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Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

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Valeria Olivares

Valeria Olivares is currently a senior studying multimedia journalism and is the editor-in-chief of The Prospector. Throughout the summer of 2019, Olivares helped Rain Media interview, translate and film a documentary on immigrants at the border for FRONTLINE and interned at the San Antonio Express-News where she covered crime and wrote more than 90 articles. As a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, she participated in the Latino Reporter, NAHJ’s student project. Olivares is interested in immigration, politics, privacy and internet culture.

All content by Valeria Olivares
Letter from the editor: Reporting during drastic changes

Letter from the editor: Reporting during drastic changes

Valeria Olivares, Editor in Chief March 19, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. Dear Miners,  The entire world has been thrown into chaos, and we are all slowly adjusting. Dealing with a pandemic, the...

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Students living in any of UTEP’s three housing complexes, like Miner Heights, are being directed to move out of their dorms by 5 p.m. March 29.

UTEP students directed to move out of campus housing in less than two weeks

Valeria Olivares and Bryan Mena March 17, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. UTEP Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is directing students living in campus housing to move out by 5 p.m. Sunday, March...

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UTEP President Heather Wilson

UTEP to prolong spring break, shift to online classes

Valeria Olivares, Editor in Chief March 13, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. UTEP President Heather Wilson announced the university will prolong spring break for a week and shift classes to online starting...

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For additional information and updates on the coronavirus for the UTEP community, visit utep.edu/coronavirus

Coronavirus: UTEP prepares for possible university closure

Valeria Olivares, Editor in chief March 11, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. Updated at 9:41 p.m. The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) Technology Support Services will offer remote...

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Cielo Vista Walmart employees gathered outside the store Thursday, Nov. 14. After opening the store’s doors for customers, they cheered and welcomed people as they entered.

[Photo] Cielo Vista Walmart reopens, construction for memorial continues

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor November 14, 2019

Cielo Vista Walmart employees gathered outside the store Thursday, Nov. 14. After opening the store’s doors for customers, they cheered and welcomed people as they entered.

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OPINION: No, you probably won’t get murdered while staying at a hostel abroad

Valeria Olivares, Editor-in-chief November 12, 2019

Almost everyone has heard horror stories about the dangers of staying at a hostel while traveling abroad.   Eli Roth, writer, film director, producer and actor, even directed a thriller titled “Hostel” that was released more than a decade ago....

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President Wilson: Leading a binational, bicultural university

Valeria Olivares, Editor-in-chief October 29, 2019

As UTEP President Heather Wilson’s first semester at the university starts wrapping up, The Prospector sat down to talk about her experience so far, plans for the university and more.   Wilson describes herself as a pragmatic, values-driven, strategic...

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Halloween and Día de Los Muertos at the border

Halloween and Día de Los Muertos at the border

Valeria Olivares, Editor-in-Chief October 29, 2019

People at the border of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas celebrate both Halloween and Día de Los Muertos as October makes way for November. For the episode, The Prospector’s podcast team talked to Irma Montelongo, an associate professor...

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Photo courtesy of Chesnot/Getty Images

Teens are making viral mass-shooting memes on TikTok

Valeria Olivares, Editor-in-Chief September 24, 2019

Teenagers and young adults have been posting memes about school shootings on TikTok that have quickly gone viral.  TikTok is currently the number one entertainment app in Apple’s App Store and, according to an article by Kaya Yurieff for CNN,...

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The 11th president in UTEP, Heather Wilson, at Monday’s press conference.

President Wilson kicks off the new semester

Valeria Olivares, Editor-in-Chief August 27, 2019

UTEP’s new President Heather Wilson talked about the university’s safety, the evolution of UTEP, a new parking garage and more during a press conference held in the Administration Building Monday, the first day of the fall semester. “I’m here...

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Stumbling into change

Stumbling into change

Valeria Olivares, Editor-in-Chief August 27, 2019

El Paso, UTEP and the border in general have been the focus of national attention due to a great deal of recent incidents. Whether it was August’s mass shooting in which a man killed 22 people, the masses of migrants trying to request asylum in the...

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Bardo Martinez from Chicano Batman sings at Neon Desert Music Festival in Downtown El Paso on May 26, 2018.

Recap: 2019 Neon Desert Music Festival

Valeria Olivares, Reporter May 28, 2019

During the morning of Saturday, May 25, it was announced that Ximena Sariñana, who was scheduled to perform the same day, would no longer appear in this year’s festival due to “unexpected visa issues.” However, an email sent by Neon Desert Music...

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Vania Castillo strides into the future

Vania Castillo strides into the future

Valeria Olivares, Reporter May 7, 2019

UTEP student Vania Castillo begins to blur the line between her college career and her future as a journalist as she takes part in the VICE Fellowship for Collegiate Reporting. The fellowship was created in early January of the present year. After VICE...

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Border challenges increase due to migrant influx

Border challenges increase due to migrant influx

Valeria Olivares, Reporter March 26, 2019

The southwest border of the United States has encountered a record increase in the amount of unauthorized entries of migrant families, presenting significant challenges to the border region as various organizations struggle to deal with the influx. According...

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Hotel Paisano is a great place for students on a budget to get away to in Marfa, Texas for spring break.

Spring break getaways on a budget

Valeria Olivares, Reporter March 12, 2019

With one week left until spring break, time and distance are always a priority for a quick getaway to visit a new panorama. Here are some options for the perfect getaway on a budget. Ciudad Juárez, Mexico Although it might seem obvious, Ciudad Juárez...

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Students protest against Heather Wilson at UTEP

Protest arises from Heather Wilson’s visit

Valeria Olivares, Reporter March 11, 2019

Students and faculty gathered to protest UTEP’s succeeding president as the sole finalist held a press conference within the university’s campus. “We are here, gathering, to express our concern and to ask for the withdrawal of Heather Wilson...

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U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, has been selected to succeed Dr. Diana Natalicio as UTEP president. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense.)

UTEP president finalist attracts opposition

Valeria Olivares, Reporter March 11, 2019

A petition opposing the Texas Board of Regents’ sole finalist for UTEP president has raked up more than 4,000 signatures. The Borderland Rainbow Center in El Paso’s president, Cristina Calvillo-Rivera, launched the campaign against President Diana...

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Orchestra welcomes interim conductor

Orchestra welcomes interim conductor

Valeria Olivares, Reporter March 4, 2019

Bohuslav Rattay was introduced into his first semester as interim conductor for the UTEP Symphony Orchestra Tuesday, Feb. 26, during a concert at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Rattay stepped in for the spring semester as Lowell Graham, the orchestra’s...

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The Interdisciplinary Research Building’s construction continues unhindered

The Interdisciplinary Research Building’s construction continues unhindered

Valeria Olivares, Reporter February 26, 2019

The Interdisciplinary Research Building (IDRB), located behind the Undergraduate Learning Center (UGLC) and bumping against Sun Bowl Drive, is currently on schedule due to a lack of setbacks, according to UTEP officials. “I know that other buildings...

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People celebrate Black History Month at a parade Saturday Feb. 23rd.

El Pasoans gather for Black History Month.

Valeria Olivares, Reporter February 25, 2019

People from El Paso came together to celebrate Black History Month at a parade that started on the corner of Montana Street and Pershing Street on Saturday, Feb. 23. People followed the parade as it made its way to Mary Webb Park in order to start...

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Movement Mujeres launches fellowship for women of color in Texas

Movement Mujeres launches fellowship for women of color in Texas

Valeria Olivares, Reporter February 19, 2019

Movement Mujeres announced its inaugural fellowship class of 25 women from Texas who will be part of a two-year training and mentorship program that began Feb. 6. “Being part of Movement Mujeres will help me turn my thoughts into actions and not only...

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‘Border Street’ exhibition offers insight into adjacent cities

‘Border Street’ exhibition offers insight into adjacent cities

Valeria Olivares, Reporter February 5, 2019

The Centennial Museum unveiled “Border Street,” a photo exhibition that celebrates the border culture of the neighboring cities of El Paso and Cd. Juárez, on Thursday, Jan. 31. The photo exhibition is being held in conjunction with “Rebirth of...

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Stalking awareness month

Stalking awareness month

Valeria Olivares, Reporter January 29, 2019

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC) held a training Thursday, Jan. 24, at Boquillas Hall. Geared for UTEP students and staff, it focused on identifying and responding to stalking.  In order to recognize National Stalking...

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iFLY prepares to make El Paso fly

iFLY prepares to make El Paso fly

Valeria Olivares, Contributor December 9, 2018

iFLY Indoor Skydiving invited the El Paso community to join them as they held their topping up ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 5, where they introduced the concept of indoor skydiving. Bill Adams, iFLY El Paso’s co-owner said in a statement, "We're thrilled...

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Joanne Pransky first robot psychiatrist.

RESET presents the first robot psychiatrist

Valeria Olivares, Contributor November 26, 2018

RESET brought the world’s first “real” robot psychiatrist to UTEP in order to talk about her work in the robotics field at the Undergraduate Learning Center on Friday, Nov. 16. Dr. Joanne Pransky has focused on understanding the relationships...

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Freshman environmental science major Yeshey Seldon poses in front of the Bhutan Temple holding Jasha Maru (Spicy Chicken Curry) sold by the Bhutanese Student Association at the International Food Fair on Monday, Nov. 12.

UTEP promotes diversity through food

Valeria Olivares, Contributor November 13, 2018

The International Culture Festival kicked off on Monday, Nov. 12, as students came together for the International Food Fair at the Tomás Rivera Conference Center. The event’s location was changed in the morning from Centennial Plaza to the East Wing...

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Veronica Escobar celebrates her election to the House of Representatives with her supporters at Later, Later in Downtown El Paso.

Veronica Escobar comes through with historic win

Valeria Olivares, Contributor November 6, 2018

Veronica Escobar celebrated victory and made history as she was elected El Paso’s first woman in Congress and the first Texas Latina in the U.S. House after winning the general election on Nov. 6. She joined her watch party with a wide smile and...

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Woo decides to come out

Woo decides to come out

Valeria Olivares, Contributor November 6, 2018

Dee Woo, one of UTEP’s longest standing faculty members in the Department of Communication has publicly come out as transgender. Dee, whose given name is Dennis, was born a male in 1955. She graduated from UTEP in 1976 with a degree in Mass Communication...

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Valeria Olivares