Throughout the course of my life, I have been grateful for the amazing opportunities and blessings that have shaped the person I am today.

At The Prospector, I have friendships and memories I will appreciate for the rest of my life. I worked at this distinguished publication for three years, and it is a surreal feeling looking back on it now.

I knew that I wanted to study journalism when I entered UTEP, since writing and reading stories is an interest of mine. It was a happy accident as to how I began working at The Prospector.

I wanted to get my foot in the door in the world of journalism, so I decided to apply to Minero Magazine, but on the application paper there was another section with job descriptions regarding The Prospector, which I knew nothing about, so I checked the contributor position box thinking nothing of it.

After being hired to write for Minero Magazine, Jerremy Carranco, the former sports editor, approached me and asked about my interests in journalism to which I replied “sports” and from there in an impromptu interview, I became a contributor for The Prospector.

Fast forward three years later and here I am writing a farewell column. Although it feels like yesterday I was walking into the Prospy office for the first time (with a perm on my head that I regret to this day).

Right off the bat I began covering numerous sporting events across El Paso, which opened my eyes to what it takes to be a journalist.

For students looking to become sport journalists or journalists in general, the best advice I can give you is to take every opportunity you are given and run with it. From working at The Prospector as a contributor, reporter, and editor, I have learned a lot about myself and the amazing people I have been blessed to work with.

I would like to take this time to say thank you to all those I have worked for and with at The Prospector, which became a second home to me during college. This past year we have worked through tough times together and I am proud of you for coming together and producing quality content.

To the director of Student Media Publications, Veroncia Gonzalez, thank you for giving a lanky kid from Riverside High School the chance to work for you and this amazing publication. You are one of the kindest people I know, and I will forever be grateful to you. I always strive to make you and this publication proud of the work I produce.

To Tracy Roy, thank you for all the advice and time you spend making this publication what it is today. Your hard work and help to make this publication succeed does not go unnoticed. Thank you for making me a better journalist. To those working with Tracy in the months and years ahead, please ask her for as much advice as you can, as she is a fountain of knowledge in the field.

I cannot say I would have had as much fun as I did working for The Prospector if it weren’t for people like Daniel “Curly” Mendez and Adrian “AB” Broaddus who took me under their wing and showed me the ins and outs of sports journalism. I had a great time working for and alongside you guys and arguing about “all-time greats.” I learned so much from both of you and I am proud to call you my boys.

To Michael Cuviello, thank you for being a hard-working and dedicated journalist. I look at your stories now and I am proud of the growth you made as a journalist. From writing recaps to making some of the best work The Prospector has produced, you are a perfect example that hard work pays off. I know you may see this as a jab, but I see you as father figure and someone I could always depend on when I worked as sports editor. I wish you nothing but success in your life, thank you for being a great colleague and friend.

Finally, I want to thank my family, my mom, dad, grandparents, cousins, sister, aunts and uncles and my girlfriend Audrey for always being there for me. I attended college not only to fulfill my promise to my mom to earn a degree, but to make all of you proud. I love each one of you.

My future as a journalist is put on hold as I plan to join the United States Air Force after graduation, but I plan to work within its public affairs to continue this passion of mine.

Thank you, The Prospector, for all the great memories. I will deeply miss working here but I am grateful for the time we had together.

Isaiah Ramirez may be reached at [email protected].@IsaiahRamirez1 on Twitter.