THE UNI V ERSIT Y OF TE X A S AT EL PA S O
AS SAY ER OF STUDENT OPINION
Februar y 3, 2026
VOL. 111, NO. 5
THEPROSPECTORDAILY.COM
OPINION Page 2
NEWS Page 3
ARTS & CULTURE Page 8
SPORTS Page 9
The single guy’s guide to Valentine’s Day
Man to man... ‘I love you”
Beyond Wuthering Heights’: Love without limits
Alexis Bandin joins UTEP softball as assistant pitching coach
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Dear El Paso, Across the country, the tone of the news has grown heavier. Headlines filled with stories about immigration enforcement, violence and the unknown. It has become a part of the national rhythm, shaping safety, home and belonging to many. For border communities like El Paso, these conversations are not distant. They are carried quietly into classrooms, workplaces and living rooms. Acknowledging these moments is not about dwelling in uncertainty. It is about naming the reality that many are navigating, a sense that the country feels divided, and, at times, difficult to recognize. Yet even in periods of national or personal darkness, communities continue to show up for one another. People still gather, still care and still find reasons to move forward together. The connection between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez is irreplaceable. Every day, thousands cross the border. From shopping and work to school or visiting family and friends, community is what holds it all together; people find reasons to thrive and flourish. Our culture is different. From the way we live to the way we interact, talk and walk. But those ubiquitous qualities have allowed us to not forget who we are. Our city is built on grit, inclusion and an incomparable history. And that’s felt on any walk in our beautiful city. Love is often called the greatest gift, and nowhere is it felt more deeply than within a family. Family can be the reason someone gets up each day and keeps going, even when life feels heavy. Love doesn’t fade or vanish. It becomes a staple to love harder, to remember and embrace the strength of those who care most about you. With that
comes the pressures of tomorrow, but how can you live then if you can’t today? There’s a stigma that staying in El Paso creates complacency, or a feeling of being stuck. The city we inhabit is one that has set the standard to affect overall American history and attitudes. UTEP was the first University in the state of Texas to desegregate and it continues its mission of providing a quality and accessible education to minority groups all over the U.S. For first-generation students, college isn’t just about a piece of paper. It’s about beginning a legacy and achieving a dream that many of their parents may have had to set aside. There is so much pride in being here, but there is also fear: fear of failing, of not belonging in spaces that once felt out of reach. Still, they show up. Even when the path feels uncertain, there is love guiding the way, in the sacrifices made at home or even in a simple “Estoy orgulloso de usted.” It can feel impossible to escape reality with so much going on in the world right now. It’s important to stay informed and to be in the know, allowing you to be a part of the change. While yes, “ignorance is bliss,” right now is arguably the worst time to live in ignorance. Taking a step back is something we all need to be reminded of. We are not in a world where we stand alone. It’s okay to smile, and it’s even more okay to break down. Emotion is not a sign of weakness but is what makes us human. So, bawl your eyes out! Laugh until your stomach turns! Let it all out! On a month centered on love, it is worth remembering that affection does not only live in grand gestures or corny gifts. It shows up in the steady presence of a city that continues to choose togetherness, even when everything feels scary. We hope this letter serves as a reminder that even in moments of darkness, there is still love. Sincerely, The Prospector Editors