Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Ximena Cordero

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter

Ximena Cordero is a freshman at The University of Texas at El Paso. She is a staff reporter at The Prospector. She is majoring in communications and deciding between a minor in creative writing or English literature. After graduating, she would like to pursue a master's degree, work as a journalist or communication specialist, and maybe even write her own books. She wants a career that will allow her to explore the world and see new perspectives and cultures.

All content by Ximena Cordero
Has art hit the pause button?

Has art hit the pause button?

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter April 24, 2024

 Through several eras of art history such as the romantic era (18th-20th centuries), modern era (1900s-1970s), and the contemporary era (1970s-present).  Art has reflected artists’ personal lives, while also highlighting the ever-changing world.  Although,...

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El Paso saw an 8% increase in crime rates according to the FBI Quarterly Uniform Crime Report, which has caused conversation amongst the city. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

El Paso SWAT Standoff adds to concern over higher crime rates

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter April 23, 2024

Between 2022 to 2023, El Paso saw an 8% increase in crime rates, ranking it below five other cities: Washington D.C., Memphis, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Baltimore on the FBI Quarterly Uniform Crime Report for the cities of more than 500,000 people with...

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This April marks the 23rd year that the month will be recognized as the Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Photo courtesy of PICRYL.

I believe you: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter April 17, 2024

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is recognized in April and is a month dedicated to national and community outreach for the education and prevention of sexual abuse, harassment and assault.   The National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s...

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UTEP has had reports of pedestrian incidents in the last six months.

The crosswalk commandments

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter April 16, 2024

UTEP deems itself as a pedestrian-friendly campus due to renovations to make the campus more environmentally sustainable and ADA accessible according to UTEP’s center for environmental resource management. From heading to class, grabbing lunch, to going...

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Border Patrol agents gather as they head towards a group of immigrants.

Ongoing border crisis heightened after migrant breach

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter April 4, 2024

Hundreds of migrants breached the razor wire barrier alongside the Texas-Mexico border in El Paso March 21 in hopes of surrendering themselves to U.S Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents to get processed.   According to the El Paso Times, some...

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Olivia Rodrigo released a deluxe version of her album “GUTS” on Mar. 22, it added five more songs to the albums originally released 12 songs. Photo courtesy of GoodFon.

Get ready to be “Obsessed” with the emotional and playful “GUTS (spilled)”

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter April 3, 2024

After the highly anticipated and successful release of six-time Grammy nominated, sophomore album, “GUTS” Olivia Rodrigo expanded her catalog with a surprise deluxe version of the album that included five new songs making “GUTS (spilled)” on her...

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What it means to be a woman

What it means to be a woman

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 25, 2024

What does it mean to be a woman? There are many perspectives to what being a woman means, and as we celebrate women’s contributions and achievements during Women’s History Month, we get to see the different sides of being a woman. Female UTEP students...

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Principal Cynthia Ontiveros started the academy to allow young women’s voices and ideas to be heard.

All-girls schools are forming the leaders of tomorrow

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 22, 2024

Missed opportunities sparked the idea for Cynthia Ontiveros, Ph.D. to pitch a young women’s academy that was based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) to the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD).  During high...

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The past two weekends marked the official start of the Formula 1 season with the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Lights out and away goes the F1 season

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 22, 2024

The past two weekends marked the official start of the Formula 1 season with the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Fans of the sport have already begun making their predictions as the season continues and comparing the current season...

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The city of El Paso Texas.

Is it time to say goodbye to daylight savings once and for all?

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 19, 2024

Daylight savings comes along every year with a list of pros and cons sparking a long-standing debate. Should people keep advancing their clocks on the second Sunday of March and are there any actual benefits to it in modern day?  The origin of daylight...

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Blue towers around campus mark the emergency call boxes which is a direct line to the campus police, if needed.

Should college students fear for their safety on campus?

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 18, 2024

The murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University sparked a political and national debate over immigration but also posed the question on whether college campuses are safe?  According to the New York Times, Riley went...

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There are multiple buildings on campus that people consider haunted.

The unexplainable tales of UTEP spirits

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 13, 2024

Founded in 1913, UTEP started as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy at El Paso with the first campus located in modern day Fort Bliss. However, the campus ended on a grim note, as a year after the school’s opening, it was destroyed in a fire....

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Jesse, Kimberly, Daniela, Emiliano, Sebastian, and Mariano are an example of a friend group who found each other by being themselves.

The Prospector’s ultimate guide to making friends on campus

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 11, 2024

The workload and rigor to the increase in student bodies are all bits of anxiety incoming students can feel trying to fit in on a new campus. Who will join them on their journeys through their college years is also a curiosity to satisfy.    According...

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Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr., was shot and killed Jan. 26, 2019, near a house party on Mount Whitney Dr, in Northeast El Paso.

Remembering Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr.

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter March 1, 2024

Terrance Lamont Kinard Jr., also known as TK to his family and friends, was 20-years-old when he was fatally shot near a house party Jan. 26, 2019, in Northeast El Paso leaving behind his family, friends and two children. The family of TK says he was...

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Border Patrol and Customs only way to identify a Tren De Aragua member is by their tattoos. However, they hide them or wait to get them once they cross over.

Venezuelan Gang, Tren De Aragua a threat to borderland cities

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter February 27, 2024

The Tren de Aragua or “Aragua Train” emerged in the Tocorón prison in Aragua, Venezuela around 2012 and is led by Héctor Rustherford Guerrero Flores or better known as “Niño Guerrero.” The gang expanded to several Latin American countries including...

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Tis the season of love with our favorite loves

Tis the season of love with our favorite loves

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter February 16, 2024

The season of love is here, which means it is time to obsess over everything romantic. Whether you celebrate this holiday with a significant other or friends, we all need something to get us in the spirit of love and friendship.   With countless...

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It was announced on Feb. 1, that Lewis Hamilton will be leaving the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team and switching to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Everyone is a Ferrari fan, including Lewis Hamilton

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter February 14, 2024

Formula 1 fans were shocked on Feb. 1 when it was announced that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would leave the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and switch to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season.   Hamilton joined the Mercedes team in 2013...

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Mental Health Matters: Advice from fellow UTEP students

Mental Health Matters: Advice from fellow UTEP students

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter February 8, 2024

Being a university student is no easy task with endless amounts of assignments, essays, readings, Blackboard discussions, quizzes and exams. It is a cycle that can be hard to grasp onto whether students are freshman experiencing university life for the...

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Gypsy Rose was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe, Missouri, on Dec. 28 and has since grown a large social media platform.

Idolized and scandalized: Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter February 2, 2024

After eight years in prison, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released Dec. 28, 2023, with many awaiting to see what her life would be post-release. However, her life had already been under the spotlight years before her release.  The story of Gypsy is one...

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The 2024 version of Mean Girls is a remake of the 2004 film and an adaptation of the Broadway musical.

“Mean Girls,” so fetch or not so fetch?

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter February 1, 2024

There is a new “Mean Girls” movie and yes, it is a musical. The movie has received many mixed reviews spanning from the fashion to the awkward product placement to some not even knowing that it was a musical in the first place, which caused a bit...

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The 81st Golden Globes Awards were held on Jan. 7 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

A not so golden moment at the 2024 Golden Globes

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter January 25, 2024

The 81st Golden Globes took place to recognize the achievements of film and television made in 2023, but the focus of this year's award show was not on the nominees, winners or fashion.  It was instead the host and his jokes made during the ceremony.   Jo...

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Don’t be ‘A–’ be ‘A+’

Don’t be ‘A–’ be ‘A+’

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter January 22, 2024

The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage earlier this month. According to the Red Cross, blood donors have decreased by 40% throughout the past 20 years, with this past year reaching an all-time low.   The Red Cross shared some...

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Many young girls prefer to use mature skincare products instead of age-appropriate brands, and some have access to high-end products from Drunk Elephant.

Sephora, a little girl’s new best friend

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter January 19, 2024

A few years ago, stores like Claire's and Justice used to be filled to the brim with young girls running around, begging their parents for children's make-up to play in. Recently, young girls scrapped the idea of playing pretend and began purchasing real...

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Shakeen Hall-Smith sprints 200m.

Olympians in Sun City

Ximena Cordero, Staff Reporter January 16, 2024

El Paso is no stranger to great athletics, from professional teams like the Chihuahuas, the Locomotives, to UTEP sports teams. Added to that list are fourteen athletes currently training in the Sun City through the Hanany Olympic Project.   The Hanany...

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Ximena Cordero