The first time I heard about the UB Spectrum was when one of my friends picked up a print copy of the paper and gave it to me, knowing that I would find it interesting. The cover story was about former UB student and campus drag artist Mx. Ology. I was instantly intrigued, both by the story and the fact that there was a well-organized student newspaper being created at UB. Even though I had no idea how, part of me wanted to join the team of writers who brought stories like these to fruition.
Finally, after three semesters at UB, and one exchange semester in the U.K., I decided to find a way to join the team at the UB Spectrum. My initial plan was to gain experience writing film reviews, a career path that I’ve been interested in for a few years. I enrolled in ENG 394 to learn how to write for the Spectrum — like many Spectrum alumni before me — and joined the arts desk. I quickly found that writing reviews was just as enjoyable as interviewing local artists and learning about all the great things that Buffalo has to offer.
Writing for the arts desk became one of my new favorite things, and I stayed on for another semester as an Assistant Arts Editor. Enjoying editing as much as writing, I continued as Senior Features Editor, and that’s where I find myself today.
Even though college was filled with changes and inconsistencies, for the past year and a half, the UB Spectrum was one promising thing I could count on. Writing articles, working with other writers and meeting with other cool UB students every week has made my experience here that much better. Every week I’ve enjoyed seeing each newsletter and everyone’s articles.
This is where I come to the bittersweet part:
Amy, Izabella, Belle and Emma, I enjoyed seeing you at each production day. All of you made me laugh, and I looked forward to each Wednesday night at the office when we could edit together.
Amy, since you’re still so young, you still have a lot of time left at UB. You’ve already shown that you know how to make your time here count, and I know you will continue to do so. Izabella, we started at the Spectrum at the same time, and you’ve already surpassed my abilities tenfold. I hope your time as Editor-in-Chief is both memorable and valuable, and I wish you good luck in your law school application. Belle, while you’ve only been Copy Editor for a few months, it’s been fun getting to know you. You’re a great editor and chill person, and as with Amy and Izabella, I know you’ll go on to do great things. Emma, you’re super talented and I looked forward to seeing your newsletters and amazing makeup every week. I’ll continue to keep an eye out for the newsletters and your other artistic endeavors.
Jacob, while we only worked together for one semester, it has been a blast bonding over pop cultural and internet oddities. Having someone around to discuss each other’s niche interests and validate them will always be invaluable. I hope you continue to put your reporting skills and work ethic to great use – I know you will.
To Marina, my former co-editor, I’ll miss your wit and wide knowledge on the local arts scene. It was great to write and edit with you last semester, and I’ll miss the professional yet laidback vibe that you brought to every meeting.
Alyssa, Lilly, Drew, Mylien, Nadia, Sabrina, it was great to talk with all of you during the editors’ meetings. I admire the hard work that all of you have put in to get to this point, and I’ll miss seeing everyone’s faces each week.
To anyone I had the opportunity to research and write with, including my staff writers, former classmates and Ciah, it was great to work with you all, and so much fun. I wish you good luck on your future endeavors.
To all the former writers and editors that I had the pleasure of meeting and writing with, I will remember you all from both memorable class and staff bonding activities.
And lastly, to anyone considering joining or continuing with the UB Spectrum, I would absolutely encourage this opportunity. Having the ability to publish work and make friends with other incredible people is absolutely worth it.
Nadia was the Senior Features editor and can be reached at nadia.brach@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
