The Node, an El Paso non-profit social organization that hosts local events for the El Paso community, put locals on the dating market by hosting a “Pitch Your Pal” night on Sept. 26. It is an event where friends gathered at the Alquimia Social House to give presentations as to why others should date their friends.
Presentations included information about the person such as pros and cons, what they’re looking for in someone and other personal interests.
Sarah Martinez and Angelina Prado, co-founders of The Node Social Club, have the sole purpose of helping others easily make friends while also benefiting businesses by bringing in customers.
Angelina (left) and Sarah (right), co-founders of The Node, pose for a photo at Alquimia Social House on Friday, September 25, 2026. The Node is a social club that holds monthly events at different venues.
Inspired by bigger cities such as Dallas and Chicago, the two women brought “Pitch Your Pal” to the borderland with the intention of building real connections, building more genuine friendships and giving people a sense of belonging.
“The goal of our social club is to eliminate as many barriers of entry as possible; we try to keep it free, lighthearted, and fun. We loved this idea because of the organic and natural meeting that people have the chance to do,” Martinez said.
“Events like this give you that extra push to talk to people when you come with your friends and seeing that someone else is putting themselves out there gives you that courage to do the same,” Prado said.
With the fall weather and the romantic holidays coming up, Prado and Martinez decided now would be the perfect time to bring the idea to El Paso.
Participants attending the “Pitch Your Pal” event said how much they prefer in person dating rather than online.
Event attendees pose for a photo during the “Pitch Your Pal” event at Alquimia Social House on Friday, September 25, 2026.
“In person it’s more of an adrenaline rush, it’s more fulfilling. Going to an event like this [where] people are more personable, you get to see who they surround themselves with; I think that’s the biggest teller of who someone is, and a lot of that information you don’t get on social media,” participant, Ailey Green said.
Green “pitched” her friend Isabella Ortiz, who shared that attending the “Pitch Your Pal” night has expanded her mind on the dating scene.
“My dating standards definitely have opened up because I’m seeing a lot more personalities,” Ortiz said. “People act so differently from when they’re being presented by their friend versus [on] Instagram. I think it’s so much better to meet in person.”
Ortiz and Green are both University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) nursing students that attended the event to “be more involved in the community and to have a life outside of school” which is encouraged by their UTEP professors.
“Our UTEP professors always tell us to do mindless and fun activities because if you think too much, you’re going to ruin yourself in the long run,” Green said.
The Node Social Club will have more upcoming events, with multiple opportunities to make new friends and meet new people. Anyone looking to attend their events can stay up to date with the club on their Instagram @thenode.ep
Ashley Alvarado is a contributor writer and may be reached at [email protected]