All posts by Observer Staff

Sports

Volker toses a no hitter on Game 1 against Central Maine

and  

NECC Knights visited Central Maine Community College for a noon start time in Auburn, Maine, for game one of the doubleheader.

The Knights defeated the Mustangs 10-0. Central Maine’s record was 21-6 heading into the game while NECC Knights were 10-2 and undefeated on the road games 5-0. Double headers are seven innings as opposed to the normal 9 innings.

Chris Bear of Boston went to first with one out it was a dropped third strike. Nicholas White of Townsend reached first on an error. Bear and White had a double steal with one out that gave an opportunity for Jared Coppola of Lynn to rip the ball in between shortstop and third for a 2 RBI single.

Coppola stole second but the Knights left him stranded. Jayden Volker of Coventry, R.I., was on the mound for the Knights. He gave up a walk to Jimmy Reed of Skowhegan, Maine, to lead off the game. Reed stole second. Jake Arel of Auburn, Maine, walked. Stefan Lesco of Sommers, Conn., hit a ground ball to shortstop Coppola who threw a strike to Ryan Brown of Haverhill to get out Reed at the plate. Caden Truman of Norway, Maine, walked to load the bases.

Volker caught the ball and threw it home for the second out and Volker struck out Caleb Valliere of Sabattus, Maine, to escape out of trouble and Maine did not score.

Volker had a shaky start in the first inning but he settled in as the game progressed.

“Not to make excuses but there is no bullpen here so he wasn’t able to throw anything of the mound until the start of the game you know it’s tough pitchers are rhythm you know… but what I like is that he worked himself out of every jam,” Coach Jeff Mejia said after the game.

Lucas Berube of Dighton got hit by a pitch followed by a walk of Rodriguez. The Knights had first and second when Berube stole third. Berube scored on a tag fly from Kameron Levesque of Hooksett, N.H. It got away from the catcher which allowed Rodriguez to try to advance to second and he got caught on second trying to advance.

Game 1 against Central Maine
Game 1 against Central Maine Photo By Editor-in-Chief/ Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

Chris Bear of Boston hit a double on right field. It was a hit and run that scored Richie Williams of Georgetown for the 4th run of the game. White singled to left to score Bear from second. White stole second and went to third on a error on the catcher. Volker struck out two of the three batters in the second inning.

In the top of the third inning Luis Colon of Lawrence hit a double with one out but the Knights couldn’t get that run across from second as they did not score. Volker retired the side in the second and in the third.

On a 1-2 count Levesque hit a base hit to left fielder White walked. Bear bunted for a sacrifice play that moved up the runners to second and third. Williams hit a fly ball to center field and threw the ball home to tag out Levesque at the plate trying to score for a double play.

On the fifth inning Settle singled to center field. On a 2-1 count on Colon while Settle was running they called a balk on pitcher Wyatt Lufkin of Peru, Maine, which allowed Settle to go to second. But the Knights did not score as Rodriguez hit a fly ball to right field. Ronaldo Rodriguez of Boston got hit by a pitch on the elbow area, which Cole Brown of Carthage, Maine, went and pinch run for him.

In the sixth inning the Knights had the bases loaded with one out when White cleared the bases with a triple and scored on an error.

“… It was simple. Hit balls hard and let the barrel do the work for me,” White said.

It was 9-0 Knights in the lead when Coppola singled. He stole third and home to make it 10-0. The Knights scored 5 in the sixth after going quietly in the third and Knights won 10-0 in the first game of the double header — a no hitter by Volker.

Sports

Baseball head coach Jeff Mejia pick up his 200 career win

and  

NECC Knights traveled on the road to face Fisher College JV (Falcons) at Fraser Field in Lynn on March 21, for a 7 p.m. first pitch.

The Knights defeated Fisher JV 16-1. NECC Baseball head coach Jeff Mejia picked up his 200th career win.

The Knights were 9-2 coming into the game while Fisher JV was 13-13 with a 3 game winning streak heading into the March 21 game.

When they got to the field the Knights were preparing before the game, stretching and hitting in the cage.

The umpires discussed the field rules before the game with the managers.

The Knights began the season winning nine of the first 11 games.

“Keep taking one day at a time, one inning at a time to get healthy. We got some guys that are a little banged up right now so we’re ready to stay healthy, keep grinding it out one game at a time,” Mejia said.

Jagger lovinelli of Huntington Beach, Calif., was on the mound for the Knights.

Richie Williams of Georgetown led off the game for the Knights with an opposite field triple to right field.

“I saw him out of the corner of my eye like to go to catch it and it looked like that it went just through his glove right behind him but I did think he was going to catch the ball…” Williams said after the game.

Following a RBI single by Chris Bear of Boston. Bear stole second while Nicholas White of Townsend was batting. The Knights scored the second run of the game on a pass ball while Bear was on third on a 3-2 count on Joseph Settle of Melbourne, Fla., who walked. Settle went to second on a pass ball eventually he stole third. Kyle Hsu of Brookline, N.H., singled to right field that scored Settle from third. The Knights scored 3 runs in the first inning to jump in a fast start, a 3-0 lead.

Iovinelli had a lead before he even could throw a pitch on the mound.

“It is always comfortable knowing that my hitters got my back in every game going out there with a lead it is definitely easier on my mound less stressful don’t have to worry much and do my job,” Iovinelli said. He strikeout two of the three batters in the first inning 11 pitches 7 strikes .

 

Mejia pick up his 200 career win Photo by Editor-in-Chief/ Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

Nick Panzini of Methuen got walked and stole second in the second inning the Knights had runners in scoring position when outfielder Williams doubled. It was a hit, a run to drive in the fourth run of the game. Iovinelli strikeout the side in the second inning. Fisher was changing pitchers each inning.

The Knights started a two out rally on a bases loaded walk that drove in the 5th run of the game. Williams connected a bases loaded triple to clear the bases as the Knights were up 8-0.

“I felt very confident. I think I just went up there with a plan to let the ball to get deep in the zone and try to head it to right field. I think there is a little bit of a speed change our time down in Florida and coming back down here so I felt I knew that I have to adjust that before the game and I just felt my approach was pretty solid,” Williams said.

Iovinelli struck out two of the three batters that he faced in the third inning as he was completely in control.

In the top of the fourth inning the Knights first two batters got hit and then it was a pass ball and the runner moved up 90 ft and then Settle hit an opposite field single that scored both runners.

Berube connected with an RBI single, Kevin Rodriguez of Manchester, N.H., hit an opposite field single and then stole second.

White hit a sac Fly to score the 12th run of the game. Williams was on second on an error on the first bases and a fly ball. The Knights scored 4 more runs throughout the game. In fact the Knights scored in each inning of the game, including a 7 run fourth inning.

Iovinelli had a perfect game bid until the fifth when Alejandro Sola of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, led off the fifth inning with a double which then Mejia quickly made the move for a pitching change. Eric Whitehead of North Andover had a clean five innings for the Knights to pick up the win.

Mejia talked to me about the performance of Iovinelli.

“Excellent his second start in a row that his pounding the zone he made some good pitches in tough counts he been a real bulldog for us,” Mejia said.

Editorial

Double Duty as an Observer

and  

Hello guys I am your Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez. I am 21 years old, currently living in Lawrence. I am majoring in communication and journalism with a concentration in journalism.

I will be taking double duties in the newspaper until I graduate Northern Essex. I am not just your sports editor I am also your Editor-in-Chief.

I will be replacing Isae, who graduated in December of 2021. I love sports. I am passionate about it, I eat, sleep and breath talking about sports. My favorite sports is Baseball.

When I am not covering games for NECC and when I am not playing baseball for Mercedes Baseball Academy, I listen to sports talk show and I watch baseball videos on Youtube and live on T.V. or listen to baseball on the radio, hoping that one day my dream will become reality becoming a play by play baseball announce and a sports talk show host.

My Sports journalist idol is Michael Kay. He first started off covering sports in the NY Post, then he became the Yankees play by play baseball announcer, and he also has a radio show from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the weekdays on ESPN NY 98.7 FM.  He also does Centerstage for an hour which he interviews athletes and entertainment people. He is inspirational to me in what I am doing right now and hopefully one day all of that hard work that I am doing and all of my sacrifice will pay  off.

Being a part of the staff of the Observer as a sports editor is one of the greatest things that ever happened to me. I am grateful that I am in a community college that gives student opportunity to write in the newspaper, that I can show to a newspaper company as clips, to work for them and cover a specific team.

Know I am also the Editor-in-Chief. I am happy for this opportunity, it’s a blessing and I will help other students to improve and to get better each print edition that goes on. As Editor-in-Chief I hope to help each member know their role and what they need to do for the newspaper and to be on track and stay focused not just as a member of the Observer but in their academics as well.

Features

Spotlight on Professor Isabelle Gagne

and  

Isabelle Gagne is a pyschology professor here at Northern Essex community college and she is a valuable part of the NECC community.

Like most faculty, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges in recent years.  However, Gagne has been teaching online classes for some time now.

Gagne says, “I’ve been teaching online for many years. I think it’s just a different modality of teaching and learning. I think what’s important is that students think about their preferred learning style as well as their strengths and weaknesses. They should pick a class modality where they will be engaged in the material and motivated to learn.”

Gagne also believes that online classes have had certain consequences for her and for her students.

When asked what has been difficult about online classes, Gagne said, “The most difficult thing for me is not meeting my students. I love engaging with my students and I often learn from them how to be a better teacher and a better human overall. Students bring me joy and help me remember why I do what I do.”

Gagne also said that there have been disadvantages to students in online classes, She said, “Yes, I think it’s more difficult (but not impossible) to create genuine connections and deep learning. I think when students say: “I didn’t learn anything” they mean they don’t know how the content is useful and how they can apply it to their lives. It’s important to explain to students how what they are learning can be applied to their own individual lives.“

 

Campus Life, Home Page News Bytes

PACE helps students succeed

and  

Pathway to Academic and Career Excellence also known as PACE is a Student Support Services program funded by a TRiO grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The PACE program began at NECC in 1980 and it is still expanding. While attending NECC students can be eligible through four ways. One is if neither of their parents have a bachelor’s degree. Another way is students who are first-generation college students. They also look at a student’s financial aid status to see if students meet the financial guidelines. Lastly is If a student works with the CARS office at Northern Essex they may also be eligible.

Kristen Arnold PACE Director who has been working in PACE at Northern Essex for almost 14 years and has been the director for almost five years says, “I would encourage students to work hard because if they can be successful at NECC they can be successful at a four-year school too.”

Along with Arnold the PACE program consists of three other members. Jessica Rocker, PACE Transfer Adviser offers her service for a seamless transfer. S

heila Corsaro PACE Academic Adviser sets students pathways the minute they enter NECC.

Christine Carbone PACE Data Specialist completes the team by exerting her skills to further the program.

The program also has two mentors who constantly check up on students making sure their needs are fulfilled.

Every year they accept 258 students — they currently have about 30 openings and are looking to fill those spots for this year.

The program has a lot of beneficiary factors that help students further their academic achievements.

One activity they offer is weekly workshops.

“Every week we offer a new workshop with a different topic that is relevant to what’s happening at that time of the year at the college,” Arnold says.

These workshops are built in to keep students on track during the school year.

Workshops provide students with tools that can help her/him successfully in transferring and in his/her career.

The program also offers field trips. They pick 10-14 schools in the year for field trips, mostly four-year colleges and universities that include on-campus tours and transfer information sessions. Trips are 100% free and the only requirement is that students are an active PACE participant.

Since PACE is a federal funded program one of its best tools is scholarships. They offer a variety of scholarships that are awarded based on academic performance, financial need, demonstrated commitment to a field of study, volunteer activities support for transferring to a four-year school compelling personal essay, and military service.

“I have had many students over the years who got their start at NECC and are now are doing some amazing things at their four-year colleges and in their careers,”Arnold says. “It is unbelievable the places you can go and things you can do after leaving NECC.”

 

Campus Life, Features

Center for Liberal Arts offers variety of services

and  

The Center for Liberal Arts is the home for all the Liberal Arts students here at Northern Essex Community College. There are many students who fall under the umbrella of liberal arts at NECC.

P “There’s a pure liberal arts degree and then there are some other areas of the liberal arts you can get degrees in,” said Professor Kimberley Lyng,  liberal arts program coordinator. Some examples of those degrees that fall under the liberal arts category are philosophy, journalism/communications, writing, and psychology.

Located in the Spurk Building in room C209, the center for liberal arts offers a variety of services for its students. As Lyng puts it, “The Liberal Arts Center is located in the Spurk Building in room C209 and is a wonderful space students can use to study or work on assignments or meet with friends or get help with advising. We have computers and a printer in the Center as well as several comfy chairs and a large table that can be used for study groups or learning communities.”

Furthermore, the liberal arts adviser, Shakira Andino can be found in the Center for Liberal Arts and can answer any kind of registration questions that a liberal arts student may have.

Like everything else in the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has offered unique challenges for the Center for Liberal Arts. One of the chief aims of the center is to provide a place where liberal arts students can connect face to face.

Of course, the pandemic has made this exceptionally difficult. However, as Lyng puts it, “Despite the obstacles, everyone has done a really nice job stepping up and trying to still connect with each other whether it’s through Zoom or some in person activities…”

 Overall, the Center of Liberal Arts has a very talented and dedicated staff and unique and important services to offer that have the potential to enrich the life of any liberal arts student at NECC.

           

News, Slider

Fall registration begins soon

and  

As spring begins to settle in and the semester mid-way done, it’s only appropriate to begin planning ahead what step to take for the academic year.

Registration for the Summer and Fall semester of 2022 will begin on April 4.

While many students might think it could be too soon to register for classes, registering early can bode well for those who want specific classes and work out a stable schedule.

Naturally, those who want to wait to register for classes are free to do so and view the Academic catalogue available could help ease the stress of picking classes. There is plenty of time to think about which classes would fit one’s schedule and how it would affect them.

There is always a one-week grace period at the beginning of each semester to drop out at no extra cost.

One other thing to point out is the variety of classes that take place either online, on campus or use a hybrid of both.

Everything boils down to the students and their advisors setting up the perfect plan and schedule to succeed for the following semester.

As a little tidbit of information, if a student plans on going to campus, it is best to fill out the COVID-Vaccination cards online beforehand so that they are ready to go day one.

With only less than two weeks left before registration opens, students should be aware to not stress themselves out and to take the time to curate a schedule that works for them to bring them one step closer to achieving their goals.

Even with April 4th coming and going, getting a possible head start to secure their classes to be stress free during the summer is only one of many ways students can go about registering for their classes. If signing up for classes early is not a student’s way to go when planning for their classes next semester, they can just as easily focus on continuing and finishing all of their classes for the Spring semester and take a break at the end.

There is no rush when it comes to fulfilling a schedule and plan that works for a student. Checking in with their advisors and keeping up to date with the Student Success Hub should be on the radar for those who are ready to register for Fall classes.

Home Page News Bytes, News

NECC turns to mask optional

and  

Northern Essex President Lane Glenn announced on March 9, that the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges will be transitioning into mask optional environments. As of March 21, both Northern Essex campuses became mask optional.

According to the statement on the Northern Essex Coronavirus updates and information page, the COVID Response Team said that “the shift will be in accordance with current local, state and federal guidance.”

The website also said  “the school will respond accordingly should conditions change.”

Later on in the statement, it does mention that if students still wish to wear an N-95 or wish to receive a free COVID test kit, students can fill out a PPE request form on the NECC website.

I interviewed a couple of NECC students to get their reaction about the news.

“I think that mask optional is a good idea because some people aren’t able to wear masks because of a condition,” said Miabella D’ambrosio, a freshman at Northern Essex. “Some people also just don’t like them but I do think there should be guidelines for big events.”

I also asked if we should still be concerned with COVID despite heading in the right direction.

“I think we will always be concerned about COVID but I also think that as time goes on it will become less and less scary,” D’ambrosio said.

I also asked Kaily Burke, who has been a NECC student since 2018 for her thoughts.

“It’s hard to say what’s the right direction because we never know what’s next,” Burke said.

“More variants will come. However I know we’ve calculated the risk at NECC.”

Everyone on campus is required to be vaccinated.

“I’ve seen a lot more masks on campus in the last week than I still do in the grocery store,” Burke added.

While students are still required to get the COVID 19 vaccines, students, faculty, and teachers can all take a breather and choose to wear a mask if they wish.

Slider

The season of transferring

and  

The end of the semester is nearing faster than you might expect, that also means the process of transferring is underway. 

For many students the spring semester is when they start looking to transfer to a four-year school after finishing their associate’s.

Attending a community college, such as Northern Essex is a great way to save money and to determine your major before going for your bachelor’s, and luckily there are some great programs that are available to help. 

Some of these programs include the Massachusetts Independent College Guarantee which is a partnership agreement between NECC and private colleges and universities in Massachusetts. 

After obtaining your associates at NECC you then would apply to one of the private colleges on the list and would be guaranteed admission. 

The eligibility for a student must be an associate degree from a community college and a minimum GPA of 2.5. The other option is the Mass Transfer Pathways which has three pathways you can choose from to save up to 40% on your bachelor’s degree. 

Shakira Andino, an advisor at NECC encourages students to attend community college then transfer. 

“It’s the same education, at a better cost. You have more freedom to live your life at a four-year school, but you learn to manage your money at community college. There’s such a stigma to community college, but it’s up to you to get the work done.” 

Some tips she would give would be to think about whether you want to be close to home and to visit their campus to see if you find it and the campus’s surroundings comfortable. 

Aryanna Poirier recently just transferred to UMass Lowell after attaining her associates in psychology. 

“I wanted to transfer to UMass Lowell because I knew people who went and loved it, and I knew that their psych program was good. It was also relatively close to my residence which was a plus!” 

Some advice she would offer would be to get in touch with your advisors. “Get in touch with their advisors, both from NECC and from UMass Lowell as soon as possible. They’re there to help you, and most of them are wonderful at their jobs!” 

Some other notes of advice are to know when deadlines are and what they’re application process is like as it may differ from each school. The transfer programs can be found on the NECC website under the learn tab. 

Transferring schools shouldn’t have to be difficult. Just make sure to use your resources and go wherever you think is the best fit.

Features, Home Page News Bytes

Psychology Program Coordinator Krista Titone shares her story

and  

Fearless Krista Titone grew up in the suburbs of Hampstead, NH, an only child, raised by both her grandparents and father. As a child she felt safe, supported and loved by her friends and neighbors. Titone says “I had the most amazing childhood and am so very very grateful to my grandparents for taking care of me and giving me the best life.”

In her adolescence she attended an all girls Catholic school, Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA, in a time where education was valued and she was expected to do well in her studies and never give up. She then went on to receive her masters in community and social psychology at UMass Lowell and her Ph. D in social psychology at Walden University. Throughout her life Titone has exhibited her athletic skills, playing soccer and Division III softball and basketball in college.

Titone says “I am grateful I was a child of the 1980’s and 1990’s. It is not quite the same anymore for kids and it’s disappointing. I am so glad I grew up without cell phones and computers. I don’t feel old at 37, but sometimes I feel it when I speak to my students and realize how dramatically different their childhoods were.”

In the philosophical argument of nature over nurture, Titone more frequently recognizes nurture. She says “I do not believe I would be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the wonderful experiences and healthy environments I grew up in…I learned tough love and it worked. It pushed me to always be better and I am grateful.”

On pursuing a degree in psychology, Titone says, “I am fascinated with human behavior and always have been. I took my VERY first Introduction to Psychology course at Northern Essex one summer back in 2002! I instantly fell in love.”

She says, “Honestly, as cliche as it sounds, my love for teaching and my love for psychology are what motivates me in my teaching career. My passion drives me each and every day. When my students are in the classroom and they are interested and engaged, that keeps me motivated and loving what I do.”

Titone is zealous, analytical and ambitious yet sensitive. Her wife, Cheryl, would describe her as driven, funny, intelligent, and optimistic. Her greatest achievement thus far is receiving her Ph. D by the age of 30 and as she grows she’d like to ameliorate her level of patience, both in and out of the classroom.

Titone enjoys reading non-fiction, running and summer days by the pool. She also appreciates trying new, sour beers and loves road trips with her wife and two dogs. She says, “I am a crazy cat lady. My wife and I adopt senior and hospice cats so animals are our passion and our love.” She also says, “We have rescued so many senior and hospice animals and given them many extra months through our love and attention.”

She disfavors the winter and fiction books, fruit and coffee, and especially detests mornings. She says, “I hate getting up early. I’m much more of a night owl!”

Her strengths include teaching, she exuberantly comments “I’d like to think! Ask my students!”, and working efficiently. Her weaknesses she says are “…cooking, doing anything crafty, I am not creative.”

Titone’s biggest fear has always been losing her grandmother. Since she was a young girl, she has deeply cherished their relationship. She says “She was my “mother”, my best friend, and my everything. I owe her everything and I made sure to tell her that before she passed. I know she is proud of me and I will always be grateful for her. She loved me deeply and I loved her deeply and always will.”

Passionately, she says “I am very much like my grandmother and I want to be her living legacy. I want to continue to be successful in my teaching career and in my separate real estate career. I want to make an impact on my students always and I want to inspire them to pursue their dreams in psychology. I want to continue to inspire my students to value education and not give up on their dreams. If I can make that happen, I’ve done my job.”