Observer Department: Features

COVID-19 consolation: Vaccine is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel 

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On Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for emergency use in the United States.   For many, this is a long-awaited relief and for others a cause for further concern.   Jocelyn Avila, 20, of North Andover, says she would like to get the vaccine after seeing how it works for others.   Mirrorajah Metcalfe, 19,…

PPE everywhere: The pandemic has led to increased littering 

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At this point, people all over, young and old, are familiar with personal protective equipment, of PPE, like masks and gloves. Mirrorajah Metcalfe, 19, of Haverhill wears PPE when she goes to work at Market Basket and disposes of it in a trash can when done.   Jocelyn Avila, 20, of North Andover uses gloves and reusable masks as…

How NECC students plan to spend the holidays this winter break

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As Christmas, New Years, and winter break swiftly approach, one semester  at NECC is coming to an end. Because the coronavirus pandemic caused significant disarray for most throughout the last several months, many are feeling excited and relieved about this upcoming conclusion. After speaking with numerous NECC students regarding their…

An overview of Fall Semester 2020

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2020 has been a roller-coaster of a year, and it has been something that we have never experienced in our lives before and would be some story to tell to future generations. Most adults who work regular nine to five jobs were affected with this on-going pandemic through the first…

A youthful Christmas

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It is that time of the year again… Christmas season is upon us. The holidays have a way of brining us back to the childhood memories of family and presents. For the holiday spirit we thought it would be nice to interview kids ranging from ages 3-10 about their up-and-coming…

Redefining relationships during COVID: How the pandemic has changed the way we socialize 

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People are naturally social creatures, so it should come as no surprise that a pandemic which is best fought with isolation, would take a toll on our relationships.  Jocelyn Avila, 20, of North Andover, has noticed a change in her relationships during the pandemic. Avila, who studies journalism and communications and works at a Digital Federal Credit Union as a customer service representative, says it has been…

American Dream Profile Series: Xiqiang Hong

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Xiqiang Hong lived through the Chinese Cultural Revolution in 1966 and eventually immigrated to the United States. I was given the privilege to talk to him about his thoughts on the American Dream and how his life experiences shaped his perception. When I spoke with him, he was very friendly,…

Single parenting in modern America

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According to the U.S Census, single parent families make up around 32% of the 11 million families that have children under the age of 18, with single mothers being the primary parent in 8.5 million of these families. With this significant number we thought it would be interesting to talk…

Three generations of Northern Essex Students share their experience at the community college    

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How has the experience of Northern Essex Community College changed over the years? Three generations of NECC students reflect on their time at the school and offer alumni tips on how to get the most out of your years in college. As all students have been made aware of, the…

Students share how pandemic has affected mental health

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According to a Nov. 11 Boston Globe article, since the pandemic young adults have been experiencing higher rates of depression and other mental health concerns as the COVID-19 pandemic rages forward in the U.S. Some Northern Essex Community College students say they have experienced issues with their mental health as…