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Knights Basketball lost four in a row plus more injuries

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On Dec 4. NECC Knights got blown out 94 to 51 against the red-hot Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) at noon.

The Knights have been struggling lately coming into today game Knights have lost three in a row meanwhile CCRI have a six game winning streak coming into the game and their only loss there only lost was to begin the 2021-2022 campaign.  

The Knights are in a middle of a 4-game division conference stretch they lost to a non-conference division game against Great Bay Community College and a conference division a nail biter game to Quincy College 75 to 71 in the road.  

Before the game we find out that Knights won’t have Christian Kinsley of Lawrence until at least January. This team is battling with injuries all season long. Cameron Stratton of Haverhill has missed two games and it was out of today contest against CCRI. 

In the first period the Knights began the game strong with an 8-0 run. Matt D’Amato of Peabody shot a 3-pointer followed by Mehmet Asik of Ankira, Turkey two 2 pointers and Philip Cunningham of Haverhill steal the ball then went to the free throw and made one of two shots. 

Knights in action versus CCRI Photo by Jose Rodriguez, Sports Editor

Ashton Ventola of Danville N.H. who played 16 minutes and 8 points during the game “I was just trying to give my team a spark you know we got a good start you know like you said 8-0 run we got up pretty well and they start to fight back and coach puts me in so you know I am just trying to be aggressive you know not be afraid to shot and just keep attacking the whole work my shot into it… I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help my team,” said Ventola.

 Then the Knights collapsed after having a commanding  8-0 run they were trailing 18 to 13 coach Stratton told me in the post-game interview “I think this team doesn’t know how to overcome adversity  right now I think we‘re trying to struggle,  find ourself and I think that was the case when a team make a run on us we attempt to hold our heads instead of fighting through it.  I think we need to find some kind of leadership for someone…,” said Stratton

The Knights need someone to step up and fight. They need to keep their head up in the game is basketball and make a run and not gave up during the game anything can happen. Is not over until the buzzer hit at the end of the second period anything can happen.

The Knights after they gave up the lead they were playing sloppy and they weren’t playing smart basketball Stratton told me “Turnovers are atrocious but you know Jose I am going to be honest with you that has been an illing  problem for us through the first eleven games so far I don’t think you can find one game that we haven’t turnover the basketball more than 15 times…” Stratton said. That is the big key and why this team is under .500 other than injuries right now they need to improve in every aspect as they can to be above .500 and finish the season strong.

 They were down 44-29 at the half. 

Coach Stratton still feel a chance they can win the game against a very good CCRI game “100 percent I felt we had a chance to win the game we came back from 16 down the other night against Quincy I told them at half time were beating our self… if we don’t turn the basketball over there and were play discipline basketball that game is a lot different…” said Stratton.  

The first eight minutes of the second period CCRI was on a 23-7 run. The Knights they were struggling they couldn’t make the ball inside the bucket, and it was going to be extremely difficult to win as they were down 67-37 with 12 minutes left in the quarter. 

“We struggle to score and is sad to said like coach Canery and coach Tardif we need kids to work on their  fundamentals we don’t have kids that work on their there skill set they think they are better than what they are and if they watch this film tonight playing against a team like this today you get exposed and if you don’t have the skills and willing to work at your skills to get better stuff like this is going to happen…” Stratton said.  

During the second period the Knights lost another player due to injury Jason Parello of Lawrence he has been fighting a heel issue lately and during the game against CCRI he landed knee first on the ground he was taken out of the game with some help he couldn’t walk under at his own power. 

 The Knights know have a 4-game losing streak. They will face Massasoit Community College looking to end their four game losing skid on Thursday Dec. 9 game time is scheduled at 6 p.m. at Sports and Fitness Center at Haverhill Campus. 

Sports

Dejalee Torres made history

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Dejalee Torres of Lawrence made history on Dec. 1 when she became the first woman volleyball player in school history to earn All American Honors.

During the season she played 13 games 2.81 kill per set, .181 hitting percentage, 0.48 assist per set, 0.29 kills per set, 0.54 service per set, 2.60 digs per set according to neccknights.com She also led in all regions in both kills and kills per set.   

 “When I receive my All American it was definitely surprising, I wasn’t expecting to win All American I know I was nominated but All American is a very big brad like achievement and I know I was nominated but I wasn’t really certain that I was going to win it was very surprising and also confident that knowing that I am a good player, not within the region but around the country,” said Torres.  

NJCAA All-American Dejalee Torres
NJCAA All-American Dejalee Torres Courtesy neccknights.com

She also told me that she felt very blessed and honored to win the award. She been playing volleyball since middle school and-all that hard work is paying off in a positive way. She never envisioned or imagined in her first year at NECC something magical would’ve happened in on her career. 

 “To be honest a lot of the achievement that I received this volleyball season were all very shocking just for the simple fact our team this year wasn’t really the best we started off with having a NJCAA All-American  whole lot of girls and we slowly lost a lot of players due to injury so I wasn’t expecting much out of the season so for us to go far as far as we did and also for me to get all the recognition it was very surprising,” said Torres.  

In the future when she leaves NECC she is not sure if she wants to continue playing volleyball, but she knows she will be playing volleyball 100 percent for NECC next upcoming season as Torres will try to help the team to capture region 21 championship. As of right know she hasn’t received any kind of offers once she leaves the Northern Essex.

 “Overall Torres will become the 42nd name (17th female) added to the All-American wall in the annals of the Knights athletic program and second this  calendar year joining baseball’s Nick White,” according to neccknights.com  

Watch out for Dejalee Torres I see a bright future on her and let’s see if she can repeat what she did this past season after an unbelievable 2021 campaign that helped the team to become NJCAA runner-up champions  after losing on the finals to Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) on late October. 

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Nuclear debate: Mutually assured stalemate

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Professor Steve Slaner in a zoom meeting
Professor Stephen Slaner and other participants take part in a discussion on zoom.

“If I point a gun to your head and not fire it, it is still using the gun.” Professor Slaner

Professor Stephen Slaner and Professor Andrew Morse debated on Dec. 1 on the ratification of the Treaty of Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. More than a dozen viewers tuned into the public zoom that ran for a little over an hour. Slaner and Morse are leaders of the student groups Amnesty International and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) respectively, the two groups working together. Each professor received about 20 minutes to explain their opening stances; Slaner arguing for the ratification and Morse arguing against the treaty. After some back and forth rebuttals and counter arguments, the floor was open to viewer input and questions.
Slaner expressed the great concern of a potential crisis, saying that “luck is not a policy we can depend upon.” America has not yet signed the Treaty, maintaining thousands of nuclear arms, hundreds on hair trigger alert. We also don’t have a ‘no first use’ policy: a protocol that would restrict the United States to only launch nuclear attacks in response.
“Weapons of mass destruction are weapons of mass destruction. If we can abolish two categories, being chemical and biological, we can abolish another.” – Slaner
Morse, while obviously not advocating for a nuclear winter, doesn’t see the treaty as practical or useful. He points out that the only signers of the Treaty are small countries that wouldn’t even have the resources to attempt nuclearization. Nuclear powers comparable to the United States haven’t signed the Treaty. The most rational steps would involve reducing the numbers of atomic warheads, non-proliferation agreements, procedures for escalation prevention, etc; it’s not wise to trust nations’ promises when there is no global enforcing policy.
“While it’s possible to convince a government to abolish nuclear weapons, it is not possible to abolish the knowledge of how to build them.” – Morse
Ultimately, there is a consensus to some degree between the two professors that co-lead the student group SDS. “I don’t think anyone wants nuclear war,” Morse said. “They want protection…They want protection from the United States.” Slaner and guest viewer Stephen Russell agreed that America could still assert dominance with far less than half of the current nuclear firepower.
The viewer submitted questions fueled the lively conversation for the last portion of the zoom.  Matthew Sherman asked “Is the threat of mutually assured destruction realistic for long term peace?” The moderator Andrew Venditti asked “Why would we ever retaliate if we’d hurt the world and ourselves in the process?”
As the debate wrapped up, SDS member and viewer April Richer chimed in.
“This is an opportunity where something should be done…If we had even half the money that is being spent on maintaining and modernizing nuclear weapons, we really would be able to make it a safer, better world. Encouraging education, investing in poverty…”
Sports

Xavier Nunez named softball head coach

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Former NECC Baseball Player Xavier Nunez and the current assistant baseball coach under  Jeff Mejia was named the softball head coach earlier this year for the upcoming season in 2022.

Nunez played baseball under coach Mejia from 2016 and 2017 before transferring to New England College in Henniker, N.H.

Nunez as a senior played in 46 games batted .383

He helped the team to earn there first ever conference championship in NECC history and advanced to NCAA Division three tournament where they won the New England Regional championship before losing in the Super Regional.

NECC softball head coach Xavier Nunez Courtesy neccknights.com

“For the past five years he has worked with area softball players through Rams Athletic Complex Softball clings at the North Reading based facility. At the facility he has also conducted private instruction for both softball and baseball. He was two years of club coaching experiencCourtesy neccknights.come as well with both Team Boston and New Hampshire prospects,” According to neccknights.com

Nunez said he thanks Mejia and Blair for this opportunity.

“I’m very proud it is a happy moment definitely in my career. It’s my fist job coaching college sports I been helping Jeff (Mejia) coach the baseball team and I’m happy him and Dan (Blair) were confident me enough to give me this job I’m excited about it and move the program forward,” Nunez said.

Nunez believe he is fully prepared to coach. He also is learning more thinking every day that it will help him to be a better coach than what he already is.

Coach Nunez also announced when tryouts can possible be available for softball players who are interested participating and trying to make the time.

“I will be holding tryouts probably early March to late February you know depending on what we are looking for the number,” he said.

Then how you determine if a players fits well on the team?  “If you can help the team win games you going to be in the team it’s pretty straight forward… I’m not a big favored guy my favorite player is the one that want to be there the most…”

Sports

Track and Field coach looking to recruit for spring

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The NECC Knights Track and Field head coach is Nelson Desilvestre he coaches both men’s and women’s.

He came to NECC in 2017. Before coming over to Northern Essex he was the head coach of Winter track at Manchester-Essex Reginal High School for four season.

According to neccknights.com “Prior to Manchester-Essex, Nelson was the Head Boys Coach at Beverly High School for 18 winter seasons and 17 spring season. He accumulated 214 wins with a .680 winning percentage, and was voted coach of the year on two occasions.”

Desilvestre he has a lot of coaching experience. He has coach more than two decades.

If you still undecided to play Track and Field Desilvestre said it can be a positive experience.

NECC Track and Field both men and women head coach Nelson Desilvestre Courtesy neccknights.com

“It’s a good thing to participate other than just studying we try to have some fun we try to make it entertaining and positive experience so that they will hopefully develop friendship that will last the rest of their lives and memories that can tell their friends and family on the future…” Desilvestre said.

I ask him how it’s different men and women teams.

“Whatever I do with the men I do with the women — the workout is basically the same their designed basically for what ever their ability is so it’s equal opportunity situation everyone is treated the same…” It’s nothing different everything is the same.

Last year it was difficult not having a season in the spring because of the virus, he sad.

“It was extremely difficult I think it hurt us in many ways the kids that wanted to join the time obviously couldn’t… being a community college and only have them for two years… this year it’s basically started from scratch starting from zero…” Desilvestre said.

They are no tryouts if you are interested to join the team you can the more athletes joining the team the better it is. You just need to get an athletic physical form at the sports and fitness building in the Haverhill campus. Athletes that is interested to join can get in touch with the head coach Nelson Desilvestre and the athletic director Dan Blair. This season will start some point on the spring when student return back to class.

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The celebration continues… “Tiny Beautiful Things” takes the stage

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Photo by Mike Dean

On Friday, Nov. 5, the Northern Essex Community College theater department, “held an outdoor performance of the play “Tiny Beautiful Things.”
This was a special performance for staff members and students to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the college, the 50th anniversary of the Haverhill campus, and the 30th anniversary of the Dimitry Building in Lawrence.

A lighting display of the number 60 in honor of the college’s anniversary. Photo by Mike Dean

The play is based on the memoir by “Wild” author Cheryl Strayed and was adapted to stage by Nia Vardalos of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” fame.
Strayed, played by award-winning actress and current NECC student Gwynnethe Glickman, writes for an advice column under the alias “Sugar.”
Throughout the play, she attempts to help those who write to her by addressing their questions and problems with sincere honesty, going as far as sharing her own traumatic stories of a similar nature.

Zaida Buzan, Remani Lizana, and Natalie Scott play supporting roles portraying various troubled people seeking out advice from “Sugar”.
As the sun began to set and the air became cooler, the subjects discussed became more mature. Topics ranging from jealousy, work relationships, incest, infidelity, miscarriage, and physical abuse to name a few, complete with coarse language and really frank descriptions especially from “Sugar” herself.
“Tiny Beautiful Things” was certainly not for the easily disturbed. In addition to the disquieting content mentioned above, a lot of palpable emotional tension was powerfully conveyed by the four actors. It was so intense, we the audience could feel it ourselves as we were in the moment. It’s a blunt and moving play that despite all the potentially distressing subjects discussed, ends with a sense of relatability and most importantly, hope.
“I thought that all four performances were extraordinary,” said Brianne Beatrice, director and Performing Arts and Communication program. “I am so unbelievably proud of the production as a whole.”

Vardalos congratulated the crew via Twitter, encouraging them to “break many legs.”

The performance was held at the grassy knoll just outside of Bentley Library on the Haverhill campus.
A simple stage was constructed to provide the actors a platform to play off of.
The event was hosted by President Lane A. Glenn.

Refreshments were provided for the audience to enjoy. Photo by Mike Dean

A substantial crowd of attendees were offered hot chocolate, hot cider, and cider doughnuts free of charge.
In commemoration of the anniversary, gift bags were handed out to the audience containing an NECC thermal cup as well as a large decorated, frosted butter cookie.
“We had very large crowds and I was extremely grateful,” said Beatrice. “The entire experience was truly life changing.”
The event was considered a big success.

 

 

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Anniversary mosaic project

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Are you an NECC student, alum, faculty or staff? Do you have photos of you and your friends and classmates around campus? A snap shot by the beautiful murial in the Dimitry Building or a gorgeous pic of the fall foliage on the Haverhill campus? Photos can be shared on social media by using the hashtag #NECC60. You can also add your photos to the NECC website, search for “photo mosaic”. Photos will be collected now through Jan. 14.

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The PACE program: A pathway for pioneers

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The PACE office entrance at the Behrakis Student Center in Haverhill. Photo by Isa Grullon

For many first-generation students, the college experience can be a difficult process to navigate. Pathways to Academic & Career Excellence, better known as PACE, is a Student Support Services program funded by a TRiO grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

 

At NECC, the PACE staff consists of Director Kristen Arnold, Data Specialist Christine Carbone, Academic Adviser Sheila Corsaro, and Transfer Adviser Jessica Rocker.

 

PACE serves both NECC campuses. The Haverhill office is in the Behrakis Student Center, room SC213 and the Lawrence office is in the Dimitry Building, room L101.

Seating area in the Haverhill PACE office where students can find various items from high lighters to candy hanging on their holiday tree all year round. Photo by Isa Grullon

Lyric Iraola, 18, of Lawrence is a childhood development major and a first-generation college student. She heard about PACE from a family member. “They are there to help. I want to continue college after my two years here, so they’re going to help me go to UMass Amherst or Lowell, wherever,” says Iraola.

 

 

The pandemic has made it difficult to bring new students into the program over the past year.
“It’s hard to appeal to students when you aren’t in person. They couldn’t see us present on campus. They think it’s like a gimmick sometimes.” says Rocker. “We’re hoping this year is a little bit better,” she adds.

As the event and field trip coordinator, Rocker had to get creative in order to continue providing fun things to keep students engaged.
“Everything went virtual. For me it was really hard because I had to figure out a way to connect with students and still do the same things but do it virtually.”

Some of the virtual events provided by PACE have included a cooking class, paint nights andeven a ghost tour. Rocker thinks they will continue to include virtual events in the rotation of activities moving forward.

PACE promotes a welcoming atmosphere. Photo by Isa Grullon

Kimberly Garcia, 18, of Lawrence, studies art and design at NECC. She learned about PACE when Rocker contacted her about joining the program.
“I like how they do events, like the art event, we did it through Zoom, it was awesome.” says Garcia. “I feel like they’re helping me be more out there,” she added.
Garcia plans on transferring to a four-year school and ultimately finding an art and design job.

“On our most recent Annual Performance Report 89% of our students persisted, 95% of our students were in good academic standing, 87% of our students graduated with an associate degree or certificate within 8 semesters of entering PACE and 64% of our students earned an associates degree or certificate AND transferred to a four-year college within 8 semesters of joining PACE,” Arnold shared in an email.

PACE also hosts field trips to various colleges and universities in the area including Merrimack College, Salem State University, UMass Lowell and more.

The PACE “Wall of Fame” where student success stories are displayed. Photo by Isa Grullon

 

For more information on PACE and to see if you are eligible to join the program call 978-556-3403 or email karnold@necc.mass.edu.