ScholarWorks @ SeattleU (Seattle University)

Johnson, Naja

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
2-26-2025 
2025-02-26 Oversexed and Underwhelmed 
Naja Johnson 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • February 26, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/02/26/oversexed-and-
underwhelmed/
Oversexed and Underwhelmed
Naja Johnson, News Editor
Since the beginning of television, young adults and young adolescents alike have been objectified and hypersexualized in film and
media, especially female characters. Since the early 2000s, it’s been on the rise and there has been a lack of genuine connections
between love interests in films and a particular emphasis on sex—a lack of emotional chemistry, but a plethora of sexuality.
Currently, the Gen Z population along with myself is ready for change. 
A study conducted by UCLA in 2023 concluded that 47% of viewers ranging from ages 10-24 observed there was too much sex in
plotlines for shows and movies. There has been a push to explore more platonic relationships and genuine friendships. Aside from
the study, people are bored by “friends with benefits” and the storylines of “casual” hookups for high schoolers. 
In September, Ryan Murphy once again plagued my screen with another miniseries, Grotesquerie, a murder mystery and thriller set
in a small town on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Two of the side characters, Father Charlie Mayhew and Sister Meghan Duval,
engage in an unfathomable and deeply salacious affair. The affair, along with other deviant behaviors of the characters, is so bizarre
and unnecessary that it distracts from the storyline. My point is that plotlines oversaturated with sex corrupt the narrative and
distract from the overall story.
Today there are fewer teen flicks centered around young love and teenagers experiencing a real romance. Now there are more plots
about transactional relationships where sex is characterized as a tool or bargain, rather than intimacy for a couple. 
A movie that presents a more accurate and appropriate depiction of a healthy relationship and intimacy is Dogfight, in which a
Marine explores an unconventional romance with a waitress. As a critic, I observed that this older film has genuine language and
communication, which are often absent from the dialogue in today’s films. I also noticed a sense of respect and communication
between the characters. They put in the effort to meet their own needs while also meeting their partner’s satisfaction. In
contemporary film, there is a strong focus on the physicality of sex, while the emotional aspect is often neglected.
A bigger issue for young adolescents who are being exposed to sexually charged material is it may be clouding their judgment and
setting the tone for how lots of young adolescents view sex. Titles like Euphoria and The Politician, both have an emphasis on teens
and young adults exploring sex. Still, I didn’t see the same effort put into exploring consent and boundaries. Coming from someone
who was a teenager not long ago and had no business watching Euphoria at 15, I observed a lot of issues with the plotlines. To
elaborate, in Euphoria one of the main characters, Maddy Perez, is groomed as a teen by a 40-year-old man. It’s characterized in the
plot as socially acceptable since she “was in control,” which in retrospect, was victim blaming if I’ve ever seen it. Another plotline in
the show is the male lead and antagonist Nate Jacobs has a distorted perception of sex due to being exposed to his father’s sex
tapes at a young age. Additionally, he’s an incel who vehemently hates women, seeing them as commodities after observing his
parents’ strained and failing marriage.  
For viewers, these two characters were a lot to compartmentalize and process. A lot of viewers who thought the portrayal of the
two characters were accurate and thought Nate and Maddy were accurate portrayals of real teenagers in America. Looking back,
both characters were extremely hypersexualized and exposed to lots of trauma at the hands of their negligent parents. 
The reason this is so prominent in Hollywood and the film industry is the popular saying that “sex sells.” The statement has been
applied to a lot of characters and storylines in television, as a widespread method to sell and showcase characters in adherence to
the male gaze. In film this ideology is rooted in the perception of the male gaze, translating to a character’s identity being rooted in
their sex appeal.
Honestly, I am fed up and need to see a change yesterday. 
I am at the age where when I watch a show or movie I can tell whether or not the character was written by a woman or man
depending on how they are characterized. Are they stereotypical? Hypersexualized? Too emotional? Too withdrawn? That tells me
all I need to know.
I am not saying that we need to eradicate sex from television, but I think we need to reevaluate how it’s conveyed to prospective
audiences. Over the years there have been some advancements such as the incorporation of intimacy coordinators on sets for
shows and writers are more receptive to critique from audiences. For sex positivity to work in practice it needs to be more positive
than harmful to audiences. 
Nevertheless, Gen Z desires something else in Hollywood because the storylines are getting profoundly mediocre and have grown
to distort the minds of the current generation. The characters are flawed but also unrealistic and viewers analyzing these
characters for accuracy are in for a rude awakening. What is needed is for writers to listen to the audience when they give a critique
about the problematic storylines and to do better for their viewers. They should stop ramping up the shock value and create
characters that actually represent their audiences.


2025-02-26 Oversexed and Underwhelmed

Dumlao, Diego

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
2-26-2025 
2025-02-26 Timeout Session: Nicola Simpson and Taylor Fitch 
Named WAC Pitcher and Player of the Week 
Diego Dumlao 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • February 26, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/02/26/timeout-session-nicola-
simpson-and-taylor-fitch-named-wac-pitcher-and-player-of-the-week/
Timeout Session: Nicola
Simpson and Taylor Fitch Named
WAC Pitcher and Player of the
Week
Diego Dumlao, Volunteer Reporter
Nicola Simpson and Taylor Fitch swept the Western
Athletic Conference (WAC) weekly awards, being named
the WAC Pitcher and Player of the Week respectively.  
Simpson, a senior two-way athlete (pitcher and hitter) who
was born and raised here in Seattle, received the pitching
award after pitching a total of 16 innings in a span of three
games, Feb. 14-16, not allowing a single earned run, while
allowing just four hits, two walks, and keeping an ERA of
0.00 for four straight games (0.97 on the season). This is
Simpson’s second time receiving this award. Simpson joined
the Redhawks last year, after spending two years at the
University of Tennessee, where she helped bring the team
to the Women’s College World Series. 
Fitch, a junior third baseman from Woodinville, Wash.,
received her award after recording a batting average of
.389 this past weekend. Fitch also recorded eight hits, six of
which were extra base hits, four runs and 10 RBI’s, all in 18 at bats.  
The following is an excerpt from a Feb. 19 interview. Initials indicate the speaker.  
DD: What made you choose Seattle U? 
TF: “The biggest thing for me was, Coach Hirai called me about an hour after I entered the [transfer] portal and just told me how
much I would make an impact here and that I would be valued and that he believed in me. He also told me what I needed to do to
become a better player, which was super good to hear because not a lot of coaches would tell you that right off the bat. So I knew he
knew me as a player and that he knew he could make me better, that was a big reason.”  
NS: “I got my undergrad elsewhere and I wanted a master’s in criminal justice, which is hard to find, so I think aligning my softball
goals with also my academic goals, cause obviously softball doesn’t last forever, and so I think that led me here and I’m a homebody, I
love being with my family and being back home. And also getting to hit too, because that was something I wanted, but it’s hard when
Noelle Lee
Picture of Taylor Fitch and Nicola Simpson against the Seattle
University logo.
you don’t hit for two years to then turn that page.”  
DD: How did you feel when you received your respective awards?  
TF: “I was happy. I thought I had a pretty good weekend. It’s funny because I just go back to thinking of like, when I didn’t produce
you know, but it’s good to get some perspective of like, I’m kind of doing the right thing right now, hitting people in and scoring runs.
So that was a good perspective, but I’m just excited and excited for another week.”  
NS: “Yeah, I think it’s awesome that we were able to help the team and walk away with some wins and really use that momentum
going forward. So I don’t think that changes the course for either of us. I think it’s just, put your head down and get back to work.”  
DD: Do you guys have any kind of like, game day rituals? Something you always do before a game, day of, day before?  
NS: “We eat [everyone laughs],”  
TF: “I think the only thing, I’m not superstitious, actively anti superstitious, but one thing I do, is I always have an energy drink. It’s
normally an Alani energy drink, sometimes a Red Bull, but I always have one.”  
NS: “I just have my hair done. I gotta have good hair.”  
DD: “[Laughs] Look good, play good.”  
DD: What’s your guy’s goals for the rest of the season? 
NS: “I think just taking it pitch by pitch, one pitch at a time mentality going forward. I think just being the best, most competitive
versions of ourselves every day will lead us to good outcomes and what we want to be, you know really focusing on the process and
the outcome takes care of itself.”  
TF: “Yeah, I think as a team, focusing on doing the little things right and staying hungry. We’re all really close, so with that comes a lot
accountability and when we hold each other accountable and push each other, that’s when good things happen… Personally I wanna
keep getting more RBI’s. That’s kind of my focus this year, scoring runners when they’re on, so that’s a personal goal.”  
NS: “Team-wise win the WAC.”  
TF: “Of course, of course.”  
Seattle U Softball hit the road last Friday and picked up three wins, defeating Northwestern, Long Beach State and Oregon State
with scores of 3-2, 10-8 and 7-5 respectively. The team will stay on the road for one more series, then head home March 7 to take
on Abilene Christian for the beginning of conference play.


2025-02-26 Timeout Session: Nicola Simpson and Taylor Fitch Named WAC Pitcher and Player of the Week

Truog, Daniel

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
3-5-2025 
2025-03-05 Seattle U Falls In Epic Senior Night Rivalry Matchup At 
Home 
Daniel Truog 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • March 5, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/03/05/seattle-u-falls-in-epic-senior-
night-rivalry-matchup-at-home/
Seattle U Falls In Epic Senior
Night Rivalry Matchup At Home
Daniel Truog, Sports & Opinion Editor
The Seattle University men’s basketball team was down six
points with 26 seconds left in the game. This was how the
Redhawks’ last home game of the 2024-25 season would
end, with a victory over the Grand Canyon University
(GCU) Lopes just out of reach March 1.
Despite the best efforts of a hungry Redhawk squad, a win
never came. A successful 3-point play from Maleek
Arington and a layup from Paris Dawson brought the team
within one point of victory. The nine remaining seconds
were not enough to stop GCU.
Senior guard Dawson fought hard for every one of the 27
minutes he played Saturday. Dawson had few words for his
feelings after the game.
“Mixed emotions,” Dawson said. “I wanted to get the win,
but overall it was mixed emotions.”
Redshirt Junior guard John Christofilis, a steady shooter who made
one of four attempted 3-point shots, had his eyes on Nevada and the
Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament after the game.
“We competed in the second half. We held them to 26 points,”
Christofilis said. “I really truly believe that we’ll see [GCU] again in
Vegas.”
Seattle U trailed by 14 points going into the second half. Head coach
Chris Victor must have said something to inspire the team during
halftime; the team changed their tune in the second half, scoring 37
points to GCU’s 26.
The pep band packed up their instruments, fans put their university-
provided red light sticks away and Rudy (who inexplicably unveiled
his ability to perform backflips during a second half dance break) flew back to his nest. The packed student section brought the
energy for Senior Night, with five graduating Redhawks moving on at the end of this season.
Noelle Lee
Kobe Williamson passes the ball to John Christofilis.
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe takes a shot.
Seniors Kobe Williamson, Dawson, Matthew-Alexander
Moncrieffe, Vasja Pandža and Viktor Rajkovic ́received flowers and
posed with their families before the game. Williamson, a Senior
forward, hopes to return home to Australia after graduating with a
degree in biochemistry.
“SU has been great to me for the five years that I’ve been here, so
it’s nice just hearing the fans in the stadium for one last time,”
Williamson said.
Christofilis, currently in his second season at Seattle U, echoed
Williamson’s appreciation for the support.
“It’s great to see the Redhawk faithful come out and support us. We
feed off that energy and we’re thankful that they came out to
support the seniors on the team,” Christofilis said.
Whether or not the Lopes and their voracious Seattle fans, owed to
the school’s large online education program, will return to the
Redhawk Center is up in the air. GCU announced in November that
they would not follow Seattle U to the WCC, as initially announced,
instead joining the Mountain West conference in 2026. The Lopes
hope to make the move even sooner, meaning there could be no more
conference rivalry between the two schools.
The flames of Redhawk opposition are not quite out. As Christofilis
noted, there is one last chance for a Seattle U-GCU faceoff in the
WAC with the tournament, which runs March 11-15. 
Christofilis sees Saturday’s loss as an extra push toward this final
battle.
“We’re hungrier. We have something to prove. I believe we’re going to
peak at the right time,” Christofilis said.
The last time Seattle U faced GCU at home, the boys in red were able to mount a comeback to win 86-79 in a thriller of a second
half. While conference realignment threatens the future of Lope hatred on 14th Avenue, all eyes are on the final two games against
Southern Utah and Utah Tech, as well as the WAC Tournament.
Kobe Williamson takes a shot. (Noelle Lee)
Paris Dawson on the court. (Noelle Lee)


2025-03-05 Seattle U Falls In Epic Senior Night Rivalry Matchup At Home

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
4-16-2025 
2025-04-16 Redhawks Fall to Crosstown Rivals After Late Game 
Comeback 
Diego Dumlao 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • April 16, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/04/16/redhawks-fall-to-crosstown-
rivals-after-late-game-comeback/
Redhawks Fall to Crosstown
Rivals After Late Game
Comeback
Diego Dumlao, Volunteer Reporter
After a day full of rain in Seattle that pushed the first pitch
back an hour, the clouds parted, allowing for sunshine to
cast over Montlake as Seattle University Baseball took on
the University of Washington for the first of three
matchups this season. 
The crosstown rivals last met April 23, 2024, where the
Redhawks fell to the Diamond Dawgs 14-3.  
The Redhawks were able to score two in the top of the first
inning after Junior third baseman Reese Harmon lined a
single to left field, scoring the two-way sophomore Kenny
Ishikawa, who got on base via walk. On the same play,
senior shortstop Tyler Peterson, who also got on via walk,
advanced to third base. Seattle U’s second run came after
Harmon pulled a “steal and stop” trick play that drew a
throw to second base from UW’s catcher, allowing Peterson to score.  
Senior right-handed pitcher Brady Liddle had a strong start to his outing. In the bottom of the first, Liddle retired the first two
batters in just five pitches. The Huskies’ offense attempted to fight back with a walk and a hit that put runners into scoring position
for Washington, but Liddle punched out Senior outfielder Braeden Terry, ending the inning with Seattle U leading 2-0.  
The Huskies were able to put up a run in the bottom of the second inning, bringing the score to 2-1 with the Redhawks still
maintaining the lead. The score remained stagnant until the seventh inning, when both teams were able to put a run on the board.
Freshman catcher Josh Cunnigan led off the inning for the Redhawks and got on via an error by the Washington first baseman.
Redshirt Junior outfielder Colin Curry came in to pinch run for Cunnigan and stole second, putting a runner in scoring position for
the Redhawks. Seattle U was able to load the bases after Junior outfielder Jared Stevenson, along with Ishikawa, both got on via
walk. Peterson was able to put together a good at bat, receiving his second base on balls of the day and recording his first RBI,
scoring Curry, bringing the score to 3-1.  
UW was able to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth after multiple walks and an error from the Seattle U defense. The
Redhawks were able to get out of the inning, but they had lost the lead going into the top of the ninth. Despite Ishikawa hitting a
single up the middle and Peterson receiving his third walk of the night, the Redhawks were not able to bring a run around, falling to
Washington 4-3.  
Ahmed Abdirashid Abdullah
“I was able to get on base three times, but one thing that I regret is when bases were loaded, I did wanna hit there. So yeah, just
more effort for me, at that point,” Ishikawa commented on being disappointed that he couldn’t produce a run in a crucial moment.  
This Seattle U squad hasn’t been as successful this year as they have been in previous years. The team started the season going on a
nine-game losing streak, but after that rocky start, the Redhawks were able to go 13-13, showing that they have the ability to be a
competitive team in the conference. Head coach Donny Harrell is in his 16th season at the helm of the Seattle U baseball program.  
“I thought we were [a] little bit nervous in key situations where guys were just a little bit anxious because they want to beat the
Huskies so bad, with the crosstown rivalry and stuff. We just gotta calm down a little bit… What comes with pressure is obviously
just slowing the game down and we didn’t slow it down, but we competed so it was a good midweek baseball game,” Harrell said,
regarding the team’s overall performance.  
Despite not getting the result that they wanted, the team remained confident after the game and even reflected on some positive
takeaways from the match-up.  
“We’re feeling pretty confident, granted today didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but there’s a lot of things we can take away from
the game that we can carry on into the next series and I think we’ll be fine,” Grad student pitcher Reid Madariaga said.  
At the time of publishing, the team went 1-2 in their series against conference opponents Sacramento State and have also taken on
Washington for the second of the three matchups this season, falling to the Huskies once again, this time with a score of 22-0.
There’s still a lot of baseball left to play for this Redhawks squad, and it’s not too late in the season to turn things around. The team
comes home this Friday to take on Western Oregon University at Bannerwood Park.


2025-04-16 Redhawks Fall to Crosstown Rivals After Late Game Comeback

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
3-12-2025 
2025-03-12 Redhawks Softball Sweep Wildcats in Home Opener 
Diego Dumlao 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • March 12, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/03/12/redhawks-softball-sweep-
wildcats-in-home-opener/
Redhawks Softball Sweep
Wildcats in Home Opener
Diego Dumlao, Volunteer Reporter
Fans packed the stands on a chilly Seattle night at Logan
Field for the first time in 2025. The “RED, HAWKS” chants
could be heard all the way from the Cherry Street dining
hall on campus, as Seattle University softball prepared for a
double-header against their conference opponents, Abilene
Christian University (ACU) for their 2025 home opener.  
The Redhawks returned home after being on the road since
their season began March 7. During their month on the
road, the team picked up a record of 11-9 and were named
within the top 25 for mid-major Division I softball
programs. The team also had three players earn pitcher and
player of the week recognition, with Taylor Fitch being
named Player of the Week, along with Nicola Simpson and
Avari Morris both earning Pitcher of the Week
recognition.  
“It feels so good, it’s great. Honestly being at the home field is just
amazing and being with the girls is really nice as well,” Sophomore
outfielder Sophia Kissling commented on being back home.  
Simpson started in the circle for the Redhawks and pitched two
shutout innings before allowing a run in the third, the only run she
would allow the entire game. Seattle U was off to a slow offensive
start, this was until Morris smoked a line drive to right field, scoring
Freshman outfielder Zoe Hopkins from second base, tying the score
1-1. Hopkins entered the game to pinch run for Graduate Student
infielder Jasmine Wehn. 
The score remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning. Wehn
led off the inning with a single to left center and was then advanced
to second by Simpson. Wehn eventually came around to score after a long double hit by the Sophomore catcher Karen Spadafora
bringing the score to 2-1. 
This wasn’t the only score for the sixth inning for the Redhawks. Morris continued her solid offensive performance, picking up her
second RBI of the day, bringing the score to 3-1 after scoring Freshman outfielder Camryn Johnson who came in as a pinch runner
for Spadafora. Simpson would go on to finish the game allowing just one run on three hits, securing the win for the Redhawks, 3-1.  
Diego Dumlao
Seattle U softball performs a cheer for the fans after winning the
second game of the night.
Seattle U infielders sharing a laugh prior to the start of
the inning.
“I think it’s exciting… we came up with a team win and that was really exciting,” Simpson said about her start and the team’s
performance.  
In the second game, Morris took over in the circle. The score remained tied at 0-0 until the bottom of the third inning when the
Redhawks put up five runs. Kissling started the inning off with a lead-off triple, igniting the offensive flame for Seattle U. Kissling
was then brought home by Senior outfielder Tai Wilson with a single to the right side of the field. 
With Seattle U now in the lead, Fitch stepped into the box and
blasted a two-run home run, her sixth of the season, extending the
Redhawks lead to 3-0. But they weren’t done yet, as Wehn smoked a
double to dead center which was followed by Simpson getting on
base via a walk. With two ducks in the pond for the home squad,
Spadafora dug into the batter’s box and roped a double down the left
field line, scoring both Wehn and Simpson, bringing the lead to 5-0.  
Despite a dominant lead over the Wildcats, the Seattle U squad did
not let up. The bottom of the fifth started off hot, with Simpson
getting on base with a single down the left field line, then advancing
to second on an errant throw. Morris came up to the plate looking to
continue her stellar offensive performance in the first game of the
day. The left-hander dug in and smashed a triple to center field,
scoring Senior infielder KJ Hopfer who came in to pinch run for
Simpson, extending the lead by one. 
Johnson would come in to pinch-run for Morris, and would eventually come around to score after an RBI single by freshman
outfielder, Abbie Fales, giving Seattle U a 7-0 lead. Morris pitched an absolute gem, going all seven innings, not allowing a hit
through 6.1 innings. The left-hander finished the day throwing seven shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out four, securing
the second win of the day for the Redhawks.  
“I feel really good about my performance, you know, still stuff to fine-tune, but it just feels good to not have maybe my best stuff and
still be able to help out the team in that way,” Morris commented on her performance in the circle.  
The Redhawks would go on to win the third game of the series versus ACU March 8, completing a series sweep for their first
conference games of the season. This Seattle U squad is loaded with talent from top to bottom and they’ll definitely be a team you
want to keep an eye on this season.
Junior infielder, Taylor Fitch, looks at her bat prior to
getting in the batters box. (Diego Dumlao)


2025-03-12 Redhawks Softball Sweep Wildcats in Home Opener

Stipkovits, Caleb

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
5-7-2025 
2025-05-07 Who’s Making it out of the NBA Playoffs Second 
Round? 
Caleb Stipkovits 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • May 7, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/05/07/whos-making-it-out-of-the-
nba-playoffs-second-round/
(1) Oklahoma City (OKC) v. (4) Denver
Who’s Making it out of the NBA
Playoffs Second Round?
Caleb Stipkovits, Managing Editor
From Jalen Brunson’s series-winning shot to Buddy Hield’s
magical game seven, round one of the NBA playoffs
brought us some huge moments. The eight first-round
matchups ended over the weekend with two final teams
punching their tickets to the next round. With the second
round now underway, just eight teams are left to compete
for the 2025 championship.
In the Western Conference, the top-seeded Oklahoma City
Thunder take on the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets in a
battle of the top-two MVP candidates. After taking down
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, the sixth-seed
Minnesota Timberwolves look to see if they can send
another legend home for the summer in Steph Curry and
the Golden State Warriors.
The first-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers look to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) for the first time since 2018. Standing
in their way is the Indiana Pacers, who stormed to the ECF just last year. Reigning champions Boston Celtics aim to continue their
quest for back-to-back titles against Brunson’s New York Knicks, who haven’t played in the ECF since 2000.
With only four spots up for grabs in the conference finals, here’s who you can expect to see in the next round.
Oh, and of course, you’re getting a heavily biased Timberwolves pick.
 
This matchup features a battle of the two top MVP candidates, the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Nuggets’ Nikola
Jokic. After a last second, game winning three gave Denver a game one win, OKC bounced back to even the series at 1-1.
With the series heading back to Denver, I’m liking the way OKC responded to their heartbreaking game one defeat. In their first-
round series against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Thunder proved that they don’t need Gilgeous-Alexander to play like an MVP to win
playoff games. The star shot just 40% from the field and 25% from three against the Grizzlies. This didn’t stop OKC from clobbering
their opponents—the Thunder won each game by an average of 20 points. 
After watching the first two games of this series, it’s clear to me that the Thunder are the better team overall. Nikola Jokic may be
Kay McHugh
(1) Cleveland v. (4) Indiana
(2) Boston v. (3) New York
(6) Minnesota v. (7) Golden State
my pick for this year’s MVP, but his skill is not enough to win this series.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
 
Prior to the start of this series, the Cleveland Cavaliers looked like a whole different beast. Cleveland spent their last two weeks
destroying the Miami Heat in round one by a combined 122 points in four games, the largest playoff series deficit in history. At the
start of the series, it seemed that the Cavs were pre-destined to storm into the next round.
That was until the Pacers raced into Rocket Arena and shocked Cleveland by winning the first two games of the series. Was it a
fluke, or was it Indiana’s first two steps towards a massive second-round upset? With the series headed back to Indy, the Cavs’
chances of pulling this one off seems rather slim.
Prediction: Pacers in 6
 
The Knicks face Boston, trying to answer one burning question: Can they beat the NBA’s best teams? During the regular season,
New York faced Cleveland and Boston, the two teams atop the Eastern Conference, eight times. Their record? 0-8. Many fans found
this concerning while looking at Boston’s experience and hunger to win back-to-back titles.
Well, this is why they say the regular season doesn’t matter. New York’s grit has propelled them to a 2-0 series lead— something I
never would have guessed a few days ago. To say this feels wrong considering the Knicks’ miserable history, but I think they might
have this series in the bag.
Prediction: Knicks in 6
 
Here you go, you already know who I’m picking. The week before my Timberwolves faced off against the Lakers, I saw and heard the
phrase “Lakers in 5” everywhere I went. Flash forward five games later, the Lakers were taking a five-hour flight to Cancun. 
After packing up the Lakers, the Wolves have spent the past week resting and preparing for their second-round series. What were
their second-round opponents, the Golden State Warriors, up to? They were struggling, nearly blew a 3-1 lead over the
inexperienced Houston Rockets before finally sealing the series in game seven.
Sadly, the Wolves played some of their worst basketball all year— embarrassingly losing game one at home. Over the past few days,
basketball fans rushed to share a common prediction for the series: “Warriors in 6.” It’s like they’ll never learn.
Mark my words— the Wolves will bounce back. Bias aside, Minnesota has superior depth and defense compared to Golden State.
The Warriors are banged up, Curry is out for a week after getting hurt in game one and Jimmy Butler was sidelined for a couple of
games in the first round. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards will play better as the series goes on, as he is hungry to slay another giant in
Curry’s Warriors. Someone’s going to win this series in six games– but it’s not Golden State.
Prediction: Wolves in 6
 



2025-05-07 Who’s Making it out of the NBA Playoffs Second Round?

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
4-30-2025 
2025-04-30 Timeout Session: Get to Know Volleyball Newcomers 
Adee Butler, Madyn Cervellera, Teagan Melton and Kaitlyn Gotsch 
Diego Dumlao 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • April 30, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/04/30/timeout-session-get-to-
know-volleyball-newcomers-adee-butler-madyn-cervellera-teagan-melton-and-kaitlyn-gotsch/
Timeout Session: Get to Know
Volleyball Newcomers Adee
Butler, Madyn Cervellera, Teagan
Melton and Kaitlyn Gotsch 
Diego Dumlao, Staff Reporter
The Seattle University volleyball program has recently
acquired four new additions to their squad via the transfer
portal.  
Adee Butler joins the Redhawks after spending two years
at Utah Tech where she was named to the All-WAC
Freshman Team during her first year.   
Madyn Cervellera returns to her home state after playing
her freshman season at Cal Poly-Humboldt. In her first
season, the Lake Stevens native racked up 116 kills in 17
matches, while also picking up 129 digs and 16 total
blocks.  
Teagan Melton spent time with her twin sister at Marshall
University. During her freshman season with the Herd,
Melton amassed 17 kills, including a career best 10 in one
match versus James Madison.  
Finally, Kaitlyn Gotsch is no stranger to the portal and has ties to the WAC. Gotsch spent her freshman season at Grand Canyon
University and would then end up transferring to Chattanooga, where she made two appearances.  
The following is an excerpt from an April 25 interview. Initials indicate speaker.  
DD: Why Seattle U? 
AB: “I wanted to be at a program where I felt like the coaches valued me as a person… So that was something I was really looking for,
where do I feel a good connection, like a good connection with the coach, or I just feel like the coaching staff is good people that care
about me, and I feel like that was something I found here and I just think it’s a cool city and a cool opportunity to be able to play
volleyball and experience living here.”  
MC: “I was really looking for a coach that really would value and listen to me as a player and one of the coaches I played with before
college kind of brought me here too, and I had a couple of people I knew on the team, because I’m from Seattle. So, it’s definitely nice
Noelle Lee
Group photo of SU volleyball newcomers (left to right: Madyn
Cervellera, Adee Butler, Teagan Melton, Kaitlyn Gotsch)
being here and it’s really nice having the feeling of being home and having such a good support system and I just felt like it was a
good fit for me here when I came on my visit.”
TM: “I chose Seattle just because I was looking for a supportive coaching staff and a program that put an emphasis on culture and
when I was talking to the coaches, I felt like they really understood that goal and were gonna help me work to get better as a person
and a player.”  
KG: “I was looking for a place that I could kind of grow into as the program was still growing. I didn’t wanna just feel like, oh like
you’re just a number, just a player, I wanted to feel definitely seen as a person outside of the court too, and it helps that Seattle puts
a lot of focus on like high academics because I feel like for me it’s like I wanna have a balance of all the different buckets in my life.”  
DD: How was it navigating the transfer portal?  
AB: “It’s hard, I have so much respect for anyone that goes into the portal… you’re putting a lot of faith in your ability to read a
couple conversations and a couple situations in regard to what you wanna do with the next couple years of your life.”  
MC: “It is really, really, really scary and a lot of people kind of joke around about it, but I really do think it’s really serious… It’s a really
constant thing you have to stay on top of, and it’s really hard too because you have such a tiny window to do it in.”  
TM: “It’s similar to the first time around, but then this time you’re aware of what you want in a more defined way, because when
you’re in high school you don’t really know what college is like. Then you’ve already been to a program and you can take what you
learned at your old program and use that to build a new list and find the program that matches what you need.”  
KG: “I would definitely agree on the fact that it’s incredibly overwhelming… with this, a lot of the time, they’re [coaches] jumping
right into it and they’re like, here’s what we got, yes or no. And it’s like, oh, okay hello? How are you? What’s your name?… You don’t
have the time to make it your timeline, it’s more on the coaches.”   
DD: What are your goals for the upcoming season? 
AB: “We get the opportunity to be the first team that’s gonna compete for Seattle U in the West Coast Conference… We have the
opportunity to set the standard.”  
MC: “We’re definitely kind of in this stage of rebuilding, so the group we have right now, we’re trying really hard to set the stage and
make sure everyone’s on the same page… and obviously we want to get some wins too.”  


2025-04-30 Timeout Session: Get to Know Volleyball Newcomers Adee Butler, Madyn Cervellera, Teagan Melton and Kaitlyn Gotsch

El-Sherbeeny, Abdullah

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
5-21-2025 
2025-05-21 Tasveer Cinema Celebrates South Asian Culture 
Abdullah El-Sherbeeny 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • May 21, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/05/21/tasveer-cinema-celebrates-
south-asian-culture/
Tasveer Cinema Celebrates
South Asian Culture
Abdullah El-Sherbeeny, Staff Reporter
Imagine a space where South Asian and queer culture can
express their identity freely. Now imagine that space is
turned into a theater. That is Tasveer Cinema. 
Tasveer, which was established in March 2002, came onto
the scene when it was most needed. The world had just
been struck by the 9/11 attack, which had caused a lot of
stigma against the South Asian community. Farah
Nousheen and Rita Meher established an organization to
fight that stigma through uplifting South Asian films. 
Tasveer, which means “picture” in Hindi and Urdu, is a space
for South Asian community members to express their
culture through film, art and storytelling. The organization
recently expanded to a bigger location in Columbia City, taking over an old building acquired from Ark Lodge, giving them access to
new cinema screens. 
“We have three screens in the theater, which we have lots of plans and dreams for it. We want to have it accessible to all
communities and different world cinema, one for the screens, and then one screen will be dedicated to South Asian cinema and then
one could be flexible for community use, rental use. We are still getting the theater ready with all the right equipment and
technology. In a month or so, it’ll be ready,” Meher said. 
The new location will be called the Tasveer Film Center and will have its opening May 25, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
“It’ll be a place of community space, and a lot of different cultural events will happen, but specifically it will be a film center,” Meher
said. 
Meher decided to opt for a cinema and theater because she feels that film is the best way to unite people. She believes that film puts
people under one roof and helps tell the story that we want to tell in an environment that heals.
Some of the movies that the center showed were anti-Islamophobic movies to fight against the stigma and stereotype that erupted
during the events of the September attacks. The center would also work with various underrepresented groups, such as the LGBTQ
community.
The Tasveer organization is thriving, offering opportunities such as internships and volunteer programs. It serves as a safe space for
freedom of expression for those who want to fight against injustice.
Jinks Teli, a second-year master of science in finance student, is the president of the Indian Student Association and has participated
Nicole Baltimore
with Tasveer in their LGBTQ+ events. He shared how excited he is to see the expansion and the possible events Tasveer will be
holding.
“I think the horizon is just expanded, and they might just come up with really nice events and more support to the LGBTQ or South
Asian community. I really hope for that and I think expansion is a good thing for them,” Teli said. “I’m an actor and singer, so if given a
chance, I would like to associate with them as an actor or a singer any way possible.” 
Tarunika Arun, a third-year marketing and business analytics double-major, is the co-president of the South Asian Student
Association at Seattle U and heard about Tasveer through the club. Arun discussed the importance of diversity in media and how it
is essential for people to be producing the media in which they are depicted.  
“It’s super cool to hear about [Tasveer], because I feel representation really matters, especially when it’s done right, and from the
community themselves. So it’s exciting to hear that there’s a space for South Asian creators to kind of explore as well as express
themselves in our culture. It’s just nice to hear that and I definitely want to be more involved moving forward,.” Arun said. 
Tasveer was founded on fighting against racism and the stereotyping of minorities. It’s a space that aims to help people express their
culture and community without the fear of being judged or looked at negatively. Tasveer will stay and continue to give people a
platform to share stories, films, and art to truly represent their own community.


2025-05-21 Tasveer Cinema Celebrates South Asian Culture

Calo, Karli

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
5-21-2025 
2025-05-21 The Real Problem Is Not Just AI —It Is Also the 
System Behind It 
Karli Calo 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
The Spectator • May 21, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/05/21/the-real-problem-is-not-just-
ai-it-is-also-the-system-behind-it/
The Real Problem Is Not Just AI
—It Is Also the System Behind It
Karli Calo, Guest Contributor
By now, most students have likely heard about the recent New York Mag article on the rise of plagiarism in colleges. But chances are
they didn’t come across it in a printed magazine or a library archive. More likely, it was through a glowing screen—a phone, a laptop,
an iPad—one of the many rectangles through which we now experience not only information, but education itself. 
This isn’t just about cheating; it’s about how learning has become inseparable from the devices we use to access it. Lectures are
streamed, textbooks are rented digitally, assignments are submitted through portals, and even casual conversation about school
happens online. The classroom hasn’t disappeared—it’s just been uploaded. And with that shift comes a subtle reshaping of what
education feels like: faster, more efficient, more fragmented, more transactional. 
I don’t blame students for turning to AI tools like ChatGPT. When every aspect of learning is mediated by technology, it’s no surprise
that we turn to the most powerful tools available. But we should still ask: what does it mean when even thinking becomes
something we outsource? What happens when convenience becomes the highest intellectual value, or when education is quietly
reshaped into a commodity handled by invisible hands? There’s no single answer. But in a system that rewards speed over depth and
productivity over reflection, technology doesn’t just support learning—it starts to define it.
This brings me to a broader concern: the education system itself. Blaming technology alone for anti-intellectualism in America is
shortsighted. In my three years at Seattle University, only one professor has expressed serious concern about the rise of artificial
intelligence. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, the same professor also offers one of the most enriching learning experiences I’ve had.
In their classroom, curiosity is encouraged, asking questions is rewarded, and relying on ChatGPT for shortcuts is almost
impossible. What makes this environment work is not resistance to AI, but the creation of a space where meaningful learning takes
priority over performative achievement. 
Too often, students are pressured to perform well on tests, master material quickly, and secure a diploma—sometimes without
deeply engaging with what they’re learning. This system rewards speed and surface-level understanding over depth and critical
thinking. So, can we really blame students for using the fastest tool available when the system itself prioritizes instant results?
Universities that claim to fear AI often run classrooms like mechanical factories, churning out degrees instead of cultivating minds.
This, to me, is the real danger. 
To professors, I ask: If you’re concerned about students overusing AI, then model thoughtful learning. Set clear guidelines. Build
classrooms that foster dialogue, patience and independent thought. Use your voice to challenge the systems that reduce education
to corporate transactions. 
To my fellow students, my message is one of encouragement, not judgment. AI isn’t inherently bad in its totality. Just as you wouldn’t
use your phone to hack the school’s database (I hope), don’t use AI to bypass the thinking process you’re more than capable of doing
on your own. Use it to brainstorm ideas, organize your thoughts or explore sources—but don’t let it replace your brain. Don’t fall
into the trap of convenience simply because it’s there. Don’t feed into a system that profits from your passivity and limits your
intellectual potential.
Most importantly, work with your peers and professors to rethink what education should be. Recognize that the problem isn’t just
the screen in your hand—it’s the structure that’s training you to reach for it before thinking critically. I promise you, there are
immense benefits from 
picking up a book instead of sending a message through ChatGPT. If we want a future where knowledge is empowering instead of
transactional, we must demand a system that values learning for its own sake.


2025-05-21 The Real Problem Is Not Just AI —It Is Also the System Behind It

Damjanac, Milan

Seattle University 
ScholarWorks @ SeattleU 
The Spectator Online Newspapers 
4-23-2025 
2025-04-23 Reign Win Rivalry Match in Gritty Fashion 
Milan Damjanac 
Seattle University 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online 
Recommended Citation 
Damjanac, Milan, "2025-04-23 Reign Win Rivalry Match in Gritty Fashion" (2025). The Spectator Online. 
1610. 
https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/spectator-online/1610 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Newspapers at ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. It has been 
accepted for inclusion in The Spectator Online by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ SeattleU. 
The Spectator • April 23, 2025 • https://seattlespectator.com/2025/04/23/reign-win-rivalry-match-in-
gritty-fashion/
Reign Win Rivalry Match in Gritty
Fashion
Milan Damjanac, Staff Reporter
While the
sight of
crushed
roses
might
convince
you that
you’ve
walked in
on a
Valentine’s Day date gone wrong, it is actually one of the traditions stemming from the fierce rivalry of two National Women’s
Soccer League (NWSL) teams. Seattle Reign FC and the Portland Thorns matched in the most recent bout of this rivalry April 18. 
The Reign started off on the right foot four minutes into the game, with new addition and veteran forward Lynn Biyendolo
threading a pass to forward Maddie Dahlien, who found an opening low and across the net, burying it on the right side. The goal was
Dahlien’s first ever in the NWSL.
In addition to her opening goal, Dahlien put up multiple good shots in the first half, putting offensive pressure on the Thorns and
helping the Reign to a dominant first half. Biyendolo, the NWSL’s leading scorer and a member of the U.S. Women’s National team,
had high praise for the young forward.
“Maddie’s ceiling is so high… [She] reminds me of a younger me,” Biyendolo said.
Biyendolo wasn’t only seeking out assists this game—in the 35th minute, a pass off a midfield steal found Biyendolo attacking the
goalie alone at the top of the box. She struck the ball past the goalie, but it missed the left post by less than a foot. The goal would
have been Biyendolo’s first for the club, as she missed the first four games of the season due to injury.
Given her status as a legend in the sport, there have been high expectations attached to Biyendolo’s arrival in Seattle. Even though
she didn’t score in her Reign debut, teammates and Reign personnel are more than willing to testify to the veteran impact that she is
Ahmed Abdirashid Abdullah
having on the team.
“She’s a leader. I think she realized the moment she came into the team that there’s a place for that. It was needed,” the Reign’s head
coach Laura Harvey said in a postgame interview.
The Thorns struggled to keep up with the Reign on both sides of the ball. In one of the few quality Portland offensive drives, forward
Peyton Linnehan lost the ball to Reign defenders before she even had the chance to shoot it.
Portland’s first half frustrations were clear, especially as defender Kaitlyn Torpey dragged Dahlien to the ground by the jersey
during a transition in midfield. The play earned Torpey a yellow card, which was the team’s second in the first half.
The Thorns came out of the halftime break looking fired up, immediately changing the dynamic of the game. They maintained much
better control of the ball and field, shedding many of their offensive struggles from the first half.
The Reign struggled to respond in the second half but managed to hold onto their lead thanks to a few Portland misses and blocked
shots by goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. Their first major scoring opportunities came in the 75th minute, when a tricky passing
sequence led to a Dahlien shot nearside. Both it and her subsequent shot were blocked by the Thorns’ Bella Bixby.
The Reign were not alone, though—both teams were plagued by missed scoring opportunities, especially as the Thorns fought to
equalize. Striker Caiya Hanks was left frustrated after an open shot in the 84th minute went just wide of the goal.
Immediately afterwards, the Reign forward Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic barely missed a shot that would have sealed the game, sending
it hard off the right post and back into defensive possession.
Harvey spoke to the importance of sealing the game with a second goal after the game, reflecting on how the inability to capitalize
on early opportunities allowed the Thorns to stay in the game and fueled their performance in the second half.
“Goals change games. I think if we had gotten the second one in the first half, which we had chances to, that the game dies. The
longer that we didn’t get that, they started to get into the game more,” Harvey said.
In the final minutes of the game, the Thorns mounted a last-ditch offensive effort, with Hanks sending a hard shot barely above the
net, and forward Reilyn Turner sending a loose ball from a corner right into the crossbar in the 95th and 96th minutes, respectively.
The Reign, clinging onto their 1-0 lead, left the rivalry match as winners. While aware of their second half backslide and points of
constructive criticism, players were happy to eke out a win, especially given the contentious nature of their rivalry.
“I don’t really necessarily think we followed the game plan like we wanted to, but I think sometimes it’s going to be like that.
Sometimes, we’re just going to have to gut it out,” Dahlien said in a postgame interview.
This win brings the Reign’s record to 2-2-1, and they sit in 7th place in the standings. While this game exposed some issues in their
game, the team is hopeful for the future. With Biyendolo returning from injury and many of their newer players developing, the
Reign are confident that their veterans and young alike can lead the team to a successful season.


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