Jazmin Velasquez

As a professional in writing, I have a wide range of experience in both journalism and communications. These articles I've included showcase my reporting on news, life & arts, sports for Hilltop Views and blog posts for non-profit organzations I've interned for.
Hilltop Views •

Campus Ministry leaders discuss challenges brought by COVID-19, explain how they adapted to changes

Hilltoppers enjoy a socially-distanced game of volleyball at the Emerge Retreat. Campus Ministry found a way to help retreaters enjoy activities, all while keeping COVID-19 regulations in mind. COVID-19 has led university departments and organizations to restructure their original plans intended for the fall semester. For the Campus Ministry department, coordinators and student leaders made significant adjustments to continue providing their services in a safe and accessible environment for all
Hilltop Views •

Students endure academic burnout as virtual learning continues, struggle to balance course loads, work

College students are juggling screen time between one, two, even three hour classes, work and extracurriculars. As students’ days are booked for hours on Zoom calls, they struggle to find time for themselves. Monday Nov. 16 marked the beginning of students’ thirteenth week attending classes virtually. Virtual learning has college students attached to their laptops and digital devices for hours at a time as they go to class, complete homework, study and repeat. On Oct. 21, The Texas Tribune rep
Hilltop Views •

Approved athletics waivers grant athletes additional season of competition

In October, the NCAA granted its Division II collegiate athletes the option of an eligibility extension because of the ramifications of COVID-19. It is yet to be seen how this will affect St. Edward’s, as last year less than 20% of seniors on the softball and baseball teams opted to use an additional year. St. Edward’s Division II student-athletes competing in winter sports may receive an additional season of competition and an extension of eligibility since their seasons may be impacted by the
Hilltop Views •

SafeWalk SEU prepares to resume escorted walks, golf cart rides with changes due to COVID-19

Denise Mares and Samuel Barrios are two drivers for SafeWalkSEU. Due to COVID-19, volunteers are required to wear masks and riders face away from them in the golf carts. As of Monday, Nov. 2, the student-led program SafeWalk SEU has resumed escorted walks and golf cart rides to students, faculty and staff members around campus. The program, which runs Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., will take safety precautions against COVID-19. Student coordinator Lauren Louk and Associate Vice
Hilltop Views •

Docuseries ‘Defying Gravity’ spotlights the unknown secrets, struggles of women’s gymnastics

From Nadia Comăneci to Simone Biles, gymnasts make up a sport filled with fearless and resilient athletes. Glamour’s release of Youtube docuseries, “Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of Women’s Gymnastics,” examines the evolution of gymnastics in six captivating episodes. Each episode breaks down the history of gymnastics with interviews from former national and international gymnasts. The series not only delves into gymnastics as a whole, but dives deeper into the mental, physical and emotiona
Hilltop Views •

850 AISD teachers boycott resumption of in-person classes, raise multiple safety concerns

On Oct.5, Austin Independent School District (AISD) resumed in-person learning at a 25% building capacity as a precaution against COVID-19. The school district has followed a phased-in approach outlined on the AISD website for allowing faculty, staff and students to return to campuses. The phased-in process began the first four weeks of school, which started Sept. 8 and required off-campus remote learning. As the start of the next four weeks of school began Oct.5, campuses welcomed back student
Hilltop Views •

Students emphasize opinions on federal decision to eliminate straight-ticket voting

There will be no option to straight-ticket vote on the 2020 election ballot. Straight-ticket voting is when a voter selects to vote for all of the candidates under one party. The option of straight-ticket voting is no longer available for Texans in this year’s general election. Straight-ticket voting allows voters to select every candidate in a single political party when casting their ballot. The decision came Sept. 30 as a federal court ruled to enforce the 2017 Texas House Bill 25 which elim
Hilltop Views •

Confusion around mail-in voting process raises questions among voters weeks before Election Day

To qualify for mail-in voting in Texas, you must be 65 or older, confined in jail or cite a disability. As for those out of their home county, like many college students, you may apply for an absentee ballot. Election Day is less than two months away, and the idea of mail-in ballots is still raising questions of concern for voters. Although COVID-19 continues to discourage people from visiting their local polling stations, Texas will require residents to vote in person on Nov. 3 unless determin
Hilltop Views •

Balancing a small business, college comes with delight for 3 students

Gruner (left) and Hutchison are the owners of Annabelle & Annelise. They hope to soon expand their business beyond Instagram. Creativity and commitment play a large role for students at St. Edward’s. Multiple students throughout campus have fulfilled their interests in owning a small business on top of being full-time students. Two businesses, Annabelle & Annelise and Emsbrynart, are run by women who put their full effort into maintaining a business all while pursuing their degrees. Junior ps
Hilltop Views •

SEU administration’s COVID-related decisions deserve recognition

The start of this fall semester has been unlike any other at St. Edward’s. With most courses being conducted virtually, students have had to adjust their school mentality to do classes either at home or on a nearly empty campus. The school has reopened to allow students to use campus services in person while enforcing social distancing guidelines. However, the decisions and policies placed by administration in response to the ongoing pandemic have had a poor impression on students. Throughout t
Keep Texas Beautiful •

Back to School: Youth Resources for Students and Teachers

The Back to School season is upon us! With students and teachers preparing to get back into the swing of their school daily routines, we have youth and educator resources ready to be used in every learning environment. Visit our Youth Resource Library where you can find listings of ready-made youth programs, lesson plans, and templates available to replicate and implement in your teachings. Below you'll find brief captions of several of our recommended resources.
Hilltop Views •

Glitter, glamour, grooves: ‘Say So’ music video has it all

Just five seconds in, Doja Cat’s music video for her fifth single “Say So,” hits all the marks for being fabulous and retro. The ‘70s-inspired music video premiered Feb. 27 on YouTube. It appeared on the platform’s trending page and gained 15 million views in its first week. The song originally went viral after TikTok user Haley Sharpe choreographed a 15 second dance for it. After hundreds of users recreated the dance on the app, it caught Doja Cat’s attention and she included the popular dance
Hilltop Views •

Millennial Olympians undermine ideas of our generation’s laziness

Over the course of the last week, the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea has experienced athletes as young as 17-years-old making their debut in the Games and winning gold medals. These athletes are achieving their dreams and competing against professionals almost twice their age in sports ranging from snowboarding to ice dancing. The youngest athletes making their first appearance in the Games have surely made these Winter Olympics more than memorable. American snowboarders Chloe
Hilltop Views •

Does Beto O’Rourke stand a chance in the Senate race?

Off the top of your head can you recite the name of a Texas State Senator? If you can’t, there is a new name to keep in mind instead, Robert “Beto” O’Rourke. O’Rourke is currently a Democratic U.S. Representative for the 16th congressional district of Texas campaigning to hold one of two seats in the Texas Senate. There are many discussions revolving around whether or not O’Rourke can unseat current Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who has been a Republican Senator since 2013. The last time a Democrat ha