Well, NECC community, it is my pleasure to tell you about the election results for the Student Government Association. I want to thank everyone who participated in voting. As a member of SGA I think it’s important to have a voice and to be able to help not only by voting for what you believe are the correct people but to advocate for your interests. Invisible drumroll please.

I’m pleased to announce that we have our own, Melissa Horne, as student trustee. I was elected President of Student government. We have Jonas Tejada Helbich as our vice-president, 

Kisleiny Abreu is our community impact chair, and Chelsey Dume filled the student advocacy chair. 

 I also want to congratulate our Student Engagement Chair winners. Andrea Wall-Sanchez is Haverhill’s winner and for Lawrence we have Kiandra Peralta. Congratulations everyone and feel free to congratulate your classmates on their victories. I want to state that there are still some open positions in Student Government.

Student Government meets every other Tuesday from 4:00-5:00 pm and we do a lot of amazing things for the college. 

Being in Student Government shows a lot of leadership and looksgood on a resume so if you decide to transfer or go straight to the workforce, you’ll thank yourselves, should you choose to join. If you cannot join or just want to feel it out, we also have a title called Member at Large. You can be a member of SGA without holding a position and you still can vote for things you think would be great to see at the college. Being in SGA, you really make a difference.

Let’s hear from a few people who hold a position in Student Government, shall we?

Wall- Sanchez said, “I wasn’t sure what position I’d get but I wanted to win on at one position.” I also asked her, “What do you like about SGA? She replied, “I like to help NECC students in the community.” I’m always here to listen to what students have to say.”

I also asked our Vice President of the Haverhill and Lawrence Campus, Jonas L. Tejada Helbich why he ran for student government. Tejada Helbich is quoted saying in an email,

“I ran for student government because I wanted to change the graduation honors system to Latin honors system to support transfer students and enable better recognition for their efforts, that’s my long-term goal.”

Additionally, in an email I asked why he joined.

“I joined because I’m connected with so many different programs, work environments, and faculty across NECC. Being that connected has shown me that students still have needs that aren’t being met. I want to use those relationships to help bring those needs to the people who can act on them, so students feel supported and heard.”

My last question via email to Tejeda Helbich, was if there was anything he wanted to add. He said, “Let’s not be afraid of failing; Be afraid of not achieving everything we wanted  because we were too scared to take the steps.”

Brianna DiPalermo is the assistant coordinator of student life and has worked on both the Haverhill and Lawrence campus. She continues to do so based on the times and dates of activities on both campuses.

On email she is quoted saying, “The Student Government Association (SGA) is the primary student advocacy channel at Northern Essex. Different from a high school student council, SGA is structured around three primary goals: Student Engagement, Student Advocacy, and Community Impact.”

“SGA leaders are encouraged to explore change-making and leadership development opportunities to push for changes in student services, organize awareness initiatives, and develop programs and events to best support students’ general well-being. 

SGA also coordinates with the All-College Assembly (ACA) staff/faculty governing board and NECC’s Board of Trustees to report on the state of student welfare.”

When I talked to her in person, Dipalermo stated, “I was an SGA student when I was in college.” “I went to UMass Lowell and graduated in 2020.” “I also worked in student activities and student engagement.” 

“A lot of times student government activities and engagement live together in a full-time roll.”

“What do you like best about working in SGA? I asked her in person. “I think it’s really rewarding to see students that don’t always first think of themselves as leaders become like critical agents of change,” she said. 

“SGA has town halls planned for October 20 (Lawrence) and November 3 (Haverhill)  both at 4 p.m for student to share questions and concerns.”

As president of Student Government, I want to mention we are also having a holiday food drive beginning Nov. 2, until Nov. 20. 

Please help your NECC Community.