All posts by Avery Hochheiser, Correspondent

Behind the scenes of the NECC Observer

May 6, 2022 Avery Hochheiser, Correspondent and Observer Staff

At Northern Essex Community College, journalism students have the chance to have their class stories featured in Northern Essex Community College’s own newspaper, The NECC Observer.

About every two weeks, Journalism students are asked to write a story about something happening at NECC.

If they are lucky, talented, and write a newsworthy story, they have the chance to get a feature.

The Observer is advised by Mary Jo Shafer, as she is also the instructor of the Journalism course. As she said over email The Observer is a student-run paper. This means that the students are the ones putting in the work,deciding what gets published, and are even writing stories for their own sections. This is something that makes The Observer such a special paper.

When asked through email what her role at The Observer is as Faculty Adviser, Shafer told me she mainly just advises, as it is a student run paper, but she does other jobs such as sending in stories to the editor-in-chief.

However, being that she is the instructor, she plays a large role in selecting the stories that are going to be published in The Observer. Her first step is reading through all of the stories that have been submitted to her. She then decides whichstories she will share with the student staff over at the Observer. “Ideally these would be the stories that are stronger candidates — well-written, newsworthy, accurate, with good quotes and sources. However, because there is a wide range of experience with journalism students, sometimes I do share stories that need help or editing,” she said over email. She then sends the stories out to the different editors, depending on what the editor is in charge of and what the story is about.

After this, it is up to the staff who get to decide which stories make it in.

However, things have changed since COVID happened. Before, with only 12-24 pages in the paper, less students were getting published. There just wasn’t enough room. But now with The Observer having an online platform, more and more students are getting the opportunity

Shafer said her biggest goal with The Observer is to be asstudent centered as possible. For her, this means students would choose and post all stories for the print edition.

Journalism student Cassidy Smith has become very fond of this program.

As she said in an interview, “I have always loved journalistic writing. Being able to have my work published in The Observer has really made me feel like a real journalist. Although I’m not sure if it’s what I want to be when I grow up, it does give me insight to what it is truly like. I think this is an amazing addition to the class.”

Smith says this gives her the real life experience she loves to see in class. To her, this makes the journalism class one of the best ones to take. Writing her stories, she feels like it is more a job than an assignment.

This year, the editor-in chief at The Observer is Jose Rodriguez, who also happens to be the sports editor.

This means that he goes to the sports games, home and on the road, writing what happens during the game as well as interviewing the athletes and coaches pre and post game.

He gets these stories into the paper by collecting the highlights of the games along with the quotes and putting them together into a story.

After he triple checks everything, the stories are ready to go.

Rodriguez said in an email that he chooses the stories of journalism students, after being sent them, by seeing if they are newsworthy and interesting. “We want stories that are worthy for NECC students like an event that is happening that could bring more audience to the event or even if it is something that happened in NECC recently that student didn’t make it and wanted to go.”

There are fewer stories in the print version of the paper, the best ones make it, but there are also many spaces in the online version if not.

So, if you are a journalism student writing newsworthy stories, you have the opportunity to get published.

If you have any interest in joining The Observer team, email Shafer at
mshafer@necc.mass.edu.

“It really is a great hands-on experience for those interested in journalism and they will be able to get clips/be published and learn valuable skills such as InDesign software, editing and website posting,
she said in an email.

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Are summer classes a good option?

April 20, 2022 Avery Hochheiser, Correspondent and Observer Staff

During the summer, NECC offers three different summer class sessions that allow students to take extra classes, some on their own time, and lighten their load in the normal school year. However, some students value their summer as time to get away from all classes.

The regular semesters at NECC are in the fall, winter, and there is even a winter intersession semester in between.

That being said, summer classes are available at NECC. There is a session from May to June, July to August, and a longer one that lasts May to August.

These summer classes are available asynchronous, in person, or online with meeting times. Some students love and utilize the summer courses, while others prefer to spend their summer away from the classroom.

Olivia Hansen enjoys the summer classes because she has more time in the summer, so she can focus more on her classes then in the normal school year.

Hansen is a biology major, so she has to take heavier courses like biology, chemistry, and calculus. She is constantly busy in the year with other classes, commitments, and events like chorus and piano. In the summer, besides her summer job at a summer camp, she has plenty of time on her hands to take classes that she couldn’t handle during the other semesters.

“In the summer I chose to take asynchronous classes that are harder, so I can allot more time to work on them. I found that if I spend just a little bit of my days doing school, I still have plenty of time to work and do fun summer things.”

A question posed to Hansen was “do you feel like classes take away from your summer?”

Hansen answered with no. She thinks that putting in just a little everyday makes for a light load. Without the full structure of school, just one or two classes a session doesn’t feel like too much for her. She also points out, for her at least, that taking summer classes helps ease the transition into the fall semester where there is a much heavier load. She is already in the routine of school by then, so she doesn’t get overwhelmed when the summer ends.

However, other students such as Cassidy Smith don’t choose to take summer classes because they want to spend their summer with school out of sight. Smith is a busy psychology major during the school year.

She spends her summer at her restaurant job for a little, but for the most part likes to relax, read, and enjoy the time off. “I could take classes in the summer if I wanted to, but I don’t want to add any stress to my summer. I enjoy having the time off to reset and relax after the crazy spring semester.”

This is a very understandable route to take; people cherish their summer, so why would they voluntarily “ruin” that with summer classes? When asked about her workload in the normal school year, Smith says she doesn’t mind having the extra class that she decided to take in the fam/spring instead of summer. At that point, she is immersed into the school environment, so adding another class doesn’t feel out of place like a summer class would.

Last but not least, there are students like Gianna Mckeown who have taking summer classes as their only option.

While Mckeown is not majoring in anything, she is still taking classes. As a dual enrollment student, her school year is busy enough as is with her high school classes on top of what she chooses to take at NECC.

But, being a 16 year old high school student without a license, she is unable to make many classes during the fall and spring semesters. Classes like chemistry labs are available in person only, which is new after COVID, during the high school hours.

Although she may not want to, to take the classes she needs, she needs to spend a few weekdays in the summer going to classes she couldn’t take at any other time without a license and in high school.

“It is frustrating that these labs aren’t offered online, but it is understandable because it is a truly hands-on class that would be best executed online. However, I do wish that these labs were offered later in the day in the school year. I would take them then.”

So for students like Mckeown, while not ideal, summer classes are the only option.

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What it means to be an honors student at NECC

April 1, 2022 Avery Hochheiser, Correspondent and Observer Staff

The Honors Program at Northern Essex Community College, run by Professor Ginger Hurajt, is a program put in place for NECC’s brightest and most motivated students.

Graduating with an Honors degree at NECC means you have taken Honors Seminar and completed two other Honors projects in other classes, alongside the high GPA and educational dedication. Students love being a part of this, or want to, and seem to join and enjoy it for a myriad of reasons.

April Richer is a student currently enrolled in Honors Seminar who has returned to her education after 20 years.

For her, her start in the Honors Program was with an email.

“Quite honestly NECC does an amazing job giving all students opportunities to be successful, to have a full and rewarding experience, to support those students who have a diverse amount of need. I experienced so many amazing opportunities in my academics, and I was encouraged by my professors to seize on many opportunities. It may have been the second email from the Honors Program that I looked harder at this (Honors Program) as an option.”

Richer even says how she wished she had taken the class sooner, but is still very grateful for this opportunity.

Another student says that Honors Seminar is the best course she has ever taken. “The reason that this course is the best is because we can choose our own topic, and on top of that we get to do an in depth research project. This keeps the class engaging and always enjoyable, it starts to not even feel like a class.”

She said she was required to do an interdisciplinary topic. She chose to study the ethics behind medical engineering. “It is the job I want in the future (genetic engineering). This class is preparing me for the rest of my life in a way no other class ever could.”

The research she has been doing has not felt like labor. She recommends joining the Honors Program to everyone she meets. It is hard work, but it becomes a lot easier when you are passionate about your topic.

Another student said she is not in the Honors Program, however she is heavily considering joining it. “I plan on applying to a four year college after I get my associates. I want to join the Honors Program to stand out on applications. I also hope to get experience in a class where a harder work ethic is needed to prepare for my future”.

She wants to study math and biology when she moves on. When asked about what she would do her project on, she said she would likely study the direct connection between the two: how math can be applied to the study of biology. She knows how competitive college admissions are, so anything that can make herself stand out. Not only that, but she also knows that four year college will be very hard for her if she is to study biology and math. This course will help her prepare for that work and know what to expect out of an average class. Given, of course, that Honors Seminar tends to be harder and more work than other NECC classes.

Finally, Nancy Evans, like Richer, got an email saying she was eligible for the Honors Program. After having a tough time in high school, she decided to make her comeback strong. “I emailed Ginger asking what it (the Honors Program)may be like, and she was helpful and reassuring. I decided to give it a go and was happily surprised”.

So far from her experience, the best thing is how small the classes are. It gives a really good personal feel with your professor and peers which helps in a class as intensive as seminar.

“I am glad I received the encouragement despite my past because this is an education experience that I am truly enjoying. I enjoy how individualized and personal the classes have felt. I am also interested to see what other Honors classes are in my future”. Evans’ story is moving, but she is also inspired by all the amazing work her peers are doing alongside her.

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Why are high school students choosing dual enrollment at NECC?

March 11, 2022 Avery Hochheiser, Correspondent and Observer Staff

High school students in Newburyport, and other local communities, are now taking dual enrollment classes at Northern Essex Community College, however, they all seem to be doing it for different reasons, paving the way for their future. Whether it is to prepare, save money, stand out, or explore interests, becoming a dual enrollment student has its benefits, with minimal downsides, they say.

Some students say their goal at NECC is to learn about their passions and further their understanding in different subjects.

Take Newburyport Junior, Olivia Hansen, as an example. Hansen is currently taking biology focused classes (she wants to major in biology at her four year college) laying the foundation for future education and interests.

“I wanted to take some biology classes at NECC because I thought that it would allow me to explore that subject a little more to make sure it is what I want to do with my future. As a high schooler, I was also able to go beyond the classes my school offered and learn about something that interests me.” NECC offers courses that Newburyport High doesn’t.

Hansen is currently enrolled in classes like marine biology and general ecology, something she can’t take in high school. She is currently looking to major in biology on the pre-med track in college, where she can hopefully transfer her NECC credits.

Other students, such as Newburyport Junior Cassidy Smith, are enrolled in the dual enrollment program to earn their associate’s degree before her high school graduation. Smith, pursuing nursing school, wants to gain credits now, and save money on her future classes. “I wanted to get my associate’s degree so I would have a notch under my belt for hopefully getting into a good nursing program. I also want to save money; community college credits are much cheaper and more affordable, but I am still getting an education.”

By earning her degree before her high school graduation, Smith will stand out to four year colleges for her extra efforts in her studies. Based on their website, NECC credits, on average, cost $245, whereas other colleges on average cost $636, said Education Data.

Smith, as well as other dual enrollment students are getting certain credits done at NECC, saving them tons of money in their future educational careers.

Finally, Junior Gianna Mckeown is taking NECC classes to see what she is interested in, and what she might like to major in when she goes to a four year college. Mckeown said she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do in college or what she was interested in, so she is using the dual enrollment program to find out. “I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. I am testing out classes at NECC, so I can see if there is anything I am interested in. This semester I am taking an accounting class. I am really interested in it. I might consider it as a career path now that I have had a chance to explore it.”

Mckeown has a busy schedule at her high school, leaving her with little time to explore her interests in the school day. Taking asynchronous classes, such as accounting, has allowed her to have time and means to learn about new areas on her own time.

Becoming a dual enrollment student, for all its perks, has very limited cons, these students say.

According to Hansen, Smith, and Mckeown, the only con of being a dual enrollment student is that it brings extra work on top of their average school load.

However, the girls are clearly very motivated and passionate about their education, making it all worth it. Early college is a program where high schoolers get to go above and beyond.

These girls, along with many others, have taken advantage of this program, advancing their educational careers. The consensus amongst the three was that early college is the way to go; it saves money, time, allows for exploration, standing out, and many other advantages.

As Hansen said, “becoming a dual enrollment student was the best decision I have ever made in my academic career.”

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Why are high school students choosing to become dual enrollment students at NECC?

February 18, 2022 Avery Hochheiser, Correspondent and Observer Staff

High School Students in Newburyport are now taking dual enrollment classes at Northern Essex Community College, however, they all seem to be doing it for different reasons, paving the way for their future. Whether it is to prepare, save money, stand out, or explore interests, becoming a dual enrollment student has its benefits, with minimal downsides, they say.

Some students say their goal at NECC is to learn about their passions and further their understanding in different subjects. Take Newburyport Junior, Olivia Hansen, as an example. Hansen is currently taking biology focused classes (she wants to major in biology at her four year college) laying the foundation for future education and interests.

Smith, as well as other dual enrollment students are getting certain credits done at NECC, saving them tons of money in their future educational careers.

Becoming a dual enrollment student, for all its perks, has very limited cons, these students say. According to Hansen, Smith, and Mckeown, the only con of being a dual enrollment student is that it brings extra work on top of their average school load.