Minero Magazine Fall 2023 by UTEP Prospector

Vol. 37, Fall 2023

The University of Texas at El Paso

FLAIR SHOT:

STUDENT-OWNED BUSINESS

MATTHEW BRAXTON: AN ENVIRONMENTAL TAKE ON THE WORLD

MELODÍA ENTRE LOS MUNDOS FORT BLISS:

BORDERLAND STAPLE

AN INSIGHT INTO UTEP’S GOLF TEAMS

Left to right, top row: María Luisa Guerrero Durán (Editor-in-Chief ), Abril Garcia (Art-Director), Brianne Williams (Web-Editor), Yoali Rodriguez (Copy-Editor), Jasmin Campoya (Photo-Editor) Left to right, bottom row: Annabella Mireles (Photographer), Ethan Thomas (Photographer), Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela (Writer), Meagan Garcia (Writer), Carlos Castro (Writer)

Director Veronica Gonzalez Assistant Director/Editorial Adviser Crystal Hinga Accounting Specialist Isabel Castillo Administrative Assistant Amy Bocanegra

Minero Magazine is published by UTEP students through the department of Student Media and Publications. It is published once every fall and spring semester. The magazine is not responsible for any claims made by our advertisers. Additional policy information may be obtained by calling Student Media and Publications at (915) 7475161. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the University.

Vol. 37, Fall 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Flair Shot

BY ETHAN THOMAS

A student-owned business.

Matthew Braxton BY MEAGAN GARCIA

An environmental take on the world.

Tee-Time

BY BRIANNE WILLIAMS

Golf players share their travels and experiences with the sport.

Melodía Entre Los Mundos

BY CARLOS CASTRO DE LOS SANTOS

La música de Ciudad Juárez.

Fort Bliss

BY EMMANUEL RIVAS VALENZUELA

Borderland staple of the U.S. Army.

On the cover

Tee-Time

BY BRIANNE WILLIAMS

Golf players share their travels and experiences with the sport.

THE EDITOR’S LETTER n this issue of Minero Magazine, I wanted the world to see the hidden gems that El Paso and Ciudad Juárez have to offer. I wanted to break the stigmas surrounding the borderland, and provide a new perspective on its essence, hence we looked to the furthermost corner and found amazing stories to share. Ethan highlights the entrepreneurship of UTEP students and gives us a fun visit to Flair Shot. Meagan Garcia shares the hard work Matthew Braxton does to clean the environment and help those in need through technology. Brianne Williams shares the journey of athletes Daniela Chipchase, Marta Romeu, Jacob Presutti and Marcus Khaw who have left home from overseas to pursue their dreams of becoming professional golfers. Carlos Castro travels to Ciudad Juárez and paints the music scene of such a colorful city by talking to talented musicians. Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela goes back in time to shed modern-day light on the second-largest Army base, Fort Bliss. I aimed for the stories to highlight people who do not have a platform or do not receive enough recognition. I wanted the rest of the community to think of the borderland as highly as I do. I have learned a lot about what it has to offer, and my team has helped bring these stories to life. Dedico esta revista y todos mis logros a mis padres, sin ellos nada de esto sería posible. Ustedes han sido mi mayor apoyo durante estos años y siempre me empujaron a que saliera de mi zona de confort, y este fue el fruto de nuestro esfuerzo y dedicación. Gracias por darme el mundo, por enseñarme de sueños y cómo alcanzarlos. I would also like to thank my amazing team, Jasmin, Yoali, Abril, Brianne, Annabella, Meagan, Ethan, Carlos and Emmanuel.

Thank you for seeing my vision and taking your skills and talents to execute them. Thank you, Veronica, for giving me the space to be creative, for listening to my ideas and for always being my support throughout this journey. Crystal, thanks for sharing your ideas with me and working with me to make mine come true, I know the students have a great mentor. Thank you, Isabel, for being my bestie and for always listening and supporting me. Thank you, Amy, for being such an nice person, for going through the wind and heat to help us promote our work. I have been part of student media for almost two years and these people have left a huge mark on me. I will always cherish our time together and I wish the best to each one of you as we part ways. Enjoy the magazine and look at it as the product of our struggles and passion.

Yours Truly, María Luisa Guerrero Durán Editor-in-Chief

Story and photos by Ethan Thomas. eon lights mix with the desert sun as you open the door to Flair Shot, flashing greens, pinks and purples catch your eye while the door slowly shuts. An indoor airsoft target range, with the tell-tale sounds of retro arcade games spilling in from the back room behind the neon targets. You may even step on the small plastic pellet used as ammunition for the airsoft target range at the establishment. One of the four owners walks up to greet you, sporting a notably young face. Angel Rios, a 21-year-old junior student at

UTEP’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business, welcomes you in. Rios had always wanted to own a business, remembering that even as a child, entreneurship was his passion. “It allows you to be your own boss,” Rios said. “I don’t regret it.” Rios is majoring in general finance, with a minor in commercial real estate – a new program at UTEP-, and opened Flair Shot with three other partners in November 2022, getting the idea when the group visited San Diego, California.

“El Paso has nothing like it,” Rios said. “We decided to add an arcade, just to make it more of a hangout spot.” The weekends are their bread and butter, with families being their most substantial clientele followed by younger couples. Most clients opt-in for the combo package, which offers 75 pellets for the airsoft targets and an hour in the retro arcade. Rios and partners had little to no time to advertise their business. According to Rios, marketing is something that has helped their business flourish. 5

Besides handing out flyers, stickers and other promo materials, Rios has been posting regularly to the company’s Instagram, wanting to pay for ad space in the near future. “Your drive dictates your success,” Rios said. Recognizing that if they do not promote their business themselves, no one else will. Rios and his partners have paid for advertisements on FitFam. This locally-run account posts local news and gossip, as well as promotions for businesses in the greater El Paso area, allowing the community to find new businesses to visit and support. Rios points to YouTube as his main source of knowledge, but thanks UTEP for a more in-depth understanding of finances, accounting and marketing. Although, what the program is lacking, Rios notes, is the “real-world” experience. UTEP offers many classes in businessrelated fields, but one taught by Erik Pavia, a clinical professor from the Woody L. Hunt College of Business, and instructor for a course on startups, helps students understand what it takes to start and grow a business. “You can look at a new venture in, I think, two different lights,” Pavia said. Describing that a new venture could describe how long a business has been operating, but for others, it is more difficult to figure out. The other description he gives is based on the business' progress. “The company could be developed on research that’s taken five to ten years to develop,” Pavia said. “I think that sort of qualifies new ventures because they’re at a similar stage as a company.” Rios and his partners, using Pavia’s descriptions, would fall under the latter definition, being a newly formed company. “We made a lot of mistakes,” Rios said. “No one ever teaches you about how it actually is, or all the city people you need to speak to.” There are several steps to starting a business in the State of Texas. The first step, is mapping out your business plan. As described by the Texas Economic Development (TED) Office, this is a dynamic road map for your business, which outlines the main purpose and value proposition of the business. This map gives the business a structure and sets financing and competitive advantages.

The second step requires prospective owners to choose a location for their business, for which the TED Office recommends looking at zoning ordinances in potential areas, that benefit the business. The third step, is financing the business, followed by structuring and registration of the business. Sole proprietorships and partnerships will need to register the business name, or assumed name, with the county clerk’s office to get it off the ground. The last steps are arguably the most crucial. Determining the potential tax responsibilities of the business, federal and state employee requirements and applying for, and gaining the necessary business licenses and permits. Employment, according to Pavia is one of the most important steps, as it could help progress the business exponentially. “If you’re missing skill sets, if you don’t know how to program, if you don’t know how to build a building,” Pavia said. “Try to recruit people who can help you or learn how to do those things and make whatever progress you can.” A general business license is not required in Texas, but potential business owners must determine the necessary licenses or permits they may need to run their businesses, according to the TED Office. Despite of what might look like a long list of steps required to start a business, there are less regulations in the State of Texas compared to other areas in the United States. “El Paso and Texas are actually great places to start businesses from the perspective of the amount of regulation you have to deal with,” Pavia said. Luckily though, Rios has not faced any discourse for being a student. “People kind of get shocked by it (being a business owner at a young age),” Rios said. “I feel like it actually makes you stand out.” Pavia believes that students can have a unique opportunity to start a business without other obligations that would hinder their ability to do so otherwise. “You don’t have a full-time job, maybe you don’t have kids yet, maybe you’re not paying a mortgage,” Pavia said. “So one of the benefits of being a student is that you have a lot of flexibility to take risks.” Rios also believes that starting a business is worth the risk, and advises others that want

to take the plunge at a young age. “It’s definitely worth the risk no matter what,” Rios said. “If it doesn’t pay off, at least you learn from that experience.” But a big question is, when should someone, student or not, take that risk? To start, Pavia believes that students have the ability to learn, unlike those who are more separated from university life. “You as a student who’s excellent at learning should be able to figure out how to comply,” Pavia said. “With you know, whatever the fire marshal code or the licenses for whatever it might be.” Rios considers himself fortunate, because of the money he and his partners had in savings, there was no need to apply for any loans. They were also able to pull together much of the equipment they already had on hand and reallocate it toward the business. Pavia, on the other hand, feels that finances are a necessity, whether it be by obtaining loans, or by fundraising to make potential business owners dreams a reality. He feels that it should not be what holds potential business owners back from moving forward. “I think too many people use money as a form of permission,” Pavia said. “The best entrepreneurs don’t wait for permission, they’re going to do what they can with the resources they have available to them to move the company forward.” Having just opened, Rios and his partners have not yet turned a profit on the business, but eventually, want to grow, and have it as a side income by the summer. As a student, tuition is one of the most critical expenses, along with parking and other fees associated with each semester. Rios considers it a reason as to why they decided to open a business at a young age. “It’s not cheap (tuition), and every year it just keeps rising, and there are more fees that you have to pay,” Rios said. “Making money is very important.” Success can become an ambiguous term for those starting, or running their own businesses, but Pavia believes that it is dependent on the type of business, and the motivation of the owner in the long run. “Sometimes, making money isn’t the only, or the best, reason to build,” Pavia said. “But if you’re not entirely motivated by that, figure

- Erik Pavia, clinical professor for UTEP's Woody L. Hunt College of Business

out what you care about.” Another factor was had to be considered by Rios and his business partners was the use of guns. In the wake of violence that has taken place in El Paso in recent memory, most notably, the killing of 23 people in an El Paso Walmart, which was carried out by an out-of-town gunman on Aug. 3, 2019, implications can be drawn from the use of firearms, airsoft or not. Rios tackles this by being open, honest, and educational in his approach to the subject. Rios explains, that guns are not something one should use without the appropriate supervision, noting that, they have faced little pushback to their business’ use of airsoft guns with this method. For students looking for assistance in starting a business, or who wish to connect with others, there are resources available for UTEP students that offer information, trainings, and networking opportunities. Studio G, an entrepreneurial organization based out of UTEP’s Mike Loya building, provides business consulting and networking opportunities to help students and recent graduates launch their own businesses, according to its website. The biggest opportunity comes in the form of potential funding pathways available to Studio G members. Currently, Studio G offers three seasons of the “Studio G Podcast” which invites entrepreneurs to speak on their experiences and gives advice to those seeking to further their own entrepreneurial prospects. UTEP’s Studio G branch is the only one in the State of Texas, with 16 similar models available for students in New Mexico universities and community colleges. Another option, that is available for non-students as well, is Strive Now. A nonprofit started in 2022, that offers other networking, mentorship, community engagement and internship opportunities. Strive Now offers “Hangouts” which invites like-minded students to meet with one another and discover their “purpose,” according to Strive Now’s website. Another offering is their “Connect” program, which offers connections to mentors, challenging attendants with workshops and taking part in ice breakers.

One piece of advice offered by Pavia encourages entrepreneurs to branch out, telling them not be afraid of breaking from the conventional path expected from them, even though that may be different from person to person.

FLAIR SHOT Traducido por Yoali Rodriguez Tener el lujo de estudiar y tener tu propio negocio no se construye de la noche a la mañana. Angel Rios, de 21 años, es un estudiante de negocios en UTEP, que ha aprendido lo que es ser parte de un negocio que mezcla la diversión de un campo de tiro y juegos de arcadia, llamándolo “FlairShot”. Inspirados en el concepto durante un viaje a San Diego, California, Rios y sus tres socios tuvieron la idea de abrir un negocio único en El Paso. Inaugurando su arcadia y campo de tiro en noviembre 2022. Rios comenta que desde que inauguraron han tenido éxito localmente, sobre todo los fines de semana, los cuales usualmente se llenan por familias y parejas jóvenes. UTEP ofrece diferentes cursos relacionados con el mundo de los negocios. Uno de los profesores de la Facultad de Administración de Empresas, Woody L. Hunt; Erik Pavia, enfoca sus enseñanzas en ayudar a estudiantes a entender cómo empezar y cultivar un negocio en ciertos pasos: construir un buen plan de negocios, escoger la localización correcta, financiar y estructurar el negocio y por último, determinar que responsabilidad se tiene sobre los impuestos, requerimientos federales y estatales para generar empleos, además de obtener licencias y permisos. Comparando el contenido de los cursos de Pavia, y como construyó Rios su negocio, ellos entrarían en la categoría de start-up, teniendo poca práctica en el espacio de los negocios locales. Fuera de seguir un plan letra por letra, Rios alienta a estudiantes a que emprendan su propio negocio para conseguir experiencia en el mundo, no solo lo que se aprende en los libros. Rios ha tenido la oportunidad de crecer por su creatividad y pasión por el proyecto.

Read more online at mineromagazine.com 7

w e h t Mat

n o t x Bra An environmental take on the world. Story by Meagan Garcia. Photos by Annabella Mireles

hen it comes to the world of technology and engineering, it is easy to get lost in ideas such as artificial intelligence and the theories that advancing technologies are on a fast path to superseding human processing. Whether it be things dealing with the likes of mechanics, computers, or robotics, people tend to forget where all of these started, how they were born and how these have helped. However, there are still plenty of people working within various Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) based fields that care about how these applications impact our environment, personal finances and general well-being. One person aiming to make such meaningful changes within the borderland community through his own business is Matthew Braxton, a 23-year-old engineering innovation and leadership student with two minors in mathematics and general business at UTEP. Although his story may not begin in El Paso, the Chicagoan, has found his passions, purpose and the work he enjoys doing, here in the Sun City. Braxton is the founder and CEO of the company Revcorp PC, which specializes in computer reselling and repair services. “When I first started Revcorp PC it was around fall 2021, and it all started with the idea of reducing the amount of electronic waste produced in the United States,” Braxton said. “As you already know, climate change is a huge issue and the biggest contributor to that is electronic waste. That’s just unnecessarily thrown away and improperly disposed of and as a result it causes a lot of environmental pollution via the release of toxic chemicals into the soil, and the water.” One of the biggest areas affected by environmental pollution, according to Braxton, is a commercial district in Africa nicknamed Agbogbloshie. It is on the Korle Lagoon of the Odaw River near the center of Ghana’s capitol city, Accra, and is disproportionately affected by the amount of e-waste that pollutes the city. According to a Bloomberg article, the waste sites in Agbogbloshie are a “result of the world’s increasing demand for electronic equipment as consumers continually upgrade their devices and throw out the older ones. A significant proportion of this electronic waste is sent, often illegally, from the West to developing countries across Africa and Asia.”

Matthew Braxton, 23-year-old Chicagoan, repairs computers to reduce electronic waste.

Statista statistics describe that more than 50 million metric tons of e-waste are produced worldwide per year, with an average of around seven kilograms per capita of e-waste. The amount of waste dumped in Agbogbloshie is especially devastating considering the way it affects the local environment and its inhabitants. E-waste in this area is horrific as it is amassed across the former wetlands and continues to grow. The workers who go through the waste have suffered burns, chronic nausea and headaches, respiratory problems and much more due to the pollution and toxins around them. The question of how this happens is expansive and ranges from fashion to functionality. Every year, upgraded versions of staple products like phones, computers, laptops and televisions are launched to encourage consumers to buy “bigger” or “better.” Sometimes if a device is damaged, the repair costs are more expensive and time consuming compared to buying a new device. However, CNBC and more e-waste statistics from Statistica site that the biggest contributors to this issue are the companies making these products such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Intel, and many others. These churn out products that are designed to only last fashionably and functionally for a couple of years. This is why in certain countries the constant replacement and discharging of devices causes harmful needs and demands methods for proper disposal. “Most of the world’s exports from (the) United States, Canada, Europe, ends up there,” Braxton said. “As a result, the locals are trying to dispose of it but because of its hazardous nature, not only is it polluting the area but also affects the health of other people there.”

Braxton said that this is the main reason he wanted to start Revcorp PC, to reduce waste wherever he could, and give it a new purpose. Although the wheels for the company started turning in fall 2021, January 2022 is when it was officially launched as a legitimate Limited Liability Company (LLC). Braxton talks a little bit about how his business works and how it contributes to reducing waste and providing accessibility for those in need. “Revcorp PC, on the surface, is just like any generic computer seller, test repair center,” Braxton said. “Kind of think of it like Dell. But the difference between us and them is that we are very big on the user aspect of our products. We not only want to get revenue from our customers, we also want to make sure that their products are lasting as long as they should, that they’re being properly recycled, all sorts of things.” Braxton explains that his company differs from other big brands due to its focus on user friendliness and the care they put into their work. He also goes on to describe how customers can benefit from their services regardless of where their PCs are coming from since they prioritize accessibility, low labor rates, and free diagnostic consultations. “To do that, first we try to make our computers quality and secondly, we also want to make it easy and accessible for everyone,” Braxton said. “So, to do that we offer free diagnostic consultations, lower labor rates for repairs and we do include service plans with our PCs that are absolutely free, and they’re really designed to make it more accessible and easier for people to come in and feel more comfortable getting their PC serviced.” Sometimes people are afraid of how costly services related to their tech devices can be, which is where the inspiration from Braxton’s

business model stems from. “A lot of times people will just leave their computer in the closet or just throw it away because they don’t have a lot of money, or they just worry about how much it will cost,” Braxton said. “That’s really our business model and how we differentiate ourselves from our competitors.” Running a business with ideals like these as a one man means receiving guidance wherever he can get it. Whether it be from entrepreneurial organizations, like Blackstone, volunteers who donate their own electronics or even those within his personal circle, managing Revcorp PC comes with plenty of hard work and additional advice. “Close friends of mine who have experiences with businesses and stuff, give me advice on how to manage it,” Braxton said. He also mentions reasons why he does not have others working for him. It is not due to lack of interest but relies more on certain financial aspects and how new the business is. “The reason why we don’t really have employees is not because people don’t want to work for us. It’s just that personally I don’t want to ask someone to contribute time and effort if I can’t pay them what they’re worth,” Braxton explained. “One of our key objectives for the next three years is to get enough money so we can start hiring more people and pay them a living wage.” Outside of the business itself, Braxton contributes to the borderland community through non-profit efforts as well. Assignments, registrations, books and entire classes have been moved online with the rise of technology, as well as streaming services for movies, shows and music. With this advancement of education and entertainment, the need for technological 9

devices is at an all-time high. However, such devices can be inaccessible due to high prices or store unavailability. Braxton uses his non-profit to help provide certain technological devices on a complete donation basis. The funding for these efforts can be tricky to navigate given how new the business and its earnings are. “Part of our ways of funding that is taking 20 percent of profits we make from people who buy our products and services and putting it to that fund,” Braxton said. While managing the economic basis to support this endeavor can require plenty of personal time and financial assets, Braxton still manages to find things for donation through various sites at lower costs. Sometimes he obtains these things from eBay, OfferUp, and Java. According to Braxton, Java has a similar business model to Revcorp PC as it wants to reduce electronic waste and provide technological resources for lower prices in a friendly and accessible manner. Outside of work and school, Braxton balances his professional life with his hobbies. From reading business books by Simon Sinek, to playing video or tabletop games to working on computer or mechanical builds, he finds each hobby to be as enriching as it is relaxing. “It helps me take my mind off the business because being an entrepreneur, you’re always thinking about the business so you’re never really off the clock,” Braxton said. “Those hobbies do help me stay centered and just kind of take a break from the entrepreneurship whenever I can.” Braxton’s anticipated graduation date is within the next year, so he plans to find work outside of Revcorp PC to help maintain stable finances for the company. “In terms of the business, the next five years are going to be definitely more of a part time pursuit but that’s because I want to devote that time into gaining more capital for myself because it’s mostly a boot-shop business,” he said. “We don’t really want to rely on investors and, usually, most investors if they do see our business model they aren’t really attracted to it.” Although this could be viewed as discouraging, Braxton sees nothing but opportunity for himself and Revcorp PC in El Paso. He thinks that El Paso has nothing but room to grow, so starting any engineering or electronic environmental efforts here should prove to be successful.

“I do plan to stay in El Paso and I also want Revcorp PC to be more of a local El Paso thing,” Braxton said. “We’ll still do international stuff, but I really want to grow the ecosystem mainly here especially since El Paso is known for its manufacturing.” Though he may not have had an ideal start to his time at UTEP, he found work and an academic career during his college experience. Thankfully, he finds that his pursuits are both accomplished and meaningful. Braxton initially came to UTEP as a mechanical engineering major who hoped to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), but the program and his own personal journeys eventually changed his perspective in life. “Fortunately thanks to the people at the Blackstone Launch Pad, Studio G and even the larger Blackstone network, they really gave me the confidence and a new perspective on what I want to do in life and how I want to accomplish it. Revcorp PC is one of the main representations of that,” Braxton said. The world of technology and electronics can seem daunting and deeply detached from humanity. With the rapid progression and improvement of the field, gaining access to different technological devices and being able to quickly understand and afford their interfaces seems as impressive as it does impossible for those without the resources. However, there are still people like Braxton and businesses like Revcorp PC that want to prioritize providing for the community, caring for the environment and creating accessible and open spaces for individuals looking to break into the technological world in a more sustainable way.

MATTHEW BRAXTON

Traducido por Meagan Garcia and Yoali Rodriguez

Cuando se trata del mundo de la tecnología e ingeniería, es fácil dejarse llevar por ideas como la inteligencia artificial y teorías del avance tecnológico que pueden sustituir el procesamiento humano. Ya sea en temas de mecánica, informática o robótica, es probable que las personas olviden como empezaron, quienes crearon estas innovaciones y que tan útiles son. Sin embargo, todavía hay gente que trabaja en diversos campos basados en la ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y las matemáticas (STEM por sus siglas en inglés) que se

preocupan por cómo estas aplicaciones pueden afectar el medioambiente, finanzas personales y bienestar en general. Matthew Braxton, de 23 años, es una de las personas que aspira a presentar cambios significativos en la comunidad fronteriza a través de su propia empresa. Estudiante en ingeniería, liderazgo e innovación con estudios secundarios en matemáticas y gestación de empresa, este joven originario de Chicago, ha encontrado pasiones y oportunidades en El Paso. Braxton es el fundador y consejero delegado de la empresa Revcorp PC, especializada en servicios de reparación y reventa de computadoras. Comenzando su empresa en el otoño del 2021, Braxton ha dedicado su carrera a hacer un cambio en el medioambiente reduciendo la cantidad de residuos electrónicos producidos en Estados Unidos. Braxton explica como viejos aparatos electrónicos, modelos de teléfono, reproductores de CD, piezas de computadora y muchos más artefactos terminan considerándose inútiles o inadecuadas. Comentando como estos tipos de desechos crean un hogar a sustancias químicas o toxicas en el suelo o el agua. Braxton afirma que este es el principal motivo por el cual quiso fundar Revcorp PC, para reducir los residuos electrónicos y darles un nuevo uso ayudando a la comunidad. Aunque los engranajes de la empresa comenzaron a girar en otoño de 2021, fue en enero del 2022 cuando oficialmente se inauguró como una Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (LLC por sus siglas en inglés) legitima. Braxton habla un poco sobre cómo funciona su negocio y cómo contribuye a reducir los residuos y a proporcionar accesibilidad. Braxton explica como utiliza su organización sin fines de lucro para ayudar a proporcionar ciertos dispositivos tecnológicos a base de donaciones completas. Utilizando el 20 por ciento de sus ganancias a la causa principal. Braxton piensa en crecer su presencia local. En un principio, Braxton llegó a UTEP como estudiante de ingeniería mecánica con la esperanza de trabajar para la Administración Nacional de Aeronáutica y del Espacio (NASA por sus siglas en inglés), pero el programa y sus propios viajes personales cambiaron su perspectiva. Empujándolo a crear un negocio local que sigue creciendo aquí en El Paso e internacionalmente. Read more online at mineromagazine.com

r u n a W e O l C p a Kee ter ONLY RAIN SHOULD GO DOWN THE STORM DRAIN.

Properly dispose of hazardous wastes, pesticides, and fertilizers. Call UTEP EH&S to schedule waste pickups.

Keep material out of the stormwater conveyance system (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets, drains, culverts, and arroyos). Dispose of grass, leaves, yard waste, and construction debris properly.

Do not dump waste, chemicals, paint, custodial waste, and general rubbish items (tires, old car parts, shopping carts, etc.) into storm drains, channels, or ditches.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Recycle oil, antifreeze, and other vehicle ﬂuids, or dispose of them properly to prevent the pollution of stormwater, groundwater and the Rio Grande.

Leave natural vegetation in place where possible to prevent erosion.

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

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

TEETIME

GOLF PLAYERS share their travels and experiences with the sport.

early filling the stands each season, UTEP welcomes fans from across the city, to support its college sports teams. Home games for sports such as basketball, volleyball or football make it easy for the community to attend, but that is not the case of golf. UTEP’s men’s and women’s golf teams travel out of town, and in some cases out of the state, for all their tournaments. While the teams do not get to showcase their skills in El Paso, the men’s and women’s golf teams also do not have the luxury of cheering fans, or even the physical support of their own families since their families are out of the country. Both UTEP golf teams, are entirely made up of college-level athletes from around the world, who migrated to the Sun City for the opportunity to play golf while they attend college. Sophomore Spaniard, Marta Romeu Chen, coming from Valencia; junior Daniela Chipchase native of Bogotá, Colombia; Jacob Presutti a junior, born and raised in Brampton, (the Flower City) Canada; and March Khaw, a senior from Burlington, Canada; have left their families and homes behind to pursue their goals. These athletes share how they adapted and the opportunities they now have, while playing in the States.

FIRST SWING

Story by Brianne Williams. Photos by Annabella Mireles.

The love these athletes have for the sport stemmed from their parents taking them often to the golf course when they were younger. “I started playing at around three or four, because both my parents played,” Chipchase said. “I have pictures of me in the stroller, in the back of the (golf ) cart.” Not a fan of the sport at first, Romeu Chen remembers getting her first set of golf clubs at nine years old, and soon grew fond of it. “I started playing golf when I was six. My dad took me to the golf course, and I loved it,” Khaw

said. “I played my first tournament when I was seven, and I learned that I love to compete. So, I played in a lot of tournaments since a young age.” Growing up, Presutti played both hockey and golf, starting at the young age of six. He was known as AAA hockey player and decided to play AA to be with his brother. Being a smaller kid, Presutti would often end up with concussions and did not feel that he was as good at hockey as he was at golf. In the end, he transitioned to golf, realizing that his passion for it encouraged the switch, not regretting the decision. From their first step on the course to their current college careers, the love that these athletes have for golf continues to grow, with aspirations to play like their favorite professional athletes. “When I’m playing golf, it’s like my peace,” Chipchase said. “When we go to practice, it is like my time to be me.” Besides following their parents’ footsteps, these athletes have found role models in other professional golf players, such as Lydia Ko, Adam Hadwin, Tiger Woods, and the Korda sisters. These athletes continue to inspire the students into playing at a higher level.

LEAVING HOME Of all the adjustments the athletes had to make coming to the U.S., these four agree that not having their family is the hardest part. Being so far away from home, these athletes had to grow up, while also juggling academics, sports, and adjusting to a new country. “Not having them to support me every day was kind of tough, and I miss them a lot,” Khaw said. “It also makes you grow up when your mom doesn’t cook for you anymore or do your laundry.” The women’s team considers themselves a sisterhood, and as a support system that helps each other as they leave their own families thousands of miles away to play the sport they love.   “Since you’re away from home, it’s always nice to have a second family and that’s what I feel like here,” Chipchase said.   Being an all-international team, traveling home would take days, rather than hours, for these athletes just to see their families. From practices, to classes, tournaments, and everything in between, the bond these athletes share is special because it is the closest thing they have to a family.   “That reflects how we care about this sport,” Romeu Chen said. “We are sacrificing too much to be here.” “It sucks sometimes just because I want to see my mom, dad, brother, and my dog,” Presutti said. “It makes the time that we spend together when I’m back home a little sweeter, just because I don’t get to see them as much now.” 13

Chipchase and Romeu Chen, are two out of the seven golf players from the women’s golf team.

“When I’m playing

golf, it’s like

my peace. When we go to practice, it is like my

time to

be me.” - Daniela Chipchase

Although she had to travel far, Romeu Chen feels that America is a wonderful place to grow as a professional athlete, because in Spain there is no program offered where she can play golf and study simultaneously. Khaw shared that he loves El Paso because of its “good food” and “nice people.” Presutti shared that he likes America because he can play golf all-year, unlike his home in Canada where they receive a lot of snow. Presutti also shared that he used to play tournaments in America when he was twelve, but establishing in El Paso was a culture shock. Not knowing how to speak Spanish, it took Presutti some time to get adjusted.

TOURNAMENTS Each year, the UTEP golf teams travel to twelve tournaments, nearly dividing them evenly between the spring and fall semester. There is a tournament scheduled every week 14

and a half to two weeks. Traveling has made it challenging, but not impossible for these college athletes to keep up with their schoolwork. With the help of their coaches, these athletes find time to balance golf and schoolwork and complete assignments in advance often, to not fall behind. Khaw shared that he has learned strong time management, which he struggled with during his freshman year. Both Presutti and Khaw shared with Minero Magazine that they have two favorite tournament locations that they traveled to in the Spring 2022-23 season. “I have two places that are my favorite, Bahamas and Hawaii,” Khaw said. “They were pretty sweet. I had a nice time on and off the course. It was sweet seeing the course and having it right by the ocean. It was a cool experience to see.” Although it has not been officially

announced, Chipchase shared the potential of a college-level home tournament soon, hoping that the community will come out and show their support.

PLAYING FOR UTEP The teams promote tournaments through social media. They also keep their websites up to date with each player’s stats, tournament scores, scheduled matches, the team's rosters (featuring seven female athletes and six male athletes) and more since fans are unable to travel alongside the team. “It’s very difficult to promote through the community because they cannot really go see you,” Romeu Chen said. “As we are traveling outside the state or the city, people are not going to follow you the same as they come to the university to see any other game.” Despite this, the athletes agree that playing at UTEP has been beneficial for their

careers. As students they also have to balance school and traveling. For that, the Athletics Department assists the students, as they are in contact with their professors to notify them of their absences and make a detailed schedule for them to complete their course work on time without hurting their grades. “We have team workouts twice a week and then practice at a certain time every day,” Presutti said. “We are very schedule oriented.” In her first year and a half attending UTEP, Romeu Chen is one of three players to compete in all ten tournaments. This season, she describes feeling both surprised and accomplished. She challenges herself each tournament and still worries whether she did a great job or not. “Every time we qualify, I get the stress of ‘what if I’m not going (to make it)?’” Romeu Chen said. “I get this pressure inside of me, but at the same time it’s like ‘Marta, you did this, you can do it again.’” Romeu Chen enjoys playing for UTEP and feels that her individual scores not only help her team but gives UTEP the status of a good-standing university. Romeu Chen has led UTEP as the top finisher in two of their tournaments, one of which included the Conference United States of America (C-USA) Championship. She is always trying to become a better player to give UTEP women’s golf a name.   In Chipchase’s career at UTEP, she has

been named “Conference USA (C-USA) Golfer of the Week,” presented by Blenders Eyewear. She is pleased with herself for this accomplishment and says that her “hard work has paid off.” In Khaw’s golf career, he was named UTEP’s Top Finisher, and placed in the top ten twice. As of spring 2023, Chipchase and Khaw are redshirt athletes, with injuries not allowing them to compete in tournaments for the season. Nonetheless, this journey has helped them heal and train, both mentally and physically, for the next year.

“Growing up for me was different because we never settled in one specific country, due to my dad’s job I would move around every two to three years. I have lived in seven different countries and have learned all sorts of cultures and experiences from this.”

PLAYING THE COURSE A typical game of 18 holes can last anywhere between four to five hours. Each par has a different time frame, with par 3’s usually lasting thirteen minutes, par 4’s at fifteen minutes and par 5’s at seventeen minutes. A par in golf is the number of strokes expected to complete a single hole, according to an article from Independent Golf Reviews.   In comparison to other sports, each golf course differs from the last one, forcing the player to think about how the terrain might affect their shot and find a counter action. “When you play football, soccer, you always play in the same field, like the same measurements. When you play golf, every course is different,” Romeu Chen said.

“Growing up in my hometown, I really enjoyed it.I kinda lived in the suburbs, so I had a lot of friends. But it wasn’t crazy busy, so I spent a lot of time playing sports at the skatepark, just trying to have as much fun as possible.”

“Every shot is different.” All four athletes describe golf as a “mental” and “individual” sport. Although there are other teams present, they are in competition with themselves, trying to beat their previous rank. Nonetheless, these athletes are there for one another, cheering their teammates on. “We get four years of pushing each other and trying to be the best for each other,” Presutti said. These UTEP athletes advise that if not in the right headspace, the game could be poorly affected. In addition, climate can also affect each player’s performance. “You mentally have to be really prepared for it,” Romeu Chen said. “It’s not only you hit the ball and that’s it. You really have to think about all the things that go into it: the wind, the slope, everything. You have to keep pushing and pushing to get the result that you want. I like that I don’t have to depend on anyone else to do the job that I have to." Although these athletes are a team, the play individually and their scores are what help the team thrive. Rather than competing against other teams, golf challenges players to be in competition with themselves. “You don’t have to really compete against other people,” Khaw said. “You can just focus on competing against yourself and getting better on your own.”

CAREER PLANS Chipchase, who originally started out as a business management major, switched to a communications major a year into her studies here at UTEP. She feels that choosing communications as a major was a strategic 15

move because it is a “broad subject,” and can lead her to many other ways in life. Romeu Chen is an industrial and systems engineering major, with a minor in mathematics. Khaw is a marketing major, with a minor in entrepreneurship, hoping to own a marketing business. Presutti chose finance as a major, with a minor in economics, a decision he made to have a college degree as a backup in case he did not pursue golf and still be successful after graduation. While these athletes love playing golf, not all of them are sure it is what they want to do in the long run. For Chipchase, she knows that golf is hopefully in her future. “I am not sure what I want to do yet with my career,” Chipchase said. “All I know is that I love to play golf, and I would like to pursue golf professionally.” Khaw and Presutti, also see themselves playing golf in the future, striving to one day become professional athletes. Romeu Chen, on the other hand, is not certain about making golf her career path. Romeu Chen says she sees just how difficult it is to make it as a professional athlete, especially for women in America. In such a competitive industry, she sometimes feels discouraged. Playing for UTEP, Romeu Chen has been able to challenge herself and see if she has what it takes to become a professional athlete.

“I would say I’m pretty outgoing once you get to know me. I’d say I’m hardworking, and maybe funny. I like making my teammates laugh.”

HORA DEL TEE Traducido por Yoali Rodriguez A pesar de que estos equipos no tienen la oportunidad de enseñar sus talentos a la comunidad estudiantil y de El Paso, los equipos de golf femenil y varonil de UTEP han creado una fuerte alianza fuerte entre ellos los ayuda a seguir su pasión por el deporte. Compuesto completamente de atletas de diferentes partes del mundo, estos han encontrado la oportunidad de crecer como atletas y preparse profesionalmente. Marta Romeu Chen, proveniente de Valencia, España, aprendió a amar el deporte con los años gracias a sus padres. Compartiendo como uno de sus primeros recuerdos de golf fue cuando sus padres le compraron su primer set de palos de golf cuando tenía tan solo nueve años. Jacob Presutti, nacido en Brampton, Canadá, también creció practicando deporte, empezando su pasión desde los seis años. Presutti al principio era conocido como jugador de hockey, y poco después como golfista. Después de varios años y algunas contusiones, Pressuti sacrificó el hockey y enfocó su amor hacia el golf. Dejar su hogar la mayor parte del año es una de las partes más dolorosas de ser estudiante internacional. Muchos de estos atletas han tenido que aprender a estar lejos de casa, mientras se acostumbran a un nuevo país, manteniendo buenas calificaciones, y practicando su deporte. Daniela Chipchase, nativa de Bogotá, Colombia, expresó como su equipo se ha convertido en una segunda familia, y en un gran apoyo durante este capítulo de sus vidas. Romeo Chen menciona la oportunidad que les han dado en Estados Unidos de crecer y seguir practicando golf, expresando como en su país no ofrecen programas donde puedes estudiar y practicar deportes simultáneamente. Cada año, los equipos de golf tienen doce torneos en total durante los semestres de primavera y otoño. Marcus Khaw, originario de Burligton, Canadá, compartió que los lugares favoritos que han visitado eran Hawaii, las Bahamas, y el Caribe, lo cual hace el estar en Estados Unidos, una experiencia placentera. Apesar de haber obtenido grandes reconocimientos durante su tiempo en UTEP, estos atletas descubrieron que

“I would describe myself as an introvert when you don’t know me. But once I have more confidence with you, I am very extroverted and a little bit crazy, in the good way. I have a very strong character even though I don’t like to stand out a lot.”

el apoyo más difícil de conseguir viene a nivel local. Los dos equipos se han encargado a promocionar sus torneos en redes sociales y en la página web de UTEP Athletics, alentando a estudiantes de UTEP que los sigan durante sus torneos y sus logros. Aunque algunos de ellos no saben si seguir su amor por el deporte profesionalmente después de acabar sus estudios, cada uno estos estudiantes han expresado gran gratitud hacia la comunidad de UTEP y sus familias por el apoyo incondicional que les han brindado.