Photo Gallery: 2024 through the lens of photojournalist Joel Martinez

5K participant Janie Garcia celebrates near the finish line during the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Run at the.McAllen Convention Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen Rowe’s Gabriel Banda competes in the shot put during the PSJA North Winter Relays at PSJA Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Cheerleaders cheer as the greet visitors as Elementary teacher Michelle Cavazos is named a finalist in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Rising Star Award in the state of Texas at Blanca E. Sanchez Elementary on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen High’s Camille Diaz (8) celebrates her goal with teammate Charlotte Garza (12) against Sharyland High in a game at Sharyland High School on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Runners participate in the boys 3200 meter run during the Edinburg CISD Cat Relays at Richard R. Flores Stadium on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen High’s Arsyn Sadlier poses at McAllen High School on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Steven Lancia (4) connects with the ball during the second game of a double header against University of Rhode Island in the season opener at UTRGV Baseball Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Edinburg Vela’s Aiden Lopez (11) and Laredo Nixon’s Ulises Torres (35) battle for position under the basket in a Region IV-5A area round playoff game at Zapata High School on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Zapata. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas greets supporters as she campaigns at a polling place at Lark Community Center on Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Supporter Chriselda Leal stands outside a polling place at Lark Community Center on Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

A U.S. Customs and Border Protections agent disappears into the dust as investigators drive passed while they drive to the site of a U.S. Border Patrol and CBP and Marine Operations helicopter resulting in three deaths north of the Rio Grande on Friday, March 7, 2024, south of La Grulla. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

The coffin containing the body of U.S. Border Patrol agent Chris Luna is saluted as he carried by pallbearers while being laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Edinburg Vela’s AJ Reyes (5) slides back to safely to first against Sharyland High in a District 31-5A game at Edinburg Vela High School on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Members of a U.S. Border Patrol honor guard stand at attention after executing a 21 gun salute as agent Chris Luna is layed to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Daniel Guzman, 11, is congratulated after placing durubg the steer judging competition at the 85th Livestock Show and Rodeo on Friday, March 15, 2024, in Mercedes. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Covergirls watch the action during the Sale of Champions at the 85th Livestock Show and Rodeo on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Mercedes. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Harlingen High’s Jazmine Thompson competes in the discus throw during the Region IV 5A/6A track and field championships at Heroes Stadium on Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Antonio. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Attendees dress up for the part at the Edinburg UFO Festival near Promenade Park Amphitheater on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Jesus is lifted up on the cross during a scene from a Passion Play at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on Friday, March 29, 2024, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Scenes from South Texas Comic Con at the McAllen Convention Center on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Vanguard’s Camila Sothersr on Tuesday, May 30, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Edinburg Vela’s Zia Casas throws out a kiss after finishing the 200 meter dash during the UIL Track and Field State Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Friday, May 3, 2024, in Austin. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Edinburg North’s San Juanita Leal reacts after crossing the finish line in first place as she competes in the 1600 meter run during the UIL Track and Field State Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Austin. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Students observe ducks in a small pool at Rivas Primary Discovery Academy after winning the HEB Excellence award for early childhood education Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Donna. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Weslaco High’s Hannah Montelongo (20) reacts in between innings in a Regional Quarter Finals series game 2 against La Joya High at Weslaco High School on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Weslaco High’s Alexis Soliz (4) hits against La Joya High in a Regional Quarter Finals series game 2 at Weslaco High School on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Andrea Ortiz, center, reacts after seeing her ring as members of the Weslaco High Softball Team receive their state championship rings during halftime in a Weslaco High game against PSJA High at Bobby Lackey Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen High’s Austin Cortez (16) reacts after being hit by a pitch as he hits by La Joya Palmview in a Region IV-5A area round playoff series game 3 at McAllen High School on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

La Joya Palmview’s Mateo Garcia (17) aims the ball to first after a hit by McAllen High as as umpire ducts his throw in a Region IV-5A area round playoff series game 3 at McAllen High School on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen Memorial teammates celebrate in a group near the dugout after their victory against Kerrville Tivy in a Region IV-5A Semifinal series playoff game 3 at Cabaniss Field on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Corpus Christi. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Q-Tip waits to board as members of Palm Valley Animal Society load 63 pet creates which contain small dogs onto a plane bound for Illinois at the South Texas International Airport on Friday, June 28, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

A large flag is carried before the start of the 96th annual McAllen Independence Day Celebration Main Street Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen High seinor Julia Martinez cheers on Olympic swimmer Shaine Casas as he competes in the Paris Olympics 200-meter individual medley semifinals at the McAllen High School auditorium on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Varsity boys participants run along the path during the 36th Annual Yellow Jacket Invitational cross country meet at David Ybarra Middle School on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Edcouch. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen Rowe’s Landin Barrera (4) other teammates prepare to take the field in a season opener against Harlingen South at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Harlingen South ball carrier Dylan Anaya (8) collides against McAllen Rowe defender John Salazar (50) in a season opener at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

McAllen Rowe Tiara dancers practice their steps before performing during halftime in a season opener against Harlingen South at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

PSJA North’s Nick Torres (20) celebrates as he runs off the field after scoring a touchdown against Corpus Christi Veterans in a District 15-5A DI matchup at PSJA Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 26 2024, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

A supporter of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves a sign sayng “I’m Voting for the Convicted Felon” during a Trump Traini rally Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande Valley Vipers center Thon Maker (2) towers above Memphis Hustle players as he battles for position under the basket in a NBA G-League home opener at Bert Ogden Arena on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Thigpen-Zavala Elementary student place their hand on the hearts during the playing of the National Anthem during a celebration of Veterans Day during a ceremony at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley team members hit the tackle dummies during practice at the UTRGV Football Practice Facility on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Fransisco Esqueda Jr. (1) stands next to his mother Marlen Sahara Cobos at their home Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Jose Davila takes a gollon of milk from the refrigerator at their home Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Donna. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

First grade student Karol Rodriguez reacts with a smile as she reaches into her bag as McAllen ISD students Christmas shop with a gift card at a Target store Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley guard Tierra Trotter (0) drives to the basket against Eastern Michigan University in a non-conference game at the UTRGV Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Angel Quintanilla hugs hospital patient Desire Mancha, 15, after an delivery of gifts during his 20th annual toy distribution at South Texas Health System Children’s on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Children receive gifts given to they by Santa during a Santa’s Workshop gift giving event Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Participants sing during a Posada at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)