Posts published in “News”

(Archive October 2018) Media Bias: We All Lose with Fake News

By editorialteam on March 25, 2025

By Sophia Schlegelmilch | Observer Contributor

It is easy to to taint factual news with opinion, leading to much confusion as to what is considered actual fact, and what is “fake news.”
Image from Pixabay, edited by Thomas Hill Jr.

Students and faculty had the opportunity to discuss what defines fake news and how to distinguish reliable news sources during the Media Bias and Fake News Discussion Panel, the latest installment of the Tea Time Speaker Series.

The discussion included topics such as how to define fake news, how to spot reliable news sources, reporters’ objectivity, and racial bias in the media.

The panel consisted of Susan Goldstein, Professor of English and advisor to the student newspaper, The Mount Observer; Anthony Simollardes, editor for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette; Sam Bonacci, MWCC Communications Specialist; and Ellen Pratt, MWCC’s Distance Education and Outreach librarian. Professor Michelle Valois served as moderator. read more

(Archive October 2018) Generation Z-A “Youthquake”

By editorialteam on March 25, 2025

By Zach Pavlosky | Editor in Chief

Violence, advanced technology, a volatile economy, and social justice movements are viewed by Dean of Students Jason Zelesky as being the main influencers shaping a new generation of students.

Generation Z is made up of students who were born between 1995 and 2020 and has also been called, “iGen”, “Gen Wii”, and “Net Gen.” Zelesky referred to them as “digital natives” which means that, from birth, they have been exposed to all manner of advanced technology. “A child is learning how to text before they can write with a pencil or crayon,” said Zelesky. read more

FAA Scare

By editorialteam on March 14, 2025

While Flying is Still Relatively Safe, MWCC Community Acknowledges Recent Events

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer

Los Angeles International Airport
Photo by Josh M on Unsplash

Since the January 29, 2025 fatal Mid-air collision in Washington D.C. between an American Airline and a Black hawk helicopter, several other incidents have made their way into the news, including a fatal MedVac crash in Philadelphia, a Delta Airlines flight overturning and catching fire on the runway while landing in Toronto, and a midair collision in Arizona. These incidents, coupled with President’s Trump’s administration’s laying off of over 400 Federal Aviation Administration employees and 200 Transportation Safety Administration, has led to flying in the news more frequently. In relation to this news, some at Mount Wachusett Community College find themselves reflecting on the safety of air travel, even as it remains statistically less dangerous than driving. read more

President Trump Addresses Congress and the Nation

By editorialteam on March 14, 2025

By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer

President Trump’s official 2025 portrait
Image from whitehouse.gov

On March 4, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of congress in the Capitol Building. The speech started at 9:14. P.M. and the gathering resembled a pep rally with chants of “USA” coming from the Republican section of the room as the president appeared, exclaiming, “America is Back!”

The Democrats also showed camaraderie amongst themselves, with most of the women wearing shades of pink to express concern over the new administration’s policies concerning women. Many of the Democrats also held paddles bearing phrases like “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid,” and “Protect Veterans” in silent protest of the Trump Administration and its policies. read more

Free Fresh Food: Marty’s Market Produce Boxes

By editorialteam on March 14, 2025

By Wendy Joubert | Observer Contributor

Produce found in the Marty’s Market produce boxes
Photo by Wendy Joubert

Correction 3/17/25: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Brianna Desautels was a Dental Hygiene student. This has been corrected to Allied Health student.

Fresh produce is available to MWCC students at Marty’s Market on Tuesdays. The boxes are donated by Growing Places, a nonprofit based in Leominster, MA, and dropped off at Marty’s Market every Tuesday afternoon. A limited supply of boxes are available. Produce boxes are free to all MWCC students and you don’t need an account with Marty’s Market to pick one up. The produce that is available is seasonal and will change throughout the year. read more

Zelenskyy’s White House Visit in Context

By editorialteam on March 14, 2025

By Holden Baird | Observer Contributor

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance clash with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during meeting in Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025.

You may have seen coverage of the recent meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which has since drawn intense reactions from both sides of the political aisle. The controversial meeting and the wider conflict between Ukraine and Russia encompass one of the most consequential of ongoing world affairs, and it could have significant future ramifications.

What is happening in Ukraine?

The Russo-Ukrainian War initially began in February of 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. At the time, Ukraine was experiencing intense political upheaval that resulted in the ousting of Viktor Yanukovych, their then pro-Russian president. Russia defended their action as one taken to support the region’s pro-Russia separatists; Western powers viewed the occupation as an effort to maintain Russia’s influence within the Ukrainian government. read more

(Archive September 2018) Parking Lots and Garden Plots

By editorialteam on March 5, 2025

By Christine Nelson | Observer Contributor

The newly completed parking lot outside of the fitness center, and the location of the previous Community Garden.

Current parking lot construction will bring improvements to campus parking lots, yet requires the removal of the community garden.

All parking areas will be repaved. Parking in front of the Fitness Center will expand to accommodate more parking spaces—an additional 24 regular spaces and 11 accessible spaces. The community garden near the Fitness Center will be removed to allow for this expansion. A catch basin system will be installed to improve drainage. Parking lots B, C, and D remain the same size, yet will gain over 100 additional spaces as lines are redrawn for more modern cars. (Current lines are based on 1970 car sizes.) There will also be new lighting. read more

(Archive September 2018) Spin Street Cred Into College Cred in Hip Hop Class

By editorialteam on March 5, 2025

By Maurisa Weld | Observer Contributor

Photos by Maurisa Weld
Ashlaw, student/s dancing

Did you know you can “break, pop and lock” and have it count towards a degree? If you always wanted to bust a move, Street Dance/ Hip-Hop is now offered as an accredited elective with no prior dance experience required.

Choreographer and instructor Brittany Ashlaw has been dancing since she was two years old and has been teaching dance arts for 10 years. Ashlaw said teaching at the college is different than at studios because she can incorporate discussion and dance history into the movement lessons. read more

(Archive September 2018) A New President, A New Precedent

By editorialteam on March 5, 2025

By Ayana Brodeur-Edmonds | Observer Contributor

Photo courtesy of MWCC
President James L. Vander Hooven

It has been an eventful year for the community since President James L. Vander Hooven took office at MWCC. After a year of changes, President Vander Hooven and the community share their thoughts on where MWCC is now.

When Vander Hooven first looked into MWCC, he says that he was very impressed by the students and faculty. He “loved” the programs offered at MWCC, and said, “It [Working at MWCC] just seemed like a really great opportunity for me.” So far, his time at the college has been enjoyable. Vander Hooven has gotten to explore the community, and get a “deeper understanding” of what goes on here at the Mount. read more

(Archive September 2018) Diversity Club Cultivates Culture

By editorialteam on March 5, 2025

By Jasmin Ruiz | Observer Contributor

Photo courtesy of MWCC
Melissa Bourque-Silva

In efforts to increase appreciation and support of diversity here at the Mount, Melissa Bourque-Silva, Director of National Workforce Diversity Pipeline, proposed the idea of building our very own multicultural center on the Gardner campus and it’s a go!

No timeline has been determined for when the project would begin. The plan is for the project to be fully funded and self-sustaining, but in the meantime Bourque-Silva is seeking out extra funding sources and grants that would be interested in supporting the project. read more