Avery Escamilla-Wendell

My name is Avery Escamilla-Wendell, I am a Multimedia Journalist at The University of Texas at El Paso who understands the power of resilience and strength of marginalized voices. Growing up in the borderland, has instilled in me a passion for shedding light on untold stories, championing diverse perspectives, and sharing the stories of underrepresented communities. As the current  Editor-in-Chief at The Prospector and Audience and Engagement Intern at Puente News Collaborative, I thrive on writing stories that capture the truth about immigration, the U.S. Border Region, and the voices in my community. 

RECENT STORIES

The Prospector •

Soccer player embraces her culture through sport and her education

Hispanic Heritage Month is special in the border region of El Paso. In honor of the month, UTEP athlete Leslie Gutierrez chooses to celebrate by being surrounded by her family.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the start of Hispanic Heritage Month dates to 1968 and has continued since.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on...
The Prospector •

‘Follow it and defend it’ The career choices for Hispanic students at UTEP

From arts to STEM, there are many decisions when choosing a major. However, Hispanic students say they experience the pressure from their families to pursue a major with money.   
84% of UTEP’s population is Hispanic according to the university. Pursuing a major for the end goal of a successful career that earns high income can become complicated in retrospect.   
Andrea Castañeda, a 2019 graduate from UTEP, studied biological sciences. Castañeda has always been passionate about science, but als...