Daily Archives: April 7, 2023

Opinion

Fighting period poverty

 

Many individuals and adolescents have to go through the experience of menstruation monthly.

This occurence not only comes along with cramps, pains, bloating, and mood swings, but it also comes with a cost. Many women have to purchase products to control the outcome of such. They often have to spend a considerable amount of money on tampons, panty liners, pads, discs and so forth. This event is uncontrollable in these individuals, so why do we treat these products as luxury items, and not as an essential requirement?

Throughout the world, there is limited access to free period products, and some individuals are forced to use rolled up toilet paper, old clothes or miscellaneous materials for protection. Without proper protection, they risk embarrassment, anxiety and ridicule. Presently, the ability to purchase these products shouldn’t have to be the burden of another bill. Obstetrician Huma Farid stated that “There is no equity when half the population bears the financial and physical distress as a consequence of the reproductive cycle needed to ensure human survival.” Which brings us to the conclusion, that the lack of access to such necessities is a violation of human and constitutional rights.

There is a stigma of shame that surrounds menstruation that needs to be broken, by advocating and eliminating social norms. ALL who experience their period should be able to manage it with dignity.

This is a RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE. All should have access to these products, for FREE. It needs to be free in all institutions, jails, schools, public restrooms, and perhaps less expensive and free of taxes where they are sold. There will be no change to period poverty unless a bill comes into play worldwide, that will provide menstrual equity for all.

According to an article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it states that in a survey of 1,000 teens, 1 in 5 struggle to purchase menstruation products. Furthermore, 4 in 5 students have missed class, or know of someone who has due to this dilemma. It also explains how government benefits such as SNAP, and WIC don’t cover menstrual supplies. Many students rely on such supplies that are provided in schools, and other institutions. However, although there are mandates in place, they do not cover funding which causes another conflict with obtaining supplies.

Here at NECC, the Community Resource program has partnered with an organization called Dignity Matters, who supplies us with feminine hygiene products. We provide these supplies for free at our food pantries, unlimited for your entire family. In addition, If you are around campus, you will see in every first floor womens, gender neutral and accessible restroom they are available in a basket with a QR code that will bring you to the Community Resource programs and services. For food pantry appointments, and additional services please visit the Community Resource website at: www.necc.mass.edu/food.

Campus Life, Home Page News Bytes, Uncategorized

SMART meals available for free on campus

 
TwoMicrowavable SMART meals sitting on a table.

Free microwavable meals are available free for students. Photo courtesy of Natalie Wooldridge

The NECC food programs are partnering with Food For Free, a wonderful organization dedicated to reducing food waste and supporting local meal programs, to bring students free microwavable meals.

The meals they provide to us are frozen, pre-made meals from their “Heat-n-Eats” program, which aims to improve people’s access to balanced, nutritious meals on the go. All you have to do is pop the container in the microwave and enjoy – perfect for busy students.

On the Haverhill campus, you will find these meals in a freezer directly next to the food pantry, which is located on the second floor of the Student Center building. In Lawrence, they are stationed in the student computer lab, room 146, which is attached to the lobby of the Dimitry building. These freezers are left unlocked so that students can access these meals whenever they need to.

All we ask is that students fill out a sign-out form each time they take a meal and abide by the limit of one to two meals per day as much as possible. The sign-out forms are attached to the freezers for your convenience. We hope that everyone interested has a chance to try a SMART meal this semester.

For more information on NECC’s free food programs, please visit www.necc.mass.edu/food.

Arts and Entertainment

Fun with Art Club

 

Northern Essex Community College’s art club was formed in the fall semester of 2020, holding meetings over zoom.

The club is planning more in person meetings.

Currently art club meetings are being held every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. over zoom with the exception of holidays.

The club adviser is Tiffany Esmerio, the Coordinator of Orientation and Student Transitions.

The club was formed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and had to meet over zoom.

Meetings consist of the club presenting a powerpoint over zoom featuring upcoming events on campus as well as the activity that will be performed during the meeting.

When attending a meeting on Feb. 22 the activity for the class was making masquerade masks for the upcoming prom.

Throughout the class video tutorials were presented to help members get ideas and inspiration for their projects.

Students do not have to come to every meeting. The amount of attendants of the meeting has fluctuated depending on how busy the time of year it is, people are welcome to come to the club whenever they want, there is no requirement of people having to attend.

“My favorite thing about the art club has to be the friends I’ve made, the confidence I have gained, and how much I have grown as a leader. I don’t think I would have met half of the people at NECC if it wasn’t for this club, and I have rediscovered my passion for art once I took on my role as an officer.” says Kendall Tobin a Liberal Arts major. “My favorite thing about Art Club is the amount of diverse ways that members can creatively express themselves in different art forms, like collaging, drawing, origami, etc. Also, the activities allow art club members to think outside of the box and enjoy getting even more creative.” says Yomberly Rodriguez an Art and Design major.

“My favorite thing as the Art Club adviser is being able to connect with students over a shared love of art in our own micro-community. I enjoy learning just as much from them as I hope they do from me. It’s also a pleasure to help give members the opportunities to take different leadership roles and responsibilities,” says Tiffany Esmerio.

If someone is interested in joining NECC art club they can email neccartclub@necc.com. The club also has a tiktok and Instagram @neccartclub, as well as a Facebook titled NECC ART CLUB.

Arts and Entertainment, Home Page News Bytes

Gaming and how it connects

 

Gaming is a common hobby in which many people enjoy to have as a pastime.

However gaming can be done wherever you are and whoever you are with.

Gaming has opened up a world where we are all connected and can create bonds that normally would not be able to work in modern times.

In an interview with fellow student, Jacob Robles he talks about the ways in which gaming does not only strengthen the friendships he already had but how it also helps him get through tough times.

“I feel like gaming helps bring you into a social environment with other people, and even though they may be strangers you have something in common with them.” explains Robles, “ When talking in the game chat you have to use the social skills you use everyday in order for all of you to complete the common goal of completing the game mission. It really creates an environment in which you can just laugh and let go in an environment that is safe to do so.”

Robles also shares some of his favorite things about gaming that he feels helps strengthen the bond he has with his friends.

“During winter break I recall me and my friends hopping on the game after not seeing each other in a bit of time. Although we were playfully fighting through most of the game, I feel like it made our friendship bond a lot stronger.”

Robles also continues on to say how when he is in the game it feels as if they are all together. “When gaming with my friends it feels like even though we are apart, we are always together no matter what we can laugh and joke around like old times.”

In a separate interview with Ryan DelleChiaie he also talks about how gaming has impacted him socially.

According to DelleChiaie “I have met some great people over the years from just playing video games.” he says “When I game with my friends I remember playing Garden Warfare in 2016 and I remember camping on the ledges sniping people. It was always funny hearing people talk about it on the mic, especially when they were getting competitive.”
DelleChiaie also says “gaming usually makes me feel really good about myself especially if it is a good game, other times when I play alone it can be pretty boring.”

In my last interview with fellow student John Quigley he explains all the ways in which gaming has helped him not only grow his friendship circle but also how it has helped him come out of his shell more.

Quigley claims that “through gaming I have met many new friends who I can just be myself with and just laugh and have a good time. We can always bond over stuff like memes and just poking fun at each other. I enjoy shooting the targets and fighting about who is better at the game.”

Quigley then goes on to say “I always feel good when me and my friends hop on the game, when I have a bad day I can always get a good laugh out of the game when my friends are on. I feel as though it helps me unwind as well after a stressful day.”

Gaming not only keeps us connected in a world where there is so much difference, it helps create everlasting bonds and keeps a smile on everyone’s faces.

It not only brings people who play the same game into the same space and makes people feel welcome, it truly does unite the world in ways you could never imagine.

 

Features

Stuff-a-bear event is a hit

 
A woman stands at a table in the Spurk building and puts stuffing into a pink hippo.
Participants got to pick an animal and then fill it with stuffing at the event in February. Photo by Janie Dunn

On Monday Feb. 13, the Office of Student Life at Northern Essex Community College hosted their event “Stuff-A-Bear.” This event took place in the first floor lobby in the John Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus.

The event started at 10:30a.m. and went until 12:00p.m. The event was hosted by the Coordinator of Student Life, Stephanie Haskell and Student Life Assistant Coordinator, Suzanne Reyes.

I attended this event and was pleasantly surprised.

When I walked into the “C” Building lobby, the lobby was packed with students. There were three tables that were covered in yellow tissue paper and had stuffing spread across them.

I walked over to the table where Stephaine and Suzanne were and I saw there were boxes with the bears you could stuff.

There was a rainbow teddy bear, a golden teddy bear, a pink hippo, and a pink axolotl.

When you walked up to the table, you entered your Student ID into a computer and picked out which bear you wanted to stuff.

Once you had chosen your bear, you walked over to the yellow tables and started stuffing your bear.

Along with the stuffing for your bear, there were also little red hearts to put in your bear and little birth certificate papers to fill out for your bear.

When asked about what they thought of “Stuff-A-Bear,” NECC student Sarah Peirson said, “I loved it! I think it was really a unique idea for something new for students to do.”

NECC student Savanna Masters said, “I thought it was so cute and exciting and clearly there was a good turn out because they started running out of them [bears] so I think we should do it again”.

White stuffing for the stuffed animals is shown lying on a table in the Spurk building.
Participants enjoy putting the stuffing in their animals at the Stuff a Bear event in February. Photo by Janie Dunn

When asked why this specific event, Haskell explained to me, “In my job in Student Life, I pick out all the different events for students. Obviously sometimes my colleague Suzanne helps [pick which event to do] as well but this one was one that I chose.”
Haskell said, “This is like a fan-favorite everytime we do it with students. Literally always sells out super quick.”. This was the last Student Life event Haskell organized as she is leaving NECC to pursue a new job and she will be terribly missed.

As you can see, this event was enjoyed by many NECC students and it was a success.

For more events and information on events like this one, you can view the Student Life event calendar on the NECC website.

Editor’s note: Stephanie Haskell left her position with NECC later in February for another career opportunity.

 

 

Features, Slider

Students weigh in on campus events at NECC

 

Northern Essex Community college is known for how proactive and engaging they are with their students and community.

Today I walked around campus to ask students about the extracurricular activities they take part in and are interested in.

When asking students if they’ve gone to any of the after class campus events for example the Stuff-A-Bear event that had taken place in the Haverhill Campus earlier this semester.

When interviewing students many had replied that they hadn’t gone to a campus event ever.

Brianna, a Human Services major at Northern Essex said “I would go to an event if it was something I was interested in. I just work a lot.”

I had asked about 10 students if they had gone to any of the campus events at all and they mostly replied “No. I just don’t really have the time.”

All but one. Balin, 19, a first year Psychology major at Northern Essex said

“I’ve only gone to one event and it was a seminar on growing cannabis,” Balin said He said he had only really gone to the event for an English paper he had to write on how Northern Essex had starting offering training courses for careers in the cannabis industry.

Sisters Gabby and Mikayla, fist year Liberal arts majors said they both hadn’t gone to a campus event before.

“We just don’t have the time and haven’t found anything interesting enough to take time away from my life or homework.”

From what I gathered one in 10 students attend campus events.

In a class body size of 3,822 that’s less than 400 students or in other words 9.9% of students participate in extracurriculars that the college offers.

This shouldn’t be the case! There are events happening every day that can peak just about anybody’s interest. Something I also found was that many students don’t particularly seek out events. They are reminded via email or text but otherwise it is word of mouth. Many students also really find events in the bathroom, with the Toilet Telegram that shows you the monthly schedule of campus events.

NECC works hard to engage with its students but I find that it should begin to be the other way around.

The opportunities these clubs can provide for students to meet others with similar interests and also jump out of their comfort zone.

Or even learn something new like the science behind music or growing cannabis. If you’re a student be sure to check the NECC events page or take a couple seconds to look at the bulletin boards in the halls before class to see events,

Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Arts and Entertainment

Students embrace African dance

 

On March 2nd, 2023 professional dancers Mcebisi and Amy from the Izizwe Dance Studio held an African dance workshop from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Student lobby.

Students learned multiple dances taught by Mcebisi for some fun and exercise, while also getting a closer look at what is important in African culture.

Izizwe Dance Studio is a dance school in Lawrence which teaches all types of dances to all ages. From African dance to hip-hop to jazz to ballet and more, they offer a variety of dances to those who are interested in learning.

Students started off the workshop with slower dances that were performed while dancing in place. This eased them into the workshop as they were the easiest dances of the day

Then Mcebisi picked up the intensity, along with the difficulty of the dances. Students then were taught and performed faster dances that required them to move forward while dancing, which really made everyone break a sweat.

The main instructor who led and taught all the dances was Mcebisi, a man who was originally born and raised in South Africa.
African dance has played a big role for him much of his life. He believes that it is not only significant to African culture, but also important for people of other cultures to learn about as well.

This is an African Workshop, I’m sharing culture, I’m sharing with them. It’s also therapeutic to a lot of other people and I think everybody should have access to things like this.” Mcebisi on their motivation to hold the workshop.

Along with an increase in intensity and complexity of the dances came a change in music. At first the music that was danced to was African music being played off of a phone but nearing the end Mcebisi changed up the music by playing it off of his own djembe.

A djembe is an African drum that’s shaped like a goblet and is used in much of African music.

The finale to the hour of African dances was one long and challenging dance by the group of students which involved combining the dance moves they learned into one big dance performance.

It took some practice and repetition to get it down considering the length of the performance along with them already being tired out. But the students were able to perform it well while Mcebisi was performing a beautiful beat in the background with his djembe.

The African dance workshop was a success and was well received by the students who attended.
Danielle, a student currently at NECC who attended the workshop, had nothing but positive things to say about the event.

“I enjoyed it a lot. It’s very powerful and energetic so I really enjoyed it. I had ballet classes and dance classes before, so this was an amazing mix of timing and exercise” Danielle said when asked to rate the workshop.

When asked about what her favorite dance of the workshop was, Danielle replied “The last part when we could combine all the parts that we learned.”

Jasmine Mateo, another NECC student and attendee of the event, says she was recommended by a friend to attend the event.

“A friend referred me, so I came, and I ended up having a really good time today.” said Mateo

Through all the excitement and enjoyment that African dance can give to people , whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newbie to the dance, Mcebisi doesn’t want the importance of African dance to African people’s culture to get lost.

“As much as you see it as a dance, this is a form of healing for a lot of people. This is used in many many forms, it’s a language itself. And with access to it and the love of it, you get to see all of those things.”

 

Campus Life, Home Page News Bytes

PACE students enjoy workshops

 
Three women and a man sit at a table in a building on the Lawrence campus.
PACE students attend workshop over spring break Photo by Karen Stokes

PACE always has your best interests at heart and takes the lead during the week of Spring break by providing weeklong activities, opening with the annual NECC Student Success Conference.

A leadership conference entitled “The Power of You,” was open to all NECC students. The conference opened with registration and a light breakfast. Students had a chance to mingle with other students before the conference began.

The conference began with the keynote speaker Rockell Bartoli, a professional speaker, author and scholarship coach.

Native of Miami, FL. Rockell brought an open-minded uplifting style of leadership and one that helped to broaden the perspectives on life as well as encouraged students to stay true to their dreams and goals especially when faced with challenges.

Rockell also piloted the conference with real talk that included personal experiences that resonated with many and that which many could identify with. Rockell’s fun-loving personality made her open, approachable, and willing to connect with the students and be of assistance in any way possible.

The conference included three different sessions that comprised of two different workshops within each session that the students had a choice of attending.

One of the workshops in the first session was Career Exploration.
In the Career Exploration session students learned and were given tools on how to explore career resources pertaining to their occupation plus many additional resources about their prospective occupation.

In the second session the workshop was about Financing Your Education/Scholarships/Student Loans.

This session provided the students with loads of information, one being on how to best pay for your college education at NECC and beyond.

Students were also schooled in the area of federal direct student loans, the repayment of student loans, the length of loans and student loan interest deduction on federal taxes. The students were also guided on accessing private scholarships.

After lunch, students sat before an alumni panel whom they were able to interact with by asking questions after hearing of the panel’s success stories and their personal experiences having attended NECC.

The conference finished with a sweet treat with a cupcake truck at the end of the event.

Friday wrapped up the PACE weeklong events with a Scholarship Retreat.

This is a workshop to help PACE students apply for ANY scholarship.

Jessica Rocker Transfer Adviser to the PACE Program, TRIO – and Student Support Services explained that they run the PACE Scholarship Retreat every year so students can get help applying for scholarships and that they make sure that the students who attend apply for the NECC General/PACE Scholarship first.

Jessica also added that they help with the scholarship essay writing, talk about how to ask a professor for a recommendation letter and fill out the actual application.

Once students have applied to the NECC General/PACE Scholarship, PACE suggest scholarships they might qualify for.

We know college is expensive, so we encourage students to apply for multiple scholarships so their chances of getting on are higher, said Jessica.

Snacks and drinks where provided at the workshop.

These are the many things the PACE Program offers in support of its students and NECC students to ensure their success while here at Norther Essex Community College.
T

he conference was sponsored by PACE, TRIO Program, SOAR and NECC Career Services.

Campus Life, Slider

Alumni speaker shares her journey

 

Genesis Garcia, a Journalism/Communication graduate of NECC, recently made a guest Zoom appearance at NECC on March 23.

During the one hour appearance, hosted by the Center for Liberal Arts, she shared her journey from NECC all the way into the music industry. She also gave the audience tips on how to excel in her field as many in attendance are also in the communications field like her, as well as motivation and inspiration to reach their goals. In her journey she first got a job at Def Jam Records. She now works as a publicist for RCA Records and has helped and knows many artists, publicists, and writers in the music industry.

Garcia was a student during the early 2010s here at NECC, where she got her associate’s degree in communications.
She mentioned the massive amount of help that her professors and the staff at NECC helped her greatly and supported her on her journey. Without them, she may not be where she is today.

After explaining what NECC had done for her in her career, she went in depth on how life was for her before landing her first job, and how she ended up landing it.

Landing the job at Def Jam Records took a lot of perseverance and hard work that many people may not have had in her situation.

Garcia detailed how she regularly drove from Massachusetts down to New York and back so she could interview with these major music companies.

When she saw an opening, she made the trip down. She interviewed with RCA, Epic Records, Warner, Columbia Records, and more. So many companies, but yet she got rejected from the jobs every single time.

“I drove from MA to NY to do interviews and I constantly got denied. Rejection from interviews was my best friend at that point.”

Things were looking bleak for Garcia and she described how she was losing hope. Then she decided she’d drive down to New York one more time for an interview with a record company, and if she got rejected, she’d stop. The rejection was starting to get to her.

After the interview she had a lot of confidence, she believed she had killed the interview and certainly could secure the job.
But on her way home disaster struck for her. She got stuck in a snowstorm which she said turned out to mean “10 hours long stuck in highway traffic”.

“It felt like God was trying to tell me something, that this career just might not be for you.” Garcia said. And just a few days after the disastrous ride home, she got notified that she was once again rejected from the job.

She took a long break after that debacle, but months after she saw an opening at Def Jam records. Even with those past shortcomings she decided once again to interview and try to get the job. She worked as hard as she possibly could, she was determined to land her dream job as a publicist in the industry.

Her change in heart worked, and she secured the job at Def Jam Records. It took her a lot of trial and error and perseverance but ultimately she pushed through.

It was a huge relief to her and finally she could live her dream.

She worked for Def Jam for a while and now works for RCA records as a publicist. After detailing her crazy journey of how she reached her point, she showed the students some of the work she’s helped make and the process of creating it. She showed the students the process of creating a Grammy campaign as she helped create one for R&B singer Steve Lacy. The campaign included feature articles, magazine covers, having a number #1 song “Bad Habits” and more which all led to him winning a Grammy for Best Progressive R&B album.

After that, students took turns asking her questions about her career and tips to pursue their own path in the industry, as well as give answers for an assignment she gave them. The assignment included doing research on an artist of their choice and acting as a publicist for that artist.
Garcia left students with an inspiring story as well as some words of wisdom and tidbits that they can use to pursue their career.

Her life was an up and down path to get where she is and she knows some would have lost motivation if they were in her position.

“A lot of our lives do not look like a straight line, it’ll usually be a roller coaster for most of us,” she said.
Even so, she wants no one to quit. She wants everyone to give it their best and stresses the power of persistence, belief in yourself, and having a support system as well.

“The power of persistence, the power of seeing what you want to be and seeing your career, it will happen,” she said.

“It might not look the way you visualize it in your head, for some people you will have to work and work. The power of networking and building connections with others in your field helps greatly. You will build each other up”

 

Home Page News Bytes, News

‘Hot Topics’ event takes on ‘indoctrination’ in the classroom

 

Northern Essex faculty gathered for a Hot Topics event hosted by President Glenn on Monday, Feb. 27 to discuss ideological indoctrination in the classrooms of schools across the United States.

The Center for Professional Development welcomed administration and staff in room C209 to discuss ideology in the classroom and the current debate about students in schools across America, and the claim that they are being indoctrinated to swing one way or another. Faculty discussed Critical Race Theory, otherwise known as CRT, which has become a hot topic in states like Florida, which is home to possible presidential candidate, Governor Ron DeSantis.
Governor DeSantis is gaining popularity in headlines due to his aggressive attempts to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on college campuses.

As seen above, the Stop Woke Act was signed into law last year.

According to the Florida State Government website, this law “essentially prohibits instruction on race relations or diversity that imply a person’s status as either privileged or oppressed is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, national origin, or sex.

The bill also bans both schools and workplaces from subjecting any student or employee to training or instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individuals to believe specified concepts constitutes discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin.”

Educators voiced their approach in the classroom and were widely in agreement that fostering discussions that allow students of both sides of an issue to speak freely while maintaining respect for others was their top priority.

Some educators stated that they maintain a nonpartisan approach as they believe the discussion flows better without their opinion on an issue known.

Conversations then leaned towards racial equity. Northern Essex has also taken steps to better diversity and access to students of all backgrounds, which the Stop Woke Act works to dismantle.

Northern Essex Community College welcomed Francellis Quiñones in July of last year as the college’s first Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. “The college has invested in this position to address systemic racism, but before that was established, there were groups that were working on racial equity and ELL. Both groups examine policies and procedures that impact all students and look at what has given students disadvantages or barriers to their access and success” says Quiñones.

The conversation also addressed what the board of trustees and president are doing to better diversify staff.
Faculty does not often represent the students they interact with. Administration is making better strides to diversify the campus.

Dean of Academic Innovations and Professional Development, Marcy Yeager, echoed similar thoughts, “The takeaway really is there is no one solution or simple answer to this, and it’s something we all need to think about, individually and as an institution.”