Observer Department: News
When COVID-19 hits home
COVID-19 continues to tear through the world, through the United States, and through Massachusetts. It continues to reach and affect people throughout the Haverhill community, and in other surrounding communities. And since the pandemic first reached this area, it has hit home for numerous college and high school students, like…
Students share opinions of online learning
There are many aspects that come into play with today’s changes in learning due to the pandemic that everyone wants to see the end of. Some believe the online changes are for the better and some do not. Three Northern Essex community college students were interviewed on the topic at…
Speechapalooza goes online, collects donations for student relief fund
Northern Essex Community College students hosted an online public speaking event, called Speechapalooza, on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube from Wednesday-Friday, April 29-May 1. (Pictured is Dylan Musgrave participating in the event.) The event helped collect donations for the college's Student Emergency Fund and was attended by hundreds. The fund provides laptop…
Children face homeschool blues
In these troubling times, education for the young has taken a new form to accommodate the circumstances, though not all of it is welcome. Some students find themselves using new online tools to learn while others find their parents becoming their teacher. Alicia Togue, who has children in both fifth…
The essential worker: A view from the frontline
Shopping centers, restaurants, parks and any other place where social gatherings could take place are now shut down until further notice, unless deemed essential by the government. Being an essential worker during this COVID-19 pandemic can be very stressful. Many workers are scared to bring it home. Sadly, because thousands of…
Face masks mandated in Massachusetts
On May 6, the use of mandatory masks took effect throughout the state of Massachusetts. The order, executed by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Barker, requires residents to wear a face covering in public places when they cannot socially distance themselves. The request applies to all employees, customers and public transport companies…
NECC students aren’t waiting around: Innovative services flourish during pandemic
On March 24 at 12 p.m. Gov. Charlie Baker asked the whole state of Massachusetts to stay at home and not go out in public unless absolutely necessary. Massachusetts residents, along with almost the entire United States, have been advised to stay at home for over a month, and wait…
Education behind the screen: Students reflect on remote learning
As quarantine continues and the world seems to be on pause, education also continues. Although students are no longer allowed to physically attend schools until the upcoming fall or possibly longer, students are still required to do online schooling, assignments are posted on websites such as Blackboard, Google Classroom, and…
Students share how COVID-19 has changed their lives
2020 has already been quite a year. Many disasters have happened along the way, and most importantly this COVID-19 pandemic. No one expected this, especially at this large of a scale. As a Northern Essex student not only has my academic life been affected greatly but my personal life as…
Pulitzer Prizes announced
This year's 104th Pulitzer Prizes announcement, which has honored excellence in journalism and the arts since 1917, was initially scheduled for April before being postponed until May 4 and delivered virtually. In the past the announcement has come in late April and since 1984 Pulitzer winners have received their prizes…
