Finally, my last introduction piece, my time is coming to an end at UTEP. I write this with great love and excitement as I am now the editor-in-chief (EIC) at The Prospector. I never thought this dream would come true. I remember before I started at Student Media, I would look at The Prospectors Instagram looking at all the great work and trying to keep up with the team and learn more about who they are. Once I came across the words editor-in-chief, I felt the power of what that position held and never once thought that one day, that would be me.

First, I want to thank The University of Texas at El Paso Professor Kate Gannon and journalist Alfredo Corchado for their unlimited support and trust in me as a journalist.

I started my journalism classes worried about not finding a mentor, but now I have two incredible mentors who took me under their wing and pushed me to accept this position when I was not confident in myself. I couldn’t ask for better.

Seeing the team grow and change every semester, it made me think of what I could possibly teach or change as EIC. My biggest goal this semester was to hire people to my team who had ambitions and passions whether they were journalism majors or not. I have always strongly believed that anyone can learn and have the talents to be a journalist. I have completed that goal with ease.

My other goals are to make sure that my team learns and grows as journalists and storytellers while having fun and not feeling that this industry is dreadful or a chore.

With the variety of stories I have written and the voices I have shared throughout my time at The Prospector, I know that my hard work and drive has led me to finally be a leader of a team, specifically my own team.

With the ups and downs and confidence that I have lost or gained throughout the last few semesters, I know this is where I am meant to be.

Throughout this semester, I will also be the first intern at Puente News Collaborative with Alfredo Corchado. These opportunities have been unlimited, but I am very blessed for all of them.

I also want to thank Emmanuel Rivas for believing in me and letting me take over his reign. Thank you to my parents, my assistant director, Crystal Hinga, my right-hand man Marco Hinojosa, director Veronica Gonzalez, Alyson Rodriguez, and my friends and team for their constant support.

I know this semester will create the change Student Media and Publications has needed. I hope I make all the students at UTEP proud. I lastly want to thank you, the reader. Whether you are a student at UTEP or have just wanted to stop by for a quick read. Thank you for being the reason why us journalists continue to create. 

Avery Escamilla-Wendell is the editor-in-chief for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram @by_avery_escamilla.