Best of The Spectrum 2025-26

As the 2025-2026 academic year comes to a close, The Spectrum Editor in Chief, Izabella Ducato, and Managing Editor, Amy Aracena would like to reflect on some of the best stories we have seen this year. 

We would not have a newspaper if it weren’t for the talented writers and photographers we have on our staff. We would like to highlight just a few of them here.

Best News Stories 

1. SA senator, presidential candidate has drawn at least 23 conduct complaints, SA president says by Mylien Lai
2. ICE detains UB student after routine immigration hearing; reasons unknown by Beyonce Thomas-Reynoso and Mylien Lai 
3. UB says ‘no plans to utilize’ new student EMS organization by Aiden Dickerson 

Best Feature Stories 

1. The straw hat flag and Nepal’s fight for change by Saqib Khan 
2. UB students’ share their creepiest real-life stories by Jacob Wojtowicz 
3. Lesbian bars in Buffalo: a brief history by Nadia Brach 

Best Sports Stories

1. Girls’ rugby pushes for recognition amid flag football’s rapid growth by Ciah Courtney
2. Spotlight on Tim Oboh: growth, grit and the mindset behind UB men’s basketball by Kaylie Jackson
3. From San Diego to the snow: Gunnar Gray’s first start at UB by Will Meyer

Best Arts Stories 

1. Bad Bunny: ICE OUT by Amy Aracena and Alyssa Ramos 
2. SpongeBob and co. stun in “Bikinis & Bottoms” by Kaden Zhong
3. The significance of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show by Marina Noack and Alyssa Ramos  

Best Opinion Stories 

1. Carrying dreams that aren’t our own by Saqib Khan 
2. “Voices Unmuted”: it’s more than dance — it’s a movement by Maira Fayyaz
3. When empathy dies, society follows by Ciah Courtney

Best Photo

1. Pro-Palestine protesters condemn IDF event by Beyonce Thomas-Reynoso
2. The Turtle building is an Indigenous hallmark: wealthy billionaires want to demolish it by Emma Wilson
3. Men’s basketball falls one point short in comeback effort over UMass by Olivia Risolo

Izabella Ducato was the Editor-in-Chief and can be reached at izabella.ducato@ubspectrum.com

Amy Aracena is the Managing Editor and can be reached at amy.aracena@ubspectrum.com 

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