NECC Observer

Students standing in the seats of a theater

A field trip to meet epic story of ‘Aida’: SOAR students went to the opera in Boston

NECC Music and SOAR students attend the opera “Aida” performed by the Boston Lyric Opera Company on Nov. 8. On Nov. 8, NECC Music and SOAR students enjoyed for the first time an opera performance, “Aida,” at the Emerson Colonial Theater in Boston under the direction of the Boston Lyric Opera Company. Composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1871, “Aida” is an epic story set in ancient Egypt, centering on themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. …

A woman smiles for a photo standing with a blue background

Deep dive into the classroom: Early College students get a head start on their academic success

Professor of Introduction to Liberal Arts Maurisa Charest Early College students from Lawrence High School set themselves up for success by planning ahead their academic futures. At around 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2024, 26 students from Lawrence High School filled the seats in Room L014 in the Dimitry building on the Northern Essex Community College Lawrence campus to explore the Liberal Arts and Humanities. A substantial value of taking “Intro to Liberal Arts…

Ballot-less blues

Voting is a large part of being an American citizen, but what about the millions of people who are too young to cast their votes? The election still affects them, but they do not have a direct effect on the outcome. As the presidential election came to its peak last week, and the country came to a verdict, there were millions of voices who were not heard because they were too young to fill in…

Striving for success: First-gen students share insights

By Daniela Valdivia-Terres, Editor-in-Chief

A group of students stand in front of door at Suffolk University

PACE students visit Suffolk University on Nov. 8. for a tour and to join thefirst-generation student celebration. Being a first-generation student is not an easy path. “It’s very nerve wracking. [It] makes you nervous because you don’t know if you’re going to be able to succeed because you don’t really have much of a role model… Even though your parents try their best and they might not have had the opportunities that you have now, you still don’t have something to go off of. So, you have to learn everything by yourself,” said Asialis Torres, an NECC student who is…

Sports

Knights soccer team competes at Nationals

By Melissa Bouse, NECC News and NECCKnights.com

The NECC Knights men’s soccer team. The Northern Essex Community College men’s soccer team, ranked sixth in the latest national poll, captured the program’s first-ever Region 21 and Northeast District Championship on Nov. 3, with a 5-3 win over Quinsigamond Community College. In the process, the team won its 14th straight game and punched its ticket to the program’s first-ever national tournament. The sixth seeded Northern Essex Community College men’s soccer team saw their 14-game winning streak snapped in the national quarterfinal on Nov. 12, as they fell to third seeded Mohawk Valley by a final score of 4-1. The…

» All-Region honors for volleyball and soccer teams

» Basketball team ranked #5 in poll

Arts & Entertainment

Before the 2024 credits roll: ‘Heretic’ review and upcoming must-watch movies

By Anthony Sousa, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Movie poster for Heretic movie showing a large face and two small people

Movie poster for “Heretic” courtesy of A24. “Heretic” (2024) is a fresh addition to the horror genre that cleverly combines psychological horror with religious and philosophical debate. Directed by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, the film centers on two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton (played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East), who find themselves trapped in a sinister, intellectually charged encounter with Mr. Reed, played masterfully by Hugh Grant. Reed’s charming facade quickly gives way to a more menacing persona as he challenges the missionaries’ beliefs. This movie is simply fantastic. From the amazing performances to the…

» Remembering actor Tony Todd

» Fans mourn One Direction member

Opinion

Nation on edge: Fears and uncertainty as Trump returns to White House

By Bailey Orio, Features Editor

President-elect Donald Trump, seen here after he was charged with election interference in the 2020 election in Georgia. Millions of Americans were left in shock and disbelief as news spread of Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, despite facing over 34 criminal charges. The former 45th president, now set to return as the 47th, brings with him a history and agenda that has stirred fear, uncertainty, and deep division across the nation. Many citizens now feel a sense of helplessness, with emotions ranging from trepidation to outright dread as they contemplate what the next four years might hold. One of…

A field trip to meet epic story of ‘Aida’: SOAR students went to the opera in Boston

Deep dive into the classroom: Early College students get a head start on their academic success

Ballot-less blues

Striving for success: First-gen students share insights

Knights soccer team competes at Nationals