and lead the Miners to the promised land.

Throwing a monkey wrench into his plans, an already busy studentathlete now has to balance academics, personal life and becoming a new leader for the Miners.

Even with support from Hardison and the rest of the team, balancing more than just school can be tricky in all aspects, but it is the studentathlete’s responsibility either to sink or swim.

“It’s been tough but I’ve just tried to be as supportive as possible to the other quarterbacks and Cade (McConnell) and try to help as much as I can,” Hardison said in an interview with KTSM. Dealing with classes, workouts, practices and maintaining a personal life may not seem like much to stress about, especially for someone who is not a student-athlete and has

the common misconception that student-athletes have it easy.

“Sometimes people think athletes have the easy way out,” McConnell said. “I’d argue and say it’s the opposite. There is a lot of hours we put into our sport and we also try and take care of our classes to the best of our ability.”

It is the positive attitude of McConnell that makes him not only a great leader on the team, but someone who can push through the adversity.

After being the third quarterback to be put in during the Louisiana Tech game Sept. 29, McConnell ended up taking the starting position after both junior Kevin Hurley and freshman Jake McNamara were taken out of the game due to unforseen injuries.

In his first game as starting quarterback, McConnell was able to take the Miners to a win against Florida International University with a score of 27-14. However, new positions come with bigger responsibilities and more stress, so finding ways to destress is vital.

“I try to be as efficient as possible so, I try and get my work done as well as I can but also in the shortest amount of time because you don’t have very many extra hours balancing football and school,” McConnell said. “I try and leave as little work as possible on the weekends, the weekends are your time to destress. For me it’s watching football on Saturdays or Sundays or whenever we’re not playing.”

Getting caught up in the limelight is something that can happen, but it’s important to stay grounded and remember to enjoy the four to five years most student-athletes have. For McConnell, it is important to enjoy the moment and

remember it will not last forever.

“I think the number one thing that I’ve learned is to appreciate it all. I think specifically being an athlete and a student,” McConnell said. “We were all that kid in high school one time that just wanted to have an opportunity to play at this level.”

McConnell knows these moments do not come easy and sometimes they do not come at all, which is why he reminds himself to not let this moment in the spotlight be taken for granted.

“Sometimes when the stress stacks up and you have a lot of things going on and you’re thinking ‘why does this got to happen to me?’ You have to remember to be grateful and be appreciative you have this opportunity cause not a lot of people that get this chance,” McConnell said.

Having a few years left under his belt to play Division I football and with a new head football coach on the horizon at UTEP, there are no signs of slowing down or letting stress get in the way of success both on and off the field for McConnell.

“It’s an honor (to be a student athlete), my whole life I wanted to be a Division I student athlete, my parents are both teachers, so the student aspect has always been a big part in my life,” McConnell said. “I know I’m always striving to get A’s in my class, to ensure I’m always ready to be on that field.”

Although the fate of the upcoming season is up in the air with the firing of Dana Dimel, McConnell expects to return and lead the Miners while continuing his studies to one day graduate with a degree in communication studies.

Itzel Anahi Giron is the Editor-in Chief and may be reached at prospector@utep.edu; @by.itzel.giron on Instagram, and @itzel_anahi_16 on X.

LEFT: Sophomore quarterback Cade Mconnell puts up tough battle versus No. 22 Liberty Nov. 25.

RIGHT: McConnell took over the start spot and finished averaging 205.3 yards per game.

Photos by Gianluca Cuevas/The Prospector

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Page 24 SPORTS

UTEP football parts ways with Head Coach Dana Dimel after six seasons

DIMEL’S CAREER AT UTEP

BY EMMANUEL RIVAS The Prospector

December 2017

The UTEP Miners football team (3-9, C-USA 2-6) closed its doors on a disappointing season, led by Head Coach Dana Dimel, with a final loss to No. 22 ranked and undefeated Liberty University (120, C-USA 8-0) Saturday afternoon.

The next day, UTEP Athletics decided to fire the veteran coach.

The Miners entered the game off a close loss 34-30 to the Middle Tennesse Blue Raiders Saturday, Nov. 18 at Murfreesboro.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Flames have taken the conference by storm under first year head coach Jamey Chadwell. Under Chadwell, Liberty is undefeated going 11-0 prior to Saturday’s matchup.

The game commemorated the departure of ten seniors including quarterback Gavin Hardison, defensive end Praise Amaewhule and linebacker Tyrice Knight.

The Miners struggled to get anything going early on as Liberty would take a massive 21-7 lead before the second quarter. UTEP did close the gap late in the game, closing the 17.5 point spread but did lose the game 42-28.

Following the game, Dimel expressed his optimism on returning to UTEP for what could have been the final year on his contract.

DIMEL ERA BEGINS Dimel was named the 26th head coach

by Director of Athletics Jim Senter Dec. 6, 2017.

Dana Dimel speaks to team after the conclusion of the game against FIU, Nov. 19, 2022. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

“(I) think there’s a lot of things that we’ve been able to do and bring this program,”Dimel said.

“One bad year like this after we’ve played our last three for chances to go to bowl games. This year was out of my control. I can’t do anything about the type of injuries that we can get, but I can do something about us being competitive and playing hard.”

No less than 24 hours later, ESPN reported UTEP fired Dimel after athletic director Jim Senter refused to comment during Saturday’s game. This move would require UTEP to pay out the final year on Dimel contract which is estimated to be $667,292.

The report would be confirmed by UTEP Athletics in a press release.

“We would like to thank Dana (Dimel) for the dedication and

hard work that he has put in over the last six years, and we wish him the best in the future,” Senter said.

“Under his leadership, our football program has shown improvement in all the academic metrics, and we have had minimal off-the-field issues. When he was hired, UTEP Football was coming off a winless season, and he built a more competitive team. However, we have not seen the kind of improvement necessary to compete for and win championships. We determined that a change in leadership was needed for the program to move forward.”

UTEP will begin a national search for the next head football coach.

Dimel finished his career at UTEP with a record of 20-49.

Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela Armendariz is the sports editor and may be reached at erivas7@miners.utep.edu: @ rivasemmanuel2 on Instagram.

December 2021

‘PUBG’ BOWL GAME UTEP has first winning season in Dimel era to lose to Fresno State at the “PUBG” New Mexico Bowl.

November 2023

AN ERA ENDS A day after the 2023 season ends, UTEP Athletics announced it would part ways with Dimel.

1 2

November 2018

END OF YEAR ONE

3 4

Dimel ends his first season with a losing 1-11 record.

November 2023

FIFTH LOSING SEASON

5

UTEP ends the 2023 season with a record of 3-9, the fifth losing season for Dimel.

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

SPORTS Page 25

El Paso Rhinos ‘iced’ in two-game series versus Amarillo

BY H. CATCHING MARGINOT

The Prospector

The El Paso Rhinos recently battled the Amarillo Wranglers out on the ice in two back-to-back Thanksgiving weekend games.

Even in the endless cold of the stadium, fans were able to band together to cheer on the Rhinos in an exciting showcase at the County Events Center near the El Paso County Coliseum Complex.

In the first game of the weekend, the Rhinos took the win after a stalemate broke with a final score of 2-1. After a victorious win was celebrated by the fans and the team, the Rhinos unfortunately lost its

El Paso Rhinos forward A.J. Reed scores a goal to tie the Wranglers during Thanksgiving weekend. Photo by Gianluca Cuevas/The Prospector

second game to the Wranglers 3-2 after an overtime period was played.

El Paso Rhinos Hockey fan Ramón Tejada comments on the Rhinos Saturday loss.

“I come to every game and there’s NA3HL and NA3, and it was a hard game today,” Tejada said. “I like the way that they just keep attacking and they don’t get tired,

they just keep on going at it. I just hope they make it to the playoffs.”

The Rhinos took an early game lead from a goal by defenseman Tim Mathys. Goalie Kael Bepape defended the second period impressively without a single Wrangler goal. Regulation came to an end with center and right-wing Corson Mcguire scoring a point for the Wranglers, sending the game into overtime with a score of 1-1.

Forward Camden Bajzer broke the stalemate for the Rhinos, getting the game one win with a final score of 2-1.

In the second game of the weekend, the heat was turned to an all-time high with the Wranglers scoring the first goal of the night.

The Wranglers had a 1-0 lead throughout the game before Rhinos forward A.J. Reed tied the game in the nick of time.

Rhinos forward Tory Lund soon helped take the lead. After an intense back and forth, the Wranglers tied the game in the third period with 23 seconds left. After more intensity the Wranglers took the win 3-2.

El Paso now sits in second place behind Lone Star Brahmas in the Southern Division with a record of 12-8-1-1.

El Paso returns to the El Paso County Coliseum Complex at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 to take on the New Mexico Ice Wolves.

H. Catching Marginot is a staff reporter and may be reached at hcmarginot@miner.utep.edu.

Rifle concludes its fall season with loss to Ohio State

BY MARCO HINOJOSA The Prospector

The UTEP women’s rifle team concluded their fall season with multiple matches against the Ohio State University Buckeyes at the UTEP Rifle Range.

UTEP welcomed the Buckeyes rifle team for a two-day showdown at the Military Science building.

To end the first day of matches, UTEP worked up a 4591 aggregate, just shy under Ohio State’s final

4702 aggregate.

While the Miners fell short to OSU, Roxanne Keel led the team with an 1161 aggregate. Keel also shot a new personal best smallbore score of 573. In second place, Isabella Rios performs with an aggregate of 1151.

The UTEP rifle team pushing through, OSU’s team claimed victory Nov. 18, after Ohio State’s Paige Hollowell performance resulted in her ranking first place in smallbore with a score of 586.

OSU’s Victor Kiss reaches victory

in the air rifle section with a score of 596. Hollowell and Kiss both ended the first day of the competition with a score of 1800.

UTEP ranked second place, Nov. 19, behind Ohio State after a 128-aggregate difference. OSU completed with a score of 4712 and UTEP with 4584.

UTEP rifle star Isabel Brooks completed and lead the smallbore portion with a 576 aggregate.

Isabella Rios fired a 586 in air rifle, her new personal best. The Miners squad showed dominance and pas-

sion completing the smallbore with a score of 2269.

The team then pulled through a tight race against Ohio State in the air rifle portion. Rios ruled the air rifle half, she ended the day with 586, and an overall 1154 aggregate.

The Miners finished the battle with three of four members being ranked in the top 10 individuals of this competition.

The OSU Buckeyes continued to persevere at the range, completing the smallbore section with a score of 2337. Derek Keiser carried

the teams smallbore total with 590 points. Hollowell once again remains victorious after completing the air rifle portion with a final score of 596.

With the rifle season coming to a close, the team announces their return to the range in the upcoming spring season. UTEP will host Nebraska from Jan. 27 to Jan. 28 at the UTEP Rifle Range.

All stats courtesy of UTEP Athletics and utepminers.com.

Marco Hinojosa is the audience and engagement editor and may be reached at mhinojosa4@miners.utep.edu

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S AT E L P A S O Are you an undergraduate earning your first UTEP degree in December 2023, May 2024, or August 2024?

If so, don't miss your chance to become one of UTEP's Top Ten Seniors!

For a detailed list of requirements and to download the application, please visit

alumni.utep.edu/toptenseniors Submit your online application by

Friday, January 12, 2024

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Page 26 SPORTS

Football

The UTEP football team faces another losing season under Former Head Coach Dana Dimel. Dimel would be fired after the final game against No. 25 ranked Liberty University 42-28. The final record on the season was 3-9 while Dimel’s all time UTEP record was 20-49. Former starting quarterback Gavin Hardison ended his season early after an injury and is ineligible to return.

Volleyball

The UTEP volleyball clinched a postseason apperance in the National Volleyball Invitational Championship tournament after going 21-9 in the regular season. Head Coach Ben Wallis marked his second winningest season at UTEP with winning percentage of .700.

Cross Country

UTEP cross country runners Titus Cheruiyot and Victor Kibiego competed on the national stage at the 2023 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships where they placed 58th and 44th.

Soccer

The UTEP soccer team found itself under new direction with Head Coach Gibbs Keaton. After a number of down season, the Miners hoped to turn the tides. Unfortunatly, UTEP would end its season with a losing record of 2-11-4.

Tennis

A number of UTEP tennis players had a successful season under Head Coach Ivan Ferndandez. The team, which is heavily comprised of forign players, traveled all around the nation and competed in both doubles and singles matches.

Golf

The UTEP men’s golf team finished its fall season with a third place result at the Oral Roberts The Clerico Invitational.

This would mark the team’s second top five finish in the first five tournaments of the year. The women’s golf team started its season off strong with back to back top five finishes but would struggle to keep the momentum going in later tournaments. Both teams will continue into the spring with the men heading to Cancún, Mexico and the women with head to New Braunfels, Texas.

Rolling back the film on UTEP Athletics FALL 2023

Rifle

With the UTEP Rifle Head Coach Andrea Palafox coming off a world record-setting offseason, the rifle team did not hesitate to find its own success with a team win over Schreiner University. The next few matches, the team would trail its oppenents that included Air Force, Ohio State and TCU. The team resumes Jan. 27 to take on Nebraska.

Graphic by Fatima Alvarado Story by Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela Photos courtesy of UTEP Athletics, Joel Molina and Annabella Mireles

KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN. ONLY RAIN SHOULD GO DOWN THE STORM DRAIN.

Storm drains are easily identified with “NO DUMPING” decals at stormwater inlets.

UTEP

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

(915) 747-7124 eh&s@utep.edu Hertzog Building, Room 107

THE PROSPECTOR · NOVEMBER 28, 2023

SPORTS Page 27

Senior spotlight: Hande Yetis’ journey from Turkey

BY H. CATCHING MARGINOT

The Prospector

To professionally hit a home run out of a ballpark, shoot a threepointer on a basketball court or even catch a pass in a football game are some activities sports lovers dream of doing. Some try everything they can to get a chance to make it in professional sports, as well as those interested in collegelevel sports.

It can be a significant dream for someone to not only be able to pursue higher education for free or almost free but also play their favorite sport for their desired university.

For Hande Yetis, a setter for the UTEP volleyball team, she got to pursue both her love of academics and sports.

This will be Yetis’ last year with the program as she will graduate with her degree in industrial manufacturing and system engineering with a minor in mathematics. With an impressive four years with the program, Yetis has made many achievements throughout her UTEP career. She has made the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (2022), ranked second on her team and assisted her freshman, sophomore and junior years. She has also played over 170 matches at Gelism College High School and is a threetime invitee to the Turkish National Volleyball Team. Yetis details her time growing up in Izmir, Turkey, and the difference she experienced over 6,000 miles away in her new home of El Paso, Texas.

“The culture is a huge difference

UTEP Miners volleyball setter Hande Yetis made the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll in 2022 and is majoring in industrial manufacturing and system engineering. Photo courtesy WKU Athletics

from Turkey and here,” Yetis said.

“When I got here for my first year, I was culture shocked. I still don’t remember my first year because it was so different. Like religion is different and the people are different, but I love El Paso because the people here are friendly; it reminds me of my home because they are also friendly.’”

Yetis has one brother but grew up in a huge family. She had many siblings and relatives on both her parents’ side of the family. Growing up in her house, she was never alone, continually running into someone no matter which corner you turned. Yetis speaks on how

Volleyball receives NVIC postseason invitation

BY EMMANUEL RIVAS The Prospector

After falling in the second round of the Conference USA Tournament, the UTEP Volleyball team has found life in another postseason tournament after receiving an invitation to play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).

UTEP finished its regular season with 21 wins and a winning percentage of .700, the second highest percentage in the Ben Wallis era.

The season ended at the hands of the WKU Hilltoppers (29-4, C-USA 16-0) in the semifinals of the C-USA Championship Tournament. The loss came after the Miners forced a fifth set to the future C-USA champions.

The NIVC hosts 32 teams from across the country in a win-or-gohome tournament. There are three rounds including a semifinal, a third place and a final match.

The Miners have participated in the invitational tournament during the Wallis era. In 2021, the Miners found themselves in the semifinals of the tournament but ended up suffering a loss in front of a home

crowd to the University of NevadaLas Vegas Rebels Dec. 9.

This year, the Miners host three other teams at Memorial Gym, the University of North Texas (UNT) (17-15, AAC 11-8), the University of Arlington Mavericks (UT-Arlington) (20-10, WAC 9-7) and the Florida Atlantic University Owls (FAU) (20-10, AAC 12-7).

The team will start the tournament against former C-USA opponent UNT. The winner of this matchup will face off against the winner of the UT-Arlington and FAU match up in the second round of the NIVC Invitational Tournament. FAU is also a former C-USA team.

Head Coach Ben Wallis expressed his optimism for his team through a press release.

“My team is excited to play in the postseason,” Wallis said. “To be able to host at home again is exciting. Our city has rallied around our team, which says a lot about our fans. I’m hopeful we can pack Memorial Gym again.”

UTEP faces UNT at 7:30 p.m.

Friday Dec. 1, at Memorial Gym. Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela Armendariz is the sports editor and may be reached at erivas7@miners.utep.edu: @ rivasemmanuel2 on Instagram.

family is a big part of Turkey.

“I used to live with my grandma because we have huge respect for older people, and we always visit them,” Yetis said. “If we can live with them, we live with our grandparents because we love being around each other; it’s so fun.”

Although it is hard to believe, Yetis did not think about volleyball until someone took notice of her height. From there, Yetis was off to the races, enjoying the running and physical nature of the sport.

“I wasn’t thinking about it at all (volleyball),” Yetis said. “When I was in second grade, my first club coach came to my primary school,

and he was best friends with my Physical Education teacher. And he was like, “Oh, you’re tall; you can play volleyball,” and I was like, “What is volleyball?”.

From there, Yetis attended many practices, building up her physical stamina. As she began to pick up what to do and how to do it all, fifth grade rolled around, a defining time on her volleyball journey.

“So, when I was in fifth grade, I was like, ‘Yeah, I love playing, and I started getting scholarships from private middle schools and high schools,’” Yetis said. “That’s why I graduated from both private schools and got a scholarship for

my volleyball and academics.”

Yetis’ passion for volleyball also bleeds into her academics, and one of the top reasons she chose to attend UTEP was its engineering program. She also details her love for math and numbers and why she is drawn to subjects like these.

“I learned about all the AP courses in high school, and I was like, yeah, I’m going to be an engineer,” Yetis said. “I saw UTEP as a top 100 (engineering) program in the country, and I saw a lot of projects going on here in their amazing program. I love numbers; they are my passion; even if I can’t solve them, I love problem-solving.”

A part of Yetis’ love for being a setter comes from problem-solving and helping lead the court during stressful sets.

“I love being a setter; it’s a lot of problem-solving and running,” Yetis said. “Like if you’re a setter, you’re a leader in the court because you have to communicate with everyone and listen to your coaches.”

Yetis speaks to her love for the El Paso community and what being a part of the UTEP Volleyball team has given her.

“I love them,” Yetis said. “Like, I have a lot of people that’re going to make me come back because they’re my family right now. My teammates are amazing, and the transfers, they’re my family.”

Yetis and the rest of the UTEP volleyball team will face off against the UNT Mean Green in the first match of the National Volleyball Invitational Championship Friday, Dec. 1 at Memorial Gym. H. Catching Marginot is a staff reporter and may be reached at hcmarginot@miner.utep.edu.

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