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Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Jasmine Aguilera, editor-in-chief

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief

Jasmine is a senior multimedia journalism major with a minor in anthropology. She began practicing journalism as a high school student when she joined the Tejano Tribune, El Paso Community College’s student newspaper. During her senior year she became the first ever high school student to become editor-in-chief of the Tribune. She moved on to join The Prospector team in the fall of 2011.

Jasmine has covered national politics, immigration, poverty, human trafficking, refugees and more in her time holding various editorial positions at The Prospector and as an intern reporter at the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire and Gannett News Service, both in Washington, D.C.

She aspires to become an international reporter and tell stories that do not receive the attention they deserve. Until then, she spends her time following the news and guiding a very talented team in reporting for a student audience and the El Paso community. She also enjoys a good book, art, music and the occasional Netflix binge (House of Cards and Breaking Bad remain her favorite).

All content by Jasmine Aguilera
Lead singer of rock band The Cure performs at the Don Haskins Center on Tue. May 17.

The Cure fills up the Haskins Center with stellar performance

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor May 18, 2016

As The Cure front man Robert Smith strummed his guitar, a concert goer in a U2 Vertigo T-shirt—an obvious nod to his taste in music—grabbed his hair in excitement and yelled: “no freakin’ way!” The band was performing “Close To Me”...

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More than a Copy

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor May 3, 2016

My life before The Prospector is a blur. That may sound like an exaggeration, but before I walked into 105 Union Building East five years ago, the thought of my future resembled something like a Picasso painting—the shapes, lines and hues coming together...

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Graffiti in the time of Trump

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor April 26, 2016

It’s more impactful than political comments on Facebook. It means more than the “Feel the Bern” T-shirts, and the “Make America Great Again” baseball caps. It’s street art. Art that is powerful enough to prevent drone strikes in Pakistan...

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Annual César Chávez Day march ends in celebration

Annual César Chávez Day march ends in celebration

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor March 31, 2016

Over a hundred people gathered at the Centro De Los Trabajadores Agrícolas Fronterizos (Border Farmworker Center) in Segundo Barrio on Thursday for a César Chávez Day march through Downtown El Paso. The march included a prayer service at Sacred...

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Special to The Prospector. Maria Figueroa is featured in the documentary 'No Más Bebés," which was screened at the UTEP Union Cinema Wednesday evening.

‘No Más Bebés’ screens at UTEP Cinema

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor March 23, 2016

“No Más Bebés,” a documentary about forced sterilizations of Mexican women in 1970s Los Angeles, was screened at the UTEP Union Cinema as a part of Women’s History Month. The film’s producer, Virginia Espino, attended the screening and hosted...

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‘No Más Bebés’ to be screened at Union Cinema

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor March 22, 2016

In 1970s Los Angeles, Mexican-American women went to the hospital to deliver their babies, but left unknowingly sterilized. This piece of women’s history will be examined during a Wednesday screening of the documentary film “No Más Bebés.” The...

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Cage The Elephant perform at Spring Fling at the Don Haskins Center.

A memorable Spring Fling provided by Cage the Elephant (as if that’s a surprise)

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor March 17, 2016

Cue the long-haired hipsters in tight jeans and t-shirts. Add a layer of keyboards, bass guitars and some of the most unique vocalists in modern alt rock, and you’ve got this year’s Spring Fling. The Wednesday night show at the Don Haskins...

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Students wait to have their portraits taken by Dear World photographers. They write messages on their skin, the trademark of Dear World's project.

Students get personal with powerful portraits by Dear World

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor February 23, 2016

A project called Dear World, which features a series of portraits and messages taken all over the world by New Orleans photographers, visited UTEP on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Dear World team took hundreds of portraits on campus at the Union Building East,...

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VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor February 23, 2016

A common misconception is that one voter doesn’t make a difference. You are one of about 674,000 people in El Paso, only one of about 27 million in Texas and a measly one of 319 million people in the United States. So the “every vote counts” argument...

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Perspectives: Kanye West

Jasmine Aguilera and Adrian Broaddus February 16, 2016

Kanye West can suck it: Jasmine Aguilera Before there was presidential candidate Donald Trump, there was Kanye West. Kanye West is the embodiment of everything wrong with society. And worse, millions of people fund his narcissism, misogyny and twisted...

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The number of students in possession of marijuana has increased in the past year.

Blazed and Confused : Campus officials concerned that students are unaware of drug policies

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor January 26, 2016

College students smoke pot. No surprise there. Marijuana has become as associated with the college experience as beer pong or Greek life. But officials at UTEP are concerned that many students may not know or understand the consequences of being found...

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Kerry Figueroa, sophomore electrical engineering major, protests against police brutality Friday morning at Leech Grove.

Student protests police brutality at Leech Grove

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief December 5, 2014

Kerry Figueroa, sophomore electrical engineering major, laid facedown in the grass on Leech Grove Friday morning to protest police brutality. He decided to protest peacefully when he learned that New York Police Department Officer Daniel Pantaleo will...

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Here’s looking at you kid

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor In Chief December 2, 2014

Aaron Martinez and Salvador Guerrero, for believing in me as soon as I got hired and helping me move up in ranks. Diego Burciaga for hanging in there with me the last three years and coming up with some amazing award-winning designs. Kristopher Rivera,...

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Protestors gather on Hawkins Boulevard and Montana Avenue to rally for the release of student Alexi Cruz.

[Photo] Alexi Cruz, released from ICE detention, speaks to The Prospector

Maria Esquinca, Staff reporter November 12, 2014

Danza Azteca leads the march on Montana Ave. for the release of Alexi Cruz.

How I met the catcall

How I met the catcall

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor in Chief November 11, 2014

Channeling my inner Ted Mosby, Kids, I’m going to tell you the story of how I learned the damage of a simple catcall. Now, in case you don’t know, catcalling is something that happens on a regular basis. A girl is walking down the street, minding...

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El Paso NORML attempts passing Cite and Release law

El Paso NORML attempts passing Cite and Release law

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief September 30, 2014

The night of Minerpalooza, Steve found himself facing two police officers. There was a heavy aroma coming from his car, so they began questioning him about his use of marijuana. He admitted to smoking that morning, so the officers decided to search his...

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Mexico Ambassador to the U.S., Eduardo Medina Mora, speaks at UGLC Wednesday afternoon.

Ambassador discusses Mexico and U.S. relations as part of lecture series

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief September 10, 2014

Mexico Ambassador to the United States, Eduardo Medina Mora, discussed UTEP’s Washington Monthly ranking, international relations and changes taking place in Mexico Wednesday afternoon at the UGLC. He spoke as part of the Centennial Lecture Series...

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On Dec. 3, 1971, 30 students were arrested by the El Paso Police Department for demonstrating on campus.

Organizers remember ‘71 Chicano protest at UTEP

Jasmine Aguilera, Copy Editor September 9, 2014

This was the day she had been waiting for, a day she would remember for the rest of her life, a day she hoped would go down in history—and it did. On Dec. 3, 1971, 21-year-old speech pathology major, Irma Camacho, and 29 others sat in protest, blocking...

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Body found in front of library, no foul play suspected

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief August 17, 2014

At around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, UTEP Police found a body hanging from a tree in front of the campus library. "UTEP police dispatch received a phone call indicating that a body was hanging from a tree in front of the campus library," said UTEP Police...

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Beck, El Paso's BFF, welcomed with open arms

Beck, El Paso’s BFF, welcomed with open arms

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief April 24, 2014

Beck came to El Paso to find a friend—at least that's what he repeated over and over during his Thursday night performance at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Mr. Hansen, this reporter would love to be your friend. In fact, everyone should be Beck's friend....

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CEO of ImpreMedia and prominent Hispanic professional, Monica Lozano, speaks about Hispanic prevalence in various fields during a Tuesday Centennial Lecture.

CEO of Spanish-language media company discusses Hispanic influence during Lecture

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief April 15, 2014

CEO of ImpreMedia and prominent Hispanic professional, Monica Lozano, spoke about Hispanic prevalence in government, education and science and mathematic fields during a Tuesday Centennial Lecture. ImpreMedia, a Spanish-language media company based...

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Candidate Wendy Davis talks equal pay at Café Mayapan

Jasmine Aguilera and Maria Esquinca March 26, 2014

Gubernatorial candidate Texas Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, spent Wednesday morning speaking to media and volunteers at Café Mayapan, in El Paso, Texas. She focused her discussion on gender and economic equality. El Paso Sen. Jose Rodriguez...

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‘House of Cards’ teachings

‘House of Cards’ teachings

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief February 18, 2014

In a Feb. 13 interview with CBS News, actor Kevin Spacey jokingly said that House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told him “If I could just kill one member of Congress, I wouldn’t have to worry about another vote.” This is in light...

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Women’s studies researches rape on campus

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief February 11, 2014

The Women’s Studies Program is now conducting research on the issue of sexual assault among college students. The Sexual Attitudes, Behaviors and Experiences Survey, originally began at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga., and was an effort...

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Security setting up outside of the Capitol in preparation of the president's speech.

From left to right, our thoughts on State of the Union 2014

Jasmine Aguilera and Helen Yip January 28, 2014

[ezcol_1half] Optimistic, hopeful, but a lot to be desired—A view from the left President Barack Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address touched on every topic I was hoping to hear about. Repealing voter identification laws, immigration reform,...

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UTEP Police officers talk to eye-witnesses on the scene.  Sitting in the center is sophomore volleyball player Madison Morris.

Volleyball player involved in death of foreign exchange student

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief December 4, 2013

A UTEP Police report released Wednesday names sophomore volleyball player Madison Morris as the driver of the Nov. 15 accident that led to the death of Achim Schweighofer, a 23-year-old foreign exchange student. University Communications officials...

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Pass the budget

Pass the budget

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief October 8, 2013

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, said students should not be impacted by the partial government shutdown as long as it reopens before Oct. 17, which marks Congress’s deadline to raise the debt ceiling that could prevent a default. In an Oct. 5 interview,...

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Government shut down in tweets

Government shut down in tweets

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief October 1, 2013

[View the story "Government shut down in tweets" on Storify]

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Government shutdown a petty move for Republicans

Government shutdown a petty move for Republicans

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief September 30, 2013

Editor’s note: This column was written Sept. 30. Due to the subject matter, some facts may have changed since the time it was written. Check theprospectordaily.com for further updates. The United States Congress has worked 117 legislative days out...

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Last year’s Career Expo drew 2,500 students. This year, organizers are hoping to see 3,500 students attend.

Career expo expected to draw thousands

Jasmine Aguilera, Kristopher Rivera September 17, 2013

The UTEP Career expo is expected to draw thousands of students and more than 100 employers this year. The expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 and 20 at the Don Haskins Center. Betsy Castro-Duarte, associate director of the University...

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(Left-right) Communication Professor Richard Pineda, State Sen. Jose Rodriguez, Rep. Joe Pickett, Rep. Marisa Marquez, Rep. Joe Moody, Rep. Naomi Gonzalez and Rep. Mary Gonzalez speak at the El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center for the 83rd Legislature Wrap-Up.

El Paso lawmakers attend session wrap-up at Natural Gas Center

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief September 12, 2013

El Paso lawmakers gathered on campus Thursday for the close of the 83rd Texas Legislature. The group discussed El Paso issues including agriculture, health care and student concerns. El Paso representatives and State Sen. José Rodriguez, all Democrats,...

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(Left-Right) Rolando Pablos,  Borderplex Alliance Chief Executive Officer, Texas State Sen. Jose Rodriguez, Gabriel Flores, Chihuahua State Congress and chair of the Border Legislative Conference, Ian Brownlee, U.S. Consul General in Ciudad Juarez and Jacob Prado, Consul General of Mexico in El Paso, participate in a panel discussion after the presentation.

Presentation of State of the Border analysis delivered at UGLC

Jasmine Aguilera, Editor-in-chief September 6, 2013

Several border officials presented the State of The Border Report at an event Friday afternoon at the Undergraduate Learning Center building. The report included the status of trade and competitiveness, security, sustainability and quality of life on...

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Jasmine Aguilera