On March 20, Northern Essex Community PACE TRIO program staff took some of their students on a double trip with the first visit at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, and then the second visit to the local Van Otis Chocolate store and factory. 

The Graduate and Transfer Admissions Specialist of Southern New Hampshire University, Timothy Camerato had hosted the NECC PACE TRIO group. 

The students were received with welcoming greetings and then given an informative walkthrough speech about the four-year colleges’ background, tuition, degrees and much more along with a power point presentation. 

“To be frank, I’ve always found that Northern Essex students are incredibly thoughtful and ask some of the best questions. The information session I give is actually built around questions I’ve received from Northern Essex students in past years. I also chatted with our tour guides after you left, and they had the nicest things to say. I personally think they enjoy talking with students who have some college background and are going through some of the same experiences — stressing over midterms, looking forward to spring break,” he said in an email interview with The Observer.

NECC PACE students enjoyed the tour of the over 300 acre university and some shared their thoughts about the school. 

“I would apply to go here. I like the facility, the dorms, the athletic center and facility that the athletic department has. I also like the fact that everything is close to each other. I like that the university includes a kitchen for students to use as much as they want,” said NECC PACE student Cristian Moscat. 

During the visit to the Van Otis chocolate factory, NECC PACE staff and students got a behind the scenes tour, demonstrations, and the experience of making a treat which was a rice crispy dipped in chocolate and decorated with toppings of choice.