Students have a new place to find a quiet place to focus
A new quiet student area is available for NECC students’ use. The area is in the second floor of the Behrakis One-Stop Student Service Center (Student Center). The space was once occupied by Academic Advising; which has since been moved to the first floor of the Behrakis One-Stop Student Service Center.
Vengerflutta Smith, director of student life and student conduct administrator said, “The area is currently available for students to use as a quiet study area.” She said that there will also be more areas created for students to study and get work done on the Haverhill campus, like another computer lab for
The quiet study area on the second floor the Student Center. Photo by Jaritza Hidalgo
students to use. “The area will be available for students to use during the hours of The Office of Student Life. These hours are Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday’s noon to -4:30 p.m.” Smith said.
The tables in the area can be moved to best suit a group or to make independent study more comfortable. There are also small cubicles in the area that students can use.
Stephanie Haskell Coordinator of Student Activities for Leadership and Social Justice Initiatives said “I have recently used this space to meet with members of the chapter to host multiple make-up NSLS Orientation sessions.I choose this space to use for these sessions as I was only meeting with 3-6 students each session, and there was not anyone currently studying in the space at the time.” Haskell also added that it is a quiet spot on campus that is currently not very popular and there are less distractions while studying.
The area has high glass ceilings that provide natural light and make the Area more open and calming. Whether it is a sunny, rainy or snowy day there is plenty of natural light going in. Jennifer Carty a student at NECC gave her opinion of the area and said “with the pictures I saw of the space, I found it really refreshing to have glass ceiling. I think if I have a mental block it would be nice to just look up for a little break.” The quiet area is conveniently located in the same floor as the book store, students can buy snacks if they get hungry while studying. Haskell and Smith both said that this space will be available for students to use for studying during another “Late Knight Study Sesh: Finals Edition” on Monday, Dec. 10 and Tuesday Dec. 11 until 10 p.m.
NECC students discuss the benefits of attending a Community College
Every now and then you may hear others talk poorly about community college and maybe label it as a type of school people go to when they weren’t smart enough to get accepted into a four year college right away. This in fact is not true.
According to scholarships.com, the biggest reason most people attend community college is because of cost of tuition.
When you attend a community college you get those first two years out of the way for a lot cheaper than what it would be to do your first two years at a university. Therefore when you finish at a community college and transfer, you’re only having to pay for two years versus four. A former Northern Essex student, Moesha Murray, just recently transferred to Umass Lowell.
“Attending Northern Essex first and then transferring was my best option,” Murray said. “I was able to save money and get my first 2 years out of the way.”
Just like Murray, this is what many community college students’ goals are.Another reason why people attend community college is because it has a flexible schedule. Although at a four year college you are able to register for the classes you want, their class schedules aren’t always as flexible as a community colleges.
Community colleges typically offer far more night classes than universities and they also have more schedule options. So, for someone who is trying to attend school but also need to work a full time job, going to community college makes it a bit more easier for them to do so.
A Northern Essex nursing major, Glorinette Calderone says, “ I definitely don’t think I would be able to attend a university right now on top of working my full time job. The thing about Northern Essex is that as long as I go early enough, I can almost pick out my whole entire schedule and get the class times that I need so that I can still continue to work my full time job.”
Lastly, attending a community college is good for students who graduate high school and still don’t really know what they want to do for the rest of their lives.
Instead of spending thousands of dollars at a university studying something that you’re not really sure of, its better to go to a community college because you are able to explore majors and hopefully find something that you love and that you want to continue an education of at a university.
Because community college classes cost less, you are able to explore more and take on different kind of classes and find your passion.
A Northern Essex liberal arts major, Maura McCarthy said, “Attending community college was what was best for me because I truly had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was always so overwhelmed with having to try and pick something so i decided to attend Northern Essex and explore my options. I take a variety of different classes and it helps me find what I do like and what I don’t like.”
Community colleges benefit students in many different ways and luckily, there are plenty of them around.
The rush for classes in the Spring semester have begun in earnest
It is now time for students to register for Spring 2018 classes at NECC. Online classes and winter intersessions are also open for registration. Spring semester starts Jan 21 and winter intersessions begins Jan 2 and end Jan 25. Winter intersessions are classes that are condensed to fit between fall and spring semesters.
“This next semester will be the first time I’m taking a winter intersession course. I’m looking forward to it because it’ll help me fulfill my credits a little bit faster,” says Aaron Lehner, a journalism and theater major.
The courses are a great way to catch up on credits or as an alternative to a full semesters class time. All forms of classes will fill up quickly so be sure to meet with your adviser to help you get registered. To find your designated adviser, log into your MyNECC account, click on the“My Information” tab, then select “Look Up My Advisor.”
Once you’ve met with your advisor, you can either register online or in person. If you can register online, you’ll need to use the Self-Service on your MyNECC account. According to the school website, “most students who have earned 12 credits or more and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 may register for classes using Self-Service”. See a list of exempt programs on the school website.
To register in person, do so through an adviser, or go directly to the Student Center Building. On the first floor of the student center, there are staff members ready to help with student services or financial aid. After looking at your account, you’ll be informed if you can either register immediately, if any holds on your account prevent you from registering, or if you’ll need to take any additional actions before you can register. It’s possible you’ll need a copy of your transcript so be sure to ask if one is necessary. After you’re all ready to go, you’ll receive a registration form at the counter. You can then go directly to the One-Stop Career and Advising Center, conveniently on the first floor as well, and register for classes!
Registering in person at NECC is quite easy. The staff is very knowledgeable and great at helping you navigate your courses. They’ll work with you to make a class schedule that fits in your time frame. They want to see everyone finish, but they never push you to take more than you can handle in one semester.
Heather McGovern, psychology major, prefers registering in-person. She says “I definitely think the staff is helpful. It’s a pain when classes fill up because they fill up so quickly”.
The fall semester is drawing to an end and spring is quickly approaching. This is an exciting time as this spring might be the final semester for some of our graduating students.
NEADS to give presentation on the value and service of assistance dogs
Dogs are man’s best friend and can provide life changing services. An information session about NEADS and service dogs was held on November 14 in room SC 106 on the Haverhill campus. Kevin Lambert, an NECC alum and veteran, spoke to students to staff about how service dogs can impact people’s lives. According to Lambert, NEADS is an organization that pairs service dogs with people who need them. They have matched over 1,700 dogs and individually train them to perform tasks for an individual with a disability. “Service dogs give people independence and allow them to travel to places they might not be able to before,” Lambert said. Service dogs can help people in many different ways. They can alert people who are deaf if their keys fall while they are shopping. They can help calm someone down if they are having a panic attack. They can also alert others if the person is hurt or in danger.
According to the NEADS website, NEADS was started in 1976. They are one of two “Assistance Dog International” certified service dog programs in Massachusetts. The average cost of a service dog from when they are a puppy to when they are matched with a client is around $42,000. “We ask that clients pledge about $8,000, not out of pocket. It’s okay if you can’t pay that money, we just want to see that you are trying,” Lambert said. Veterans don’t have to pay for their service dogs. “Once your dog retires or passes away, we will replace it” Lambert added.
NEADS offers six different service dog programs their website said. Service dogs and facilitated service dogs for children assist people who have physical disabilities. They might need help picking up stuff or opening doors. These dogs are trained to open doors, retrieve objects from tables, and even switching on and off light switches. Hearing dogs assist people who are deaf or have some hearing loss. They can alert the person when the phone is ringing or if someone is calling the person’s name. Social dogs for children can assist children from ages 8-16.
The child might have a developmental disability like autism. These dogs are trained to match the needs of the child. Service dogs for veterans can help calm veterans with PTSD and help with any physical disabilities they might have.
According to the Northern Essex information sheet regarding service animals, Northern Essex usually allows service animals on campus. It is important to note that the Americans with Disabilities Act website states that “any organization that serves the public must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities.”Anyone with a service animal is not required to register the animal with the college. They do not have to present any documentation of their disability, but can work with the Learning Accommodations Center.
They are encouraged to fill out the volunteer registration but are not required to.
Deborah Regan, the Associate Director of the Learning Accommodations Center has seen service dogs do good on campus. “[I saw] a dog help a student get around campus and help her feel safe.”
“I think service dogs help with safety which is always important!” said Cheyenne Huberdeau, a Biomedical Engineering student. “I think they can sometimes be a distraction though, at lease for me because I’m a huge dog lover. So seeing a dog at school [would] get my attention.”
Kevin Lambert is the program development administrator for NEADS and served in the United States army. He was an infantryman from 2005-2008 and completed over 600 combat patrols and missions in Iraq.
He got his associate degree in Science and Human Services from Northern Essex.
He also has a certificate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling. Lambert had a service dog at NECC to help him. Lambert swears by the program and encourages people to get more information about service dogs on the NEADS website.
Parnassus literary magazine founder 78-year-old Tom Sexton spoke to a gathering of students and faculty Nov. 8 in the Top Notch Theater.
“It’s a delight to be back” Sexton says as he pulls out his own first copy of Parnassus, published 53 years ago. Sexton jokes about it being worth a large sum of money now and instead of opening the reading with his own poem he reads the work of fellow editor Raymond St Amand. He praised him as the real talent. The audience was curious about what happened to St Amand but Sexton had no idea where his co-editor ended up.
The pair started Parnassus literary magazine in 1965 when Sexton was a student at NECC. After graduating from Salem State University, he moved to
Tom Sexton Photo Courtesy NECC Newsroom
Alaska where Sexton earned his MFA in English from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks before moving on to create and teach the MFA program at the Anchorage campus.
While teaching in Anchorage he once again became a founding editor of another literary magazine Alaska Quarterly Review.
While Parnassus has achieved award winning status taking home many first place prizes, Alaska Quarterly Review is described by Michael Dirda of The New York Review of Books, as “one of [the] best, and most imaginative, literary magazines.”
Recently, Alaska Quarterly Review was featured in the latest issue of Poets & Writers magazine. Roland Spatz, co-founder and editor of the magazine talked about the impact digital submissions have had on the amount of submissions that magazines receive each year.
As a trial, for one month Alaska Quarterly Review opened up a Submittable account to accept submissions digitally. Up until that point they had only accepted submissions by snail mail. Spatz assumed he would receive a few hundred more submissions than usual but instead he received more than 1,190 submissions in addition to the regular postal submissions for that month.
The magazine was so overwhelmed by the amount that they had to close submissions and are back to paper submissions only until they can hire enough staff to keep up with the digital demand.
“We think it’s really, really important to reach this younger demographic.” Spatz was quoted in Poet’s & Writer’s magazine “We’re talking about a lot of folks who are at the cutting edge, and they really are the future.”
After Sexton read some of the work in the new issue of Parnassus he told one student,
“You do have a voice, and that’s 99 percent of the battle.”
His advice to budding writers is to keep working and trying new ways of finding their voice and style until they are comfortable with it. When he talked about his poem from the first edition of Parnassus he hints that it wasn’t his style or authentic voice but after writing poems and teaching for 50 years, he can recognize the difference in his work.
Sexton notes that self-evaluation is an important part of being successful at achieving that voice “I don’t mean about being published in a big magazine,” He says.
Instead he encourages students to trust their own instincts about their work“You know when you’ve done something worthwhile.”
Yet, being published in a literary magazine is a big opportunity for many writers trying to find their way, as it was for Paul Marion, editor of Loom Press. Marion made the trip to NECCto hear his friend Sexton read.
Marion published Sexton’s “Bridge Street at Dusk” in 2012, but his first contact with Sexton was when Marion, sent his own work to Alaska Quarterly Review while Sexton was the still the poetry editor there.
“He accepted one of my poems” Marion says. “To get into a prestigious academic journal or university quarterly like Alaska Quarterly Review is important in establishing credibility as a writer.”
And while Alaska Quarterly Review only receives paper submissions, Parnassus only accepts emailed submissions and is on the hunt for new work. Fliers have been posted on campus reminding NECC students that the deadline for submissions is Dec. 7.
Students can submit multiple times in all categories by clicking on www.parnassuslitmag.comand following the instructions.
Even though Parnassus is only open for submissions by current students and faculty of NECC it is available online in a digital form reaching a nationwide audience. Anyone can see this work. Tom Sexton started with Parnassus and went on to publish 10 collections of poetry, and that was when Parnassus was just a tiny little book read on campus.
In every college there is at least one person that stands out from the rest, providing a unique and memorable experience.
Nathan Miller, age 22, of Newton, NH is one of those people for NECC.
Since he came to the college in 2014 after graduating from Sanborn Regional High School, he has been involved in the Student Government Association (SGA), New Student Advocacy (NSA), Improv Club, and the Top Notch Players.
He graduated with his Associate’s in Theater in Spring 2018 and now works for NECC as a student advocate.
Miller is best known for his outgoing personality, and providing a friendly face to students and staff. He is a prominent leader on the NECC campus.
Student Life Coordinator and SGA adviser Ariel Chicklis has been Miller’s biggest influence in all things college related.
“Since he started [college], he’s been involved with SGA and has been instrumental in many clubs and organizations helping them to become founded,” says Chicklis.
Miller and Chicklis first met four years ago when he applied to be a Student Orientation Leader.
Nathan MillerPhoto by Dierdree Glassford
When asked what was the first thing she noticed in him she replied, “He had a willingness to do whatever needed to be done and always had a happy and positive outlook.”
Miller has taken on many roles in the Student Government Association, including programming chair, vice president, and president last semester.
“I never saw myself as an advocate; I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world but didn’t know how until I joined SGA,” he says. “It was not the way I had expected to be helping others. I think I have become a better leader and I see myself in a new and different light.”
Matthew Day, the current President of SGA, says that by working with Miller he has been able to improve his decision making and organization skills.
“His work has shown me that as the SGA president, it can be formed however you think it should be formed.” says Day. “Each leader has their own methods, but Nate pushed the idea that there is a reason you are voted in, and you should utilize the good ideas you have.”
“He has so many friends on campus that all want to be around him, and they will go where he goes,” says Chicklis. “In turn he has helped improve student engagement because he has helped so many new students transition into college life.”
In 2015, Miller was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is an anxiety disorder that comes in the forms of intrusive or excessive thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors. A person may have an irrational fear towards something, or uncontrollable or taboo thoughts, but hardly ever do they act them out. They instead curb these thoughts by performing repetitive tasks such as constant cleaning, talking, or arranging things in a particular order.
OCD affects every person differently, some more or less than others. But for Miller, it has not stopped him from doing what he loves.
“What really helped me is doing student orientation; by helping [students] it’s a way of helping myself.” says Miller. “My friends, family, and many more give me great strength each day.”
Another struggle Miller has had to overcome is his mother’s battle with cancer. She had been diagnosed several years ago and continues to receive treatment for it. Miller says that she is doing well at the moment.
“She is the strongest person I know, and she is the one that inspires me to do what I do.” says Miller.
Aside from being a campus leader, Miller’s other interests include theater and film. He appeared in the Top Notch Players production of “Escape from Happiness” last summer.
But his biggest interest by far is in movies. Miller will watch almost anything and enjoy the experience, no matter how good or bad it is. Some of his favorites include Star Wars, Comic Book movies (Marvel, DC) and the Tommy Wiseau cult classic, “The Room.”
Made in 2003, “The Room” has been widely regarded as “the greatest bad movie of all time.” due to the unconventional storytelling, technical and narrative flaws, and the enigma that is Wiseau himself.
Right now Miller is putting together his biggest project yet; a school dance which will be held in April 2019.
He thanks his friend Chelsea Flannigan for inspiring him to make it happen.
Miller described the theme of it being “The prom you wish you had.” eventually planning on having students donate prom dresses and dress shirts. To fund the dance, he has even contacted Tommy Wiseau inviting him to the college to host a Q&A session; however he has not heard back from him yet.
Miller has also started a YouTube channel reviewing films and TV.
He thanks Professor Biff Ward for helping him learn the technical skills that go into making videos. “I hope to be able to make my YouTube channel grow and continue working for NECC,” says Miller.
Miller says he wants to transfer his credits to UNH Manchester to study Film & Television and Political Science and also possibly receive his Master’s degree in higher education.
He says that although he is moving on, he will surely miss being at Northern Essex. “No other school could compare to the time I’ve had here.” he says. “But I am looking forward to the things I could learn at other schools.”
Northern Essex’ very own, Professor Richard Padova is publishing his thrd book in 13 years, and has recruited a handful of NECC students to help him write it.
Padova says ,“My book will be about men and women who have unsuccessfully sought the presidency of the United States.”
Katherine Hailson, 21, Liberal Arts: Writing student is one of the students who has volunteered to work on the book.
“I think what really interests me in the topic of Professor Padova’s next book is getting the chance to delve deeper into how presidential campaigns have been run in our nation,” she said.
Hailson expressed that she’s worked and volunteered for local campaigns and says, “there is always much more at stake when it comes to national politics.”
Hailson hopes to gain more knowledge about presidential campaigns as well as improve writing and researching skills.
Professor Rich Padova Courtesy Photo
She also states the importance of trying to get involved with campaigns, so that people are aware of who they are representing, “A simple conversation goes a long way,” she says.
Dean Sheldon, 21, Information Technology major, is also helping Professor Padova create his book.
Sheldon found himself interested in the project because he likes writing during his free time.
Sheldon found out about Padova’s project through the Observer and quickly acquainted himself with Padova’s previous work. Although Sheldon is more of a sci-fi and fantasy writer, he emphasized that he wouldn’t mind trying to write something with a different approach and “walking away with more resources on where to research.”
Sheldon clarified that he is not particularly fond of current politics saying, “I actually tend to isolate myself from it, especially nowadays. But when it comes to historical politics, that’s a different story. Seeing how people lean politically and behave during different time periods is a very interesting subject.”
Sheldon hopes to gain more insight into human psychology during the research of this project.
Padova says, “Usually the losing candidates are forgotten about and sometimes never heard from again. I believe that they deserve to be brought to light, if for no other reason than the fact that for many of them, they gave up months from their lives to put themselves under a microscope developing a platform, enunciating their issues and trying to convince people why they had the skills and abilities to lead the country.” He also says that he has an “eclectic mix of candidates” that he is currently reviewing for possible inclusion in the book. These candidates vary from men, women, Democrats, Republicans, third-party candidates, well-known candidates and many more. By conducting this research, Padova will enhance the knowledge of one of his many teaching specialties, presidential history, campaigns and elections. Padova is looking forward to his research and is looking to publish his book in 2020.
Stress and depression are part of the holidays for many
The summer sun has set and the autumn air has nearly just begun. Time to pack away our bathing suits, shorts and flip flops and bring out the blankets, warm sweaters and coats. With the changing of the season not only comes the switch in our wardrobe but unpackaging of holiday decorations and the emotional unpackaging and stress that comes attached to those string of lights and tattered, corny cornucopia display.According to a 2014 survey, containing 292 specific questions conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness 64 percent of those already struggling with a mental illness report that the holiday season make their condition worse.
This phenomenon is often referred to as the “Holiday Blues”. Where mental illness, such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, personality-disorders, etc.are a long-term battle that can often be treated in various ways through medication, therapy and other resources, Holiday Blues differ in a few ways but should be taken just as serious.
Unlike a typical mental illness, like clinical depression, the holiday blues is considered a short-term mental health problem, lasting only for the holiday season.However, for these few months the effects of this short-term problem can be disastrous.
Common signs and symptoms of Holiday Blues reflect that of anxiety and depression, amongst those symptoms other commonly seen behaviors of this illness are; stress, fatigue, the inability to be with loved ones, over-commercialization, and unrealistic-expectations.
During the months of Turkey Trots and candy canes, those battling with Holiday Blues often find themselves coping, or rather not coping, with the financial stress, holiday exhaustion, depression and anxiety by excessive drinking, eating, and lack of self-time. It is hard during winter break to find that valued personal time, due to the overbooked holiday party schedules, family and friends in and out as they’re all home for a few weeks, and of course spending the paycheck of all that extra hours picked up just to never see a dime of it as the money goes to gas of party commutes, gifts, and making some kind of Betty Crocker or Pinterest Holiday dessert. According to NAMI, 755 respondents who suffered with sorrow or unfulfillment, not necessarily with Holiday Blues, but not ignoring them, felt that there were many factors that caused them to feel that way. Too look at it at a percentage standpoint, NAMI found 68% of them felt financially strained. When asked if they felt lonely during the holidays,66% answered yes.63% felt too much pressure during the season. 57 percent hold unrealistic expectations. 55 percent found themselves remembering happier times in the past contrasting with the present, while 50 percentwere unable to spend the holidays at home with the ones that they wanted to be with the most.
Luckily, Northern Essex provides students and faculty with counseling services. Karen Hruskra at the NECC Counseling Services says that, “ANYONE can go to counseling.” Her tips for dealing with academic and holiday stress are, “Tips for dealing with academic and holiday stress are, “1) Start studying now! Create a study schedule. Look over lecture notes, book summaries and reviews and review study guides provided by your instructor. 2) Form study groups if you work better with others. 3)Stay healthy during the weeks leading up to finals and the holidays make sure that your habits are healthy. Eat good food, get a good night’s sleep and exercise. 4)Be organized keep your expectations for the holidays manageable.”
Other sources, such as as NAMI and PsychologyToday, suggest “Keeping expectations low” and“Don’t worry about how things should be.” Don’t worry about getting the best gift for your loved ones, don’t worry about getting all of the festive activities done if it’s going to compromise your health, don’t worry about every little detail- the holidays will still come and go and the world will still turn whether or not you found your ugly Christmas sweater. “Schedule You Time,” Breathe. Watch a movie by yourself, go for a walk, kick a snowman, whatever you have to do to relieve stress for a little bit, but do NOT let this allow you to slip into isolation. There is a difference between a few hours of alone, self care and hibernation mode. “Volunteer”. Sometimes you feel a lot better by giving back to others. “Create New Traditions” If you’re feeling lonely this holiday, whether that’s because you’re not with the one you want to be with for various reasons, don’t wallow in it. It’s a time to become creative and start something new, maybe to honor someone who has just passed away and it’s your first year without or someone who can’t be there this year because of a plane delay. “Seek Help”. If the feelings of anxiety and depression are still going on passed the holiday season, it depression and anxiety might be something to look into and not the Holiday Blues, and that is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. You can even take the first steps by talking to a counselor here at NECC!
NECC counseling services are offered on both Haverhill and Lawrence campus.Call (978) 556-3730 or e-email counseling@necc.mass.edu with the specific campus and time frame you are hoping for to set up an appointment.All discussions with your counselor will be confidential with a few exceptions, for example, serious danger to oneself, others or the college community.The Counseling Services at NECC also offers class presentations and programs about wellness as well as fight the stigma around mental illness. Of course, if you are in a crisis, please call 911, Get Help Now: Crisis Text Line- Text “START” to 741-741.
Noelia Figueroa and the 1970-1971 men’s basketball team will be first inductees
Northern Essex Community College’s 1970-71 Men’s Basketball Team and Noelia Figueroa will be the first ones to be inducted into NECC’s new Athletic Hall of Fame on February 28, 2018.
Figueroa is a two-time NJCAA track and field national champion. She won the 200 meter in 2010 and then the 100 meter in 2011.
Brooke Santos, a second-year student at NECC loves the fact that a woman is the first individual to be inducted into the NECC Athletic Hall of Fame.
“I will definitely be in attendance to see her be inducted, this is truly inspiring for all females,” she said.
Santos, who is a sports enthusiast herself hopes to be front row for Figueroa’s induction.
Along with one individual being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, one team will also be inducted.
Noelia Figueroa Photo Courtesy of NECC Athletics
The 1970-71 Men’s Basketball Team is accountable for the state community college title and the Eastern Massachusetts Small College Conference Championship.
Key members of the team include NECC alumni; Dick Crawford, Joe Goldsmith, and Andy Desrosiers who son Carson actually played at Central Catholic in Lawrence and went on to play at Wake Forest.
Hudson Reynolds, a business major will also be attending the Hall of Fame induction on February 28th.
“I think it’s pretty neat to see Andy Desrosiers, Carson’s dad to be inducted into our Athletic Hall of Fame. I saw Carson play on Central Catholic’s Basketball team while I was a freshman at the high school.”
“I’m ecstatic about NECC getting an Athletic Hall of Fame, I think this is going to bring comraderie amongst the students here” states first year Criminal Justice major Ezra Dardis.
On February 28, 2018, Northern Essex Community College will permanently induct a decorated individual athlete and a team who has represented the school’s pride and hard work.
Noelia Figueroa and the Men’s 1970-71 Basketball Team will be in NECC’s Athletic Hall of Fame forever.
This accomplishment will indeed encourage and motivate current and future athletes that play and will play for Northern Essex Community College.
Patriots beat the Jets and now look towards Vikings
Patriots went into the New Jersey Meadowlands and beat their AFC East division rival the New York Jets.
Their season has propelled them to eight wins on the year and they are one of the competitors this year for the AFC Championship.
The Jets remain at the bottom of the division at 3-8. The Patriots next game is at home against Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings. A 1pm start time for this week on the road against the Jets was something different for the Patriots.
Before the bye they were playing late games from Monday Night and Sunday Night Primetimes.
Belichick knew something had to change while they had a week off and coming off that terrible loss to the Tennessee Titans.
The one big change that came this week was the return on All-Pro Tight End Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski.
After practice on Friday, Gronk was asked about his return to the team this week, he answered “Definitely ready to get back there. I’m good to go”.
It had been 27 days since the offense had Gronk as a weapon.
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Belichick knew something had to change … coming off that terrible loss to the Tennessee Titans.
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Gronk also told reporters “I had a lot of good people to work hard with, do exercises, get everything back right and just keep on grinding every day so I can get back out there with my teammates. And that’s what it will be on Sunday.”
Gronk finished the game with three catches for a total of 56 yards and one touchdown. The man running the offense was the one and the only Tom Brady, before the game Brady was questionable with a knee injury and an illness.
Patriots fans knew that Brady would start this game, he never gives up his starting position just because he has an illness.
Brady threw for 31 and had 20 completions. He also threw two touchdowns in the win and had zero interceptions.
Next week the Patriots are home against the NFC West Minnesota Vikings, led by Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins.
This is the first year for Cousins who signed a contract deal with the Vikings coming from the Washington Redskins.
The Vikings defense is scary and is known to be tough at home, but that’s not the case this coming week.
It’s a 4:25pm start time at Gillette Stadium. New England will have the fans on their side and will be inching closer to another playoff and hopefully another Super Bowl ring.
