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The Mount Observer

What to Know Before You Vote

By editorialteam on October 23, 2024

Information gathered from Massachusetts Information For Voters 2024 Ballot Questions –
Secretary of the Commonwealth, William Francis Galvin
Submitted by Desiree Leader | Staff Writer and Summarized by Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

QUESTION 1
State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature

Question 1 asks voters if the state auditor should be allowed to investigate and review some activities of the state legislature, the branch that drafts, debates, and passes laws

What a YES vote means:
Nothing would change immediately, but it would allow the state auditor to test new investigative powers over the legislature. Lawmakers could potentially resist or overturn this authority. read more

The Sobbing Sea

By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

By Sophie Harrold | Observer Contributor

The whistling wind blows,
As they crash, crash, crash,
Frothing, sobbing at their loss.

They cry as they crash,
Saddened by the day gone by,
Until everything collides completely.

They begin crashing cruelly,
Against the jutting rocks,

Boom

B o o m

B  o  o  m

B   o   o   m.

Then ‘shhhhh’,
Whispers the little one,
As she stands there on the sand.

‘Shhhhh,’ she whispers,
‘No need to fret,’
‘The sun will always come back tomorrow.’ read more

What’s Cookin’ at MWCC

By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

Recipe of the Month: Arepas

Submitted by Jordan Chila | Editor-in-Chief

In honor of Spanish heritage month, we are sharing a simple Arepas recipe with you.

Ingredients
Arepas:
4 cups Yellow Cornmeal (fine)
2 cups Water
Salt to taste
Topping:
2 Tomatoes
3 Scallions
Garlic powder to taste
Salt to taste
Oil

Filling:
Butter
Cheese

Directions:

  • In a medium saucepan bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
  • Add 4 cups of cornmeal and stir until combined and mixture forms a dough. (Should not be sticky)
  • Add salt to taste and let cool.
  • In a frying pan add oil, diced tomatoes, chopped scallions, garlic powder to taste, and salt to taste.
  • Cook until reduced.
  • Once cornmeal is cooled, roll a 3-to-4-inch ball and then pat flat between hands until it forms a disc about 5 inches wide and 3 cm thick. Until it forms Arepas.
  • Set the oven to broil high. Place Arepas on a rack and broil until crispy on the outside. Flip to allow each side to golden.
  • Remove from the oven, cut Arepa open, butter the inside and place cheese inside and replace the top.
  • Add tomato scallion reduction to top and enjoy!
  • The great thing about Arepas is that you can fill them with whatever you want. This recipe is simple and quick, but you can always spice it up with various toppings and fillings.

    • read more

    Welcome Back BBQ 2024

    By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

    Photo by Jamila Machado
    Photo by Jamila Machado
    Photo by Jamila Machado
    Photo by Jamila Machado
    Photo by Christina Grigorian
    Photo by Shelby Bourisk
    Photo by Wendy Joubert

    Hispanic Heritage: A Celebration

    By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

    Quotes collected by Elysian Alder and Jordan Chila | Editors-in-Chief

    Photos by Natalia Oliver

    On Thursday, September 19 2024, the ESL Club hosted a Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the
    Leominster Campus, welcoming the entire MWCC community to honor Hispanic culture. Attendees
    enjoyed authentic cuisine, danced to lively Latino music, and gained invaluable insights from keynote speaker Dr. Irene Hernandez.

    “I’m from Uruguay; It’s hard to choose a few [of my favorite things from my country], but the people, the educational system and the food are my top three. It was a meaningful experience for me personally, as a proud Spanish immigrant, to be part of this celebration. This event was a reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures and traditions that make up our community.” read more

    Stealing the Show in Steel Magnolias: Melissa Gates

    By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

    By Jordan Chila | Editor in Chief

    Melissa Gates
    Photo Provided by Gail Steele

    Melissa Gates is a theater enthusiast whose love for the theater has recently pushed her to obtain one of the leading roles in the upcoming production of Steel Magnolias, set to hit the stage on October 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2024. She hails from Fitchburg Massachusetts and graduated high school in 2000. Gates also enjoys her work as a paraprofessional in elementary education and spends her leisure time performing in her band, hiking, and attending local shows. Although she arrived at the Mount in the spring of 2024 to begin her academic journey, Gates has been a part of the Theatre at the Mount community since she was a girl. read more

    How One Local Non-Profit is Tackling Food Insecurity

    By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

    By Mayra Alaniz Andrade | Observer Contributor

    Image from Facebook

    According to Allison Goodwin, Operations Director at Gaining Ground, a nonprofit organic farm in Concord, MA, “About one in five Massachusetts households is experiencing food insecurity, which is really staggering.” Gaining Ground has been working to address the area’s increasing food insecurity for the past seven years by donating free, sustainable, organic produce to local residents.
    According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, 44.2 million Americans lived in food-insecure households in 2022, with 12.8% of residents lacking consistent access to sufficient food, up from 10.2% the previous year. read more

    To Meat or Not to Meat

    By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

    Veganism at the Mount

    By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer

    Seitan piccata, spinach salad, rice pilaf, and a side of hot and sour soup. $8.50
    Photo by Desiree Leader

    According to a study by the research group College Pulse, 14% of the college population follows a vegetarian (no meat products) or vegan (no animal products, including milk or eggs) diet, compared to 4% of the general population. The most cited reason for this is environmental concerns (31%), followed closely by animal rights and health. While no specific data was available for the Mount, Mina Girouard, Student Leader in Civic Engagement, and member of the Food for Thought food pantry at the college has noticed an uptick in the need for vegan products to serve the students. They purchase items like tofu, which are not available through the Worcester County Food Bank that helps stock the pantry. They also offer fresh produce and staples like pasta, beans, and plant-based grains. read more

    The Creative Art of Gary Brayboy

    By editorialteam on September 30, 2024

    By Princess Yeboah | Assistant Editor

    Gary T. Brayboy, a student at MWCC, possesses a creative and intriguing talent for photography. After a breakup and losing his job left him at a crossroads, Brayboy decided to come to the Mount to “reboot his life.” Determined to turn life’s lemons into lemonade, he is now studying video production. With his degree, he hopes to become either a colorist for film or a camera operator. Having a background as a DJ for many years, Brayboy also plans to expand into videography services and eventually start his own production company. As an African-American artist, Brayboy aims to express himself through photographic means. read more