Three intro pieces in and I still never know what to say or how to truly express my gratitude for the people who have supported me.  

This issue that you are reading is so special to me. It’s my first time doing production as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC), my first time doing layout. It feels like a special part of me and my time here at The Prospector.  

Don’t get me wrong, I have had many special moments and stories here, but the last time I felt just like this, was my first story about French Olympians in the Sun City. This issue feels like my full circle moment. 

I’ve said my thanks in the past to my mentors, family and friends.  I want to say thank you once again to my mom and dad for supporting me through every late night. Also, I would like to say sorry to my mom since she says she can’t sleep till I get home! 

To my sister, Danny and my best friend Accalia, thank you for being my rocks outside of work and school. I would not be able to get through a day without you two.  

Thank you to everyone at The Prospector, my amazing staff, Isabel, Amy, Crystal and Vero. Thank you to Evelyn, Khari and Alan for encouraging me to go after this position, even though you guys have graduated, the energy and spirit you all brough into the office is still present and I hope to make you all proud. These past two years have been a roller coaster, but it has been the most exhilarating ride, and I can’t wait to make the most out of this semester. 

Most of all, thank you to my editors, Tori, Cam, Iziah, Abby, Kristian, Mia and Sebastian. You all are not only my coworkers, but you are also my closest friends. Before, I thought it was so hard to make friends and it could take me years to fully trust and warm up to people, but you guys have some special magic in you that made me be myself with you all from the start. I love you guys!  

Finally, now writing this intro as The Prospector’s EIC, I knew it was time to thank two people who I hadn’t mentioned before.  

I always wanted to include them, but it never felt right. I wanted to wait for a moment that felt big for me. And that moment is right now.  

To my Belo and Bela, who even though they are not here anymore, I feel you through every step of my journey.  

Grief has a funny way of popping up.  

There are times when I genuinely forget that they aren’t here anymore. But when I am eating a hard-boiled egg with límon like my Belo used to, or I hear “En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. Amén,” the blessing my Bela gave me and my sister every time we left her house, or when I got the news that I was going to be EIC, I can’t help but think of them. 

I wish they could have been here to witness what I have done so far. I wish I knew what they would have done or said when I was told I would be in this position.  

I like to picture them looking at the TV and watching my first time on air at KVIA ABC-7 or looking through the paper and pointing out my name. I carry their memories through everything I do, including all my work here at The Prospector.  

But I don’t know. I can only imagine and hope that they would be proud.  

Thank you, I love you forevermore.  

Ximena Cordero is the editor-in-chief for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected].edu and on LinkedIn @ximenacordero