Monthly Archives: December 2018

Features

Freshmen take on finals

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Students speak about their first finals week

This year, Northern Essex has made an effort to engage its students and find helpful and accessible ways for them to study. Advertisements for the “Late Knight Study Session” were posted all over campus as well as advertised by professors and emailed to students. Not only does this provide a space for students to go study but it will motivate them to do so as well. Many students do take it upon themselves in committing their time to study. However for freshmen, this task is a little more difficult and affects them in different ways than second year students as they’re still figuring out how to manage time. Freshman Jaylin Torres is a 19 year old human resources major and shared her experiences of her first “finals week.”

She says, “Finals week is going okay considering it is my first year. I wasn’t expecting it to be this stressful but I have been preparing myself little by little.” Torres said she was aware of the study session hosted by NECC, and has seen it posted almost everywhere. Unfortunately she is unable to attend this time around but said, “I will take advantage and try to go someday.” Torres also explained that she usually studies at home because it is convenient but admitted that, “the library is better because I get less distracted.” Evanna Antypas 18, is a Graphic Design major and kindly shared her experience as a freshman.

She says, “it’s a little frustrating with all the work that is cramped up for this week, especially for an art major because most of them are projects that take longer than a week to finish.” The anticipation of this week is just as Antypas expected saying, “I’ve been preparing myself by clocking in more time at the library and doing more at home.” Antypas wasn’t aware of the study session but expressed interest in showing up to finish projects, considering she’s been spending a lot of her time at the library completing things that she can’t at home.Freshman Alexis Deleon 18, a business major, says, “I’m not as nervous for finals as I thought I’d be.” Deleon is currently enrolled in two classes and says that she doesn’t have to dedicate as much preparation time as others.

She admitted that her busy schedule would restrict her from attending a study session and that she usually studies at home.Samuel Karagiorgos 18, a Business Transfer major, explains that his first finals week is “pretty light” and is less than he expected “due to less time in class.” Karagiorgos is preparing for finals by reviewing and rereading chapters and completing all his work. He mentioned that he was aware of the study session but isn’t able to attend this semester, and that he schedules times to study at home. “In the future I would consider taking the opportunity for the study sessions.”

a refreshment table
Drink table at the Student Center during the Late Knight Study Session Photo by Mariella Mendez
A photo of a box of pizza
Pizza and snack table at the student center during the Late Knight Study Photo by Mariella Mendez
Campus Life, Uncategorized

Campus Culture Podcast takes NECC by storm

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Dynamic trio takes to the air to talk Northern Essex

From podcast episodes to open mic nights, NECC’s Campus Culture Podcast is giving students a voice.Made up of three members, this podcast wrecking crew was established in the Spring semester of 2018.President of the group; Amanda Torres says their goal was to “put forth a different kind of aspect on campus” in regards to the other clubs at NECC.Torres points out how there was not a club on campus that captured the student body’s interest as a whole.“We like to discuss local news, Hip-Hop and keep our followers updated on our social media with new music and events we host at Northern Essex or might be attending in the Merrimack Valley,” said Torres.

Thursday, November 29th was the podcast’s first Open Mic night at NECC.In attempts to make this a recurring event,  Zack Deveau a second member of the podcast talks about how the Open Mic night is a milestone for the group. “We finally have the platform and space available to give local artists from the school and the community some exposure.”One of the talents Deveau is referring to, is pen tapping sensation and NECC Music major; Lennie Simo.Coming off of an MTV appearance on the comedic show “Ridiculousness,” Simo had the Open Mic audience in awe due to how fast he could tap his pens and how well he could mimic a well known instrumental.

Fun fact about Simo, he recently auditioned for “America’s Got Talent,” so keep an eye out for him on next season.Third member of the Campus Culture Podcast and homegrown, Open Mic night, talent Raul Eduardo Gonzalez Zemora talked about how the Open Mic night came about and why it is so important.“We’re in a location [Merrimack Valley] where there is so much talent and there’s not really a platform where people can go to express themselves,” he said. Zemora, a rapper, talks about how important and a must this podcast was to all three members.

“We’re going to give it to you real. That’s how this started, a couple of friends wanting to get together to help people express themselves and help individuals be proud of the artist they are and were meant to be,” he said. .With such a positive attitude and message, the Campus Culture Podcast is not only worth a listen but a follow on their social media accounts as well. Their podcast episodes are up now on the HC Media website. To reach out to any of the members or to stay informed for their next event, they can be followed on their Instagram account: campus_culture101. The Campus Culture Podcast members hope to have many more Open Mic nights to come but also hope that the podcast aspect stays relevant long after all members have graduated NECC.

student holding a mic raping in front of a projected screen
Raul Eduardo Gonzalez Zemora, rapping/performing. Photo by Andy Montilla
three students standing together in front of a projected screen
Campus Culture Podcast members (Left to Right): Zack Deveau, Amanda Torres, Raul Eduardo Gonzalez Zemora Photo by Andy Montilla
student raping in front of screen
Lennie Simo pen tapping and Savion Rosa, first year business major rapping/performing, Photo by Andy Montilla
Sports

Three teams added to Athletics program

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Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball to come back and eSports to debut

NECC has announced that three new teams have been added to the athletic program for 2019-2020. Two sports teams that were once removed have been added to the athletic department, Men’s Soccer and Women’s basketball. Joining the list of other schools across the nation NECC has added an eSports program.

Both Men’s soccer and Women’s basketball will be competing in NJCAA Region XXI becoming the 10th institution Men’s soccer team in the region and 12th Women’s basketball in the region.

The eSports team will be competing against other college teams in (NACE) National Association of Collegiate eSports. “We are excited about bringing both men’s soccer and women’s basketball back to the college. The addition of eSports will open an entire world of college athletics for gamers here at NECC,” Athletic Director Dan Blair stated in a press release: “We look forward to competing at a high level and allowing more students to succeed both academically and athletically while they pursue their degrees.” Since the arrival of Blair to the Athletic Department, he has helped more students come to the program in recent years. “Since the addition of the golf program for the 2018-2019 academic year and growth in all NECC’s athletic programs, the college has nearly doubled its student-athlete population since the start of the 2016-17 academic year from 43 to 90 athletes,” the press release said.

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Every four years the World Cup comes, and everyone is a fan -Anthony Domingo

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The last time NECC had a soccer program it was in the mid 1990’s, Since the popularity of American Soccer and the MLS, soccer has become part of the major sports in the United States. United States soccer has grown since recent years, the World Cup that comes every four years is a big-time event for the entire world. Former NECC student Anthony Domingo said, “Every four years the World Cup comes, and everyone is a fan.” Soccer has been well known in many European countries where its known as “football” with the talents of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi. These are just some names that are well known in the “Soccer verse.” With the recent arrival of Christian Pulisic who is known to be one of the better United States players soccer has been a country-wide sport. Domingo also stated that “Learning the rules helps you understand the game, like every sport its different.” With this sport coming to the school, many more students will be joining the program.

The Women’s basketball program previously had numerous achievements, two of them becoming champions in the NJCAA Region XXI in 1994 and 2001. Haverhill women’s basketball has become an interest in the area since its rise in the 90’s. Women’s basketball shows that NECC is diverse with all its programs. The last time there was a team was in 2012. A coach has not been found yet for the team.

Coaching searches are underway for the soccer and basketball programs, the press release said. According to the press release, NECC alum and nationally ranked Fortnite gamer RJ Warnock will lead the eSports program as its first coach. Warnock, of North Reading, played baseball for Northern Essex before transferring in 2013, the press release said.

Sports

Bruins and Celtics: Make or Break

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Both teams are above .500

Boston’s Celtics and Bruins are starting to produce, after having a rough start of the season. Both teams are above .500. And both teams have lost 10 games. Each team has time since the half-way point isn’t until next year in January. Last season they made it to the playoffs but were eliminated in the end. This two are the minor teams compared to the Red Sox and the Patriots, though they have each raised a banner in the 2000’s. They have the potential to raise more, their team chemistry is off the charts, but they are unable to perform.

Playing in the city of Boston is tough, than fans like myself expect you to win games.

The Celtics are 15-10 and are sitting in fifth in the Eastern Conference, you would think that with the departure of Lebron James to the Western Conference it would make the Celtics the top dog. With their recent win streak, they are moving up in the standings and they have begun outscoring their opponents with a hefty margin. Recently they beat the Chicago bulls 133-77. Through previous games they have scored more than 100 points which is something you at least should accomplish if you want to win games in the NBA. Their starting five is one big unit, their motto is that they don’t have one superstar, the whole team is the superstar. In recent games Gordon Hayward has been coming off the bench and has been performing. To win championships your starting five and bench need to make big plays. The team has a rough schedule the next coming weeks but I’m sure they will produce.

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It’s a new season we must watch what happens in the end.

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The Bruins have had a tough year, they lost one of the best goaltender in the NHL to a family matter and they were losing games, but once Tuukka returned he was out performing but his defense wasn’t contributing, plenty of the defenseman went down to injury, (Charlie McAvoy, Zdeno Chara, Kevan Miller, etc.). It also doesn’t help that they traded away Adam Mcquaid to their rivals the New York Rangers. The team is eleven points behind the leader the Tampa Bay Lightning, but in recent games they have a nice little streak of two previously beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 and the Ottawa Senators 2-1 in overtime. If this team wants to make a heavy playoff push this year they must show it, they have to have their young skaters produce because they can’t keep relying on Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara.

It’s December and for the NBA and NHL this is the spot where everything gets tough for the teams, each team has a young core that must produce because during this part of the season this is where you make it or you break it. Playing in the city of Boston is tough, the fans like myself expect you to win games, hence the name “City of Champions”. It’s a new season and we must watch what happens in the end.

Sports

eSports program to debut

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Varsity eSports team coming to NECC in 2019

NECC will have a varsity eSports program for the first time. The eSports team will be joining the athletic programs for the 2019-20 academic year. ESports are a multiplayer video game played competitively for spectators, typically by professional gamers. Other colleges already have joined the eSports mania and are offering scholarships for their varsity eSports team. NECC will be competing against other colleges and universities, join eSsports tournaments/championships in large arenas and participate in  other events regarding eSports.

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I would definitely join, I haven’t really tried gaming tournament

–Jason Batista

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Dan Blair, Director of Athletics said, “We are excited to get in the action of eSports and to provide it for interested students.”Interested students can join or apply online and fill out a form or by going to the Athletics Department.As of now there is not a limit on how many students can join the eSports team; Blair said “there is no limit, as of now we have an open roster” Blair also added that the amount of players allowed to play at the same time in a team depends on the game, “sometimes games can have four player or eight players in a team” Blair said.

According to a press release, NECC alum and nationally ranked Fortnite gamer RJ Warnock will lead the eSports program as its first coach. Warnock, of North Reading, played baseball for Northern Essex before transferring in 2013, the press release said. eSports has one of the fastest growing fan bases in pro sports. eSports are estimated to make 276 million dollars by the year 2022.Alfredo Tejada 20, said he did not know NECC was making a varsity eSports team, but would be interested in trying it out.

Tejada said “I like to play video games, but I don’t have the time, I am not one that goes home and starts playing games. I like to play 2K, if that was an option, I would be really interested in joining.”

like to play video games, but I don’t have the time, I am not one that goes home and starts playing games. – Alfredo Tejada

Jason Batista 24 said “Yes! I would definitely join, I haven’t really tried gaming tournament wise, so I would definitely join for that experience, and to connect with people that share a common interest in gaming like me.

“I feel like not a lot of people are able to connect in college because we are just going classroom to classroom, and I would join it for that reason as well.”

For more information visit the Athletci Department or vist the department’s website at www.neccknights.com.

Home Page Featured News

Educational exchange

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Six NECC staff members standing together in PR. There is a yellow pice of cloth with black stripes standing behind them
Six NECC faculty and staff members recently traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of an educational exchange. From left to right: Douglas Leaffer, Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora, Karen Hruska and Michael Hearn. Photo Courtesy of Douglas Leaffer

NECC faculty, staff visit Dominican Republic

From Nov. 9-14, six NECC faculty and staff members traveled to Dominican Republic, immersing themselves in the culture and gaining a further understanding of the educational system and background of students. Although the warm and welcoming island serves great for vacationing, our beloved travelers specifically traveled there for learning and educational purposes.

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The very succesful trip took months to plan and involved coordinating with several nonprofit organizations.

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Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora is the Vice President of the Lawrence campus and community relations and has orchestrated a total of four exclusive trips that require faculty and staff members to formally apply. Analuz Garcia, assistant director of community and international relations, also helped plan the trip.

The very successful trip took months to plan according to Dr. Custodia-Lora and involved coordinating with several nonprofit organizations from Salcedo and Ciudad del Conocimiento de Monte Plata, as well as Instituto Tecnologico Superior Comunitario de San Luis (ITSC), Universidad Central del Este (UCE), Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) de Santiago, Dominican public officials and Liceo Cientifico.

Dr. Custodia-Lora shared that President Lane Glenn accompanied them on the first trip as he had never been to the Dominican Republic. She said she often described to him “the educational system, social issues, ways of living, the family dynamics, politics, sports, general culture of Dominican Republic” and that when they returned from the trip he “looked me in the eyes and told me, ‘I get it now.’ That was my inspiration to develop this program.  I wanted other faculty and staff to also “get it” and with that for them to have a deeper connection with our students.”

Director of Counseling Services Karen Hruska applied and was accepted to travel to Dominican Republic for her first time. Hruska has been working in higher education for about 12 years and has heard from numerous staff and students the challenges of coming from DR to pursue a life in the U.S., therefore she wanted to gain a better understanding of elementary, middle, high school and college education and how it translates in the U.S. Hruska emphasized wanting a “better future for the kids” and saw the wide gap between the.