Posts tagged as “student life”

(Archive September 2019) A Healthier Tomorrow

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Green Energy Advocates Talk Renewable Energy and Healthy Food

By Eliana Mello | Observer Contributor

Fresh fruit served daily at the MWCC North Cafe.
Photo by Thomas Hill Jr.

MWCC supports the environment through their own green energy facilities, classes, and through partnering with organizations in the community.

Robert LaBonte, Vice Principal of Finance and Administration, said, “It’s important that we show some leadership in initiating green energy on the campus.”

MWCC has been involved in green energy since the 1970s, using electricity rather than oil in order to help with the oil shortage during that time. A biomass facility was constructed next to the gym in order to use a renewable energy source. Wood chips are used to heat the school rather than oil. read more

(Archive September 2019) Welcome Back MWCC Students

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

A Message from President Vander Hooven

Greetings and welcome to the Fall 2019 Semester!

I want to welcome all students, both new and returning, to the Mount for a new year. As I age, I might say this every year but this was a fast-moving summer! It seems like the 4th of July was a few days ago. I am so excited to have all of the students and faculty back on campus. You create such a great energy on campus. It’s also a lot more fun to have a full campus.

I also want to thank you for choosing MWCC in your steps toward reaching your academic and personal goals. The faculty and staff are ready to assist you as you pursue your journey. I also know, from personal experience, that there will be obstacles along the way. Reaching your goals will not always be easy and you will need support to be successful. I can easily recall the many mentors, teachers, and friends I had along the way who enabled my success. But just having them available here at MWCC is not enough. You will need to ask! Asking for help to reach your goals is not a sign of weakness. Quite the opposite, it is the greatest sign of strength. read more

(Archive September 2019) Break the Silence

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Students and Staff Work Together to Reduce Mental Health Stigma

By Casey Merritt | Observer Contributor

Student Heather Burke, President Vander Hooven, and Professor Sheila Murphy share the goal of helping students find a method to cope with their mental illness.

Burke says her illnesses held her back “from getting involved at the college, hanging out with friends, and going to the library.”

Refusing help from faculty and staff at the college, Burke’s way of coping is through a grounding exercise called The Five Senses.

“I look for five things in five colors, five for each color because it’s more private,” she said. read more

(Archive October 2019) That’s Entertainment!

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Student Reviews Local Pop Culture Shop

By Jurrell Pabrezis | Observer Contributor

Photo by Bruce Matsunaga from flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/brucematsunaga/37642160115

Looking for action? Looking for excitement? Looking for…entertainment?!? That’s Entertainment is your one-stop source for all your fandom needs. Whether you’re looking for comic books, video games, action figures, CDs, vinyl, or various other pop culture memorabilia, this is the place to be. That’s Entertainment has two locations; 244 Park Avenue in Worcester and 56 John Fitch Highway in Fitchburg. My journey through the land of pop culture was at the Fitchburg location. The building itself is easy to find, right off the main road in the heart of Fitchburg. Parking was accessible, as the store is located within a group of other businesses. read more

(Archive October 2019) Getting Connected: A Message from the Editor

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

By Sophia Schlegelmilch | Editor in Chief

Happy Fall, readers! I’m finally getting into the swing of the school year, and I hope you are too.

This past month has been an interesting one in the Observer newsroom. We are getting to know a new class of Journalism students as well as several new staff members and contributors. Continuity between semesters is always tricky to achieve, so I am absolutely thrilled that we have several staff members returning from last semester. In addition to our returning staff, we are lucky to have two new staff members joining our team this semester as well: Vanessa Roberto, one of two staff photographers, and Anna Allen, our new web editor. read more

(Archive October 2019) Could I Be an Entrepreneur?

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Student Gives Advice on Seeking a Path to Success

By Charles Greco | Observer Contributor

You don’t have to be a Business major to have a desire to become an entrepreneur. Every major and degree program can help create opportunities to open your own business in the future, as well as developing an employment career path.

We are nearing graduation day, and some students will be moving on to four-year schools and perhaps beyond while others will begin thinking about leveraging their education sooner rather than later, finding decent starting jobs with potential for growth. Both graduating students will have equal opportunity to develop a strategy for becoming an entrepreneur. What’s really important is that long-term career decisions don’t have to be made on graduation day. read more

(Archive May 2019) Join the Family – Review: The Sopranos

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

By Conner Garrity | Observer Contributor

*The Sopranos* copyright HBO
Image from mezclaconfusa on flickr

It’s been over twenty years since The Sopranos debuted. There is one lingering question: Does the show still hold up today?

The Sopranos premiered back in January 1999. The mob show was a hit and is considered one of the best television series ever. The show centers around a New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano as he deals with drama surrounding his family and his “work.” On top of that, Tony suffers from panic attacks and mental health issues which stem from his upbringing. read more

(Archive May 2019) Connecting Through Social Gaming

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Students Get Together to Play Video Games in the Student Center

By Daniela Perez | Observer Contributor

Students making use of the “game center” in the Student Center
Photo by Daniela Perez

Playing video games at the student center is one of the ways students from different departments can come together to pass time.

Dominic Cannavino, Business major, plays Dark Souls 3 with his friend Bryce Harper, Law major, while they wait to attend their next class. “Life is too serious and video games help me relax,” said Cannavino.

Jacob Hull, Biotech major, also spends time at the student center playing video games. His favorite games to play are Mortal Kombat X and Jump Force. Despite his enjoyment of video games, Hull doesn’t hesitate to put down his controller and enjoy some time away from the screen when his friends want to hang out. read more

(Archive May 2019) Milk and Cookies Masquerade

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

A Student’s Tasteful Take on Being Yourself

By Michele Walsky | Observer Contributor

Entire store shelves can be filled with the various flavors of Oreo.
Photo by Betsabee Torres

“C’mon, Oreos, be yourself,” my teen daughter exclaimed down the aisle last spring.
She has a point. How are we supposed to be brave and love who we are? How do we teach our kids it is okay to be your quirky self if America’s Favorite Cookie is waffling on who they are?

Now, I am not abhorring Oreos (No hate, just ate…a bunch) and I admit I have not tried most of the madcap mashups. I just appreciate its humble beginnings. But hey, at least the funny flavors shake up a shopping trip. The first crazed culprit we spied was Hot & Spicy Cinnamon Candies; you know, the Red Hots you used to sprinkle on cupcakes or give out with school valentines? Hiding next in sheep’s clothing was Peeps! Um, hate to break it to you Oreo, but that gig is already taken. And the same goes for jelly beans’ newest sidekick Carrot Cake! I wonder if the Trix rabbit would fall for those. read more

(Archive May 2019) Letter to the Editor: Re; “Can’t Sleep, Must Tweet: Limiting Screen Time”

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Dear Editor,

Re: “Can’t Sleep, Must Tweet: Limiting Screen Time” (The Mount Observer Opinion: February 6, 2019, Volume 13 Issue 3)

As a student, employee, and mom, I found this article very interesting and helpful. I agree strongly with everything that was stated in the article. Screen time does affect people in many ways. As stated by the reporter, it disconnects people from the real world. There have been times where I would be piled up with homework and instead of focusing on that, I would use my phone instead. I learned about the screen time app on the iPhones from reading this article. read more