Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector
Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector
Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector
Leah Austin

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter

Leah Austin is staff reporter at the Prospector. As a sophomore multimedia journalism major, she wishes to pursue a career in investigative journalism and documentary film making after graduation.

All content by Leah Austin
Photo courtesy of The Prospector Archive

Five year legal battle ends with August 3 shooter serving life behind bars

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 23, 2025
Aug. 3, 2019, is one of the most tragic days in El Paso history. Twenty-three people were killed by gunman Patrick Cruisius, who has been awaiting a state trial for two years now. From the beginning, understand how the shooter got here and why the District Attorney’s office will no longer pursue the death penalty.
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Adriana Gomez Licon graduated from UTEP in 2009 with her Bachelor of Arts in journalism. Photo courtesy of Adriana Gomez Licon

Former top ten seniors share their stories

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 23, 2025
UTEP’s list of Top Ten Seniors dates back to 1950. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the honor, and to commemorate, it’s important to reflect on the accomplishments of former Top Ten Seniors. Former Top Ten Seniors Adriana Gomez Licon and Anahy Diaz lend some insight into their experiences during and after their time at UTEP.
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Senior guard Ivane Tensaie led her team in minutes played and points per game.

From the court to the stage: Senior Ivane Tensaie prepares for graduation and a return to the court

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 5, 2025

Ivane Tensaie is a senior guard for the UTEP women’s basketball team. This semester, she will exchange the jersey for a stole as she walks the stage to receive a degree in psychology. Before beginning her career with UTEP in her junior year, the Minnesota...

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Senior goalkeeper Angelina Amparano is graduating with a degree in biomedical sciences and plans to attend pharmacy school.

Defending goals and achieving them too

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 5, 2025
Senior soccer player Angelina Amparano will graduate this semester. For the past two years, school and soccer have acted as Amparano’s career. But after May, the Tuscon native will return to her hometown to pursue a different endeavor.
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The Chicano Studies club also goes by Movimiento Chucanx and encourages students to speak up for the values they believe in. Photo courtesy of Movimiento Chucanx

From picks up to fists up: Movimiento Chucanx and the new generation of Chicanismo

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 30, 2025
The Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 70s advocated for the rights and empowerment of Mexican Americans, as it promoted activism, cultural identity, and the fight for civil rights. The movement contributed to much of the cultural and political progress of Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups in the late 1900s. As America’s political climate becomes more and more unsettling for many, activists like Professor Ruby Montana plan to espouse the same principles of the early Chicano Movement. Her organization, Movimiento Chucanx, is a new generation of Chicano activism that she encourages students to join.
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Dead Head Possum aims to serve its listeners with meaningful music while also serving the community with meaningful service.

Local band, Dead Head Possum, makes waves throughout the city through cool music and community service

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 23, 2025
El Paso’s local band scene may be small, but the talent in the city is mighty. Dead Head Possum aims to serve its listeners with meaningful music while also serving the community with meaningful service.
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UTEP Cheer practices for the Universal Cheerleading Association’s National Competition year-round. Photo from The Prospector Archive

Spirit and thrill: UTEP Cheer’s role in bringing the Miners to victory

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 7, 2025
There is a longstanding misconception about the role cheerleaders play in American sports. The stereotype of the girls on the sidelines with pom poms is not only outdated but downplays the athleticism and dedication that many cheerleaders pour into their sport. Bianca Marquez, director of spirit operations and head cheerleading coach, wants to raise awareness about what her team does and the hard work it requires.
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UTEP stands as one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the U.S., dedicated to student success and inclusivity.

History of UTEP as a leading Hispanic-serving institution

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 2, 2025
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in the United States. The university focuses on a variety of dimensions to support its Hispanic and Latino students, a demographic that makes up 84% of its student body.
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Lovely sights, lovely vibes

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • February 21, 2025
The Prospector asked UTEP students about how they see Valentine's Day. From their favorite memories, to current plans.
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Modern day romance is marked by its digital influence, and the prominent role that social media plays in many romantic relationships.

‘It’s Complicated,’ Modern Romance in the Digital Age

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • February 12, 2025
Modern day romance is marked by its digital influence, and the prominent role that social media plays in many romantic relationships. Generation Z experiences relationships in a completely different manner than the generations before them, as social media has shifted the parameters for what a relationship is or should be. “Situationships” or “talking stages” have become increasingly popular in place of committed relationships, and those that are committed seem to have a new set of rules. 
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Yazmyne Hallback, UTEP alumn, serves as the Worship Leader for The Rock Faith Center.

How Christianity connects the Black community

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • February 5, 2025
Today, more than seven out of 10 African Americans identify as Christians. However, when Africans first arrived in what is now the United States, most were either practicing Muslims or followed other religious and cultural practices. Throughout centuries of slavery, segregation, and discrimination, the Black Church transitioned into centers for organization, civic activity, community service and cultural celebration.
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Pedestrian walks in downtown El Paso where small businesses are struggling to keep up with higher rents.

Unveiling gentrification in the Sun City

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • January 24, 2025
With many El Pasoans enjoying Bad Bunny’s new album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” many may miss that El Paso has more in common with the Latin singer’s island of Puerto Rico than we think.
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Renard Johnson was elected as the first Black mayor of El Paso Jan. 7. Photo courtesy of City of El Paso

Hands of El Paso: Newly elected Mayor Renard Johnson is reframing El Paso, plans for new opportunities

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • January 22, 2025
Renard Johnson was sworn into office on Jan. 6th and now serves as El Paso’s first Black mayor. He describes his plans for office, his priorities include safety, education, economic opportunity and investing in El Paso’s tourism and entertainment.
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The El Paso chapter of the NAACP hosted an MLK “Read and Ride” on Jan. 18, in collaboration with Sun Metro.

El Paso’s NAACP holds “Read and Ride” event, spreading awareness about Black history on a ride throughout the city

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • January 20, 2025
This year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day fell on Jan. 20 and was observed by various institutions and organizations. The El Paso chapter of the NAACP held an MLK Read and Ride on Saturday, Jan. 18, in collaboration with Sun Metro and El Paso Streetcar. Tephanie Hopper and Carla Brown, sat with El Paso families, reciting books about Dr. King and Ruby Bridges, another prominent figure in Black history.
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Leah Austin