As the sun began to set and the last hour of light left a small golden impression on the highest point of the Sun Bowl Miner Pick, hundreds of UTEP students gathered on a shaded lawn, awaiting their turn in line for free t-shirts and glow sticks for UTEP’s most anticipated event, Texas Western Gold Rush.
Though relatively new, compared to the three-decade-old tradition of Minerpalooza, Texas Western Gold Rush has quickly become a focal point of student engagement at UTEP.
The event marked the kickoff for the start of the fall semester with a display of fireworks, colorful lights, speeches and electrifying performances from the UTEP community. Beyond visual allure, the night offers something even more valuable: a sense of community and belonging for students feeling the weight of the upcoming semester.
Texas Western Gold Rush is more than scheduled components, an opportunity to inspire and encourage. As the night unfolded, UTEP faculty and student leaders took the stage to deliver motivational speeches aimed at easing the stress that often accompanies the first weeks of college.
“Trust the process,” said Michelle Ramos, a member of UTEP’s cheer team. “Just because it’s a bad day doesn’t mean it’s a bad week or a bad month. Everything is going to come together just the way it’s supposed to.”
The highlight of the evening was the much-anticipated “Battle of the Bands,” where local El Paso talent competed for a spot to headline Minerpalooza, where one band has the potential to win “Best Band”.
The lineup for the night included Vampira, Beach Cowboys, and Saving Bandit, with each band eager to make their mark.
Vampira performed first, giving a stellar performance, igniting the crowd with their energy. Nevertheless, the weather had other plans, cutting the event short and leaving the remaining bands to battle it out during Minerpalooza Sept. 6.
Despite the interruption, the spirit of the night remained untouched. For those who missed out on the Texas Western Gold Rush, no need to worry. The new semester is just beginning, and there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved and make memories.
As UTEP faculty member Tracy Huhn puts it, “Events like this are so important because this is the edge experience. When students are interactive and engaged on campus, they’re not only learning how to build relationships—they’re capturing memories that are going to lead into such great opportunities.”
Miner Welcome will be hosting several events for the next two weeks, including UTEP Night at the Chihuahuas and Minerpalooza allowing students to engage and connect.
UTEP Night at the Chihuahuas takes place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at Southwest University Park. UTEP students can RSVP to the event to claim their free ticket at Mine Tracker.
Rumi Sevilla is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]