A free speech forum for students by students

Northern Essex Community College’s annual Speechapalooza was held April 23, 2019. The event ran from 12:30 to 2:30 in Lecture Hall A and it was fully stocked with free pizza, snacks and water. Since its debut in 2015, this event celebrates student speakers involved in Public Speaking or Public Presentation-intensive classes, giving speeches about a variety of topics to a wide audience. Speechapalooza was created and sponsored by NECC’s Liberal Arts: Communications/Journalism Program and continues to be organized by students enrolled in Principles of Public Relations (COM113). Observer Arts and Entertainment Editor Deidre Grant is one student in the PR class that has had the opportunity to be involved with Speechapalooza. She was one of two MC’s and promoted the event through her Twitter account as well as creating a montage video. “Speechapalooza went really well, I believe this was the best (one) so far. As an MC I was able to encourage the audience to use #speechapalooza on twitter.” says Grant.

This year is the second time Grant has participated in Speechapalooza. Last year she had given a speech about her YouTube channel “Deidre Darling” in which she creates makeup tutorials and reviews makeup products. As of now she currently has 170 subscribers. Grant also won the best tweet contest and got a $25 visa gift card. Principles of Public Relations is taught in the spring semester by Professor Amy Callahan, program chair of communications. Its purpose is to introduce students to the role, processes, and practices of the field of public relations. It explores the development and contemporary impact of the academic and professional field in all its forms. Students are taught how the profession is practiced today in governmental, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, and the impact public relations has in the mass media. 

Speechapalooza is meant to give its PR students the opportunity to exercise the knowledge they acquired throughout the semester. “The communication program has made me find what I love which is writing and broadcast journalism. I wasn’t sure what I wanted but I’m glad I chose to be a part of the communication program.” says Grant. From tips on how to travel on a budget to pitching a movie idea, students are free to present on a topic that they are passionate about. For Liberal Arts student Anthony Adams, he had made a speech on “Your Moment of Zen” where he gave advice on how to achieve zen, providing personal anecdotes. “I had read the book ‘Zen Flesh, Zen Bones’ and I fell in love with it. I decided that I would give a persuasive speech about it in my Public Speaking class with Reese Charest. I believe that even without the religion aspects of it, there are many good things about zen, it brings joy to people.” says Adams.

Along with delivering speeches, Speechapalooza raffles off prizes to audience members. This year’s prizes were gift cards to Lexie’s Restaurant, Dunkin’ Donuts, Whole Foods Market, and a $25 visa gift card for best tweet.  Social Media plays a large in role in promoting Speechapalooza; PR students used their own accounts to broadcast the event and encourage free speech. Throughout the course of the event, the audience is encouraged to make tweets tagging the event #speechapalooza. Then at the end of the event, the MC’s and audience decide on which tweet is the best. Some other students who presented at Speechapalooza were Nurilys Cintron who got things started by showing a video of their ‘Semester at Sea’ from 2015. Cintron gave a speech about their travels and how you too can travel the world on a budget, highlighting some common spending habits among college students and a how-to on prioritizing spending.

Kerry Malloy presented with “How to be Happier.” In it she presented on how she keeps her happiness bar full by appreciating every moment of life, as well as giving personal insight on the things that keep her happy.  Observer editor-in-chief Brennan Cooney with his speech “Vital Masculinity” challenged our notion of what we believe to be masculinity and how the phrase “toxic masculinity” is harmful to men. “… we need to stop lecturing boys as though they were bullies that need to be reformed, and instead teach them to stand up for persons weaker than themselves,” he said. William Robert Tapley presented the audience with “The Climate Change Solution.” He changed the attitude in the room immediately when the audience burst into laughter at his suggestion to cut down the population by killing everyone named “Bill” with the hashtag #killthebills.

Emir Alagoz’s speech was an informative look at Turkish media mogul Acun Ilicali who rose to fame and fortune only after humble beginnings and several hardships. Alagoz, a proud Istanbul, Turkey native also used a moment to draw attention to Amy Callahan and ask for a special applause, crediting her with getting him in front of a crowd speaking “broken English,” said Alogoz.  Jocelyn Avila’s speech “Minorities in Media” drew attention to the lack of representation of Latinx individuals in the media. Avila’s speech was a heartfelt look at how underrepresentation harms POC and how constantly not seeing people like her in the media made her feel like she had to change her appearance to fit in.  Sean Curtis’s speech “Start Your YouTube Channel Today” also encouraged the audience to start their own channels but for a different reason. Curtis loves playing video games and he said gaming reminds him of spending time with his grandmother. Curtis asks the audience if they have interests that are hard to explain to family or friends, several hands rise, and he encouraged them too, to start a channel.

Aallyhia Cruz used her speech “Arichella x Beychella” to discuss the performances of Ariana Grande and Beyoncé at Coachella. Cruz did her research and supplied an in-depth look at both women’s performances and the struggles that they each faced around their performances.  The final speech, a film pitch by Jon Holewinski had the audience in stitches as he weaved a movie together complete with potential actors and even plans for a sequel. Holewinski’s speech was animated and entertaining as he acted out several scenes in the future film along with voices of his characters like Ray Warpzone played by Channing Tatum and Mrs. Applesmile played by Halle Berry. Holewinski assured the audience that “with the star studded cast it’ll pay for itself in the first week,” he said. His last slide is an image of Uncle Sam that says, “I Want You to pay for it please.”

Photos by Aaron Lehner

Student Government connects with community through video games

The Student Government Association (SGA) holds ‘Gaming with the Government’ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday in the Student Success Center (SC213).  Students and faculty are invited to join the student government in a variety of different video games.  SGA President Matthew Day, Architecture and Engineering major, says that the idea of having a video game club on campus had been in his head for a while before GG was launched.  “We had a projector screen to host [government] meetings, but we realized quickly the room was too small to hold our members in. One day we were reorganizing the room and stumbled upon the projector and I thought that we should keep it. I then thought to myself, ‘Why not hook up my Xbox or Switch?’ so I bought a VGA and HDMI cable and they both worked,” says Day.

Soon this began to attract students from outside the SGA room.  They were able to see him and other members playing whatever video game Day had brought through the window, and he realized the potential this could have for SGA and the rest of the student body.  “The idea of combining video games and student advocacy has been a great accomplishment. I believe that it is a better way for SGA to interact and advocate for the students of NECC,” says Day. According to the NECC website, the Student Government helps identify and address student concerns and brings them up to the appropriate senior administrators as necessary.

“The idea of combining video games and student advocacy has been a great accomplishment. I believe that it is a better way for SGA to interact and advocate for the students of NECC.”

– Matthew Day, SGA President

Being a part of SGA help to build leadership and communication skills, but most importantly to build a strong community.  Sofia Fedele, Mathematics and Education major, was inspired to try and join SGA after attending GG. “I’m not much of a gamer but I’m having lots of fun. It’s a great, inclusive environment,” says Fedele. The most popular game in GG by far is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch. The fifth installment to the SSB franchise, players can compete with one another using a variety of characters from different Nintendo games and battle one another in a large arena. With Ultimate, up to eight players can compete at the same time and also engage in online battles.  “I thank Ricardo Rivera for helping us get connected online so that we could expand ourselves and play online,” says Day. In the past the student government has played Mario Kart, the Halo collection, Call of Duty, and more. Day encourages students to bring in their own games to play.

“I want to play games that others want to. They are more than welcome to bring and share whatever they want because in essence, it is about them.” says Day. Some games that he would like to play in the future are Quiplash, Cards Against Humanity, and Uno. Students that have attended GG also gave their input for other games that they could play. Garrett Henningson suggested Uncharted, Just Cause 3, and Grand Theft Auto.  Troy D’Angelo- Lombari suggested more card games such as Cardfight Vanguard, with others backing up this suggestion with Yugioh or Magic: The Gathering. With the increasing popularity of online gaming, NECC has gone through an official funding process to start including E-Sports into campus life. This would allow gaming students to play more competitively with each other, and possibly with other schools.  “E-Sports is affordable to the college, and also a great way to attract incoming students. But I would like to keep GG for a more casual gaming environment,” says Day.

Along with playing more games, Day hopes to expand GG by hosting in different areas of the NECC campus so that they are not confined to just within the SGA headquarters; the Sports and Fitness Building for example. “The only problem would be the limitation of materials like getting a TV, controllers, consoles, etc. because I mostly bring in my own stuff. But I do believe that it is possible. SGA is all about creating a community after all,” says Day.

Student Life hosts series of events to spur dialogue about social issues

The Student Life Department held its first event of Courageous Conversations on Feb 20 at the Riverwalk Campus to celebrate World Day of Social Justice.  Courageous Conversations is a three part event taking place throughout the spring semester led by Stephanie Haskell, coordinator of social justice and student leadership.  Students can sit down and start a conversation about anything regarding the awareness subject, in this case being social justice. “Courageous conversations is an invitation for (students) to say whatever (they) want to say about any sort of problem. I would best describe it as a ‘one voice, all ears’ scenario, and it is an opportunity for me to say ‘please excuse my ignorance,’” says Haskell

One of the most important things to consider is the meaning of social justice, she says.  Haskell says each student interviewed gave a different response to what they think it means.  For Haskell, social justice is about the feeling of security a person has in being included and acknowledged in society.  “My goal is to make everyone feel included because everyone contributes to society. People need to look at life, community needs to be open and accepting, says Haskell. Social justice is a staple in higher education with many colleges making great effort to include students of all identities.

Connie Bodemer, Deaf Studies major, says that by working with Student Life as a New Student Advocate (NSA), she has had the opportunity to listen to the other voices of the student body. She has also given a voice to the deaf community by being a representative through Student Life. “The deaf and hard of hearing community is often misrepresented, and there are many misconceptions about it. People feel bad when a person can’t hear and pity them, but I know there are so many clubs and organizations to help. They live their lives just like any other person, the community is very tight knit,” says Bodemer.

Bodemer is an active member of the American Sign Language Club, and helps to raise awareness to make people who are deaf more included on campus as she continues her training to become a sign language interpreter. There are many clubs and activities that are designed to educate students and faculty about campus diversity at NECC.  The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is one such club. According to club president, Colby Patrie, the club strives to, “…bring acceptance, educate, give support, advocate for the queer community and its allies regardless of gender and sexuality.”

Between discussing problems that the LGBTQ community face on a regular basis and teaching queer history, the GSA is another community that gives students a voice in social issues.  On Feb 13, the GSA made a presentation celebrating Black History Month by showing African-American historical figures who were also in the LBGTQ community. While being interviewed, Haskell also mentioned the NECC institute accreditation for being a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).  Northern Essex was the first certified HSI in New England.  Federal institutes must have at least 25 percent  Hispanic enrollment rate to be eligible for HSI.

According to Community and International Relations director, Analuz Garcia, Northern Essex has approximately 48 percent enrollment rate of Hispanic and Latinx students. “Hopefully (Courageous Conversations) can be a long term thing that spreads to other departments besides student life.” says Haskell. “You can definitely broaden people’s perspectives with Courageous Conversations. No matter where I go, people are going to say things about deaf people that I know is wrong. The same thing can be applied to any minority,” says Bodemer.

The upcoming events for Courageous Conversations are Gender Equality Month on March 14 on Haverhill Campus 11:00-1:30, Sexual Harassment Awareness Month on April 18 at Riverwalk and Lawrence 11:00am-1:30pm.  For more information about upcoming events, you can contact Stephanie Haskell in SC215 at (978) 556-3279 or shaskell@necc.mass.edu.

The Gender & Sexuality Alliance present crucial lost history to NECC

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was celebrated on Sunday, Jan 27 this year, commemorating those who lost their lives during the Holocaust in World War II.  This year the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club at NECC presented their own take on this with the LGBTQ Holocaust Remembrance on Wednesday Feb 6. The GSA meets every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room C104.

“GSA strives to bring acceptance, educate, give support, advocate for the queer community and its allies regardless of gender and sexuality. [It is] a safe

and progressive space.” says GSA President Colby Patrie. Patrie has been the president of the club for three years, and does many of the presentations covering a wide variety of LGBTQ subjects. This time he covered the history of the LGBTQ community in World War II and how they faced ridicule, prejudice, and imprisonment by the Nazi Party.

The erasure of LGBTQ culture began in Berlin in 1933 where the Institute of Sexology, founded by Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935), was attacked by Nazi Youth and about 20,000 books and journals were destroyed, as well as 5,000 photos. With the revision of Paragraph 175 of the German Criminal Code that made homosexual encounters between men illegal, this made the LGBTQ community extremely vulnerable.

The persecution of homosexuals began with the murder of Ernst Röhm (1887-1934). He was a close friend to Adolf Hitler and was openly gay. However there were rumors being spread about them that they were gay, and that Rohm was attempting to overthrow Hitler. Röhm was described as a “hard macho” gay and despised the effeminate gays. After he was killed, Hitler used Röhm’s sexuality as justification to send homosexuals to concentration camps. Also because they could not reproduce, gay men were seen against the plan to create a “master race.”

Between 1935 and 1945 an estimated 100,000 homosexual men were arrested. Between 5,000 and 15,000 were confined to concentration camps after about 50,000 were convicted and sent to prisons. Homosexuals were identified with a pink triangle on their uniforms.

Until 2002, homosexual concentration camp prisoners were not recognized as victims; they were put on sex offender lists just for their sexual orientation. An apology was addressed that year by the German government. Since then there have been memorials placed around the world honoring the homosexuals who lost their lives in the Holocaust. There have been memoirs and plays written by survivors such as “Bent” by Martin Sherman. The documentary “Paragraph 175” shows historian Klaus Müller interviewing several survivors of the persecution of homosexuals.

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“Every student comes into college knowing what the holocaust was, and having a general idea that it included persecution and genocide of Jewish people….but few are aware that other groups were included in this genocide, including LGBTQ people.”
– Kristi Arford

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“I wanted to educate people that the Holocaust wasn’t just about Jewish people; gays were also persecuted even after the liberation and not many people know that. I didn’t even know they were a part of it until a few years ago,” says Patrie.

Throughout the presentation, students reported that when learning about the Holocaust in high school or before, they were not aware that the Nazis also imprisoned people in the LGBTQ community. “In sophomore year of high school I learned in depth about concentration camps, but I didn’t know it affected anyone [else] besides the Jews.” says Kaily Burke, a student and member of GSA.

So what could this mean about the way history and the LGBTQ community have been represented? A large part of it could be blamed on historical censorship. The students at the presentation discussed and agreed that the education system in the United States has actively deterred its students from learning about anything LGBTQ related, its history, and figures. The saying, “History is written by the winners” here is no cliche, as today’s internet uncovers the obscure facts that the victors tried to erase. Kristi Arford, Anthropology Professor and GSA Adviser, said that during college in the 1990’s was when she learned that the LGBTQ community were victims in the Holocaust.

“I think the lack of awareness [seen] at the Holocaust presentation clearly indicates a need for high schools and colleges incorporate these topics into the curriculum! Every student comes into college knowing what the Holocaust was, and having a general idea that it included persecution and genocide of Jewish people….but few are aware that other groups were included in this genocide, including LGBTQ people,” says Arford.

From speculation of historical figures to analyzing documents and stories, this topic alone could have its own article. Arford says that the main trouble with spreading this information is the lack of attendance in these kind of presentations. “I think it’s important for faculty to encourage students to attend these presentations. Often requiring students to go and/or offering incentives like bonus points is the only way to actually get students to attend, unfortunately. Hopefully we faculty can work together to find ways to encourage greater attendance to these events, or even to incorporate these topics into our courses!” says Arford.

The GSA has other events planned within the month to present more topics within the LGBTQ community. Their next presentation is about self love. Topics such as accepting oneself, how to watch out for red flags in a relationship, and open discussion about what people like about each other what they would want to change will be addressed.

There will also be a presentation about Queer Black History at the end of February to celebrate Black History Month.

For more information about the GSA and its events, you can contact club advisers Kristi Arford (karford@necc.mass.edu) or Lisette Espinoza (lespinoza@necc.mass.edu).

There and back again … A fresh start to the new year and semester

The start of the new semester can be a time of difficulty for students both old and new; what with having to adjust to new schedules, new classes, or not seeing the friends you used to. But at the beginning of every semester, the Student Life Department puts together Welcome Week.

Welcome Week is done in the fall and in the spring, and is a vital time to reach new and returning students to teach them about the college, introduce any new additions or changes, and to help them connect to their peers, faculty, and staff.

“I vision welcome week to be packed with events and activities hosted at various times of the day and evening by all different offices and departments that allow students to have fun, learn, and connect with others. It is important to me that students feel included and have a sense of belonging while attending NECC.” says Stephanie Haskell, Coordinator of Student Activities.

Haskell was hired this spring as the new Coordinator of Activities and Leadership and Social Justice Initiatives. She has only been at the college since last fall, but is still determined to make Welcome Week the best it can be. Haskell says that the benefits of it seem endless.

“My goal is that every student that attends NECC makes friends on campus and has at least one faculty or staff member that they like and trust and that they can go to whenever they need.” says Haskell.

Faculty and staff are crucial for giving information and making connections, but the student workers are also just as important. The Student Life Department is home to the New Student Advocates (NSA), a group of students that are employed by NECC to be a guiding spirit and resource to the new students on campus. For a student such as Susan Pesaturo, a Sleep Technology major and NSA, it is important for students to know that there are people like them who want to help them.

“I am an older student who returned to college after many years so I may be an example of students who have had previous careers and are here at NECC for a change of careers or additional education. But I think I can be a good resource to all students, especially now that I have been an NSA over eight months.” says Pesaturo.

“NECC is structured to provide many resources for students to give them every opportunity to succeed not only in a class but in their entire time at NECC and beyond.”
– Susan Pesaturo, New Student Advcate

The NSAs can be any place on campus to support the activities of Student Life.  They participate in planning and working events, orientations, farmers market, special events, reaching out and as a resource to students. Haskell believes that creating a relationship between mentor and student is beneficial but only if a relationship is built upon trust, expectations, and understanding.

“For staff and faculty that supervise students it can be a lot of extra work, especially if the students have never had a job before, or if students get too comfortable and slack off, or take a lot time to do a task that should not take long.” says Haskell.

“NECC is structured to provide many resources for student give them every opportunity to succeed not only in a class but in their entire time at NECC and beyond.” says Pesaturo. The Student Life Department is currently hiring for both NSAs and Work Study positions. The requirements for both include attendance of NECC for one year, a 2.5 GPA, strong communication skills, and a passion for the school.

Haskell says that by being apart of Student Life, students can gain job experience, work as a team, network, and be able to use their own experiences to aid others. “I learn a lot from Work Study and NSA’s in Student Life and I appreciate that they are [also] willing to help me.” she says. For more information about the Student Life positions, you can contact Stephanie Haskell in SC215 at (978) 556-3279 or shaskell@necc.mass.edu.

Editor’s Note: Aaron Lehner is a New Student Advocate at NECC.

Could the Arts & Design major disappear from campus?

With budget cuts to public institutions occuring in the past few years, arts programs all over the nation have been the first to suffer. According to a professor of NECC, The Arts & Design program has approximately 111 students enrolled. With the removal of the Theater and Dance majors, this has left students of the art and design program concerned. Which raises the question of could this program be cut in the future?

Professor Bryan Ward has been teaching Art & Design at NECC since 1999, and has been an integral part in helping develop to program throughout the years. “NECC is the only school in the area that offers photography, video, and graphic design at an affordable rate.” says Ward. “Lawrence and Haverhill are booming art communities, but they need someplace to go if students decide to study [arts] academically.” According to Ward, the Arts and Design major takes up about 15% of the student body, and rose by 7% this year. “It saddens me to see what we have rebuilt over the years being dismantled.”

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“It saddens me to see what we have rebuilt over the years being dismantled.”

– Bryan “Biff” Ward

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Many students are required to take an arts class to complete their majors, whether they are art majors or they need to fill out an elective. According to art students, there are less art classes being offered to them at a less consistent rate. Classes may be offered once a year or be dropped altogether, causing change to required classes to complete the major. It is then they are forced to take alternative classes to fulfill credits that they oftentimes don’t need for transfer.

“I think that art classes should be open to anyone who wants to take them. You need a well-rounded education, and you never know where people’s ideas can come from to benefit the future.” says Michael Penta, a Computer and Information Science Professor.

“The options that students have [here] is limited and it makes no sense.” says Reniel Fanini, an Arts & Design major. Fanini intends to utilize his degree at NECC to become an architect. However he has found that since starting, the faculty is pushing him to continue his education at Northern Vermont University. “My professor asked me if I wanted to do a partnership with NVU which is pushing Graphic Design onto other art students. That is not what I want to do.”

“Vermont is going to find a way to cater to the students here.” says Penta.

“Students save money by studying arts at NECC because they cannot afford to go to universities. There is also the issue of commuting for students who don’t have a car. Schools like Middlesex Community College is really far for a lot of people.” says Ariana Caraballo- Sanchez, another Arts & Design Major.

Within the past few years Lawrence and Haverhill has had what can be described as an “art renaissance”. Community organizations, such as Elevated Thought in Lawrence, cater to children and teenagers in the area promoting social justice, beautification projects, and more. They have made several appearances at NECC, promoting their work to students to inspire them.

“Programs like Elevated Thought show that there is an art community within lower class areas.” says Ward.

Throughout the entire month of November, the arts room in the library held a photography showcase for photographer Lloyd Ziff who has worked with several newspapers and magazines such as Rolling Stone.

However for many students this news has seemed to fly right by them. Ziff’s photography showcase was advertised on the electric board at the main entrance of the campus. There were also press releases and emails sent out across the school, and even the NECC Observer did a coverage. Despite all of that, it did not get people’s attention.

“If my professor Mark Mannheimer hadn’t told me about Ziff, I wouldn’t have known about him.” says Luke Lustenberger an Arts & Design major. “The school relies on its students to advertise these things, and the events usually take place a weird day when there’s not that many students on campus.”

“I think the school needs to start getting more involved with high school students to promote their arts programs, that is the best way they can gain future NECC students.” says Carabello- Sanchez.  “Lots of our students in the past have gotten into top schools around the nation. One student even got a job with Reebok.” says Ward.  Ward has created an instagram page profiling current students and alumni work. Within the first week of its creation, it had garnered more than 270 followers. “The page is linked with the Essex community, art organizations, and professors at other colleges. People see it, and they know that we are active.” says Ward.  To follow and support the Arts & Design program, you can follow them on Instagram @neccartdesign.

Nathan Miller embraces role as student advocate

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. 

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.”