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The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

Ali Smith

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor

Hey all, my name is Ali Smith and this is my third year as the arts and leisure editor of the Gannon Knight. I am currently in my senior year as a secondary education and English major and I will be student teaching in the spring– eek!  

Clearly, I have a passion for writing and entertainment, which are fused into my role here at the Knight. Specifically, I am kind of obsessed with music, and I couldn’t live a day without windows-down Spotify therapy sessions in my car with my best friends or on my own — especially around Presque Isle.  

I am also a crime documentary junkie! 

On campus, I am also involved in Gannon’s Society for Exceptional Children as their president, Sigma Tau Delta, an English honors society, Active Minds and the Gannon School of Education activities planning board.  

I hope that each of your lives can be just as open-minded and diverse as my music playlists. Here are the current anthems of my life: 

‘Something in the Orange’ by Zach Bryan 

‘Simple Man – Rock Version’ by Shinedown 

‘pete davidson’ by Ariana Grande 

‘Silver Springs’ by Fleetwood Mac 

‘On Me (Remix)’ by Lil Baby featuring Megan Thee Stallion

All content by Ali Smith
Image courtesy of barnesandnoble.com, 2022

Blind date with a book

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
February 11, 2023

Peers reflect on the legacy of a friend

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
January 28, 2023
A TV mother-daughter duo that has stolen our hearts

A TV mother-daughter duo that has stolen our hearts

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
January 28, 2023

SOE hosts school safety conference

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
October 28, 2022

‘Halloween Ends;’ but does it really?

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
October 28, 2022
"Dahmer," a wildly popular Netflix limited series, received criticism from serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's victims' families.

‘Dahmer’ disrespects victims’ families

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
October 10, 2022

Gannon installs gender-neutral bathrooms

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 30, 2022
Quinn XCII to appear at Gannon Saturday

Quinn XCII to appear at Gannon Saturday

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 23, 2022

Netflix sports docuseries packs a punch

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 16, 2022
'My Anxiety Project' comes to Schuster Gallery

‘My Anxiety Project’ comes to Schuster Gallery

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 13, 2022

Reflecting on Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Ali Smith, Arts & Lesuire Editor
September 12, 2022

‘Stranger Things’ captivates audiences

Ali Smith, Arts and Leisure Editor
June 30, 2022
“The Tempest” comes to Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park in July.

Schuster Theatre has big plans for summer and fall

Ali Smith, arts and leisure editor
April 27, 2022
John Wayne Gacy poses for his mugshot with a smile, displaying just how cruel and sadistic he was regarding his crimes.

John Wayne Gacy docuseries not for faint of heart

Ali Smith, arts and leisure editor
April 27, 2022

Remembering the importance of Easter

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
April 13, 2022
 The 96th production for All An Act Productions was the play adaptation of 1959 novel“Haunting of Hill House.”

Dinner disappointment salvaged by mediocre show

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 30, 2022
Stevie Nicks continues to perform and make a name for herself at age 73.

Powerful women of yesterday, today and tomorrow

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 23, 2022
Mother-daughter duo display feminine strength upon facing life long danger.

Netflix premiere series receives mixed reviews

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 23, 2022

What Women’s History Month truly means

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 23, 2022

Discussing the impact of COVID-19 on students

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 9, 2022
Despite their small number on campus, Black students said that Gannon does a great job at making them feel welcome. However, there are still many challenges for Black students at Gannon.

Students discuss the Black experience

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 9, 2022
Misha Defonseca is the subject of the film’s controversial Holocaust hoax.

Netflix documentary film investigates Holocaust hoax

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 23, 2022

The decisions surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 16, 2022
Eminem takes a knee during halftime show performance as Black ally and in continued support of Colin Kaepernick.

Super Bowl Halftime show stands out from the rest

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 16, 2022
Nicholas Fagen’s vulnerable collection of poetry and prose was craftfully illustrated by 2019 alumna Maria Hays.

Gannon alumni publish prose and poetry book

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 16, 2022
Sigma Tau Delta members hope to have students deep into a book the 14th.

Sigma Tau Delta to host Valentine’s Day event

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 9, 2022

The importance of personal identity

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 2, 2022
Colleen Ballinger pictured at a live show with photo of her first son, Flynn.

‘RELAX!’ the podcast lives up to its name

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 2, 2022
The Schuster Gallery is located on the first floor of the Center for Communication and the Arts on campus, right inside the Peach Street entrance.

Big Valentine’s Day plans for Schuster Gallery

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 2, 2022
"Euphoria" star Zendaya plays drug-addicted teen Rue Bennett, who spirals out of control in season two of the show. Three episodes deep, her sobriety is far out the window, adding to the catastrophic tone of the series.

‘Euphoria’: What you’ve missed so far

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
January 25, 2022
"Dog, Woman, Man," featured Jack O'Connell (front), Grace Dible (middle) and Marino Martin, respectively.

Satirical play unleashed at the Schuster

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
December 14, 2021
Schuster community reflects on changes

Schuster community reflects on changes

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
December 1, 2021

Student responds to COVID-19 experience at Gannon

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
December 1, 2021
‘All Together Now’ makes global impact

‘All Together Now’ makes global impact

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
November 16, 2021
Topic of abortion leads to duel

Topic of abortion leads to duel

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
November 9, 2021
“Catching Killers” series misses the mark and does not progress the genre.

‘Catching Killers’ docuseries drops the ball

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
November 9, 2021
How bass can affect people’s views of music

How bass can affect people’s views of music

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
November 2, 2021

Discussing Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
October 19, 2021
’Evil Dead' debuts at the Schuster Thursday

’Evil Dead’ debuts at the Schuster Thursday

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
October 19, 2021
Political comity is goal of speaker series

Political comity is goal of speaker series

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
October 19, 2021
Do trigger warnings have a place in literature?

Do trigger warnings have a place in literature?

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
October 19, 2021
Push to de-gender occurs in Spanish language

Push to de-gender occurs in Spanish language

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 29, 2021

Addressing the cost of food on Gannon’s campus

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 21, 2021
Pop sensation Ariana Grande makes her debut as a coach on NBC singing competition “The Voice” for season 21.

‘The Voice’ welcomes new coach to the 21st season

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 14, 2021
Commemorating 9/11 on its 20th anniversary

Commemorating 9/11 on its 20th anniversary

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 10, 2021
Star of Netflix series Rosa Salazar poses seriously to show her artistic depth.

Hallucinogenic novel makes for an interesting series

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
September 7, 2021
Main characters John B. and Sarah Cameron share a romantic moment on the sandy shore of the Outer Banks, into the second season of their romance.

‘Outer Banks’ blows fans away with Season 2

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
August 31, 2021

Discussing mask mandates a year and a half later

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
August 31, 2021
Fall 2021 Schuster Theatre Preview

Fall 2021 Schuster Theatre Preview

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
April 30, 2021
UNSPLASH/Blaz Ereztic
Music can serve as a healthy coping mechanism when it comes to stress, anxiety, depression and other conditions.

Music holds major weight over mood

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
April 20, 2021
Rodolfo Sanches Carvalho/UNSPLASH

Combatting negative body image as women

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
April 13, 2021
UNSPLASH/Priscilla De Perez

Christianity and feminism: can they coexist?

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
April 6, 2021

Drawing parallels in global history

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
April 6, 2021
UNSPLASH Samantha Sophia

Men in Feminism

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 30, 2021
unsplash
In the 1980’s, the jukebox was revived with the invention of CDs, and updated accordingly.

Ladies of the ‘80s still fighting on

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 16, 2021
Miley Cyrus’ debut rock album “Plastic Hearts” has gained popularity during National Women’s History Month as it highlights feminist, free-range women’s values while simultaneously creating a strong presence of female power in the rock ‘n’ roll genre -- a leap from her pop music.

Cyrus officially emerges into the rock genre

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
March 9, 2021
UNSPLASH / Clay Banks

The best advice I could ever give

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 24, 2021

How dress codes give rise to rape culture

Ali Smith, Arts & Leisure Editor
February 16, 2021
The Weeknd spoils Super Bowl Sunday for fans

The Weeknd spoils Super Bowl Sunday for fans

Ali Smith, Roundtable Editor
February 10, 2021
UNSPLASH / Shreshth Gupta

Why He is NOT Worth It

Ali Smith, Roundtable Editor
February 1, 2021
Jessica Belousov (left), president of the ASL club, and Hannah Warner, a member of the club, practice sign language. The club strives to bring awarness to the issues the deaf community faces.

Pandemic impacts deaf community

Ali Smith, Roundtable Editor
November 10, 2020

Body positivity and the rise of TikTok

Ali Smith, Roundtable Editor
November 3, 2020
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