The Prospector 02 27 2024

Assayer of Student Opinion

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

“THE BEAR”

BASKS IN BRONZE BRILLIANCE

The 1960s served as a pivotal decade for America. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War raged on overseas. Amid all this stood what became one of the most pivotal moments in college basketball, and in modern sports history.

The 1966 NCAA Championship, won by Texas Western College, later known as UTEP, was the first championship game in which five black players started. Even though the Civil Rights Act had been passed, racism was still a major issue at the time.

Haskins was never one to judge based off skin color, and the 1966 NCAA Championship was no exception. He endured hate mail and death threats after the championship for starting five African American players, a move some saw as an exploitation of black people. Despite this, Haskins pushed forward and continued to coach the game he loved.

“I was simply playing the best players I had. It was what I had done all year,” Haskins said.

The 1966 win brought popularity to Texas Western College, which became a struggle for Haskins when recruiting for the following season. With the university’s name changing to The University of Texas at El Paso in 1967, recruits had difficulty believing it was the same team that won the championship the year prior.

Haskins took over the basketball program at UTEP for the 1961-62 season, taking

record and Haskins’ first of 14 NCAA tournament appearances.

Haskins retired in 1999 after 38 years at the helm of UTEP basketball program.

In these years he led the Miners to 719 wins, making him the 19th of all-time Division One men’s basketball head coach. Haskins was also in-

ducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. He later passed away in 2008 as a beloved member and legend in the El Paso and UTEP community. The 1966 team will always be remembered for breaking the race barrier in southern college basketball, as the achievement was immortalized in the 2006 movie,

‘Glory Road’.

Throughout his career, Haskins brought home seven WAC championships and has been the mentor for many NBA players, including Jim Barnes, who was the first pick for New York in the 1964 NBA draft and Tim Hardaway, who went on to play for the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat, among others.

Players across almost 40 years of Miner basketball reunited at the Don to see “The Bear” in seven feet of bronze glory, exchanging stories and reminiscing about their college days under Haskins.

Bobby Dibler, a recent 2024 Naismith Hall of Fame nominee, is one of the players who took Haskins’ lessons both on and off the court, carrying them with him throughout his life and career.

you really enjoyed,” Dibler said. “He taught you so many things that you didn’t realize as a young person that he was teaching you.”

Dibler became an El Paso native and college referee after his years under Haskins and graduated from Texas Western in 1965 the year before the 1966 Championship.

“It was about as close to

“It was about as close to work as you could get doing something that

“I think it’s incredible, I don’t know how it could’ve been done any better,” Dibler said.

Steve Yellen, another former player of Haskins from 1977-1981, was originally recruited from New York to play at UTEP. Yellen is now another player who calls El Paso home, as he announces UTEP basketball games alongside John Teischer. Yellen knows the impact that a statue and legacy like Haskins’ can have on an incoming recruit making their decision.

that’s where it will all start. Recruit weekend will start at the statue, think about that,” Yellen said. “You can talk there about the tradition and the lore and the great teams, the ’66 National Champions the first time any team started five blacks against five whites in a national championship game, the movie they made, ‘Glory Road’. They can be part of that

tradition if they sign with UTEP.”

As Miners past, present and future go to the Don Haskins Center and see the statue, it serves as a reminder of Haskins’ glory days, and as a reminder to future generations to continue to build the program back to what it was almost 60 years ago. Nicholas Maes is the sports editor and may be reached at nemaes@miners.utep.edu

“Well first when they get a recruit at the El Paso Airport, and they bring him into the Haskins Center to show him campus, they’re going to park right here in that parking lot, steps away from the statue, they’re walking right by the Don

Tren De Aragua: Potential threat to border cities

Men’s basketball takes Sam Houston

A sweet transition from Howdy Homemade

Haskins statue,

SPORTS EDITOR THE PROSPECTOR

NICHOLAS MAES B

The cloth is removed to unveil the newly installed Don Haskins statue in front of the Don Haskins Center, Feb. 23. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

the team to an 18-6 record. His second year saw a 19-7

Don “The Bear” Haskins was honored Feb. 23 with a 7-foot-tall bronze statue, placed in front of the arena that bears his name. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

President Heather Wilson poses alongside members of the Don Haskins family, all admiring the newly installed statue. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

Importance of Black History

long celebration deserves more recognition.

Black History Month is a time to reflect and honor Black culture, but it is also a continuing force of understanding that Black history is not just limited to one month. From the rich cultural heritage, to triumphs, and adversities African Americans have faced, Black History Month plays an integral role in the country’s history and the lessons to be taught to current and future generations.

Black History Month was primarily celebrated the second week of February as it coincides with Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass birthdays. Both had an integral role in history, with Lincoln influencing the emancipation of slaves and Douglass being a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement.

In 1926, historian, Carter Woodson, created “Negro History Week” in honor of “commemorating” the past. In 1976, Black History Month was born to celebrate Black excellence.

UTEP student Sonya Quickley shares how the month

“I don’t think Black History Month should just be one month because black people are here every day and everywhere in our schools, workplaces, our textbooks in art, everywhere,” Quickley said.

It is no mystery that Black Americans are the blueprint of our nation and the culture we have is built off them as well. Within our music, food, clothing to expressions Black influence is prevalent and it is important to recognize the talent and artistry. Recognizing equality and empowerment educates others on the importance of inclusion of the Black community.

“I hope that as a community we encourage more events outside of the month we often throughout El Paso and everywhere to really encourage the importance of diversity and inclusion,” Quickley said.

There are various ways to commemorate Black History Month, and one of the best ways to do so is through art. Quickley describes her appreciation towards the art gallery in Union East that displays outstanding works of art from Black artists.

“I was really impressed with the beautiful pieces that were shown that Black History Month is an important topic for everyone by celebrating and giving back to the Black community,” Quickley said. “Amplifying our experiences as black people and biracial people, black people by discussing our struggles, our history and cultural mindset.”

Time alone can help you grow and realize your own strength.

Take the time to appreciate the little things in life.

Have the strength to leave bad relationships.

Expand your crowd and embrace new friendships.

Continue to strive toward your endeavors and your work will soon be recognized.

It is a month to honor the past, celebrate the present and inspire more people to make the future more inclusive. In pop culture today we can amplify the world of Black artists, musicians, filmmakers by watching their movies, listening to their craft and being their support system as well to other Black people. It is all about educating ourselves on Black history and their culture and uplifting Black voices and stories, creating a meaningful connection that powers through resilience.

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

Remember it’s okay to slow down and take breaks from time to time.

Find ways to be productive without missing out on fun.

Your greatest superpower right now is to find a balance between structure and flow.

Prioritize self-care and distance yourself from low vibrational elements.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions when searching for clarity.

Find the order in all the chaos being revealed to you right now.

Visualize how you want the rest of the year to look and chase it.

COMIC

El Paso needs your vote for the primary election

SOFIA SIERRA B Y

STAFF REPORTER• THE PROSPECTOR

Campaign signs have popped up around El Paso neighborhoods indicating primary election season is here. Primary elections are popular for some El Pasoans. In the November 2020 federal election, 267,215 ballots were cast. Three years later, in the November uniform and special election, officials say there were only 44,610 ballots. In both elections, there were approximately the same number of registered voters.

The drastic difference between the turnouts gives little opportunity for local candidates to shine. While citizens have the right to vote, elections administrators say they should use that right. El Paso County’s Election Administrator Lisa Wise, stresses that local elections are just as important, because they affect people’s day-to-day lives.

“One of the things I always try to emphasize is that if you have an issue with the decisions that the presidents making, you‘re never going to get to talk to President Biden, that’s very rare that would ever happen,” Wise said. “But if you have a concern about your streets, you’re probably going to be able to talk directly to your city council representative.”

On the ballot, El Paso voters will see a multitude of candidates. In the 2024 primary election, the city will vote for El Paso County District Attorney, El Paso County Sheriff,

Texas House District 77, El Paso County Attorney, Commissioners Court Precinct 1, County Commissioner, Precinct No. 3 and 65th District Court.

“Everybody loves to talk about the presidential (elections), but we have elections every year in what I think are just as important if not more important,” Wise said. “School district raises, local city council, things like that where you really have a say in what decisions are made and so I like to encourage voting all the time.”

can watch the video and think ‘Ok this looks easy.’ We want to make sure you have the ballot that you can pre-fil, so when you go in there, you are ready to go and know who you’re going to vote for, (because) these are lengthy ballots in the primary.”

Learning more information about the candidates can help voters decide who they want to represent El Paso.

More information about candi-

dates, how to vote, voting locations and more can be found on the El

Early voting began Feb. 20, and will continue until March 1. Ballots can be submitted in various voting locations around the city or by mail.

If a citizen is interested in voting, but is unsure of how to, the El Paso County Elections Department provides a fourstep process video tutorial on how to do so. Wise emphasizes that building a person’s voting confidence can create a bigger turnout on the ballots.

“We’ve noticed that talking to younger voters, once they feel confident and they’ve done it once, it becomes a habit,” Wise said. “We try to make it as easy as possible, you

Paso County Elections website. Sofia Sierra is a staff reporter and may be reached at sdsierra2@ miners.utep.edu

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

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

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.

Early voting began on Feb. 20 and will end on March 1. Election day is Tuesday, March 5. Photo by Eddie Ibarra/The Prospector

Voting sign on display in the Union West building to direct people on where to go to vote. Photo by Eddie Ibarra/The Prospector

Venezuelan Gang, Tren De Aragua: A potential threat to borderland cities

The Tren de Aragua or “Aragua Train” emerged in the Tocorón prison in Aragua, Venezuela around 2012 and is led by Héctor Rustherford Guerrero Flores or better known as “Niño Guerrero.” The gang expanded to several Latin American countries including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. Most recently, the group has made their way across the border into the United States.

Tren de Aragua took control of the Tocorón prison due to Venezuela’s government handing control to “Pranes,” the crime bosses. This freedom allowed the gang to spread their influence on the outside world by taking over nearby neighborhoods and forming alliances with smaller gangs; eventually expanding to at least five Venezuelan states.

According to Ammon Blair, a former Border Patrol agent who spent 10 and a half years on the force and has done intelligence analysis on national security threats appearing from the border, the Trend de Aragua has violent tactics used by the gang within the prison and in different cells of the organization.

“They are specifically known for their violence and their extorsion,”

Blair said. “Meaning if you don’t pay your tax, he (Guerrero) first shoots your wrist, if you don’t pay it again, he shoots you in the ankle, if you mess up and don’t pay it again, you’re dead.”

In 2018, The gang targeted fellow Venezuelan‘s who were migrating to different countries to escape economic and political crisis. Using this tactic, between 2018 and 2023, the Tren de Aragua has been able to expand by following and exploiting Venezuelan migrants, which led them to the United States.

Blair shares how the gang has three phases to creating transnational ties. The first phase is the exploration phase where they exploit migrants going to other countries. The second phase is known as the penetration phase where they enter local criminal economies and clash with gangs.

The last phase is the consolidation phase, and this is when they’re established in certain regions, and begin to develop sophisticated money laundering schemes, start corrupting security forces and peruse rivals.

Blair says based on the recent happenings, the gang is in phase two

in the U.S. with New York, Chicago, Boston and Dallas being the target cities. They are targeting migrant shelters and sending mass messages offering money and protection and posting graphic videos of execution, torture and murder to show their power against rival gangs.

According to Angella Villón, the president of the Sex Workers Movement of Peru, one of these videos, depicted the murder of trans sex worker Rubi Ferrer. Following Ferrer’s death, came the death of Priscila Aguado and six other women.

Additionally, Blair shared that the gang was not on the Department of Homeland’s radar and saw it as a Venezuela problem.

This means that if a Tren de Aragua member comes through the border, they may be able to enter as they will have no criminal record. The only way Border Patrol agents may be able to identify a member is through tattoos, but members either hide them or do not get the tattoo until they have entered the U.S.

Blair shares how law enforcement have only recently started getting involved and the message they have for local communities.

Are those clouds or smog?

“The only way to try and mitigate this is leaders in the Venezuelan community getting together with local PD and establishing a neighborhood watch and a system of direct access with law enforcement,” Blair said. “A call to action will have to be from Hispanic communities rising whether that is local or in politics, getting together with state legislatures, council men and women and state representees.”

With a large Venezuelan migrant population currently in El Paso, there is an elevated risk and Blair believes there is a need for concern over Tren de Aragua.

“We know that the cartels exist, but the problem is they want the borders open, so they are going to shy away from violence because they need to move narcotics however these guys (Trend de Aragua) don’t care,” Blair said “They operate different than the cartels they are super hyper violent, and they work in the immigrant communities, so all these Hispanic communities, immigrant communities are their number one target, 100% border communities have to be concerned.”

Ximena Cordero is a staff reporter and may be reached at xcordero@miners.utep.edu

There is one thing many residents have in common: seeing El Paso’s sky slowly becoming a bit foggier.

In 2022, the American Lung Association reported 40 days of unsafe levels of ozone in the city, making the greenhouse gas emission problem persistent. Greenhouse

gases, like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other gases traps heat inside of the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

The accumulation of cars on the border, El Paso’s refineries, lack of reusable energy and other actions have decreased the air quality.

El Paso refineries have seen a gradual increase in emissions around

the city. In 2022, a Newman power plant, owned by the El Paso Electric Company, reached a record high of 1,332,141 in carbon dioxide emissions.

With prolonged exposure to ozone pollution, breathing problems, chest pain and throat irritation can occur.

El Paso officials say they have

begun to take the first steps towards cleaner air. Senior Climate Program Manager of El Paso, Fernando Liaño says that in early January of this year, the city started developing plans to address climate change and sustainability for the region. The final draft of the plan is expected to be ready in the fall of 2025.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Paso is one of the cities in the United States that receives the most sunlight. Even with the opportunity to rely on solar or wind energy, the city currently does not have a high percentage of renewable energy usage.

There have been several organizations in the community that have expressed concern about El Paso’s climate change. Amanecer People’s Project is an advocacy organization and political entity started in 2019. They rally against environmental policies that they believe will harm the environment. Co-founder and organizer for Amanecer People’s Project, Miguel Escoto, says the mission for the organization is to have a cleaner city.

“(The percentage) is not very high (of) our renewable energy portfolio,” Liaño said. “What has been increasing reluctantly at a steady pace is the residential introduction of solar panels in individual households. Again, the percentage is not very high either so that’s something that is been growing, but it’s not where we want it to be.”

El Paso is predicted to have a higher frequency of triple degree weather this summer consequently.

“Last year, we got to 60 plus days of 100 degrees or more in the summer, when the average for El Paso was up to 16 or 20 days,” Liaño said. “What the national data report is telling us is that we can expect, (although) there is some uncertainty in this data, to keep seeing the increasing frequency of 100-degree days.”

“Our goal is winning clean air, clean water, and community power here in El Paso,” Escoto said. “We understand that there needs to be a shift in decision-making power in our city, away from the polluting elite, and towards the people. We focus on reducing pollution and improving health here in the city.”

Escoto says that ‘people power’ is the most important thing required for change.

“In order to change the way power works in the city, we (Amanecer People’s Project) need to build people power,” Escoto said. “We have over 100 members now, we’ve grown substantially since our previous campaigns.”

Although El Paso is expected to have more frequent days with triple degree weather, officials and citizens are working towards a cleaner city. With collective efforts from around the city, El Paso skies can become clearer and safer.

Sofia Sierra is a staff reporter and may be reached at sdsierra2@miners.utep.edu

Some say that refineries such as the Marathon refinery on 212 N Clark Dr, can have a negative effect on air quality.

Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

STAFF REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR

SOFIA SIERRA B Y

Graphic by Gael Araiza/The Prospector

STAFF REPORTER• THE PROSPECTOR

XIMENA CORDERO

Border Patrol and Customs’ only way to identify a Tren De Aragua member is by their tattoos. However, they hide them or wait to get them once they cross over. Photo courtesy of PICRYL

SOFIA SIERRA B Y

White balloons flew high above Horizon High School (HHS) to commemorate the life of Miguel Romero Feb. 13 as the community gathered in HHS’s gym to celebrate Romero’s life. The 17-year-old passed away earlier in the month after being hit by a drunk driver while crossing Darrington and Pawling Street in Horizon City. His sudden passing left the halls of HHS with a quiet, yet tender atmosphere cherishing the great person he was.

Director of counseling at Clint ISD, Angelica Bailon, says that when a student passes, she gathers counselors from around the district to help teachers and students process the news. Her team and the principal of HHS, Robert Trejo, first announced the news to faculty and staff the morning after the crash. When Trejo gave the news, Bailon noticed that many reacted to his death.

“That was tough, because once Mr. Trejo said the name of the student, ‘Miguel Romero’, you could just see that many of the teachers were connected to Miguel. You heard some gasps and you saw lots of tears,” Bailon said. “When we asked (for) some of the names of the students

Remembering Miguel Romero

that were very close to Miguel, because we’re going to start targeting them first, I had a really long list of names.”

Bailon and her team of counselors saw a lot of the school community the morning after Romero’s death. She comments that although she didn’t know him, Bailon noticed how much of an impact he had around the school.

“We knew that this kiddo was super loved, and well connected, that was really clear to me,” Bailon said. “It took about a team of ten of us (counselors), and we saw more than fift y plus students on that Thursday during the day.”

Everyone agrees that Romero had a bright future ahead of him. Throughout the school, there were many who called Romero a close friend. People described him as humble, smart, and kind. Nurse aid, Lorena Ortiz, says that without him, the school’s atmosphere changed.

walking the halls, they’re loud, sometimes screaming (but now) you could feel the quietness around.”

“You could feel the sadness, the sadness between the students, the teachers,” Ortiz said. “It was really quiet, it was just different, you know (usually) the kids when they are

In a part of Romero’s ceremony held Feb. 13, friends and teachers wrote a poem describing all the good things about him they miss.

Ortiz’s colleague attended the ceremony and said it was very heartfelt.

“The kids made a poem for him saying, ‘I love the way you made me

laugh, and how you made me feel when I was sad,” Ortiz said. “One of the teachers spoke and she also said the same thing, ‘I will never forget your favorite song that you would always tell me to play’.” Romero was going to graduate high school in 2025. Students, teachers and the community suffered the loss of a bright student. As people continue to mourn the loss, drunk

driving continues to be a prominent problem in El Paso. Recently, fifteen people were arrested for DWI’s within a two-day period. Drunk drivers put themselves and others at risk. However, because of El Paso’s drunk driving phenomena, the community suffered the loss of another life.

Sofia Sierra is a staff reporter and may be reached at sdsierra2@miners.utep.edu

Miguel Romero’s sisters making a memorial for their brother at the intersection of Darrington Road and Pawling Drive in Horizon. Photo by Jose G. Saldana/The Prospector

Remembering Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr.

Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr., also known as TK to his family and friends, was 20-years-old when he was fatally shot near a house party Jan. 26, 2019, in Northeast El Paso leaving behind his family, friends and two children. The family of TK says he was on the rise to becoming a rapper and music producer.

Kinard’s death is one that rocked the city, especially since his murder eventually went cold and unsolved for years. According to police, Kinard was seen earlier that night talking to two men who eventually became prime suspects for investigators as they suspected that after

an exchange, a gun was pulled and Kinard was fatally shot.

Crimes against person’s unit was called in at the beginning of the investigation to take over the case. The unit and Kinard’s family asked the community for help and for witnesses to speak up to keep the investigation going as investigators believed there was a high possibility people witnessed the crime due to the proximity of the house party.

With no witnesses or leads, the case went cold for almost five years until Nov. 2023, when court records found that eight suspects had been indicted in connection to the shooting and death of Kinard.

The suspects include six men and two women, Miguel Aquino Ferrer, Obadiah John President, Deyone

Quartaril Bridges, Marcus Kaleb Moore, Juan Manuel Noria, Bryanna Lovett, Savannah Mariyah Smith and Jacob Alexander Willis.

According to The El Paso Times, the indictment indicated that six of the eight suspects, Ferrer, President, Bridges, Moore, Noria, and Lovett were part of an unnamed criminal street gang with Bridges and Moore’s activity in this gang being directly connected to Kinard’s shooting.

Earlier this year, an 11th suspect was arrested and charged with capital murder for retaliation, engaging in organized crime and activity in street gangs.

Kinard was captain of the Chapin baseball team, earning a scholarship to college, which he turned down to follow his passion for music and kickstart his rap career.

Kinard’s mother, Lakeisha Washington also did an interview for Stephanie Valle’s podcast “Borderland Crimes” where she discussed her late son, his life as well as her plea for justice.

Ryan Urrutia, a commander with the El Paso County Sheriff ’s Office and running for County Sheriff shared his thoughts on gun violence in El Paso and how local law enforcement is handling house parties before they turn violent and how the community can help.

“He gave everybody the benefit of the doubt. It didn‘t matter who it was, he always gave them the benefit of the doubt,” Washington said. “He hated to be around people that picked on others or hurt other people, he didn’t like to see people hurt so he was an all-around good guy.”

KVIA shared that there is limited information on the suspect due to the ongoing investigation. Additionally, KVIA shared that there have been 12 arrests regarding the case, but one suspects charges were dropped due to them being a minor at the time of the shooting.

“The El Paso Law Enforcement community is continually monitoring social media posting to make sure we are in front of the problem and working towards stopping parties that have a tendency to turn violent,” Urrutia said. “The community is an important part of prevention, and we encourage our community to reach out to law enforcement if they see or hear of these parties happening in your neighborhood.”

In an interview for Crime Stoppers of El Paso, “Crime Files,” Terrance Kinard Sr. talked about his son and his aspirations.

Kinard’s case is one of the many gun violence cases the El Paso community has witnessed over the years through news and social media. Angellina Alvarez, who is training to be a part of the Sheriff ’s Academy, shared her perspective of gun violence in El Paso.

“Fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, the life of the party, would do anything for anybody,” Kinard Sr. said. “I knew that he used to like to rap but I didn’t know that that was his passion. I didn’t learn that it was his passion until his senior year.”

“I to

“I am aware that these types of cases and circumstance are being acknowledged in law enforcement and I do not doubt regulations have been made and continue to be made because of them,” Alvarez said. “I believe gun violence cases need more attention and action towards them. As long as cases like these continue to happen and rise in numbers, there should be more focus towards them and their magnitude.”

Urrutia encourages anyone with knowledge of a house party or criminal activity to contact the sheriff ’s office or the police department through their website.

They also work closely with the El Paso Crimes Stoppers where the community can report anonymously at (915)566-TIPS (8477) or through crimestoppersofelpaso.org.

As we remember the life of Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr. and await news on the ongoing investigation and justice for his death, it is critical to report any knowledge or evidence that could help investigators solve cases like Kinard’s and bring closure and healing to victims’ loved ones.

Ximena Cordero is a staff reporter and may be reached at xcordero@miners.utep.edu

Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr., was shot and killed Jan. 26, 2019, near a house party on Mount Whitney Dr, in Northeast El Paso. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

Photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers Of El Paso.

STAFF REPORTER• THE PROSPECTOR

XIMENA CORDERO

Arts & Culture

Meagan Garcia, editor

Fall in love with ‘Los Empeños de Una Casa’

As the season of love dwindles, an epic showdown of battle for love begins to blossom at the Wise Family Theatre. “Los Empeños de Una Casa” is a new bilingual production and theatrical showdown that opened Feb. 23, and brings the Spanish Golden Age to life. Written by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the show functions as a rom-com set in 1680s, Spain and explores the infamous themes of love, revenge and jealousy.

Produced by the UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance, this witty production is full of mayhem as the audience undergoes a journey of romance while watching young lovers fill their hearts’ desires.

One of the young lovers is Doña Ana, played by Aleyana Flores, who is madly in love with Don Carlos, played by Charleigh Tallman.

Flores considers being a part of the show an honor as she was able to highlight de la Cruz’s work and the culture the El Paso community has to offer.

EPISD’s Young Women’s STEAM (Research) and Preparatory Academy as well the translation class that we had here,” Flores said. “It’s been amazing to put this (show on) and bring it to life.”

“To be a part of this production is an honor in itself, being able to honor Sor Juana’s work but also the work by the in translation team of the collaboration between

Ana is not the only character struck by Cupid’s arrow; Doña Lenor, played by Luciana Molina, is also in love with Carlos and he is in love with her. This tangled web of affection continues throughout the play as Don Juan, played by De-

captivated for more.

“People should come see it because it is a bilingual play, and it is for the people of El Paso,” Houghton said. “The play parallels life, shows comparisons between real life and art, and I think people can learn some things about themselves by watching it.”

courtenay Houghton, has fallen head over heels with Ana, but she does not know about it.

Bachelor Don Pedro, played by Martin Troitiño, is later introduced into the play as he falls in love with same. As the audience undergoes an experience of sword fights, blind love and a romantic garden, it is a production that leaves viewers

Other characters that had standout performances throughout the show are Castaño played by Paul Kim, Doña Rodriga played by Gaby Reyes, Hernanda played by Pauline Galindo and Celia played by Eurydice Saucedo.

“The show itself is hilarious, and you will find a lot of felinity in the words, the different levels of strengths that are portrayed with the different women,” Flores said. “As well as the team behind it, there is so much involvement and a lot of history as well.”

Adriana Dominguez, Ph.D., directed “Los Empeños de Una Casa,” and this bilingual production began the translation of the original script in 2021. With the help of the cast and backstage crew, the department was able to honor de la Cruz and bring the Hispanic culture to life.

“Being able to experience this production showed me how open and caring the

department itself is,” Flores said. “It embodied that safe space with the cast and the crew within the stage itself and showed me how involved the department is with the culture we have here at UTEP and El Paso.”

“Los Empeños de Una Casa” will have more shows from March 1 to

March 3, with different showtimes. Tickets are still on sale, and for more information, visit the UTEP Department Theatre and Dance website to see this production full of love and desire.

Erik Acosta is the editor-in-chief and may be reached at emacosta6@miners.utep.edu

Lenor, but she does not feel the

Eurydice Saucedo plays the character of Celia, a clever maid who helps the young lovers with their troubles. Photo by Erik Acosta/The Prospector

The affection of love continues throughout the play as Don Juan, played by Decourtenay Houghton has fallen head over heels for Doña Ana. Photo by Erik Acosta/The Prospector

Paul Kim plays the character of Castaño, one of the house servants in the play ‘Los Empeños de Una Casa’. Photo by Erik Acosta/The Prospector

Charleigh Tallman, who plays Don Carlos, is madly in love with Lenor and tries everything to be with her. Photo by Erik Acosta/The Prospector

Howdy Homemade’s sweet transition to

Gozo’s Ice Cream

Editor’snote:Thisisthefinalpart inathreepartseries.

In a heartwarming scoop of innovation, the beloved ice cream shop Howdy Homemade is undergoing a sweet transformation as it rebrands and changes its name to Gozo’s Ice Cream. The business embraces a deliciously inclusive mission by empowering individuals with special needs through its delightful workforce and environment.

Gozo’s Ice Cream, formerly known as Howdy Homemade opened its doors Dec. 3, 2022, at 601 N. Oregon St. in the Roderick Artspace Lofts. The Howdy Homemade ice cream franchise, originally based in Dallas, partnered with the El Paso Community Foundation to help young people with disabilities acquire work experience.

“Gozo’s Ice Cream is a locally owned ice cream shop that is carrying forth the mission of spreading joy through our amazing ice cream, and our mission of providing opportunities to those with disabilities,” said Adam Tirres, program coordinator at the El Paso Community Foundation and manager for Gozo’s Ice Cream. “The word Gozo comes from Gosar which means joy or to enjoy, and we’re all about spreading the joy.”

Tirres has been the manager ever since the ice cream shop first opened under the name Howdy

Homemade. With the upcoming rebranding, he emphasizes a renewed commitment to their mission of actively employing individuals with disabilities.

“We started working with Howdy Homemade because of the mission to help employ people with disabilities but there was a divergence in that mission,” Tirres said. “We’re very proud of El Paso and we want to highlight it. We’re doing that by changing our name to Gozo’s and

(spreading) the joy that way.”

The staff at Gozo’s Ice Cream are given the tools to thrive in a professional environment, acquiring crucial socialization and workplace skills. Several former employees have successfully transitioned to other workplaces, attributing their newfound confidence to their experiences at Gozo’s Ice Cream.

“The four individuals who have left, have moved on to better opportunities in the community,”

Tirres said. “They’ve found jobs which provide more hours than we’re able to provide. Our employees have the talent to do anything and everything. This is a great thing for the disability population in El Paso.”

Tirres found inspiration to engage in this field of assisting young individuals with disabilities through his younger sister, Marce Tirres, who has special needs. Since the ice cream parlor’s inception, Marce has

been involved in working with her older brother.

“My favorite part about my job is social interaction and getting to greet and get to know new people,” Marce said. “It’s a lot of fun making and serving ice cream. I really love coming up with new ice cream flavors.”

The ice cream parlor boasts a diverse selection of delightful flavors like prickly pear sor-bae, cold brew and cookies and cinnamon roll, all crafted in-house within a suite adjacent to the shop. Patrons can customize their ice cream experience with an array of toppings and cones.

“Come to Gozo’s where we sprinkle you with joy,” Marce said. “We love to have customers come in and to make them happy.”

Gozo’s Ice Cream will be having a soft opening this month in February and their grand opening will occur in March in celebration of disability awareness month.

The ice cream shop’s hours of operation are from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday, then 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

For more information on the business, visit Gozo’s Ice Cream on Instagram @gozoselp.

Alyson Rodriguez is a contributor may be reached at prospctor@utep.edu; @alyson_rod1127 on X.

Gozo’s Ice Cream formerly known as Howdy Homemade is located at 601 N. Oregon St. Photo by Alyson Rodriguez /The Prospector

Photo by Daniela Gonzalez Bustamante /The Prospector

Photo by Dominique Macias/ The Prospector

Texas Hart brings the heart to Texas music

Editor’s Note: This is the second partinathree-partseries.

The sound of rock, pop and blues is shown through the works of many musicians across El Paso.

Musician Texas Hart is one of many solo artists who has been creating music for years.

Hart, 26, was born and raised in Honolulu and later moved to El Paso, Texas at 13-years-old. Hart found his interest in performing by being a hula dance performer in his mother’s hula group, Leilani The Royal Islanders, at three-years-old.

“At recess during middle school my friends and I we would spend our recess playing ukulele and jamming out,” Hart said. “And then I came to El Paso when I was 13, halfway through eighth grade and that’s how I sort of started making friends here. I didn’t know how to make friends, so I grabbed my ukulele and brought it to school.”

By bringing his ukulele to school, Hart was able to discover his passion for music. As he got older, he took his passion and musicianship more seriously.

When creating music, Hart makes it for himself to express what he feels inside.

“How do I express what I’m feeling inside?” Hart said. “I’ve been through a lot, I’ve traveled a lot

and I’ve met a lot of people and I have a lot of experiences and so, it’s hard to articulate that sometimes in person, so it helps me a lot to put it into music.”

Though Hart moved to El Paso at a later age, he takes account of Frontera culture in his music. As a Polynesian, he realizes the difference in Honolulu and El Paso and sees how the cultures are parallel to each other.

“It’s fascinating to me that Hawaiian culture or Polynesian culture and Latin culture are sort of parallel,” Hart said. “The music is very rhythmic based, dancing’s very flowy a lot of color, family values and all that stuff, it’s very parallel although these cultures have never really crossed.”

Hart says that living in El Paso is the influence he needs to inspire him and his music. Outside of music, Hart is currently working at a karaoke bar.

“Story of One” is a debut album that Hart has been working on diligently since 2017. Hart has plans to release the album this year.

“It’s closer than it’s ever been, I started the project in 2017,” Hart said. “I dropped out of Berkley College of Music, and I started writing. This album has gone through so many different processes, it was originally called ‘Water’ and it was originally a play on the (Bill of Rights) of the United States.”

After moving back to El Paso, Hart met people who he then went on journeys and adventures with which influenced the story. After the long process, Hart wants to complete this project and stop recycling the music so that it can be set to release in June of this year. Musicians come from many different cultures of the world. Hart has made use of his culture and Frontera culture to influence his music and musicianship. Hart’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube under Texas Hart.

Avery Escamilla-Wendell is the web and copy editor and may be reached at amescamilla@miners.utep.edu or Instagram @by_avery_escamilla

WEB/COPY EDITOR THE PROSPECTOR

AVERY ESCAMILLA-WENDELL

Texas Hart strums his guitar in the El Paso sunlight. Photo by Dominique Macias/The Prospector

Hart is originally from Honolulu, but still finds inspiration for his music here. Photo by Dominique Macias/The Prospector

Lindsey Macchiarella, Ph.D., is a musicologist professor at UTEP and is the project director behind the upcoming event.

The festival is a gateway to expanding the mind to different genres of music while informing the public about the history behind it.

“This project promotes early Latin American music,” Macchiarella said. “There’s a lot of Renaissance and Baroque music all over the world actually, but when people think about it, they just think of European music.”

The Early Music Latin America Festival teaches the public about how diverse cultural backgrounds can be, even within music. Music has a historical lineage many are not aware of, and as cultures collide, new forms of music are being shared and created.

Compared to Renaissance and

Baroque music, this event brings the mix of incorporating Latin American music that had rarely been recorded, taught or heard of.

“During the 16th and 17th centuries there was a lot of influence coming over from Spain, there was a lot of influence in music getting mashed up with native cultures and native music and also with the African diaspora in Mexico and other Latin American countries and it creates this really interesting fusion music that people are unaware of,”

Macchiarella said.

Gabriel Rodriguez Guijarro is an international UTEP graduate student and is currently working on getting his master’s degree. Guijarro found an interest in participating with local musicians, where he soon met Macchiarella. Guijarro plays the viola da gamba and will be performing at the workshop the festival is having.

Guijarro spoke about how uncommon it is to hear early Latin American music while being a resident

from Mexico.

“It’s really interesting that people in the United States are interested in Latin American early music,” Guijarro said. “Even being an international student from Mexico, it is not that common to find this type of music. It’s hard to find, hear, or discuss it with others. I think it is useful for everyone and it’s interesting that people are getting interested into this type of music.”

Guijarro spoke about the difference between art and music and

how the event engages in something suitable for every viewer.

“You have the opportunity to be part of it,” Guijarro said. “Sometimes it’s not too easy to understand or to participate in it but when we are talking about music, you still have that participation during the performance and the audience has the feeling they participated by viewing the performance.”

With the performance date quickly approaching, Macchiarella shares what the audience can expect from this event.

“This production has a lot of different moving parts, but the two main features of it are workshops where people are coming from all over the country and also locally to learn how to play a lot of this early Latin American music,” Macchiarella said. “The main public part is the concert.”

The Early Music Latin America Festival will be held at 7:30 p.m., March 2, in the Fox Fine Arts Building. Admission is free and the event is welcome to all of El Paso to experience new forms of music.

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

MARCO HINOJOSA

Lindsey Macchiarella is the project director of New Music Latin American festival who will play alongside student Gabriel Rodriguez Guijarro. Photo by Gianluca Cuevas/The Prospector

Sports

Nicholas Maes, editor

BASKETBALL SCHEDULE ATTHEDON

Men’s basketball takes ‘The Claws’ from the Sam Houston Bearkats

UTEP had a busy Saturday as they unveiled the brand-new Don Haskins “The Bear” statue to the public in an all-out pep rally. At the unveiling of the statue, multiple UTEP men’s basketball teams throughout the decades were coached by Haskins were there. Unfortunately, this was not enough to spark a win for the UTEP Miners against the Sam Houston Bearkats hours after the event.

The game had six lead changes and four ties in an end-of-game score of 65-54. The Miners had the lead on the Bearkats by one with only 14 minutes remaining in regulation, but with a 13-2 point blast from the Bearkats, there was nothing UTEP could do to catch up.

UTEP had 39.2% from the floor but was hindered by a readout of 27.3% on a three-point range. Even with the Miners holding Sam Houston to 29.4% from the three-point range, the Bearkats were still able to put up to 47.7% overall. Junior guard Corey Camper Jr. scored seven points for the team, with freshman guard David Terrell Jr. also contributing six. Senior guard Zid Powell made a team-high six rebounds and hit double figures in scoring. Otis Frazier III also scored double figures with the highest points of 14 for the game.

Head coach Joe Golding spoke to the performance of both teams, as well as what needs to be done for the Miners as the basketball season approaches its end.

“That’s a good basketball team playing at a high level right now, and credit goes to them,” Golding said.

“Coach Mudge did a terrific

job with that team, and there is a reason they’re in first place, and we just couldn’t get in the rhythm offensively. I thought defensively we could guard them well, but we

could not score the basketball.”

Golding spoke of the struggle of getting to the foul line and the missed opportunities the Miners had offensively.

“I think we’re going to the foul line looking to be fouled instead of demanding to be fouled,” Golding said. “There‘s a physicality and a toughness to get fouled; you gotta be on balance and have to go through contact, and we‘re still learning that.”

UTEP had a lead in points in the paint (28-20) but had a tough time with free throws with a percentage of 57.1% (8-14). The game had a heated start, with a 6-6 tie seven minutes in, with each team’s defense at a high level. With a vicious back and forth and great chemistry from the Miners, the Bearkats still had the edge of 29-25 going into the halftime.

The Bearkats moved quickly, but a point rush from Powell and Terrell Jr. also helped the Miners move fast. Even with a clutch lay-up from junior forward Derick Hamilton and continued effort down the stretch, UTEP was ultimately defeated by Sam Houston. The Miners approach their final away games at Jax State and Liberty University.

Miner Athletics provides all mentioned statistics.

Catching Marginot is a contributor and can be reached at hcmarginot@miner.utep.edu

UTEP men’s basketball fights to the end in tough loss against top ranked LA Tech

The UTEP Miners (13-14, C-USA 4-8) faced top-ranking LA Tech (19-8, C-USA 9-3), but fought hard through the game, ending the game down by only six points (59-65). Coming off of losses on the road against WKU (19-7, C-USA 8-4) and Middle Tennessee (11-16, C-USA 5-7), the Miners returned home to face top-tier teams this week.

The game began with a UTEP possession from a tip-off by junior forward Kevin Kalu. LA Tech got the rebound and scored the first points of the game (0-3). The Miners bounced back, going on a seven-point streak and leading LA Tech by three (9-6), thanks to a layup by junior forward Derick Hamilton.

LA Tech grad student guard Tahlik Chavez played a crucial role in the Bulldog offense throughout the game, beginning his points in the game with a three that gave the teams their first of nine ties in the entire game.

UTEP made a brief comeback,

closing what was initially a fivepoint lead by LA Tech, and tied it up three more times before the end of the first half. UTEP freshman guard David Terrell Jr. put up the final three points, ending the first half with the Miners two points over the LA Tech Bulldogs (31-29).

Fans were in for a treat during halftime, as new football head coach Scotty Walden not only presented his coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season, but proceeded to take off his shirt, revealing blue and orange body paint. Walden would spend the remainder of the game in the student section making sure UTEP pride stayed high for the second half.

The game remained extremely close throughout the second half, although LA Tech put the pressure on UTEP, ultimately pulling away in the last five minutes of the game.

UTEP senior guard Tae Hardy managed to tie the game up 55-55 from a three-pointer with 4:20 left in game time, but it was not enough to put LA Tech away in the game’s final moments.

Hamilton would put up the final two points of the game for the

Miners, as UTEP fought hard to break out against LA Tech’s tightened defense in the second half.

Despite UTEP’s loss, Hamilton saw an important milestone, as he scored a career-high of 16 points.

Even through the success, Hamilton knows that the team needs to work harder at getting the ball where it needs to go.

“I feel like we were real close, but down the stretch we kind of made some mistakes, and in the end, it’s the little plays that cost us the game,” Hamilton said.

Head coach Joe Golding understands the caliber of playing a top conference team and acknowledged that the Bulldogs executed well throughout the game compared to the Miners.

“Rebounding was key and just our offense in the second half,” Golding said. “We had eight turnovers in the second half and didn’t play off two feet as much. We didn’t get fouled. Rebounding was huge, they get 15 offensive rebounds. I thought that was the difference in the second half. Obviously, we don’t get to the free-throw line. We get there five times, they get there

17 times. We’ve got to be stronger and tougher and go in there and demand to be fouled.”

Head coach Golding screams directions towards his team, Feb. 24. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

Senior forward Calvin Solomon is on defense against LA Tech senior forward Isaiah Crawford. Photo by SalmaPaola Baca/The Prospector

Peak pursuits: Navigating El Paso’s trails safely

The rugged mountains of El Paso invite hikers to uncover the hidden gems of the Chihuahuan Desert. As the weather begins to warm up El Pasoans and visitors will begin making their way to the Franklin Mountains State Park to explore the various trails the mountain has to offer.

In 1979, the Franklin Mountains State Park was established by the Texas Legislature as a community effort to save the mountains from being developed and to conserve the mountains as open space for visitors to enjoy.

According to the Visit El Paso website, there are 125 miles of trails that span across the mountain range. Popular trails include Aztec Caves, West Cotton Wood Spring, Mundy’s Gap, Tin Mine trail, Thousand Steps trail, B-36 Crash site, McKelligon Canyon, Ron Coleman Trail, also known as Mammoth Rock and North Franklin Peak the highest point on the mountain range.

“People hike because of the challenge of climbing a mountain and the reward of the views,” said Franklin Mountains State Park superintendent Cesar Mendez. “For some reason mountains have always attracted humans, climbing these mountains makes people feel accomplished.”

The trails include a nature walk, which is less than one mile and loops around an arroyo, allowing hikers to admire the flora and fauna in the area. Another easy trail is the beginner‘s loop, which is also a mountain biking trail.

Ranger-led programs are also available for visitors interested in learning more about the native flora and fauna. They are held on the first and third Saturday of the month.

Local wildlife that hikers might see includes birds, deer, lizards, snakes, insects and cotton tail rabbits. In the evening hours foxes, mountains lions, coyotes and collared peccary roam the trails.

“The desert is fragile so stay on the trail at all times,” Mendez said. “For your own safety and for the safety of the wildlife. You don’t want to destroy their habitat and you don’t want to have encounters with the wildlife either.”

Some tips to stay safe while hiking include always staying on the trail, keeping a safe distance from wildlife, bringing a lot of water and snacks, wearing proper clothing that protects and shields from sun overexposure, and wearing sturdy shoes. It is also important to make sure someone is aware of the hiking location and how long the hike will be in case of an emergency.

Other safety tips include packing a flashlight for when it gets dark, checking the weather conditions before and using a hiking stick to help with balance. In case of an emergency call 911, and if it is not an emergency, call the park.

Park rangers say hikers should also respect the ecosystem by picking up their trash and leaving all artifacts, rocks and plants alone.

The Franklin Mountains state park is not the only place with hiking trails in the area. Located in east El Paso is Hueco Tanks State Park which takes the hiker back in time. Visitors can admire the

Oakland Athletics hire Major League Baseball’s first female play by play announcer

77 years ago, baseball’s color barrier was broken by none other than Jackie Robinson. Now, baseball once again leads the way in breaking another barrier. This time, that barrier was the glass ceiling.

On Feb. 13, the Oakland Athletics announced that Jenny Cavnar would be the A’s full-time play by play announcer, making her the first woman to call balls and strikes for any organization in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Cavnar, who previously served as a reporter and analyst for MLB Network and AT&T Sportsnet, has been an accomplished broadcaster for years. She is a trailblazer for women in sports and has brought a fresh perspective to the traditionally male-dominated world of sports broadcasting.

Fans and non-fans alike have been quick to share their opinions on the historic hire, with many expressing their joy and support for Cavnar.

Melissa Lerma, 26, noted it is great to see a change in an industry dominated by men, but also feels it could be intimidating for women.

“I feel like if that were me, I would

hieroglyphics painted on the sides of the rocks.

North of El Paso are the Oregon Mountains, which contain a wide range of trails for visitors to explore which includes Dripping Springs, Filmore Canyon, La Cueva Rocks, Soledad Canyon, and Achenbach Canyon. Further up highway 25 is another popular hiking spot called Slot Canyon.

Entrance fee to enter the park is five dollars per person for anyone 13 years and older, children 12 and under are free. Visitors can also rock climb, mountain bike and camp in the park. Camping fees range from 10 to 30 dollars per site.

Alyson Rodriguez is a contributor may be reached at prospector@utep.edu; @alyson_rod1127 on X

always feel like I’m walking on eggshells and that I would be one mistake away from not being taken seriously,” Lerma said.

Patty Franco, 42, a fan of the Colorado Rockies, where Cavnar most recently served as a backup play-by-play announcer and pre and postgame host for the Colorado Rockies, knows the significance behind the move.

“I just feel that this is a historic moment for baseball and for women in sports,” Franco said. “Jenny is an incredible broadcaster, and I think that this is a major step forward for gender equality in sports broadcasting. I’m excited to see what she brings to the A’s broadcast, and I really hope that other teams will follow suit and hire more women, not just as announcers but also in other positions in organizations and hopefully not just in baseball.”

Nobody is as excited as Cavnar herself to begin her new job.

“It is a dream come true to join the broadcast team for the Oakland A’s and their rich baseball history,” Cavnar said in a statement to MLB. com.

Couple starts their morning with a hike on Mammoth’s Trunk Trail in the Franklin Mountains. Photo by SalmaPaola Baca/The Prospector

Coronado students train on Mammoth’s Trunk Trail. Photo by SalmaPaola Baca/The Prospector

CONTRIBUTOR