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Culture

Review: "The Last Jedi" is exciting addition to beloved franchise

Timber Mabes | January 7

“The Last Jedi,” Episode VIII of the classic and beloved space opera “Star Wars” was one of the most hyped-up movies of 2017. The seventh installment, “The Force Awakens,” brought the films back to media frontlines when it was released in 2015. Since then, the Star Wars franchise has reclaimed its presence in the lives of lifelong adult fans and youths alike. “The Last Jedi” premiered on Dec. 14, and the movie’s anticipation reignited the worldwide Star Wars craze. Star Wars toys and action figures stocked the isles of supermarkets and toy stores, Star Wars clothing hit popular retail stores, such as the GAP and on opening weekend the film hit a total of $220,009,584 gross in the box office, according to IMDb’s Box Office Mojo.

Jazmin Coronel smiles as speakers introduce her before being sworn into the New Mexico State Bar by Justice Chavez, of the New Mexico Supreme Court Dec. 14, 2017.

Culture

Jazmin succeeds as lawyer despite immigration challenges

Amy Byres | January 7

Editor's Note: This profile is part of a series on DACA recipients. Continue to stay updated with the Daily Lobo for more information. Jazmin Coronel is the first Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient at the University of New Mexico to be sworn into the BAR to become a practicing attorney. This special circumstance, however, came with conditions, she said.

Hodgin Hall stands tall on the evening of Jan. 5, 2018.

News

Hodgin Hall — a monument to UNM's history

Rebecca Brusseau | January 7

2018 marks the 126th anniversary of Hodgin Hall, the oldest building on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus. Hodgin Hall has a vast history with deep ties throughout UNM and is now the home of the UNM Alumni Association. “(Hodgin Hall) keeps alive the history of the University and New Mexico,” said Alumni Association Special Events Coordinator Kathie Scott. “This building tells a story.”

Yazmin Irazoqui poses for a Daily Lobo photographer after giving a brief interview on Dec. 17, 2017 about being a DACA recipient.

Culture

Yazmin uses her experience to help other immigrants

Amy Byres | January 7

Editor's Note: This profile is part of a series on DACA recipients. Continue to stay updated with the Daily Lobo for more information. Yazmin Irazoqui is a medical student at the University of New Mexico and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient. Irazoqui and her twin sister, Jazmin Coronel, grew up in Phoenix, Arizona where they quickly learned they were expected to assimilate, she said.

Culture

Lending Library helps students find books

Ariel Lutnesky | January 7

Outside of the University College Advisement Center lives a little bookshelf that houses anything from novels to picture books to textbooks to grad school entry exam practice books. This shelf, known as Nancy’s Lending Library, is meant for everyone’s enjoyment, according to Nancy Diodati-Miller, the woman who created it. “I decided to start the Lending Library, because a lot of the books that I have at home are books that are left over from when I was an undergrad,” Diodati-Miller said. “I thought that maybe some of those books are still being used in some of the classes and possibly some of the students can use them.”

Culture

Holiday Market showcases local food and crafts

Timber Mabes | December 11

A holiday market, complete with local musicians, food trucks, over one hundred New Mexican vendors and a tarot card reader with a goose, made its way to the Albuquerque Rail Yards site Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Stands sold everything from knitted stuffed animals to repurposed vegetable cans to Hatch chile ristras in a rustic, abandoned rail yard site that has been recovered and paved and has walls fixed with colored glass panels. May through October, the historic site houses the Rail Yards Market every Sunday, but this special Holiday Market only takes place for two days in December.

Attendees stand in ahh at the light show happening during the 2017 River of Lights on Dec. 08, 2017.

Culture

River of Lights illuminates ABQ for holiday season

Timber Mabes | December 11

The Albuquerque River of Lights continues to bring wonder to the hearts of adults and children alike this holiday season with over one million holiday lights. From illuminated farm tractors, Frosty the Snowman, moving dinosaurs, flying unicorns and a UFO working to abduct a strobe-lit cow, the River of Lights features over 500 light displays and light projections.

News

Photojournalism created "a place to feel alive" for graduate Kevin Maestas

Christian Marquez | December 11

Editor's Note: As part of our graduation issue, we would also like to acknowledge the staff at the Daily Lobo who are graduating this semester. Kevin Maestas is a current staff photographer at the Daily Lobo. He has been working with our publication since the Spring 2017 semester and will be graduating this fall. We will miss his beautiful photography and excellent storytelling skills as he embarks on the next chapter in his life.

News

Grad Issue: Exchange student Gerardo Archundia returns to Mexico, looks back at time at UNM

Jose Couvillion | December 11

Editor's Note: As part of our graduation issue, we would also like to acknowledge the staff at the Daily Lobo who are graduating this semester. Gerardo Archundia S. is a current multimedia reporter at the Daily Lobo. He is a foreign exchange student who has been working with our publication since the beginning of this semester. His journalistic skills will be missed, as he finishes his time as an undergrad at the University of New Mexico this semester.

News

Grad Issue: Logan Jones attributes leadership and teamwork skills to ROTC

Ludella Awad | December 11

As Logan Jones nears the end of his time in college, he will begin a new journey as an officer in the United States Air Force. Logan Jones will be graduating on Dec. 16, 2017 from The University of New Mexico, receiving his bachelor's in exercise science. He joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Air Force program his second semester at UNM, a program he participated in throughout his time at the University. After Jones graduates, he will join his wife as an officer in the Air Force next month.

Cassidy Gardner will graduate with a bachelor?s in business administration with a concentration in international management. She is currently pursuing work experience within the fields of communications, public relations and technology, with the hopes to transition one day into assisting humanitarian organizations, such as the Peace Corps.

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Grad Issue: Cassidy Gardner has big plans after business school

Nichole Harwood | December 11

Cassidy Gardner’s experience at the University of New Mexico has been pretty phenomenal, giving her the necessary knowledge to pursue her dreams past college, she said. Gardner was a study abroad student, in addition to her time at UNM Main Campus, and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in business and international management. “UNM is a really great University, especially for business,” Gardner said. “(The Anderson School of Management is) very difficult but worth it, if you will to be able to get a degree from such a well known institution.” Gardner studied abroad in Brazil for six months in 2016, one of the most impactful experiences she had as a student, she said.

News

Grad Issue: Vanessa Espinoza hopes to take photojournalism to the next level

Austin Tyra | December 11

First-generation college students face unique challenges — challenges that soon-to-be graduate Vanessa Espinoza can relate to. Espinoza is originally from El Paso, Texas, and the challenges she faced are likely experiences many students enrolled at the University of New Mexico may relate to. Being the first in her family to attend a four-year institution, the lack of experience and knowledge about attending college proved to be challenging. Nonetheless, Espinoza persevered and began her undergraduate career as a dental hygiene major. But she said that she eventually discovered the discipline left her uninspired, and she decided to change majors.

Alison De La Concepcion is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in family studies while minoring in psychology. She plans to pursue her master?s in counseling, with possible focuses in mental health, rehabilitation or couple and family therapy.

News

Grad Issue: Alison De la Concepcion finds triumph in tragedy

Brendon Gray | December 11

A few years ago, Alison De la Concepcion was not even planning on going to college. Now, she is graduating with a degree in family studies and looking toward a master’s program. Her journey was not easy. Raised in a military family, De la Concepcion travelled across the country throughout her young life. She heard of the University of New Mexico for the first time when her father received a deployment in Albuquerque, but she was hesitant to enroll. “At first, I didn’t want to go to college. I was against it,” she said.

News

Grad Issue: Kelly Urvanejo is grateful for her experience, while embracing the future

Gerardo Archundia S. | December 11

Editor's Note: As part of our graduation issue, we would also like to acknowledge the staff at the Daily Lobo who are graduating this semester. Kelly Urvanejo is currently the crime beat reporter at the Daily Lobo. She has been working with us since Spring 2017. Her hard work and talent will be missed as she graduates this semester.

News

Grad Issue: Sabrina Romero overcomes homesickness, financial troubles and other challenges

Shubham Chadha | December 10

In many ways, Sabrina Romero represents the struggle of every rural student at a large university. However, it is the way she overcame these challenges that makes her impact significant and her experiences unique. Romero grew up in Clovis, New Mexico, where she developed a close relationship with her mother and her little brother. After graduating from Clovis High School, Romero was eager seek the city lifestyle and broaden her experiences by attending UNM to pursue a degree in business administration.

News

Grad Issue: UNM helped Drew Morrow mature as an artist

Kyle Land | December 10

For any aspiring artist, being in an environment that nurtures one’s creativity is an absolute necessity. For graduating senior Drew Morrow , the atmosphere of the University of New Mexico has helped him mature as an artist in a variety of ways. Morrow is a studio art major, who primarily prefers paint as his medium. “I kind of do more abstract work, because I have a hard time with figures,” Morrow said. “I do like to do live drawing and figure drawing as well, but I like to focus on more organic and free-form (pieces).”

Double major Michael Marquez is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and another in history. Marquez currently leads the UNM Sierra Club Student Coalition, a group that advocates for long-lasting approaches to protecting public and wild lands. He says he is driven to continue his work after graduation to help create meaningful relationships with communities in New Mexico to ensure a better future.

News

Grad Issue: From high-school dropout to college graduate

Kelly Urvanejo | December 10

At 17-years-old, Michael Marquez dropped out of high school after a guidance counselor suggested that he would be better off if he just went to work instead of continuing his education. But he has advice for anyone who has been in a similar situation: “Dropping out of high school is not the end of the world. You didn’t ruin your life,” Marquez said. Being from San Juan County, Marquez said that everyone around him probably expected him to work in the oil mines, but he had a different goal in mind.

Lobo senior goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu, autographs a cap following a game against the University of Denver Pioneers on Oct. 25, 2017. The game ended in a 0-0 draw and included two overtime periods.

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Grad Issue: Beaulieu reflects on his time at UNM

Cameron Goeldner | December 10

Jason Beaulieu just wanted to win. That, according to the Lobos’ senior goalkeeper and soon-to-be Fall 2017 graduate, is the main reason he decided to come to New Mexico. “Really it’s because they made it to the final four the year I was recruited, and I wanted the best soccer school I could find,” Beaulieu said. "It was hard to find better than that. I didn’t know much about the NCAA and the powerhouses and the good programs. I didn’t know much. Just the fact that they made it far, and they have such good players that made it pro every year, so I decided to come to the best program.”

Julieann Lopez stands near Hodgin Hall. She will be receiving her Bachelor of Science in exercise science and a minor in psychology.

News

Grad Issue: Julieann Lopez looks forward to next chapter in life

Nichole Harwood | December 10

Julieann Lopez looks back on her positive experiences at the University of New Mexico as she approaches graduation day. This week, she will be earning her Bachelor of Science in exercise science and minor in psychology. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and my interests for the future. I’ve made many lifelong friends while at UNM, and I’m very thankful for my opportunity to come to school here,” Lopez said. Of her experiences, Lopez’ internship seems to stand out the most for her.

News

Grad Issue: UNM helps shy student break out of shell

Robert Maler | December 10

Many students are often apprehensive — sometimes even shy or introverted — when they begin their college career, but those are often the ones that have the greatest potential to grow as well. Elizabeth “Eli” Laydon is graduating with a degree in psychology and has big plans for her future. She said she has always been interested in how the mind and body work, and she hopes to end up working as a homicide detective or forensic psychologist.