The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) campus was lively as the final classes of the day were concluding on the evening of Aug. 25. Hundreds of students crowded Centennial Plaza with yellow glowsticks hanging down their necks acting as their entry ticket to the fifth annual Texas Western Gold Rush.
The event, a highlight of a two-week series of Miner Welcome that began on Aug. 21, served as a festivity to intertwine students with campus culture, with the help of performers, student spotlights, and of course, fireworks.
The event was set to take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but by 7:20 p.m., the line for students to scan their IDs to enter spanned from Centennial Plaza all the way to Bell Hall.
Amid the excitement, first-time attendee Leticia Quinonez, a sophomore nursing major, was surprised to see the length of the line to enter.
“I was barely getting out of class at 7:30 p.m. So, when I was walking out of class, I was like ‘The line is huge,’ because it was all the way to the library,” Quinonez said.
With the goal of trying to meet new people this school year, she saw Texas Western Gold Rush as the perfect opportunity.
“I am trying to socialize a lot more this year, so I decided it starts off coming to school events,” Quinonez said. “I’ve always met new people through student events so hopefully I meet people and make friendships.”
After a long wait, Texas Western Gold Rush commenced with President Heather Wilson and Paydirt Pete taking the stage. The crowd cheered in excitement as they counted down, 3…2…1 *BOOM*. President Wilson and Pete popped the dynamite and fireworks erupted into the night sky. After an energetic welcome, student representatives of each college stood on stage for roll call each trying to outcheer the last.
Following the college roll call, attention turned to Student Government Association (SGA) President, sophomore Ryan Boatright, who was making his first appearance as president at such a large scale.
“That’s a feeling I have never experienced before. It was cool and kind of surreal to be honest,” Boatright said.
As a representative of UTEP’s student body, the SGA President hoped to spotlight the campus as the positive light it has been to him.
“I just wanted to hone in on UTEP [being] such a welcoming campus. Everyone wants to be engaged and involved on campus, and I think this (Texas Western Gold Rush) shows it,” Boatright said. “If a student that has no public speaking experience could get a crowd reaction like that, it shows the quality of our students.”
Throughout the night, Gold Rush highlighted two exemplary students, their achievements and what UTEP has meant to them in their journeys. In between the student leaders energizing the crowd, University President Heather Wilson took the stage to address the message of community and finding oneself through the college journey.
“We are here to help you become a better version of yourself, not society’s dream of who you should be, but your own very personal dream. Who you are and who you will become,” President Wilson said in her speech to the students.
She then mentioned the lifelong friendships that can be created in students’ college years.
“Somewhere in this crowd are one of two of your very best friends in life but maybe you haven’t met them yet. So, get involved, reach out, do this together, help each other. Goodluck and welcome to the University of Texas at El Paso,” Wilson said.
With the formal welcome complete, the night of celebration continued as Head Coach Scotty Walden introduced the captains of the football team. The Marching Miners struck up the fight song loud and proud and fireworks burst into the sky as a medley of music accompanied the show, with explosions popping on beat.
The student body made the most of their fun, some singing and dancing along to the music and others tossing their glowsticks into the night sky.
After an exciting firework show, the emcee of the night announced that there was more entertainment to come. Following the impressive firework display, Battle of the Bands round two featured Acrolein, Fear of Tradition, and Texas Hart offered live entertainment to cap off the night. The night acted as the last chance for the final three bands to showcase their talent before they move on to the finale during Minerpalooza.
With musical performances, fireworks and a display of Miner pride, the Texas Western Gold Rush was filled with first impressions for many Miners and served as an introduction to UTEP for many. The evening left students such as Natalia Sanchez reflecting on their new impressions of campus life.
“I like how it involved the students. It [goes to] show how tight knit of a community UTEP is,” Sanchez said.
Students looking for more ways to get involved with the rest of the Miner Welcome series, can attend the highly anticipated, Minerpalooza on Sept. 5 and can find a full event schedule and more Miner traditions at https://www.utep.edu/student-affairs/minerwelcome/ .
Evelyn Palma is the editor-in-chief of The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram @evelynp.media and on LinkedIn @evelynpalma-media.
