February 16, 2026
OPINION Page 1
‘Was that the lung of 87?’ Iron lung: A movie review
NEWS Page 2
UTEP’s Future Unfolds: President Heather Wilson Shares Plans
ARTS & CULTURE Page 5
Nathan De la Mora Uses Photography Meetup to Preview Spring 2026 Line
SPORTS Page 8
From Big Ten to Borderland: Ivane Tensaie finds her game at UTEP
Editor’s
Note: This
is the first part of a two-part series on naloxone accessibility and overdose recovery.
Students walking through the Union East Building at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) this semester may notice something new on the first floor. A vending machine: not stocked with the usual snacks or drinks, but with free naloxone — the life-saving medication that can reverse a drug overdose in minutes.
Narcan, the brand name for the naloxone, is available to anyone at no cost with no questions asked; emphasizing accessibility for students.
The medication comes in the form of a nasal spray with instructions on how to use it on flyers attached to the machine.
The initiative was the result of nearly a year of conversations among students, faculty and administrators. For Student Government Association (SGA) Senator-at-Large, Alyson Andreu, a public health and psychology sophomore, the ideas began in a classroom and then became more personal.
“It was primarily personal research, and through classes where I realized the rise of fentanyl here
in El Paso is a very serious issue, a serious issue that was being acknowledged and funded by the federal government,” Andreu said. “ It caught my attention, and I did meet a couple overdose survivors, and that really moved me into beginning the conversations that led to this initiative.”
According to data from the El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) overdose dashboard, in El Paso County, drug overdose deaths rose from 141 in 2015 to 220 in 2023, a 68% increase. In 2024, however, overdose deaths decreased by about 26% to 163. Numbers are still rising both statewide, however with The Department of State Health Services stating, “Texas is experiencing a drug poisoning
epidemic.” From 2019 to 2024, the state saw a 68% increase in drug overdose deaths.
In 2023 alone, approximately 105,000 people died from a drug overdose in the U.S. according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In nearly 43% of overdose deaths, a potential bystander was present.
Andreu conducted a needs assessment survery during a campus engagement fair and presented the results to administrators. Sharing that the journey was not simple.
“It’s a very controversial topic, very, very controversial,” Andreu said. “Maybe not everyone was on board, and it did take a little bit more of education, of promotional awareness, for people to understand [that] just because you aren’t seeing it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Unfortunately, it’s a very real thing that’s going on, and it is affecting not only the student body, but a lot of people here in El Paso.
Chair of the Department of Social Work in the College of Health Science, Eva Moya, Ph.D., helped turn those early conversations into action. She learned about a regional hub that could supply state-funded naloxone vending machines and decided to apply for the university.
“I said, ‘You know what, let me just go ahead and apply for a Narcan dispensing machine, the largest one you can think of.,” Moya said. “So, I completed the application, I informed my dean that I was doing that, we were not sure if we’re going to get it, because it’s competitive, and there are only a few for the state.”
The machine and the Naloxone are supplied through a partnership with the Recovery Alliance, which serves as a regional distribution hub. Marisela Tavares is the Region 10 Naloxone Distribution Hub Project Coordinator in charge of restocking the vending machine.
The Recovery Alliance and Tavares work to provide free Naloxone to organizations and the El Paso community as well as overdose prevention and response training. Tavares said the vending machine model was intentional as stigma around substance use often keeps people from seeking help and resources.
“Nobody has to know that you’re getting it. You don’t have to fill out something. They don’t take your name; they don’t take your address, your phone number,” Tavares said. “You just go up to the machine, you get your free Narcan, and you go on your way.”
Since its instillation during the first week of class, Moya says the machine has required multiple restocks with hundreds of boxes taken within days.
But the machine in the Union is not the only part of the effort. Moya and her department have begun distributing Naloxone through small rolling carts nicknamed “Narcarritos”. The Narcarritos are located in different buildings across campus including the SGA office, the social work department, the occupational therapy department, the geological sciences building and the library.
The carts are stocked with free naloxone kits and informational flyers in English and Spanish, allowing students to “grab and go.”
“I want to see Narcan in housing. I want to see Narcan in the recreation center. I want to see Narcan [in] all the areas where there’s food, because those are the places where students congregate,” Moya said. “And then I want to see Narcan beyond UTEP.”
With the vending machine and the Narcarritos, Moya estimates that the university has distributed 1000s of boxes in the community.
The long-term vision includes wall-mounted naloxone cabinets placed near AED machines and expanding distribution, including at large campus events.
For Andreu, the purpose of the initiative is simple:
“If it saves one person’s life, it did its purpose,” Andreu said. “One single person is all it takes, because it’s never too much to carry it around.”
Ximena Cordero, editor-in-chief
A&C EDITOR THE PROSPECTOR ABBY PEDROZA B Y
As an avid Markiplier video watcher for the past almost 10 years, it excites me to be able to talk about this. When I first heard the news about Mark Fischbach making a movie about a 2022 indie game by David Szymanski, “Iron Lung,” I was surprised.
A YouTuber who makes “Let’s Play” videos and plays horror games… making a movie? Oh, wow.
I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t rewatched his playthrough of Iron Lung a million times. I’m the type of person to need some background noise while I finish a task I am working on. Whenever that video comes on, I always end up watching the video instead of doing my work because of how compelling the gameplay (and
Fischbach’s commentary) is.
The concept of the story itself was interesting as it deals with the end of humanity inching closer and the only remaining survivors making convicts explore a moon covered entirely in blood oceans for remaining resources.
And having to do it welded into a submarine hundreds of meters below “sea” level with no escape?
I understand why Mark had the idea of making a whole movie out of it.
Following the announcement in early 2023, his video release schedule began to slow down almost entirely, and I’m sure every single one of his subscribers understood just how much effort he was going to be putting into this project of his.
And all that effort from Fischbach and his production team was so
incredibly worth it in the end. Getting the opportunity to watch the movie the day before general release and with my siblings, who were the sole reason I found him in the first place, was such a special moment for me. It wasn’t just the excitement of watching my favorite YouTuber on the big screen; it was the fact I was able to watch such an important feat in his career and in the gaming community.
With just statistics alone, Iron Lung was shown in over 3,000 theaters in the United States and internationally. With only a budget of $3 million, in less than a week since release, he has made $22 million globally (as of writing this) in revenue and secured the number one spot in the charts in America for three consecutive days.
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VIVIEN
STAFF
Jesus Guillermo Reyes, a senior studying corporate and organizational communication, and I, Vivien Noe C. a sophomore media advertising student from the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) had the opportunity to interview Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie about the new film “Wuthering Heights.”
This opportunity came to be because of the new program Reyes started this January when he became the first Warner Ambassador at UTEP. With a passion for the entertainment industry, he was always looking for opportunities that would help him achieve his goals.
The search paid off after he attended the “One Battle After Another” premiere, where he met a Warners publicist who told him about the Warner College Ambassadors. The program is designed to give opportunites to students studying communication.
“The Warner Brothers College Ambassador Program is a nationwide
ambassadorship program, and it consists of only approximately 30 students selected nationwide to represent Warner Brothers at their respective campuses, and it is a highly selective program.” Reyes said. “And so basically, we’re in charge of promoting Warner Brothers at our campus by creating on campus activations, holding special screenings and just specialized events themed around the upcoming movies all throughout the year.”
Reyes is very excited to bring Warner’s entertainment to El Paso, and to connect with students, organizations to build unforgettable events.
“Students can get involved by following us on following the program on Instagram [@utep_WBU] to learn more, staying tuned and get all the updates for the program, but also by being involved,” Reyes said. “I am planning on reaching out to very diverse organizations all throughout campus and just staying tuned and, checking for updates.”
roundtable, where 10 schools would be selected to interview the two movie stars with more experiences like this in the works
or this company, is just super flattering, and rewarding. I’m just honored to have this role and to be able to bring this program to UTEP. At the same time, I’m also looking forward to seeing how this program will develop.” Reyes said. Even though the program barely started last month, it’s already creating an impact.
If you had asked me if I thought one day I’d interview celebrities, I would have said “sure, in 10 years,” I would never have expected that I would be on a Zoom call with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, in my sophomore year.
It was in this spirit of collaboration that Reyes reached out to me and asked if I’d like to participate with him for a student
“Well, it’s exciting. I do feel like it hasn’t clicked yet. It’s kind of surreal still, but it is very, very exciting. It’s a huge honor. I mean, I myself, am super enthusiastic about film and so getting the opportunity to have, you know, just the exposure to these people
This whole experience has been a dream come true. I am so grateful to Reyes, for both starting the Warner Ambassador program at UTEP, which will open opportunities for students in media, as well for kindly including me in this opportunity, and trusting my creativity. He has taught me about the power of collaboration, and I admire the commitment he has in achieving his goals.
Interviewing Elordi and Robbie has been the most exciting moment in my career so
far. It has also taught me valuable lessons that I’ll take with me throughout my career. Starting with the power of social media. It’s crazy to think that if I had never posted about my work at The Prospector, I would never have had this opportunity.
Another lesson I learned from this, and honestly every step in my journey as a college student, is to say yes to opportunities. Even when you don’t know if you are ready for them, you can learn along the way, but you can’t go back to an opportunity that already have passed.
Like Reyes, I am thrilled to see where this program goes, and I hope everyone who is interested gets involved, and takes advantage of every opportunity offered on the UTEP campus.
vgnoe@miners.utep.edu
Ximena Cordero, editor-in-chief
VANESSA OROZCO B Y
CONTRIBUTOR THE PROSPECTOR
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) President Heather Wilson held a student town hall meeting on Jan. 27, at the Undergraduate Learning Center (UGLC) to engage students and staff on campus updates that are underway or planned for the near future.
The Prospector sat down with President Wilson following the town hall to discuss upcoming campus changes, including construction projects, free speech policies and her vision for the university in the coming years.
“There will be a lot going on, on campus. There will be rearrangements because we have to. Some people may be in temporary spaces, and we want to take a look at the planning of the whole campus while things are being redone,” Wilson said about the reconstruction and restoration of the east and west union.
The discussion followed the opening of the $110 million Texas Western Hall, which replaces the Liberal Arts Building and serves as the new home for the College of Liberal Arts. Demolition of the original building has already begun, with plans to restore the campus arroyo, a natural drainage system that runs through the university.
The redesigned arroyo will capture water to support surrounding desert life while also serving as a campus landscape feature.
“We’re close to the final design of housing [which will include] 500 housing units. It’ll be just north of Kidd Field, so really enclose to campus, and it’ll be a traditional dorm with an integrated cafeteria and meal plan on the ground floor,”
Wilson said.“We don’t have that on campus now. We have apartment kind of living, but we don’t have a freshman dorm, so that will be the next addition to campus.”
The projects are being funded through a $118 million allocation from the University of Texas Board of Regents.
President Wilson also discussed free speech policies which have been part of national discussions impacting college campuses.
“Most of the changes here haven’t had a huge amount of impact, given what our policies and procedures were before. There was a new piece of legislation from the state legislature, and we were fully compliant with that. For student groups and faculty, there’s not really a change at all,” Wilson said.
UTEP’s free speech policies allow students to express ideas, speak and assemble on campus freely as long as their activities remain lawful
and refrain from disrupting regular university operations.
Wilson said outside groups and organizations will experience slight policy changes that encourage them to remain within designated campus areas to avoid interfering with university operations.
“UTEP chose to keep a free speech area,” Wilson said. “We didn’t have to, but Leech Grove is our free speech area so if there’s a group that has no affiliation with UTEP but they want to be on campus, pass out their literature and say what they want to say, as long as they are not disturbing classes or impeding students going where they want to go, they can do that in Leech Grove.”
She also discussed campus safety efforts and communication protocols the university has with other law enforcements entities to ensure a safe campus.
“We have UTEP police here on campus. We also have close connections with all the other law enforcements in the region: Federal, state, local,” Wilson said. “Part of the keys to keeping everyone safe is lots of communication between those entities. We have certain obligations to students living on
campus or people working on campus. If there’s some kind of unresolved threat or something, we have an obligation to immediately inform. We follow those rules and the procedures so that to the maximum extent we can keep campus safe.”
Under Wilson’s leadership, the university has continued to reach new benchmarks in enrollment, graduation rates and research.
“We’re at record high enrollment, record high persistence to graduation, record high six-year graduation rates and record high research. Research has gone up 70% in the last year,” Wilson said. “It’s about how do we just continuously get a little better tomorrow than we are today? How do we accomplish our mission even better next year than we’ve done this year?”
Wilson also highlighted the discussion of upcoming notable guest speakers and the range of campus events and community outreach opportunities hosted throughout the year, including those held at Sun Bowl Stadium and the Don Haskins Center.
“We have 3,500 faculty and staff, 26,000 students and 360 student organizations. A faculty member can invite anyone to their class! Most of the things that we have that people are aware of are
concerts at the Sun Bowl, monster trucks and games at the Don Haskins. Theres always something going on at UTEP!” Wilson said.
Student town hall meetings are held regularly across individual colleges and at the university level. Wilson also meets monthly with the Student Government Association (SGA) to discuss agendas and student concerns.
President Wilson encourages students to stay informed through official UTEP social media platforms and university websites for upcoming town halls and campus updates.
In September 1954, Thelma White, valedictorian of Douglas High School, applied to enroll at Texas Western College just months after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Despite the landmark decision, Texas segregation laws at the collegiate level remained in place, and White was denied admission because of her race.
At the time, African American students seeking a four-year degree in Texas were largely limited to Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M. White’s lawsuit, backed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), ultimately led to Texas Western’s
desegregation in 1955.
The ruling opened the doors for the first 12 African American students to enroll, making Texas Western College, now the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), the first desegregated public college in Texas.
Despite the ruling of Judge R.E Thomason, making White the first black student to be admitted into an all-white college, White would decide against attending. She instead chose to enroll at New Mexico A&M, later NMSU.
Retired UTEP history professor, Charles Martin, Ph.D., who has written frequently about the integration of college sports and the desegregation of Texas Western, added that another reason for her decision, included avoiding
backlash from the lawsuit.
“Most of [the students] said that they got along pretty well. Of course, Thelma White did not enroll because she felt there might be some retribution against her for filing the lawsuit [that] led to the integration,” Martin said. “So, she stayed at New Mexico State, and she had ties in New Mexico State after having gone there [her] first year.”
However, with the support of El Paso’s NAACP members, Texas Western would admit twelve other African American students for the fall semester of 1955.
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and they are worried.”
The unrest follows reports of ICE activity at local construction sites and the federal government’s acquisition of warehouse space.
A wave of immigration enforcement operations across the
According to federal documents, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scouting locations for an expansion of detention capacity, including
privacy amid the heightened enforcement climate, noted that the visibility of the movement is changing the landscape for those afraid to speak out.
“I feel some people might have some sort of fear to protest [against ICE],” the student said. “But if they see more and more protests, they might have a little bit of more
Bernal,emphasized the moral weight of the issue.
“El Paso has a moral obligation to lead in the immigration debate,” Bernal said.
Following the testimony, the City Council unanimously approved Item 34, a measure co-sponsored by City Representatives Lily Limón and Chris Canales, directing the City Manager and City Attorney to review options to prevent the construction of new ICE facilities within city limits.
Rodriguez believes the student activism pushed the council to act.
“I want [to] trust that our city councilors... are good people and saw that as something that had to be done,” Rodriguez said. “But I also think they were listening to the youth and seeing a lot of kids going out, certainly gave them a push to do that.”
Representative Canales emphasized during the Feb. 3 session that maintaining a distinction between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement is vital for community stability.
“Public safety depends on trust,” Canales said.“Maintaining a clear distinction between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement matters. Cities function best when rules are clear, expectations are predictable, and residents understand what their local government is responsible for and what it is not.”
Representative Isabel SalcidoRocha also acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that many immigrants come seeking “safety, stability [and] opportunity”.
While she supported the measure, she expressed concern that the
city must be “very careful” in its legal approach. Rocha added that immigrants are “the fabric of our community” and deserve to be treated with “dignity and compassion”.
However, the path to blocking federal agencies is legally complex. While the city explores its options, federal officials maintain that expanded detention space is necessary.
In a statement, ICE noted that facilities are designed to meet regular detention standards and that the agency is actively working to increase capacity.
As the city attorney’s office begins its review, the borderland remains at the center of a national tugof-war between federal mandate and local resistance, with the next update on the city’s legal strategy expected later this spring.
Abby Pedroza, editor
for everybody, not just couples.
Users on social media platforms, such as TikTok have helped form a new narrative on Valentine’s Day’s true meaning. Through this, Galentine’s has been getting more popular over the recent years and may now be taking over the traditional idea of a date with a lover on a historically romantic day.
Galentine’s day is a tradition where women celebrate their friendships doing the same activities as one would do with their partner on Valentine’s Day. Including gift giving, dinner and crafts. This up-and-coming tradition brings friend groups together making Valentine’s Day
Junior biomedical sciences student, Danytza Canales, started celebrating Galentine’s day in 2023 during her junior year of high school. While unsure of what the celebration was at first, Canales now celebrates every year.
“We all get together at one of my friend’s houses, and we all bring a plate of something,” Canales said.
“It all has to be in the theme of pink and red and we try to decorate the plate we’re bringing.”
TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram helped create ideas for junior multimedia journalism major Ashley Aguirre to get her friends together and gather inspiration on easy ways to celebrate while still juggling school life.
“If we saw an idea on TikTok or on Instagram, even Pinterest, we got to bring it to life,” Aguirre said. “It was something so doable that we could get to do with each other, that really we have social media to thank for bringing us together.”
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with friends seems more momentous for Canales, given that celebrating with a partner isn’t as unique since many couples already go on dates without the intention of celebrating the holiday. It loses its charm due to repetition.
“Valentine’s with a partner isn’t seen as special anymore,” Canales said. “I feel like it’s more special when you spend it with a group of friends and do something memorable rather than another
There is one thing every college student needs and it isn’t a computer, books or anything from a syllabus. Nobody would be able to get through college without a good playlist to stay motivated and the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) students are no exception. What songs are Miners listening to as they take on this spring semester? Just like the wide variety of majors, students’ favorite tracks range from classical strings to energetic rock and even empowering musical theater.
For junior computer science student, Kevin Ayala, music is not just what’s playing in the background, but also a roadmap he uses to remind himself of what his beliefs are even when there’s bumps on the road.
“‘RIP PETE’ by Nsqk is a song that reminds me that my academic journey should be guided by my own values and perspectives. It encourages self-focus and supports my mental well-being,” Ayala said. If students are wondering how to “lock-in”, classical music might be the answer. In a modern world full of distractions, students have
Music provides university students a chance to take a step back from the workload and transport them to a stress-free environment.
found a cheat code to concentrate that goes back to Beethoven or Tchaikovsky. Regina Zubia, freshman computer science student, has recently discovered this method and particularly enjoys “Marriage de Amour” by Paul Senneville.
“Lately I’ve been listening mostly to classical music. I find that it helps me to learn and to retain a lot of things that I study,” Zubia said. “It also motivates me, relaxes me, and the song that I chose is called ‘Marriage de Amour.’ I love listening to that on the piano and hopefully one day I learn how to play it myself.”
Ayala agrees that classical music has a soothing element that helps relieve stress during even the most difficult moments.
“’Menuet’ [Lin-Manuel Miranda’s version] is a piece that helps me regain confidence during moments of anxiety or stress,” Ayala said. Music can also help transform students into who they want to be after graduation, just like a song can help an actor understand their character on Broadway. Doriant Zuñiga, junior and political science major, steps into the role of her future attorney self when she listens to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton.
random date with your partner.”
Although Galantine’s is a fun celebration, it runs deeper for Canales. The involvement of friends who rarely get to see each other, including her close friend who goes to school in New York, makes the celebration feel more special.
“When she comes, we are able to do this big thing and it’s really memorable,” Canales said. “I see it as more special because I only get to see her once a year.”
As Aguirre celebrates with her friends as well as her partner, there is a clear distinction to the vibe of both events. Both are equally special to Aguirre, yet very different.
“With my partner it feels more romantic, I feel a lot more provided
for as a woman, where areas with my friends we all collaborate to bring something to the table,” Aguirre said. “It’s just a time to celebrate with all my girlfriends, and we get to bring that girlhood back into our friendship.”
Whether it is with your friends, family or partner, Valetine’s Day is now becoming a holiday for everybody to enjoy. There is less bitterness to having no plans on the holiday of love because wearing matching pajamas, eating red and pink cookies and having a potluck with some friends is now an option.
Mia Colmenero is the layout editor at The Prospector and may be reached at mjcolmenero@miners.utep. edu
CONTRIBUTOR THE PROSPECTOR FRED KEPFIELD B Y
As students at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) navigate classes and campus life, some also face another challenge: heartbreak.
The end of a relationship can disrupt routines and make it harder to focus on school, work and personal responsibilities.
Still, some UTEP students say despite the difficulties they pose, breakups have taught them to redirect their energy instead of shutting down. By focusing on academics, friendships, and personal goals, they say heartbreak, while painful, can become a moment for healing and selfreflection rather than a setback.
For Joaquin Rascon, a junior computer science major, breakups have been less about shutting down and more about redirecting energy. Rascon said he copes by immersing himself in what matters most.
“I put all my energy towards the things that I love. When it comes to school, I put all of my energy in there because that’s what’s important to me at that time,” Rascon said. “Journaling also helps because you get to express your
thoughts and you get to express how you feel. Even when you’re not going through a breakup, journaling helps.”
Rascon also relies on physical activity and music to manage the emotional weight that comes with heartbreak. Running, he said, allows him to release stress while processing difficult emotions.
“I love to run, so I’ll take it out on a run, or I’ll listen to music and just vibe out to it,” Rascon said. “I let that energy out.”
Sophomore sociology major Camila Calderon described breakups as disruptive events that arrive without warning and immediately rearrange daily life.
“A breakup is a very big change in your life that’s super abrupt, so it is going to cause a lot of chaos in your normal routine. It’s best to at least try to do the bare minimum than try to do everything at once,” Calderon said. “It’s not the end of the world.”
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JEWEL OCAMPO B Y
STAFF REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR
Experimentation has defined Nathan De la Mora’s creative process since launching his fashion line in 2024. Three weeks after completing his latest collection, the designer organized a model photography meetup that offered a preview of his upcoming spring 2026 line.
The event took place Jan. 30 at Studio 4. Rather than presenting his full collection, De la Mora said the gathering offered a glimpse into the direction of his spring 2026 line. The meetup served as an extension of his “classically extravagant” style and growing interest in collaboration.
De la Mora’s path into the fashion industry began early in life. Growing up between Juárez and El Paso, he said he enjoyed dressing up to stand out.
“I don’t want to just be like this shirt, these pants, I want to be more, because I think fashion is more like an interactive form of art for me, because you can use it in the life,” De la Mora said.
After finishing high school, De la Mora decided to pursue fashion design, dedicating his work to his grandmother, who was one of his biggest supporters. Influencing the launch of his brand and first official collection, which debuted in spring 2020. Followed by a fall collection that he said finally aligned with the vision he had carried for her.
“She told me, if I go to finish my high school, she wants to support me as a fashion designer. She was my everything,” De la Mora said. “My spring collection was beautiful but did not represent what I wanted for my grandma and my fall collection of the past year. In November, it was beautiful and about her.”
De la Mora’s work is largely
All across the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), students walk and drive past numerous works of art that they may never think twice about. From the uniqueness of UTEP’s Bhutanese inspired architecture to gallery exhibits and iconic sculptures.
One of the most recognized and utilized graduation photoshoot spots on campus might be the Mining Minds pickaxe that stands partially buried in the rock garden on the roundabout by the Sun Bowl garage.
The 25-foot-tall carbon steel sculpture was the creation of Denver artist and sculptor Micheal Clapper in 2010. Aside from being a popular place for students to have their picture taken while showing off their UTEP pride, the rusted pickaxe head was designed as a homage to the university’s origins as a mining school.
Connecting the university’s past and present, Clapper designed the iconic sculpture to be more than a landmark. At night the pickaxe is illuminated by LED lights inside the sculpture. On special occasions
like memorials and historic dates, those LED lights glow orange and blue.
Looking closely reveals the binary code perforated into both ends of the pickaxe head. A pattern of ones and zeros that are, according to the UTEP website loosely based on the inspirational quote given during former UTEP president Diana Natalicio’s convocation speech in 2008.
“Believe in yourself and in your dreams. Believe in UTEP and its aspirations. Share the dream!” Natalicio said.
The Cloud
Heading up the road to the roundabout on Schuster Avenue, another work of art functions as a pedestrian underpass. “The Cloud,” was unveiled in 2016 and recognized by Americans for the Arts in 2017 as “one of the nation’s outstanding public arts projects,” according to a UTEP news release. This piece was created by award winning New York artist Donald Lipski. Lipski described “The Cloud” in the same UTEP news release as inspired by the prevalent Bhutanese architecture around campus and the nickname given to
for his collection.
the small country, The Kingdom of the Clouds.
Taking around two years to build, the three-sided cloud sculpture rises 60 feet above the center of the Schuster roundabout. It was constructed from thousands of multicolored stainless-steel flaps that sway in the breeze.
An interactive art piece that was designed to be viewed in a hundred different ways, The Cloud’s design changes as it reflects the weather, the time of day or from the perspective of the observer.
Bhutanese Altar and Tapestry
The University Library is one of the most frequented buildings on campus, with its six floors and the Texas Western Cafe. It also serves as another prominent home for the Bhutanese artworks UTEP proudly displays. A space where cultural artifacts from Bhutan are integrated into the building’s atmosphere. One of the most striking pieces is a handcrafted Bhutanese altar displayed along the back of the atrium wall on the second floor. Standing eight feet tall and 23 feet wide across the back wall decorated with vibrant hand painted birds, serpents and flowers. Its deep colors carry religious significance
inspired by his life experiences, travel and personal relationships. These are influences that helped shape “Hypnosis,” a brand as “classically extravagant, bold and wearable.”
“I get inspired by life, the places that I travel, the people that I know and my personal style,” De la Mora said. “I design for everyone that wants to dress like my personal style.”
That influence shows itself in his design process, which draws from Japanese and Korean fashion.
“I focus on the cuts the streetwear, in Japan and Korea. I mix that into something that I can use. And the colors that they have there inspired me a lot,” De la Mora said.
De la Mora says he views his mistakes as an essential part of his creative process, using missteps in color, construction and business to refine his vision. The photography meetup and fashion show served as that testing ground for his evolving work, allowing him to experiment publicly while building momentum
“I love to make mistakes. I love it, because that’s how I learn, by my mistakes. My personal mistakes, and my business mistakes,” De la Mora said. “I’m not perfect, but I grow up for that. I don’t want to be perfect. I want to learn every day of my life.”
That momentum has extended beyond El Paso. Having opened a showroom in Mexico City and working with celebrities such as Drake Bell and Prince Royce. De la Mora said that his long-term goals now focus on broader editorial recognition, such as appearing in Vogue Mexico.
Still for De la Mora, that ambition remains closely tied to his roots.
“I bring my personal style to El Paso because it’s a very important city for me. I grew up here, in Juárez and El Paso. I know that some people could be very talented here, and it’s not a spot for them, but I try to make a spot for them,” De la mora said.
The photography meetup reflected De la Mora’s effort to bring his wearable, artistic vision back to the city that shaped him while creating a space for local talent. Bringing together models and creatives who have worked closely with the designer across his recent collections, reinforcing how that distinctive style functions both on the runway and in everyday wear.
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Combining practicality and fine art, “The Cloud” works not only as an art piece but also as an underpass for pedestrians to walk through.
in Bhutan, while carved wooden window frames reflect the light of butter lamps that were traditionally offered to the gods according to information from the UTEP website.
The piece was originally donated to the university by the Asian Society following an exhibition in New York.
Handing above the alter is another example of Bhutan artwork depicting vibrant colors and powerful symbols that are traditionally found in Bhutanese
culture. The Tapestry was initially commissioned in 1987 and hand made by Buddhist monks in the capital of Thimphu according to the same website.
From graduation photos to study breaks, these works of art remain a part of everyday student life, reflecting UTEP’s history and identity. Even when they go unnoticed by students and staff.
Kristian Hernandez, editor
Ivane Tensaie’s basketball journey has never followed a straight line. Instead, her path has been defined by bold decisions, quiet resilience and an unwavering belief in her own potential.
Tensaie’s path to El Paso began in Roseville, Minnesota, where she developed her game before committing to North Dakota for junior college basketball.
Before joining the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) women’s basketball program, Tensaie earned NJCAA Freshman Player of the Year in 2022 at North Dakota State College of Science. Her recognition led her to Penn State and the Big Ten Conference.
At Penn State, Tensaie faced a new reality: limited playing time and a shrinking role within a Power Five conference program.
Looking back though, she does not regret her time there.
“You’ve got to compete. You’ve got to be strong minded,” Tensaie said. “You’re going to learn a lot. But it was an experience I don’t regret at all.”
Rather than settling into the background, the graduate guard chose a riskier path, transferring to UTEP in search of growth, confidence and leadership.
“I had to find my confidence again,” Tensaie said. “Coming here [to UTEP] helped me get back to the player I was before.”
Those lessons shaped her mindset at UTEP, where she gradually stepped into a leadership role. After earning All-CUSA Second Team honors as a senior, the graduate student returned for the 2025-26 season, becoming a central figure in the Miners’ offense and climbing to fourth all-time in program history for career 3-pointers.
Her impact was evident in the
2025-26 season. In Nov. 29, 2025, Tensaie knocked down eight 3-pointers against Denver, setting a single game record UTEP women’s basketball.
The performance was not just a statistical milestone, but a reflection of her evolving role as the Miners’ offensive catalyst during a historic 6-0 start to the season.
“At some point, I knew I was hot,” Tensaie said. “My teammates were doing a good job of finding me, so it was just the rhythm of the game.”
Tensaie is one of four players in program history to record multiple quarters with 13 or more points.
Tensaie insists her success is rooted in the teams’ chemistry rather than individual ambition during practices and games.
“It’s [about] more of a team rhythm thing,” Tensaie said. “When somebody’s seeing the ball go through the hoop, it’s natural to keep finding them.”
Her performance earned her Conference USA (C-USA) Player of the Week honors on Dec. 1, 2025. It marked the second consecutive week a UTEP player received the award, the program’s first time accomplished honors since the 2013-14 season.
For Tensaie, the team’s momentum has validated her decision to leave a Power Five program in pursuit of a larger role.
“The biggest thing is making a name for ourselves as a team and as a university,” Tensie said. “We’re just trying to get back on track and build something here.”
Beyond the statistics, Tensaie credits the community she found in El Paso for her growth as both a player and a person.
“The community I found here is what makes it feel like home,” Tensaie said. “My teammates and coaches believe in me. That’s what makes me feel good about being here.”
As a graduate student nearing the end of her collegiate career, Tensaie’s story resonates with athletes facing similar crossroads, especially young players weighing the prestige of big-name programs against the opportunity to have a lead role elsewhere.
Her advice is simple but deeply personal at the same time.
“Keep the main thing the main thing,” Tensaie said. “Trust God and work hard. If you do those two things and believe in what you’re doing, you can do it.”
In El Paso, far from the Big Ten
arenas where her journey once stalled, Ivane Tensaie has found more than playing time. She has found her voice, her game and a community that allows her to lead, proof that sometimes the boldest move is the one that changes everything for an athlete’s career.
On Feb. 15, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) (6-6, 0-0 Conference USA) softball team faced the No. 4 nationally ranked University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) (8-1, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex with packed stands. The game for the Miners as the Sooners won 34-0.
“We kept communicating the whole game and staying up, we were seeing the pitches pretty well,” UTEP sophomore infielder Marissa Burchard said.
The OU offense got their bats going strong in the first inning, continually improving as the game went on. The UTEP Miners tried battling their way to the bases but
were unsuccessful.
The Sooners hit a total of six home runs, scoring three in the top of the fifth inning.
The Miners took what they could from this game and plan to apply it to future opponents. UTEP senior outfielder Halle Hogan emphasized this point.
“The Sooners are a great team, just learning how they watch the game and how they learn from it, they don’t take any pitch for granted. It’s very inspiring for us, so we can learn a lot from them for our conference,” Hogan said.
The Miners appreciate the support from the fans, hoping to see more throughout the season.
“Thank you so much to the fans we really appreciate it, it was really fun. We want more out here
everyday,” Burchard said.
The Miners take on the New Mexico Lobos at home on Feb. 18. against their soon-to-be Mountain West Conference opponents for the 2026-2027 season.
With the 2026 Conference USA (C-USA) beach volleyball season approaching, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Miners are no longer the new program searching for stability.
Entering year three of competition, the Miners are chasing something beyond growth. They are chasing a breakthrough.
Head coach Daniel Foo, hired in May 2022 to help launch the program before officially stepping into the head coaching role in 2024, has watched the sport’s evolution unfold.
“We’ve been stuck at 12 wins the last two seasons,” Foo said. “We don’t want to just improve by one or two. We want to make a jump.”
That jump, Foo said, means 17 wins and climbing the C-USA standings, moving from the middle of the pack into championship contention. But this season is not just about numbers.
There was no inherited culture or established standard. Everything had to be built from the ground up.
“We started this from scratch,” Foo said. “The players decided what they wanted this program to be.”
Senior Krista Paegle, a marketing major from Latvia and one of the program’s original building blocks, enters her final season determined to leave a mark.
“It is my last year, so I really want to play my hardest,” Paegle said. “I have nothing to hold back. I want to get as many wins as I can and have the best season I’ve had.”
Paegle is paired with a freshman this season, taking on the responsibility of guiding her younger teammate.
“I’m trying to be the best partner I can be,” Paegle said. “I want to help her grow while also pushing myself.”
The roster looks different this year with more depth, stronger competition in practice and improved overall skill.
“We’ve added so much talent,” Paegle said. “There’s way more competition in practice already. We’re competing hard every day, and I think that’s going to show when we play other schools.”
Junior Adriana Oporto, a criminal justice major from Spain, sees the difference as well. She described this year’s group as disciplined, unified and a team that holds itself accountable.
“We’re very focused and very accountable,” Oporto said. “I feel like we’ve created a really big bond this year. I’m excited to see how that translates in matches.”
Both Paegle and Oporto emphasized the “family” atmosphere the team prioritizes a culture centered on trust and collective responsibility. In beach volleyball, with only one partner on the sand and no substitutions, chemistry is essential for them.
“When you really trust your partner, it changes everything,” Paegle said. “And when you look to the sidelines, you feel that support from the whole team.”
While UTEP has built a reputation as a strong defensive squad before, Oporto said
the offseason focus shifted to improving side-outs by converting serve-receive opportunities into points that add up over a match.
The Miners will have to rely on that discipline through another travel-heavy schedule. Home matches have been limited since the program’s debut, forcing the Miners to create their own energy while on the road.
“It’s all they’ve known,” Foo said. “It’s basically every weekend traveling, but they handle it well.”
Paegle credited the team’s personalities for keeping the energy high while being away from El Paso.
“We have a lot of personalities on this team,” she said. “It’s easy to keep the energy high.”
Still, Foo understands what expanded home opportunities could mean not only for his team but for the growth of the sport in El Paso.
“It would mean everything,” Foo said. “It would mean growth for beach volleyball in El Paso and in this region.”
While courts exist, consistent high-level doubles competition remains limited. Through camps, scrimmages and social media outreach, the program is working to build interest.
“It’s such a dynamic and growing sport everywhere else,” Foo said. “We’re trying to build that here.” Internally, expectations continue to rise. Oporto’s personal goals include doubling her win total from last season and competing for a conference championship.
“We want to win conference,” Oporto said. “That’s the goal.”
Paegle believes maturity will define this season, the experience gained from two years of adjustments, setbacks and growth.
“We’ve learned how to handle tight situations,” Paegle said. “If this is our breakthrough season, it’s going to be because of the experience we’ve built.”
For Foo, success remains rooted in measurable improvement.
“If everything goes right, it means we got better,” Foo said. “We improved from last year.”
As UTEP enters year three, the Miners are no longer defined by being new. They are defined by resilience with seniors who built the foundation, younger players raising the level of competition in practice and a culture that was created from nothing.
“This is a hardworking group,” Foo said. “They’ve moved the game forward for us.”
UTEP opens the season Feb. 20-21 at the Texas A&M-Kingsville Tournament, beginning with matchups against University Louisiana at Monroe and Sam Houston State University, followed by contests versus McNeese State University and hosts of the event, Texas A&M Kingsville on Saturday. The foundation has been set in the sand. Now, the Miners are ready to see how high they can rise above it.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro, editor
SEBASTIAN PEREZ-NAVARRO B Y
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR THE PROSPECTOR
It has been one full calendar year since The Prospector Podcast saw the introduction of a new staff. To rewind towards how season 12 started, season 14 picks up on the topic of love, again. In the season debut, the table discusses how they feel about going back for another semester, new contributor Fred Kepfield makes
his podcast debut giving his advice as a graduating senior. The end of 2025 saw the culmination of a series that has defined a generation, “Stranger Things”. But the table believed that the ending to the final season, was underwhelming. Staff reporter Adrian Gonzalez and account executive Adrienne Garcia return to the podcast and back up their opinions. Finally, since it’s the season loving, the table talks about
Galentine’s Day and how it has grown in popularity over the past couple of years.
The Prospector Podcast is a bi-weekly production and it is avaliable to watch on The Prospector YouTube channel and is streaming on Spotify.
ro@miners.utep.edu
emotional tie to one another.
In A.D. 496 the first Valentine’s Day was celebrated, and over 1,500 years later, the holiday continues to be a punctuation of romance. But the way that love is expressed has changed from generation to generation, so this Valentine’s day season, multimedia editor Sebastian Perez-Navarro explores the dynamic between relationships both young and old.
Three couples sat down and discussed their relationship, from anecdotes like how they met to how they’ve been able to create a dynamic that has fortified their
Out of the couples interviewed Martha and Eduardo Mena have spent the most time together, as they have been married for 30 years. The Menas’ met in the 1990s, as Eduardo Mena used to deliver Martha Mena’s paychecks. The couple believes that love is rooted in care.
“Love means it’s a partnership for life... it means that you have to take care of the person that you married,” said Eduardo Mena.
Justin Rodgers is a graduate student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and has been married to Valerie Rodgers for seven years. Justin Rodgers thinks
STAFF REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR VIVIEN NOE C. B Y
The University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) inaugurated Texas Western Hall on Jan. 15. The UTEP community celebrated the opening of the learning complex that will now function as the new Liberal Arts Building. It will also be the home of various other offices, and house student organizations. The building is 124,725 square feet, with 30 classrooms, a roof-top terrace, an auditorium, a café and several collaborative spaces.
building rooted in innovation. It also is a testament to UTEP’s history and values that have stayed with the institution since its foundation.
“We named this building as a nod to UTEP’s former incarnation, Texas Western College. The university had that name from 1949 to 1966 during a period of transformational growth, which our modest college of mines became a comprehensive university with engineers, teachers, and liberal arts students under one banner,”
President Wilson said.
that getting through turbulent times in a relationship is rooted through friendship.
“It’s that friendship, to that partnership. We are going to come into obstacles, but as partners we need to learn to overcome those obstacles,” Justin Rodgers said.
Felix Castañon and Riley Ramirez are two UTEP students who met in high school speech and debate. Their journey, is told through this video which is avaliable to watch with only one click. Sebastian
The event began with speeches from UTEP President Heather Wilson, Chancellor of The University of Texas System Dr. John Zerwas, State Senator César Blanco and Student Government Association President Ryan Boatright. The attendees were also able to do a self-guided tour of the building to explore the facilities and enjoy refreshments at the Texas Western Cafe.
“The team designed this building to create what we need, not to replace what we had and did a lot of good work in planning, working out how teaching is changing” President Wilson said. “The spaces and technologies are designed to be flexible and maintainable so that they stand the test of time.” Texas Western Hall is a
“We hope that Texas Western Hall embodies that same spirit of growth for all disciplines for the students and faculty who walk its corners.”
The project, led by Sundt Construction and supervised by UTEP staff, brought together the efforts of more than a thousand individuals and required over 500,000 labor hours to complete the construction of Texas Western Hall. Faculty and students expressed their excitement, including Fernanda Pineda, a sophomore marketing major, who looks forward to taking classes in the modern classrooms.
Click on any of the photos to read what Fernanda Pineda said and get a first hand perspective of the opening of Texas Western Hall with staff reporter Vivien Noe.