VOL. 70 NO. 24 | MAY 11, 2022
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950
UBSPECTRUM
The 71st staff of The Spectrum: Front row sitting (left-right): Kyle Nguyen, Anthony DeCicco, Julie Frey, Reilly Mullen, Dan Eastman, Jenna Quinn, Sophie McNally, Kara Anderson Back row sitting (l-r): Moaz Elazzazi, Jiayi Zhang, Grant Ashley, Kayla Sterner, Sabrina Akter-Nabi, Kayla Estrada Standing (l-r): Sai Krishna-Seethala, Matt Parrino, Andrew Lauricella, Justin Weiss, Sam Fernando, Jack Porcari Sitting on ledge (l-r): Alex Falter, Paolo Blanchi
Dear Readers, hat is home? For some people, it’s a physical location. For others, it’s a state of mind. But for many of The Spectrum’s 11 departing editors, home derives from the Old English word hām, meaning a place where “souls” are gathered. Our office — a windowless cave tucked beneath a Student Union stairwell — is home to countless laughs, tears and dreams. It’s an enclave where people help one another, learn from one another, push one another. It may not be the most glamorous space on our 1,192-acre campus, but it fosters some of the most spirited conversations our 31,000-person student body has to offer. Over the following pages, you’ll hear from some of the editors who called this office home. Not all of them wrote a goodbye column; Jack Porcari, a senior news/features editor, Jiayi Zhang, the assistant creative director, Kayla Sterner, an assistant sports editor, and Sai Seethala, a senior multimedia editor, won’t appear in these pages, but they have all contributed
to our publication’s mission in significant ways. The Spectrum often attracts a swarm of communication and political science majors, but our staff is uniquely diverse. Here, computer scientists take stunning photographs and industrial engineering majors hunt down misplaced commas. And the diversity doesn’t stop with our majors. Members of our staff hail from as near as Lancaster and as far as India. They celebrate a vast array of religious holidays — from Purim to Christmas to Ramadan — and speak a variety of languages. It truly is a “spectrum” — that pun was for you, Jack. We hope we have made you proud with our reporting these past few years. We cannot wait for the next Spectrum staff to continue the legacy. Reilly Mullen and Justin Weiss have served as editor-in-chief and managing editor, respectively, since spring 2021. This is their final column.
Justin Weiss (left), Reilly Mullen (right)
REILLY MULLEN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
JUSTIN WEISS
MANAGING EDITOR
2 | Wednesday, May 11 2022
COMMENCEMENT
So, I guess this is goodbye On leaving a place that has become home
JUSTIN WEISS MANAGING EDITOR
If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Pardon the cliché, Reilly, but I just had to start my final story for The Spectrum this way. Because for the last three years, I haven’t had a got-to job; I’ve had a get-to job. I get to tell stories of triumph and failure, hope and despair. I get to help others find their voice. I get to put out an impactful newspaper. I get to work with an amazing staff. My time at this publication hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it. I may not have been plucked from a lake and delivered to the doorsteps of our windowless office by a stork like Kayla Estrada insists, but I have been here a really long time. And I have seen a whole lot of things go down at 132 Student Union. I was there when our managing editor at the time, Jacklyn Walters, let out a yelp: “we’re going online,” she screamed, as we learned from the governor that the new coronavirus would be shutting campus down for the foreseeable future. I was there when protesters surrounded a Young Americans for Freedom speaker event and turned our normally still campus into a political battleground — the likes of which we had never seen. I was even there when we learned that a Knox Hall bathroom had been vandalized with anti-semitic and racist grafiti. I still remember roaming the halls with our editorin-chief at the time, Brenton Blanchet, in search of the elusive story. I vividly recall how quickly the governor and the local news picked up on our reporting, and how
Anthony DeCicco (left), Justin Weiss (right)
good of a feeling that was. And The Spectrum brought me plenty of good feelings. It’s through our reporting that I learned that Tori Franz overcame Crohn’s disease to become an All-MAC diver. And that Nick Metz and Collin Searles hitchhiked across America because they felt like it. And that Spider-Man put on a show for UB students because he wanted to make them smile. And that Shawn Donahue befriended Taylor Swift’s mom because he loves her daughter’s music. But I wouldn’t have been exposed to any of these stories if it weren’t for a Facebook Messenger conversation I had with Brenton in May 2019. “Hey Brenton, thanks for reaching out!” I wrote. “I have already enrolled in ENG 394, which I am super excited for. Hannah told me that y’all may be a little thin on the sports desk, so if there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know!” I helped out a little at first, and then my role expanded. I went from writing twodozen stories as a staff writer to more than 100 stories as the senior sports editor and later, as the senior features editor. As managing editor, I edited more than 450 articles written by our incredibly talented staff. I’m so glad I took this leap of faith, because if I didn’t, I would have missed out on working with so many unbelievable people. Brenton and Jacklyn, I can’t thank you enough for all your guidance and support over the years. You saw something in me from the very beginning and worked tirelessly to bring it out. I am forever indebted to you both for your generosity. Brent, you never cease to amaze me with your work ethic and your kindness. You are a true light. Jacklyn, you are one of the best leaders and most impressive people I have ever met, and I will always be in awe of you. Jody, thank you for providing loads of constructive criticism. I learned more from our virtual editing sessions than I have in any lecture hall. You have an amazing eye for a good story, and I treasure your subtle kindness and keen feedback. Matt, thank you for always being a phone call away, whenever I struggle with
an ethical dilemma or need someone to vent to. You’re an incredibly impressive human. Sam, thank you for always being willing to help out. Our staff adores you; please keep using your gifts for good. Anthony and Grant, thank you for embracing everything this newspaper has to offer and for being a considerable source of joy and pride for me. You two inspire me more than you will ever know, and I can’t wait to see you guys thrive in your new roles. Anthony, you’re my greatest achievement at The Spectrum, someone I have had the unique privilege to watch blossom from the very first day. Grant, you’re probably the most talented reporter I’ve ever been around, on top of being a terrific person and a wonderful friend. Andrew, thank you for being my best friend at UB. Few things have brought me more pride than watching you shine in your new role. Your work ethic is unrivaled; your kindness unmatched. You are such a great person, and I hope to one day be even half the friend you have been to me over the years. Julie, you are one of the most special people I have ever met. For you to go through everything you go through and still always have a smile tattooed to your face is nothing short of inspiring. Your empathy and thoughtfulness never fails to amaze me. You are a gem and a light, and I hope you never lose your spark. Thank you for being you. Jenna, thank you for being an epically wholesome person. I absolutely adore you and cherish all our baseball conversations and general tomfoolery. I wish you saw what everyone else sees in you: your incredible kindness and wonderful spirit. You are such a blessing for our entire staff. Lauryn, Cassi and Savanna — thank you for lighting up the office every day. As an assistant editor, our windowless workplace was an unwelcoming and intimidating sight. But your presence always made me look forward to coming in — even on production day. Sophie, thank you for being a friend. I am so grateful this newspaper brought us together for late-night study sessions, pasta nights and Alumni runs. You’re among the coolest people I’ve ever met, and I’m so thankful for you. Speaking of cool people, thank you for being you, Paul. You are the epitome of the phrase “cool, calm and collected.” You have put up with so much of my silliness over the last year and a half and I can’t thank you enough for the gift of your friendship. You’re a gem. Myah, it’s still unfair that we didn’t get to work together longer than we did. But you are one of my biggest role models, and I think about you so often. Keep being you. Alex and Ben, thank you for being such wonderful friends, even after you both graduated. I cherish our spirited sports debates and our Rec Room meetups. Alex, I am so glad The Spectrum brought us together and led us to every sporting competition imaginable. Ben, I am so fortunate to learn from someone as kind and as knowledgeable as you. You are both rockstars. Kayla and Kayla, thank you for being so wonderfully kind and supportive. Kayla Sterner, you are an incredibly strong person — both physically and mentally. I’m in awe of you every day. Kayla Estrada, I have learned a tre-
ubspectrum.com
mendous amount from you in your short time on staff, and I can’t wait to continue to watch you grow your wings. Jiayi, you are seriously an inspiration. You are an incredibly talented and goodhearted person, and you carry yourself in the most unassuming manner. I have so much respect for you. Dan, thank you for all the early-morning coffee dates, late-night Tops runs and for even dragging me to the gym once. You have an amazing work ethic and news sense, and I’m so grateful for our friendship. Hunter, getting to cover the women’s tennis team with you was one of the highlights of my Spectrum career. You’re such a kind person, and I can’t wait to continue to bombard you with mediocre Julius Randle takes. Natalie, in the short time I got to know you, you never failed to amaze me with your upbeat attitude and bubbly personality. You’re wonderful. Alexandra, you are among the funniest humans on this planet. Thanks for keeping me sane and for being such a supportive friend. Jack, I’m so glad basic documentary brought us together. You’re such a gem and I love all your puns and dad jokes. Alex, you’re a big teddy bear. You’re so kind and vulnerable and wholesome and just such a terrific asset for our staff. Kyle, your storytelling ability is off-the-charts. You have a wonderful gift, and I hope you continue to use it. Kara, you are such a lovely person, and perhaps the best natural writer I have ever been around. Keep doing what you’re doing — as a journalist, but more importantly, as a person. Moaz, you’re incredibly cool. Thank you for being so patient with me and for sharing your gifts with our staff. You have a way of telling stories through your photos; keep up the terrific work. Sai, your pictures belong in a museum. Everyone on staff loves you. You’re fantastic. Sabrina, you are quietly one of the nicest people I know. Thank you for teaching me so much about what it means to be a good person. You’re a great person. Ciara, thank you for all the Monday puzzle nights and for giving me an excuse to consume an unhealthy amount of penne alla vodka. Will, thank you for being a tremendous light in my life and one of my closest friends. Orly, thank you for blessing me with your friendship. Ditto to you two, Kayla and Sam. Brendan, thank you for being the best roommate I could have ever asked for. I’m so grateful for you — more than you will ever know. Connor, thank you for all the sports updates and good laughs. You’re going to kill it at Cornell. Professor Andriatch, thank you for all your guidance and for being such an invaluable resource when I have an ethical dilemma. Professor Lam, thank you for teaching me everything I know about podcasting and for supporting me in all my endeavors. Finally, Reilly, thank you for everything. It has been an unbelievable honor getting to work alongside you every day. You have taught me so much about the meaning of friendship. You are my biggest role model, someone who has put up with the worst parts of me and done it with a gracious smile. You are a tremendously gifted columnist, a remarkable leader and one of my best friends. From the moment we accidentally met in the Greiner Hall hallway, I realized I was in the presence of someone special. You are such a kind, humble and funny soul, and if I one day am even a quarter the person you are, I’ll be happy. You have a staff that absolutely adores you, and are leaving with an incredible legacy. I’m going to miss all of our little walks, trips to the Commons and conversations about literally everything. Thank you for turning my bad days into good days and for getting me through my darkest moments. I wouldn’t have wanted to do this with anyone else. I love you platonically. Email: justin.weiss@ubspectrum.com
COMMENCEMENT
ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, May 11 2022 | 3
Bye, friends An ode to my time at The Spectrum
REILLY MULLEN EDITOR IN CHIEF
I’ve sat down to write this column countless times. And each time, my fingers hover over the keyboard, my mind slips into a montage of every Spectrum related memory I have and inevitably, the tears begin to fall. I am terrified of this column, and all that will follow it. Afraid that — as the fervent columnist I’ve become over the past threeand-a-half years — anything less than the perfect piece would do an incredible disservice to the time I have spent in this windowless cave, and that writing it will mean I’m really leaving. But despite my best efforts, my time at UB and The Spectrum is coming to an end. I came to UB as a poster child for “eldest daughter” and “gifted kid” stereotypes, clinging to my high school identity of team captain and honor roll student, feminist and political activist. The traditional “finding yourself,” in college wasn’t in my future. Nope, I already knew who I was. I came to The Spectrum as a second-semester freshman and a journalism novice. I wrote seven-line long paragraphs, had never heard of a nut graph and did not want to be a reporter. I wanted to write columns and edit articles — jobs where I’d only need to visit the office twice a week — and nothing was going to change my mind. But from the moment I took (and failed) that first weekly content quiz, I knew I was going to be a little more involved with The Spectrum than I had initially planned. And now I keep a pair of Squishmallow slippers tucked under my desk in the newsroom. The Spectrum office — cordoned off behind Campus Tees in the Student Union — is a dungeon. Its infamous lack of windows has undoubtedly left more than a few students with an impressive Vitamin D deficiency, but I’ve grown accustomed to the woosh of the SU air conditioning unit shutting off at 11 p.m. And it’s home. I’ve experienced every emotion possible in that room: happiness when landing a post-graduation job, despair when being broken up with on a production day, pride in successfully printing my first paper as editor in chief. The thought of walking out the double-doors for the last time is heart wrenching. And this deep, relentless grief I feel having to leave an organization I hold so dear to my heart would not have been possible without the friends I have made along the way.
Jacklyn, I miss you. As a meek sophomore, I was admittedly terrified of your strong will and unwavering desire to report the news well, but quickly, I became enamored by it. You taught me more than you could ever know — journalism-related or not — and for that, I am forever grateful. Anthony and Grant, I am so incredibly proud of you. I have watched you both grow into intuitive and diligent journalists, and sensitive and compassionate people. This job is hard, and each week will present challenges you can’t possibly predict, but you are ready. Take a deep breath and trust yourselves. I can’t wait to see everything you accomplish. Jenna and Kara, keep it weird. Your charming personalities and ridiculously funny senses of humor kept me grounded when I thought I’d implode this semester. You both bring such a positive and eclectic energy to the office that I hope is never lost. Julie, you have been a friend to me when I needed it most. I’m kicking myself thinking about how long we were passive acquaintances, now knowing first-hand what a sweet and caring person you are. P.S. send me your business card after law school in case I ever need it? Kayla Estrada, when you first joined the staff, I remember saying to Justin,
“She reminds me of myself when I was a freshman.” I have so enjoyed watching you grow as a columnist and a reporter. Keep writing. Although sometimes it may feel like you’re balancing the weight of the world on your shoulders, know that you are capable of such great things and I will always be cheering for you. Ryan, thank you for keeping me grounded during every mental breakdown or hours-long editing spree. You have seen me at my lowest and loved me anyway and I am so grateful for that. I love you more than Abe. Justin Weiss is one of the most incredible people I have ever had the honor of meeting. He is hardworking, kind, reliable and all of the other positive traits I can only try to emulate. Justin, leading this paper with you has been one of the most fulfilling and exhausting experiences, but it was worth every long night spent in the office and every trip to the Alfiero Center to decompress over hot chocolates. You are the heart of The Spectrum and one of the best friends I’ve ever had. I love you platonically. These people — and so many others — have taught me so much, from keeping me up to date on all the slang the kids are saying these days to deep and candid conversation surrounding personal experiences.
Do you have an interest in journalism, graphic design, photography, social media, advertising, cartoons or copy editing? The Spectrum is always looking for enthusiastic students who want to be part of our team. Join our 45-time award winning independent student newspaper for hands-on, realworld experience in your field. Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s editorial staff can email Reilly Mullen at: eic@ubspectrum.com.
Email: reilly.mullen@ubspectrum.com
Reilly Mullen (left), Kayla Estrada (right)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 2022 VOLUME 70 NUMBER 24 CIRCULATION: 3,000
I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not sat in on that first ENG 394 class freshman year. I thought I knew myself when I got to college, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The journey isn’t over yet — it’s only just beginning — but here’s what I do know: My name is Reilly Micaela Mullen. I’m from Rochester but I don’t like garbage plates. I still don’t like reporting, but I could be convinced to conduct an interview or two. I’ve accepted a job as the assignment editor for WROC Channel 8 in my home city. I struggle with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and ADHD. I still haven’t quite figured out how my brain works, but I will one day. For now, I will continue trying to build routines and regiments, and taking care of my mental health. I don’t know what the future has in store for me, but I trust that, with the knowledge I’ve gained during my time at UB and The Spectrum, I can handle whatever it is. Thank you to The Spectrum for giving me a place to get to know myself.
The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Opinion section of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum: VISIT: www.ubspectrum.com/advertising EMAIL US: spectrum@buffalo.edu The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100
Reilly Mullen MANAGING EDITORS Justin Weiss Dan Eastman, Asst. NEWS/FEATURES EDITORS Grant Ashley, Sr. Jack Porcari, Sr. Julie Frey, Sr. Kayla Estrada, Asst. Kyle Nguyen, Asst. ARTS EDITORS Alex Falter, Sr. Kara Anderson, Sr.
SPORTS EDITORS Anthony DeCicco, Sr. Sophie McNally, Asst. Kayla Sterner, Asst. MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Sabrina Akter-Nabi, Sr. Sai Krishna Seethala, Sr. Moaz Elazzazi, Asst. ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Jenna Quinn, Sr. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paolo Blanchi, Sr. Jiayi Zhang, Asst. COPY EDITOR Andrew Lauricella
4 | Wednesday, May 11 2022
COMMENCEMENT
ubspectrum.com
Thank you for all the memories This is not a goodbye, it’s a new start
DAN EASTMAN ASST. MANAGING EDITOR
After four years of crying myself to sleep and worrying if I would be able to make it through the day, I finally made it to graduation. But I don’t know if I should feel happy or sad. I feel both. When I was accepted to UB, all my worries of high school melted away for a brief moment. I felt like my life was mapped out: I would become an architect in four years. I gained connections within the architecture world while in high school, which I believe made my UB application stand out. As a mellow freshman, I had a plan of what I wanted to do. All that changed within two weeks. I switched my major twice before I joined The Spectrum. Immediately, I sensed that I had entered an organization that would give me purpose and a community that would support every step I took. And I wouldn’t have joined if it weren’t for one person: a charismatic editor whose only fault was the hockey team he supported. After talking with Columbia Universitybound managing editor Justin Weiss about his love-hate relationship with the Islanders, he encouraged me to open my horizons and step out of my comfort zone.
And I needed to do something as a passionate Maple Leafs fan. At first, I just thought he just liked orange and blue colored teams, or that he just enjoyed watching teams lose, but neither of those were it. Although I wasn’t able to convince Justin to become a Leafs fan, I was able to find a life-long friend and mentor. I joined in the midst of a pandemic when everyone was stressed out with online classes and family members getting sick. But my future co-worker and editor in chief Reilly Mullen made my time here special. She is one of the best column writers I have ever seen. Our bond began
after students were invited back to campus and we were able to work together over pizza from LaRosa (the best pizza on campus) or subs from Subway during production day. I would like to thank Reilly for giving me a chance with a frat guy — that was a first for me. But I’ll let Reilly have this one. In all seriousness, I would like to thank Reilly for all the love and support she gave myself and everyone else on staff to pursue journalism. I wish her all the best as the assignment editor at WROC. But I guess May 22 at 3 p.m. will be the end. I will walk across the Alumni Arena stage and into a career that is totally new to
me. With every step I take across the stage, my head will pound with all the memories — happy or sad — I made at UB these past four years. Thank you to everyone on the Spectrum staff. You all supported me in your own way and I greatly appreciate it. For the returning staff, don’t be sad about my departure. I will remain in Buffalo for a little bit and will try to return as a support staff member. Every day you decide something new, and now, I look back and wonder what could have happened if I chose a different path. Email: danielson.eastman@ubspectrum.com
Dan Eastman (left), Jenna Quinn (right)
You can’t be good at everything, but I wish I was better at goodbyes I hopefully won’t leave trails of snot on people this time
JULIE FREY SENIOR NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR
I read The Spectrum fervently my freshman year. I wanted to always be in the know and have answers for all the wacky things happening around campus. I never imagined I’d be a senior editor, and that I would get to answer the weird and wacky. I never imagined it would be so hard to say goodbye. And I’ve always been terrible at goodbyes. My last day of high school, the entire senior class — all 120 of us — gathered to say goodbye to each other for the final time. I was sobbing so hard that when I hugged someone I barely knew, I left a trail of snot on his shirt. UB’s graduating class is a bit bigger — by a few thousand students — but I’m still frightened of goodbyes. I don’t know if I’m ready to say goodbye and graduate just yet, but time is an unforgiving force pushing me forward. And I know I’m sure as hell not ready to say goodbye to Spectrum and its staff. I’ve only just become the victim of Jenna’s merciless teasing, and only recently has Kara started sending me tweets of animals being adorable. I’m so proud of Grant, and love hearing his “sexy Spanish accent.”
I’ve just begun to see Kayla Estrada’s blunt humor (usually aimed at Jenna), and I’ll miss Kyle’s steady presence. I adore when Jack says “brooo” and Anthony’s mischievous laugh. Sai, Sabrina and Moaz are geniuses with cameras; I dread not seeing their beautiful photos and sharing easy banter with them. How am I supposed to say goodbye to the faces Sophie makes when she’s confused, trying not to laugh or both at the same time? Or Kayla Sterner’s proclivity for wearing yellow and black (Here we go Steelers!) and Alex’s constant good vibes? I’ll miss sitting with Paul and Jiayi on production days, their office a sanctuary from stress. Will I ever feel the same relief as when I finally finish a piece and get to share it with Dan, Andrew, Justin and Reilly? I may never get the chance to bully Andrew into getting Starbucks with me again. I know I’m not ready for Justin’s high fives to end or stop being a witness to Reilly’s love (borderline addiction?) of Dr. Pepper. And I’ll miss the office. It may reek of old newspapers, but it has given me a home over the past year. I’ll miss the friends I’ve grown to love in 132 Student Union. How do you say goodbye when you’re not done? I only joined The Spectrum a year ago as a staff writer. I can’t help but wish I had more time. More time to write the stories I wanted to, more time to learn, more time with the staff — a group of students like no other. I don’t know if our readers understand the struggle of putting together a newspaper every week. It’s a thankless burden that Reilly and Justin share, and it’s their hard work that has allowed me to have some of my most rewarding experiences at UB. Thank you both. How do I say goodbye to the first home I made for myself ? The friends I loved,
lost and kept between Aug. 23, 2018, when I moved into Governors Complex, and May 22, 2022, when I will walk across the stage? All I can say is thank you. Connor, you’ve been with me since the first day of college — you’ve seen me at my worst, best and everything in between. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for living it all with me. I could’ve done it without you but I wouldn’t have ever wanted to. To my fellow seniors: it’s been a hell of a ride. I’m proud to be a part of the graduating class of 2022. I could’ve never imag-
Grant Ashley (left), Julie Frey (right)
ined that our four years would look like this, but I also never could’ve imagined being who I am today without them. To the editors I’m leaving behind: I cannot wait to watch you succeed from afar. I’m so proud of everything you’ve done and am excited to see how you’ll continue to grow. To the editors who are leaving with me: I’m proud of you and I can’t wait to see where we all end up. I don’t know how to say goodbye, so instead, I’ll say thank you. Email: julie.frey@ubspectrum.com
ubspectrum.com
COMMENCEMENT
The antidote to loneliness Reflections from the graphics guy
PAOLO BLANCHI SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR
This will be both the first and last column I write for The Spectrum. It feels daunting to reflect on three years packed with experiences which shaped me as a student, friend, artist and person. But all good stories start at the beginning, so I’m sitting here reminiscing on my first days at The Spectrum. Yeah, this looks fun. I’ll give it a shot. During my first week on campus in fall 2019, I spotted The Spectrum’s table at UB’s involvement fair during Welcome Weekend. I’d taken my first graphic design class in high school the year prior and the call for graphic designers on the poster piqued my interest. I don’t have much to show, but I hope it’s good enough. I scrambled together a meager portfolio from the handful of assignments and projects I’d done so far. Looking back now, some of them are still pretty good, just definitely not “portfolio material” — I don’t think they’ll be getting me a job anytime soon. But hey, it worked, and I became an assistant creative director for my college newspaper. Over the following months, I began finding my place in this bustling office. One of my favorite parts about The Spectrum is that the news never stops. As soon as we finished a story about a softball player tied for UB’s home run record, she broke it. Days after a student-led protest of a guest speaker reached national news, the talk of the campus shifted to the potentially grossest controversy of recent years, regarding certain student club events in a lecture hall. As I parked at my freshman year dorm ahead of what I thought would be a regularly scheduled production day, I found out it was on fire. And as soon as we thought a semester wasn’t interesting enough, we were thrust into one of the most historically significant events of the 21st century. This is so cool! I can’t wait to see what’s in store this spriOh s—t. The email announcing UB would shift to remote learning for the indefinite fu-
Justin Weiss (left), Paolo Blanchi (right)
ture circulated through campus seemingly at light-speed. That day, I found myself taking photos of an apocalyptic Teddy’s Convenience Store as students rushed to redeem their remaining dining dollars and record their first impressions of potentially life-changing news. This campus never stops, and neither does The Spectrum, and that’s something I was taught by every person I’ve shared 132 Student Union with. Every single day, the editors and multimedia teams pose questions about the world around them. I’ve watched them laugh, cry and feel everything in between while digesting life’s crazy events, our school’s unique characters and their own vulnerabilities as they etch it all into the written record of this paper. Whoa, this is important. It should look at least a little bit nice. The work I do is quite different from The Spectrum’s usual product, but it has been my sincere privilege and pleasure to contribute to it. I’m in constant awe of the drive and commitment exhibited by all of my colleagues over the years. The least I can do to honor the consistently stellar writing and reporting I’ve seen is to match my commitment to making it look good. I’ve grown to love the little budget breakdowns, infographics and social media announcements I put together just as much as the sprawling front-page illustrations and ornate title graphics for some brilliantly-written features. I find myself a week away from graduation wishing for just one more production day and one more dataset to color code. Besides the obvious perk of having the inside scoop on tomorrow’s news, the most rewarding bits that I’ll take with me forever are the connections I’ve been blessed to make with the exceptionally kind, smart, talented and cheerful souls of The Spectrum. Giving proper thanks to everyone who’s made me smile seems futile, but the best I can do is try. Looping back to the beginning, thank you, Brent, for hiring me. Straight up, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Thank you for always seeing value in my work and teaching me to do so as well. You set the bar high with your quality of work and shining humanity. I look up to you more than you can imagine.
Thank you, Jess and Matt, for being my mentors. In the single semester we shared, you taught me everything you could about the software and techniques I’d be glued to for the ensuing years. You were always patient and willing to help. You both set a high standard that I strove to match ever since. Thank you, Justin, for being the living embodiment of positive reinforcement. The work environment you helped cultivate is one of constant support, reassurance and recognition. It’s a high I’ll be chasing for the rest of my professional life. Thank you, Reilly, for being an exemplary leader. You always handled the trials and challenges (oftentimes unseen to the rest of us) of running a student newspaper with tremendous grace and the best interests of your staff above all else. I think you deserve to play Webkinz whenever you wish, boss. Thank you, Jiayi, for being so indispensable. I can’t imagine a more creative, talented and hardworking person to share the creative office with. I’ll cherish our chats about galleries, food and holiday traditions and eagerly await the dope art you’ll put out into the world. Thank you, Jack, Julie, Dan and Moaz,
Jiayi Zhang (left), Paolo Blanchi (right)
Wednesday, May 11 2022 | 5
for visiting me in my little cave. It gets lonely being tucked away in the creative office some days and I appreciate everyone who took the time to stop in and chat about anything for a little while. Thank you, Kara, for covering that arts event with me. Your work is always stellar and writing with you taught me more than I could explain. It makes me wish I’d gotten into writing stories far sooner. Thank you, Sophie and Jenna, for the laughs we’ve shared. From Bisons games to Oozefest, you two find the fun in everything; keep spreading it to those around you. Thank you to everyone else I’ve had the privilege of calling a friend: Grant, Anthony, Sai, Sabrina, Kayla S., Kayla E., Alex and Andrew. You are all so special and lovely and I’m thankful for any time we shared together. Thank you, Emma and Kailo, for continuing the story. I really wish we had more time together. There’s a lot to learn and cherish from The Spectrum, and I can’t wait for you two to find out for yourselves. Sooner or later, you’ll learn, as everyone does: The Spectrum never stops. Email: paul.blanchi@ubspectrum.com
6 | Wednesday, May 11 2022
COMMENCEMENT
ubspectrum.com
Yee-haw or something? Catch you later, legends
SOPHIE MCNALLY ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Impromptu “Sweetest Pie” dance-offs, fire spinning and not understanding a single U.S. sport or its rules ever. And that’s not even the half of it when it comes to The Spectrum (or its beloved alter ego: “The Spectrussy”) and its staff. My time as an editor has been so unimaginably lovely, from start to finish. I remember feeling almost immediately at home at my first staff meeting, with Anthony DeCicco’s ear-to-ear smiles and “oh my god’s” at the newest NFL transfers and NBA stats, to being shown the unofficial, official frat and sorority gay-friendliness evaluation and Moaz Elazzazi almost kicking me in the face with his group photo handstand. Then came my unofficial initiation a few days before the end of classes. The all-knowing Zodiac guru Kara Anderson told me it was obvious I was an air sign and people-pleaser just by looking at my vest and shoes. Jenna Quinn stormed in to show me video after video of her high school acting days, where she stole the show with unnecessarily long spotlight solos.
Sophie McNally (left), Julie Frey (right)
Anyway. I want to take the time to honor all the beautiful people and bloody legends I had the pleasure of meeting this year. Starting with THE goated desk on the entire staff: sports. From teaching me what an infielder is to Slicks nights out, my two fellow editors have been guiding lights. Anthony DeCicco (aka future EIC!) is a ray of sunshine who couldn’t be more of a credit to himself if he tried. An absolutely brilliant writer, and an even better friend, always waiting with big bear-hug energy behind his quintessential cap and hoodie combo. Then comes the other key player on our iconic Destiny’s Child/Three Stooges desk (depending on how you look at it): Kayla Sterner. This girl never takes her foot off the gas, sprinting lap after lap, before interviewing other athletes who share her awe-inspiring drive and success. Moving on to my second favorite desk: arts (sorry, news/features, nothing personal). This desk is run by two of the prettiest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Alex Falter is the most unintentionally funny person in the room. His checkedout expression and chilled-out attitude made me feel right at home. His love for music, Bojack Horseman and everything in between highlight his soul and passion for the things and people he cares about. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Now for the woman, the myth, the legend: The Kara Anderson. This woman is a
complete and utter joy to be around; her booming laugh infectious and glowing, her quick sense of humor only scratching the surface of her intelligence. Words flow out of Kara like a diamond-encrusted tap, and I wouldn’t have wanted to endure ENG435 with anyone else. On to the desk that can never take their eye off the ball: news/features. Grant Ashley is a force to be reckoned with. Equipped with FOIL requests up to his chest and Marcella’s slut drops, this man is no joke. I genuinely can’t wait to see him blossom into the absolutely first-class journalist that he already is, and wants to become. Julie Frey. Ah, where to even start. I knew about Julie even before I was on staff, and everything I have ever heard about that girl is golden (save for her “Save UB’s Geese” mantra), from her beautiful words to her caring nature. Dressed head-to-toe in pastels and bright yellows, she brings a much-needed vibrancy to our windowless office as her clothes radiate the depth of character and raw kindness she possesses. Speaking of Taylor Swift fans, let’s talk about Kayla Estrada. Another absolutely gorgeous person whose ability to speak up about what matters is like no other. I’m so excited to see where she goes from here, and I hope she’s smiling the whole way through. Kyle Nguyen is yet another person whose storytelling and wish to affect positive change is truly phenomenal. Kyle has a perceptibility for people and their hardships that’s breathtaking, and I know he’s going to keep shining. He also has one of
the sweetest waves I’ve ever seen. Now onto the “ESPORTS!” man of the hour, Jack Porcari. Where to even begin? The guy literally knows how to dance with fire and look badass while doing it. As one of the most welcoming people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, Jack makes new faces feel right at home. His passion and advocacy are inspiring, and his military-esque weed vaporizer is still one of the most iconic things I’ve seen during my year abroad. But none of the great work The Spectrum does could ever be possible without its team of creatives on hand. So without further ado, the staff menace has to be addressed. Miss Jenna Quinn, even though you’re a plague to society and it terrifies me to think that your jokes are only going to get even louder and funnier, I don’t know a single person who doesn’t immediately love you. You make me laugh every day without fail and I love coming into the office to give you a big hug. Jack Harlow, if you’re looking for a social media manager, hit Jenna up. Moaz, you’re an all-around star: From vibing with me about the concert we went to last week to shooting killer photos, all while acing a degree in engineering, he is an undeniable star. Your endless handstands and backflips provide a lens into the fun-loving person you are. When it comes to color correction and taking a picture that tells 1,000 words, Sai Seethala is a master. His talent and kindness are genuine and he always brightens everyone’s day. Sabrina Akter-Nabi is easily one of the kindest — and best-dressed — people on staff. Her warmth shines through in all the hundreds of beautiful photos she takes. Paul Blanchi, the man with the coolest bucket hats ever and the sickest graphics, is another ray of sunshine. He never ever complains, despite our late articles pushing draft past midnight most weeks. The other graphics genius, Jiayi Zhang, never fails to impress with stellar designs and warm nature. OK, now onto the unsung heroes. Andrew Lauricella joined the staff even after I did, and was immediately able to get everyone smiling every time he walked into the office. Here’s to a wonderful person, golfing partner for life and James Charles expert. Dan Eastman, or “Hello, this is Dan for News 4” as he’d like to say, is the backbone of breaking news and fact-checking. His and Jenna’s torrid love affair and Dan’s constant sarcasm, donut-loving nature and Devil’s Advocacy is refreshing to say the least. Justin Weiss. The brightest energy in every room, who’s constantly making time for and uplifting those around him. I’ve never met anyone with the same unstoppable optimism and work ethic. His writing and editorial work are second-to-none, he’s a marathon-running machine and he always has the biggest smile on his face no matter what. Anyone would be lucky to know him. Now for the head of the show herself: Reilly Mullen. Reilly is an inspiration to all as a phenomenal leader, writer and person. Her vulnerability in the way she both speaks and writes is outstandingly beautiful, and has inspired me to be able to write raw and candid pieces that speak to who I am as a person. Thank you for leading the way for the entire newsroom, and being a lovely friend. The Spectrum has given me so much, allowing me to flourish as a writer and journalist. But above all else, it’s given me friends for life. I could write about these people for days, and how lucky am I to be able to say that I met them. Thanks for making a girl thousands of miles from home have an entirely new one. Here’s to kicking ass. Cheers, legends. Email: sophie.mcnally@ubspectrum.com
Kayla Sterner (left), Sophie McNally (right)
ubspectrum.com
COMMENCEMENT
…And onto the next chapter! Only change can make us who we are
ALEX FALTER SENIOR ARTS EDITOR
It feels so surreal that my undergraduate career is over. I still remember walking the stage at my high school graduation almost four years ago. I couldn’t believe I was leaving one part of my life behind to start another. I was terrified. I was sad. I was excited. Saying goodbye to so many people I’d spent so many years of my life with had me wondering if I would be able to maintain any of these relationships. Of course, many friends come and go, that is a fact of life. But I’ve only grown closer to the friends I did stay in contact with. Now, I wonder the same thing about college friends. Except I worry significantly less. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made here — I can confidently say the real ones will always be in my corner, no matter where we go or how far away we are from each other. Even so, it can be sad to think that this chapter of my life (easily the best so far) is coming to a close. Yes, I’ll still be at UB for graduate school, but my goals and responsibilities will shift heavily. It’s scary, but it’s also beautiful. Life will never stay the same, no matter how much we try to keep it still. But we must not fear change. We must embrace it. Even if the next chapter of our lives doesn’t pack the same pleasures as the last, that should have no bearing on how happy we can be. We must welcome the next part of our lives, for it is only from the experiences of days past that we have become what we are now. The good, the bad: it all helped us grow into something greater than we
could have possibly imagined. I remember, when I entered college, wanting nothing more than to become a writer. I wanted to see the world and record those experiences in a way that would enthrall and/or inform my readers. But that changed. In the last year, I developed a fascination with stocks and the charts that record the day-to-day changes in the market. This prompted my entry into graduate school, where I will now study finance. If you told me a year ago that this is where I would be headed, I would have never believed you. Not in a million years. And that’s my favorite part of life and college. We grow. We change. We evolve. Even in the middle of my college career — sophomore year to be exact — I knew I had to find something that would help me work toward my journalistic goals. Walking into The Spectrum, I felt so intimidated. I met a boatload of ambitious writers who had already been there for years. I thought I was a gifted writer, but I became discouraged when I saw these godlike reporters effortlessly craft pieces requiring next-to-no edits. But that changed, too. I chose to keep going, and to take all the criticism I could (shout out to Justin and Reilly for all their help and support!). Before long, I saw myself improving so much. But I know I wouldn’t have done so if I hadn’t taken that initial leap. As I enter the world of financial risk management, I feel humble. I feel ready to discover that I am nowhere near as knowledgeable as I thought. I feel ready to get discouraged, to learn, to make mistakes. And that’s because I will learn from those mistakes to become more successful in this field than I think possible. We can never predict where we will end up — even if the future is just a few short months away. We can make as many plans as we want. Hell, we can even stick to them religiously. But even then we shall evolve in a way we could not have foreseen. Am I sad to see these four years come to an end? Very much so. But I’m even happier to move on to what comes next. The friends that matter will still be in my life, and I will make even more, some who 2018 me would never have even considered befriending. And the experiences I will enjoy, with my friends
and with myself, will be even better than before, even if my free time will dwindle significantly. And that’s the point! Responsibilities may pile up, but with money from a real job and less time to spend it, the memories we make with college friends will be more beautiful than ever. I’m looking forward to reuniting with the old roommates I see ever so rarely now. We’ll enjoy every moment together so much more, because less
Alex “ice in his veins” Falter
Alex Falter (left), Kara Anderson (right)
Wednesday, May 11 2022 | 7
time leads to more value. So I say to you, dear reader: it is OK to be sad to leave behind what has seemingly become your entire life, but do not dwell on it. The future — no, YOUR future — is coming, and even if you have no idea what it holds, it will be brighter than you could ever predict. Email: alex.falter@ubspectrum.com
8 | Wednesday, May 11 2022
Sai Krishna-Seethala (left), Moaz Elazzazi (right)
COMMENCEMENT
Justin Weiss (left), Sabrina Akter-Nabi (right)
Andrew Lauricella (left), Justin Weiss (right)
Anthony DeCicco (left), Kayla Sterner (right)
Jack Porcari spins fire at Baird Point.
(Left to right) Kyle Nguyen, Justin Weiss, Grant Ashley, Julie Frey
ubspectrum.com