Observer Department: Features

Staving off cabin fever in the time of COVID

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In a world on pause, what is one to do? Americans are resorting to an assortment of various activities to stave off cabin fever during the outbreak of COVID-19. Have people been able to stay productive, healthy, and happy during the quarantine? Can people have benefited from the pandemic, whether…

College in the era of COVID: Students navigate remote learning

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Since March 2020, NECC students have found themselves enrolled in a crash course in remote learning.  For many students this would be their first experience taking classes exclusively online.  Erika Rivera, 19, a journalism and communications major from Lawrence, had never taken an online class before the coronavirus outbreak as she prefers to learn in person. “Being at home makes it…

Lessons learned from quarantine

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The coronavirus has had its grip on the entire world for the better part of 2020. As human beings it is in our nature to learn, grow, and thrive in the face of adversity. While we continue to fight through this pandemic, many people are noticing things about themselves that…

Digital solace: Local IT support specialist assists with tech literacy

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Angel Garcia, 34, of Lawrence is using his Associate of Science degree from Middlesex Community College with a focus in computer software and networking to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During the pandemic I've been helping friends and family stay or get connected online. Whether it's getting…

The nurse becomes the patient: A personal encounter with COVID-19

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Angela Pagliuca, 33, of Revere is a registered nurse. She works on a gynecology oncology and surgical unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She also works per diem at Eastpointe in Chelsea. “I do a lot! " she said with a laugh.  On March 19, Pagliuca received a phone…

The new normal: An essential worker’s efforts to stay safe and sane

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Courtesy photo             Cindy Mejia, 32, is a Lawrence resident, former NECC student, fitness coach and essential employee during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a buyer for Asahi America. “They are a plastic valves and pipe company, considered essential because we provide materials to hospitals,” she…

An essential worker shares her story

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As a journalism student it is difficult to write about oneself, it’s discouraged really. However, as a student, single parent, essential healthcare worker, potentially high-risk individual in the middle of a pandemic, I am compelled to share my story.   My name is Isae Grullon. I am 33 years old.…

COVID-19 hits home: What public service looks like during a pandemic

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Joshua Alba, 36, is a Lawrence resident, and a Raíz Organizer for Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. Alba also attended NECC but was unable to graduate due to financial reasons. He has since “focused on working specifically to help create justice in our community.”  Alba also serves on the Lawrence School Committee for District D. During the COVID-19 pandemic Alba has used his…

Spring Style

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Students describe their sense of fashion as the warm weather approaches Everyone is ready for summer, and as finals kick in and the semester comes to an end we are ready to receive and soak up the nice weather. Students all over campus enjoy dressing up and not having to…

Leading for change at NECC

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Students speak on ways to improve life on campus It is no question that Northern Essex is a diverse school. Not only does Northern Essex offer education to people of any age but to people of any background. Every semester, NECC gets a variety of students from around the world…