In a tradition that began in 2011, the Respiratory Care Club held a bake sale honoring National Respiratory Care Week at NECC’s Lawrence campus. The event not only succeeded in pleasing one’s sweet tooth, but also served as a crucial platform to educate and raise awareness about respiratory health.

National Respiratory Care Week was established by former President Ronald Reagan in 1982, and to this day serves as a testament to respiratory care professionals’ contributions to the field. On its fifth anniversary Reagan delivered a speech acknowledging the evolution of life-saving technology and the dedicated workers who have transformed the field, commenting on how their contributions have revolutionized the health care system. He praised the recent advances, saying how progress “from the amazing capabilities of the first iron lungs to today’s use of computerized ventilators” have allowed health care workers in the field to “perform miracles,” Reagan said in a speech in 1987.

Since its inception, the bake sale has drawn inspiration from the movement started by Reagan and has continuously proven to be a success. With an array of sweet treats, the event draws in many people through word of mouth and curious interest. Funds raised go towards supporting the club’s pinning ceremony, raising their collective morale as they educate the public on a heavy topic.

Jomayra Orona, 27, Respiratory Care major at NECC and Respiratory Care club member, emphasized the importance of raising awareness, saying “respiratory care is not one of the first things people think about when it comes to health care; we want to change that.” The bake sale wasn’t just a showcase of sweet baked goods, but an interactive experience designed to illuminate the complexities of respiratory health. At the entrance of the main lobby, a large display was presented: two real pig lungs – one a healthy shade of pink, the other blue and disease ridden. Connected to the lungs was a machine simulating the motion of breath, demonstrating the stark contrast between the two and serving as a poignant visual of the impact of respiratory diseases. Jennifer Jackson, Professor and Program Director of Respiratory Care, watched her students expertly navigate the exhibit, demonstrating their enthusiasm and knowledge, saying “you won’t find people more passionate about a cause.”

The club members’ commitment to raising awareness about respiratory health was apparent, as Orona also took the opportunity to address a growing concern in respiratory health: vaping. She said, “Vaping is worse than smoking cigarettes. It introduces a lot of different chemicals into your lungs, like formaldehyde. That’s not to say smoking is good; it’s just the lesser of two evils.” Her assessment underscores the urgency of educating the public, especially the youth, about the risks of vaping. Through immersive exhibits and educational conversations, the club members brought the words of Reagan to life, affirming that “technology and human compassion continue to work miracles” (Reagan, AARC 30^th Anniversary Speech, 1987) in respiratory care.

For further information and news on Respiratory Care, visit AARC.org

On Friday Sept. 29, students from the PACE/TRIO programs went on a field trip and toured UMASS Lowell’s North and East campuses. Since Northern Essex Community College has a joint admissions agreement with  UMass Lowell, the partnership between the two schools is most beneficial when students are looking forward to continuing their education after a 2-year college. 

The purpose of the trip was to educate the students on the services that UMass Lowell provides to students that want to transfer. 

Students, along with the PACE staff, Transfer Adviser Jessica Rocker, Data Specialist Christine Carbone and Academic Adviser Esther Peralta left that day from the Haverhill campus enroute to the Lawrence campus to pick up students there. Upon arrival, the day began at the office of undergraduate admissions and there the students met up with a UMass Lowell nursing student who was the tour guide.

 After getting the students signed in, the tour started by walking over to the North Campus where the students visited the Saab Emerging Technology & Innovation Center, home to different academic departments and programs. UMass Lowell’s North campus’ academic programs are majors in the areas of engineering, math, science and business management. As a nationally ranked research university UMass Lowell is also home to a nuclear engineering program. On the tour, the students were able to see from a distance where the innovative nuclear engineering program does its research with the uses of nuclear energy in the advancement of clean energy. It was surprising to learn that UMass Lowell had such an outstanding program that takes part in developing new technology and taking the lead in innovation. 

Also, on the North campus the students were able to see a newly built state-of-the-art science laboratory. The laboratory not only aids but assists the students in staying on top and at the forefront of discovery in breakthroughs in science.

There were many students in the halls of UMass as students were let out of their classes and went to the next class. PACE/TRIO students learned some of the history behind UMass Lowell too. Much of the tour consisted of students being informed, looking at what the school looked like and seeing firsthand the day-to-day operations of the school as classes were in session. 

The UMass Lowell campus offers a variety of well-known franchises, which are Starbucks, Subway and Einstein Bros. Bagels in various locations on campus.

Although it was a cold and rainy day, the spirits of the students were high for having the opportunity of taking part in the tour. The tour ended with PACE/TRIO students and staff having lunch in the East campus’ dining hall of the school. 

After lunch, the students met with Barbara Lang, assistant director of transfer admissions for undergraduates. Lang explained the process and pathway needed to make the transition to UMass Lowell. She gave an easy breakdown of what transferring to  UMass Lowell would consist of. She gave an overview of tuition costs and how transfer students would benefit from scholarships and having a good academic standing. 

Lang  also introduced us to a new program that the school is offering students called TAP, which stands for Transfer Alliance Program. The program is designed to help transfer students make their transition easy by meeting and making friends with other first semester transfer students.  

In doing so the program hopes to make strong peer alliances, have access to networking and connect with resources and services on campus. 

After speaking Lang allowed the students to ask questions. She answered questions and helped the students to understand the transfer process. Before leaving  UMassLowell, Lang provided each student with an information packet that included a transfer guide that would help aid the students in their decision.

UMass Lowell has over 120 majors and has many student clubs to choose from. UMass Lowell is now having fall open house through Nov. 18. If you cannot make the open house, you can always sign up for a tour at uml.edu/tours. If are not able to go on a tour but are interested in transferring, go to transfer@uml.edu

Pride and representation for the LGBTQ+ community has become an increasingly important issue in our country. There are many laws currently being proposed nationwide that put members of the community at serious risk. 

At Northern Essex Community College, the GSA, or Gender and Sexuality Alliance, according to the “Clubs & Organizations’’ page on the NECC website, “provides an environment for students inside and outside of the LGBTAI+ community to be comfortable in their identity, have insightful conversations, and find peace in a truly accepting community.”

Cheryl Wilson, a disability services specialist at NECC’s Center for Accessibility, is currently in her second year of being the adviser of the GSA. 

“It’s an important club that couldn’t not happen,” Wilson said. 

Wilson acknowledges the many LGBTQ+ students at Northern Essex, hoping they will be able to find the club. 

When asked if she feels the community is well represented on campus, Wilson shares that “the heart is in the right place.” 

Wilson has concerns regarding the current social climate right now, saying “it’s extremely important that everyone feels safe here.”

Wilson is not the only person that emphasizes the importance of a club like the GSA on campus. 

Colby Patrie is an art and psychology major at NECC, as well as a longtime member of the GSA. 

“It’s just something I always did,” Patrie says when asked what inspired him to join the club. 

He further shares that he had a part in creating the GSA at his high school. 

To Patrie, the importance of pride in a college setting is in the ability to feel safe within one’s surroundings, as well as “talking about (pride) as if it’s a normal conversation, because it is.” 

To Dakota Iversen, a liberal arts and psychology major, as well as a longtime member of the GSA, “coming to college and being able to see that you’re welcomed here makes college a far more pleasant experience.” 

Iversen talks openly about the safe space that the GSA created for her, stating that “last year (she) was still in the closet entirely.” 

This experience slightly parallels that of business transfer major Lirianni German, a new member of the club, who “decided to join GSA to at least try to find people that (she’s) kind of like.” 

“It taught me to be proud of what I am, and not to change,” German says when asked about the impact that GSA has had on her over such a short period of time.

Allyship, as defined by Center for Creative Leadership, is “actions, behaviors, and practices that leaders take to support, amplify, and advocate with others, most especially with individuals who don’t belong to the same social identities as themselves.” 

The question “What can people who are not part of the communities do now to be better allies?” was met with varying reactions, including a “what a doozy,” from Iversen. 

“Learn from (LGBTQ+ people’s) experiences,” she expands. 

“Allyship is in actions and taking steps to educate yourself, being aware of rights and laws that are currently going on,” says Patrie, who also promotes the use of more inclusive language when discussing trying topics in the community. 

Wilson speaks on the importance of supportive faculty and staff, saying that she “would love to see safe space stickers around campus and in classrooms, but only if they’re actually a safe space.” Wilson recognizes the fact that it would be harmful for non-inclusive spaces to have stickers that promote a positive environment.

GSA is doing more than just discussing the importance of their club. 

They had a widely successful table at the U-Knighted Fair at NECC’s Haverhill campus, during which they gave away various pins, stickers and resources for useful and educational information. 

They have also been discussing opportunities for different events that the club could host, including possible performances from queer artists at NECC.

The GSA meets on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in C210. 

For more information about the club contact Faculty Adviser Cheryl Wilson, cwilson@necc.mass.edu.