Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Joel Molina

Joel Molina, Photo Editor

Joel is a graduate creative writing student at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is the photo editor who began his career at The Prospector in 2022. He hopes to continue providing the world and its people with different forms of storytelling that will hopefully make their day to day lives better.

All content by Joel Molina
 The class ring is one of many ways to commemorate high school and college graduations and is a tradition that has been a part of the history of the U.S. for many years.

[Photo] Showing class pride with a class ring

Elisha Nuñez, Staff Reporter November 29, 2022

The class ring is one of many ways to commemorate high school and college graduations and is a tradition that has been a part of the history of the U.S. for many years.

Sophomore safety Kobe Hylton, with the help of his teammate, tackles the ball carrier during a game against FIU, Nov. 19.

[Photo] Miners keep bowl game hope alive

Katrina Villarreal, Staff Reporter November 20, 2022

Junior quaterback, Calvin Brownholtz, sets up the offense before the snap during a game against FIU.

Guard N’Yah Boyd attempts to shoot the ball while being defended.

[Photo] UTEP surpasses Texas Southern

Katrina Villarreal, Staff Reporter November 17, 2022

The UTEP dance team performs during a timeout of the game against Texas Southern.

Guard Jazion Jackson takes a jump-shot.

[Photo] Women’s basketball pivots during WNMU win

Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela, Sports Editor November 6, 2022

Guard Jazion Jackson dribbles the ball while being surrounded by two defenders.

Mr. and Ms. Texas Western, multimedia journalism senior Lorenzo Leyva and kinesiology senior Kaitlyn Bradham, walk out to greet the crowd in attendance of the homecoming game on Oct. 29.

[Photo] A glimpse of Masquerade

Emily Autumn Velasquez, Editor-in-Chief November 1, 2022

Mark Price, UTEP head football coach from 2004-2012, returns to the Sun Bowl Stadium for the homecoming game against Middle Tennessee on Oct. 29.

The Miners soccer team breaks their huddle at the beginning of the second half hoping to turn things around.

UTEP loses to UTSA to close off season

Joel Molina, Contributor October 30, 2022

The UTEP soccer team came into its final game of the season after losing a close 1-0 game to conference rival North Texas Oct. 23. The team’s final game would come on the road Oct. 28 against another conference rival in the University of Texas at San...

Continue Reading
UTEP football fans cheer on the Miners during the game against Middle Tennessee on Oct. 29.

[Photo] UTEP loses the crown on homecoming night

Katrina Villarreal, Staff Reporter October 30, 2022

UTEP football fans cheer on the Miners during the game against Middle Tennessee on Oct. 29.

Continue Reading
Senior outside/middle blocker, Alianza Darley, jumps up to spike the ball during a set against UTSA.

Miners stomp the Roadrunners in shutout

Joel Molina, Contributor October 23, 2022

The UTEP volleyball team (12-9, 6-2 Conference USA) took the home win in a sweep over conference rival the University of San Antonio (7-13, 2-6 Conference USA) Friday. The win comes off a 3-1 loss in which the Miners suffered to the current leader of...

Continue Reading
UTEP expands its win streak to six games

UTEP expands its win streak to six games

Joel Molina, Contributor October 3, 2022

The UTEP volleyball team picked up a conference win over the University of North Texas (8-11, 2-2 Conference USA) on Sunday, Oct 2. The win brings the Miners’ win streak to six games with their overall record now being 10-7 and conference record sitting...

Continue Reading
Attendees look upon and point out details of a piece on display as part of the Building the Borderlands exhibit.

[Photo] See how civil engineers built the border at their new exhibit

Meagan Elizabeth García, Arts & Culture Editor September 29, 2022

Display in which UTEP civil engineers can mark where they’ve worked on projects around the world.

Continue Reading
UTEP football running back/wide receiver, Reynaldo Flores, who began his football career at the university as a walk-on, jumps in the air to catch as pass during a game against New Mexico State on Sept. 10.

UTEP Football walk-on tryouts could open the door to dream-chasing opportunity

Joel Molina, Contributor September 27, 2022

The illustrious dream of playing college football is something that many football players yearn for, a dream that may be possibly accomplished in more ways than one. One of those ways is by trying out as a walk-on. The UTEP football team, who previously...

Continue Reading
UTEP junior quarterback Gavin Hardison honors Luke by wearing Luke’s number and last name in the win versus rival New Mexico State University.

[Photo] The legacy of Luke Laufenberg

Katrina Villarreal, Staff Reporter September 20, 2022

UTEP junior quarterback Gavin Hardison honors Luke by wearing Luke’s number and last name in the win versus rival New Mexico State University.

Continue Reading
Forward Taya Lopez aims to kick the ball while being surrounded by two defenders.

[Photo] Soccer avoids losses in home stretch

Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela, Sports Editor September 20, 2022

Midfielder Cayman Tamez, who's started over 30 games for the Miners since 2020, sets up a pass.

Continue Reading
Zéleny received her master’s of fine arts in creative writing from UTEP. She went on to author and publish several short stories and novels including the short stories “Gente Menuda” and “No son gente como uno”. Additionally, the novels “El Libro de Aisha” and “Coming out Mikala”, to name a few.

[Photo] Write anywhere with an online MFA in creative writing

Meagan Elizabeth García, Arts & Culture Editor September 20, 2022

Zéleny received her master’s of fine arts in creative writing from UTEP. She went on to author and publish several short stories and novels including the short stories “Gente Menuda” and “No son gente como uno”. Additionally, the novels “El...

Continue Reading
UTEP running back Ronald Awatt rushes the ball in a game against New Mexico State on Sept. 10.

[Photo] Defense picks up win in 99th Battle of I-10

Daniel Alec Lopez, Contributor September 11, 2022

UTEP running back Ronald Awatt rushes the ball in a game against New Mexico State on Sept. 10.

Continue Reading
Outside look of the building known as the Heritage House.

[Photo] Heritage House is a UTEP hidden gem

Meagan Elizabeth García, Arts & Culture Editor September 6, 2022

Pictures and articles detailing and explaining the rich history of the Heritage House.

Continue Reading
Setter Hande Yetis sets up the ball for her teammates during a game against South Dakota.

[Photo] UTEP volleyball hosts ‘Borderland Invitational’

Katrina Villarreal, Staff Reporter September 4, 2022

Outside hitter Ema Uskokovic jumps to tip the ball over the net during a game against South Dakota Sept. 3.

Continue Reading
: New dean of the College of Engineering, Kenith Meissner, shakes the hand of an attendee at the Meet the Dean” ice cream social from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 in the Geology Reading Room.

[Photo] Kenith Meissner is new Dean of Engineering

Alyson Rodriguez, Staff Reporter August 23, 2022

: New dean of the College of Engineering, Kenith Meissner, shakes the hand of an attendee at the Meet the Dean” ice cream social from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 in the Geology Reading Room.

Continue Reading
File Photo

El Paso rides unbeaten streak into USL playoffs against Tulsa

Joel Molina, Contributor October 10, 2020

Locomotive (9-2-5) open the USL playoffs tonight against Tulsa FC (6-2-7) as looks to extend it unbeaten streak and advance to the championship round.   El Paso completed their 2020 season with a huge 4-0 victory over the Real Monarchs. With the...

Continue Reading
The El Paso Locomotives mascot  Ozzy helps the crowd celebrate a goal versus San Antonio Sept 12.

Locomotive seek to clinch Group C on road at Switchbacks

Joel Molina, Contributor September 30, 2020

Winding down its regular season with two games to go, the El Paso Locomotive (8-2-4) now look to clinch its group taking on the fourth place team in its group the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (2-6-6)  on the road. Coming off a 2-1 win over New Mexico...

Continue Reading
File photo

Locomotive take on second place New Mexico United

Joel Molina, Contributor September 26, 2020

Looking to continue its eight-game unbeaten streak, the Group C leading El Paso Locomotive (8-2-3) take on second place New Mexico United (7-4-2)) tonight looking to expand its four-point lead in the standings.  The Locomotive are coming off a difficult...

Continue Reading
El Paso Locomotive midfielder Dylan Mares plays against San Antionio at Southwest University Park. Saturday, Sept, 12, 2020.

Locomotive look to continue win streak versus Real Monarchs

Joel Molina, Contributor September 19, 2020

Looking to continue its seven game unbeaten streak that includes four straight victories, the El Paso Locomotive (7-3-2) take on the Salt Lake City (SLC) Real Monarchs (3-1-8) tonight in a Group C  matchup.   The  Locomotive (7-3-2) are coming...

Continue Reading
Activate Search
Joel Molina