Featured Archives - The Mount Observer

Santa’s Secrets

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

An Exclusive Interview with Santino ‘Santa’ Claus

By Desiree Leader | Observer Contributor

In an exclusive interview on November 27th, Santa Claus himself took time out of his busy schedule to speak with a reporter from the Observer. This is what he had to say:

Q: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I’ve always been a huge Santa fan. How did you come to be in this position?

Well, it’s a family job. A lot of people don’t understand that, but Santa was my father, my grandfather, and my great grandfather. It goes back to the 1500’s, [and] I will pass it on to my son at some point when I’m too old to be Santa. read more

Pawsitive Vibes

By editorialteam on October 21, 2023

Pet Wellness Month at the Mount

“This is Hank. He is 2 years old, and his favorite activity is playing fetch with my dad. After my other dog, Daly Alley, passed away due to hip complications, my dad, who loves dogs, was heartbroken as Alley was one of his favorites. So, my siblings, my mom, and I decided to surprise my dad on Father’s Day by driving to Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, to get him a new dog that he could be buddies with. We surprised him in the late afternoon on Father’s Day, and that’s when Hank became a part of our life. He’s the most special dog ever: the kindest, sweetest, and gentlest dog you could imagine. ” — Abigail Randall, Art major read more

Renovations Planned for Future Trade Programs

By editorialteam on May 14, 2020

President Vander Hooven discusses plans to add trade facilities to Mount Fitness

By Peter Edwards
Observer Contributor

Enrollment has been steadily dropping over the last several semesters at smaller colleges and universities across Massachusetts, including Mount Wachusett Community College. School officials and MWCC President James Vander Hooven have been searching for solutions to the problem.

Recently, MWCC applied for a $20 million grant to cover the cost of renovations to the Fitness Center, adding trade classrooms in much of the underutilized gym space and revamping the gym itself. read more

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: 2020 Commencement

By editorialteam on May 10, 2020

President and Dean of Students offer insights into upcoming virtual ceremony

By Claire Higginson
Observer Contributor

Due to the spread of COVID-19, MWCC has not only decided to shut down classes for the rest of the semester, but all in-person activities as well, including the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020.

“The decision not to have an in-person commencement was the most difficult decision I’ve had to make,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven.

“I never imagined a scenario where we would not have an in-person commencement, however, given the circumstances we are facing, I can see no other option that will maximize the health and safety of our students, their families, the faculty, and staff.” read more

Barriers at the Border

By editorialteam on April 10, 2020

Attorney sheds light on the realities of the immigration process

By Abbi Rameau
Observer Contributor

*Image from burkelawgroup.business.site*

Immigration attorney Cindy Burke recently spoke at MWCC, presenting the struggles immigrants face in U.S. detention centers and encouraging people to change their attitudes.

Burke addressed a crowded room of interested students for an hour, moving some students to tears. The event opened the conversation on immigration in a calm way where people expressed their opinions peacefully.

Burke detailed the conditions she saw at the border, speaking of chain link fences meant for 15 people holding up to 60 or more immigrants. She described four meals a day that are all the same: two slices of white bread and a piece of bologna, dumped over the top of the fences. read more

Becoming a Positive Bystander

By editorialteam on January 8, 2020

Leadership training fosters a compassionate school community

By Maya Douglas
Observer Contributor

Jason Zelesky, Dean of Students, recently led a Leadership for Life Bystander training in the Murphy Conference room. Zelesky said the goal of the program is to imagine a college campus community which uses its abilities to look out for others at all times. He said there is a need to build a strong, safe, and respectful community.

*Photo courtesy of MWCC*
**Jason Zelesky, Dean of Students**

The Bystander Program has been able to make a difference and report concerns to invoke change. According to Zelesky, the program started six years ago because of an issue on campus. One studnet walked by another student who was crying in the hallway, and that student admitted that he/she was not okay. read more

The Write Way to Research

By editorialteam on December 7, 2019

Librarian offers tips on writing research papers

By Nicholas Papini
Observer Contributor

One research librarian believes that one of the greatest mistakes students make in writing a research paper is not asking for help.

*Photo by Nicholas Papini*
**Ellen Pratt**

Ellen Pratt, a distance education and outreach librarian, mentioned how the library has numerous resources available for students, but that many students do not use them.

“Reaching out for help is an underdeveloped skill in a lot of students,” said Pratt. When students are utilizing a database and not getting any results, they blame the database for the issue. They may even decide that the database is not a helpful tool. However, Pratt stressed that there are tools available to help them. Library assistants are one, but there are resources on the MWCC website, as well. The MOOC video tutorials contain numerous tips and tricks. There are also research guides on the website under the Start Your Research tab. read more

Active Shooter Training

By editorialteam on November 29, 2019

Campus police discuss active shooter survival tips

By Maya Douglas
Observer Contributor

In the event of an active shooter, teachers are trained to lock the doors, close the blinds, and call 911, but campus police have some other tactics in mind.

Campus police officer Jim Halkola said police response must change, and traditional lockdown procedures have failed us. He argued that in the amount of time it takes to lockdown and call 911, evacuation could have already occurred.

*Photo by Betsy Torres*
**Captain Jim Halkola of Campus Police**

During a lecture Halkola said, “Staying huddled in a corner is exactly what an active shooter wants.” It’s referred to as “sitting duck syndrome.” He said there is nothing proactive about waiting for the killer to come to you. read more

The Triple Play

By editorialteam on November 14, 2019

Juggling life as a student, a parent, and an employee

By Hannah Bennett
Observer Contributor

How difficult is it to take care of yourself during college?

There’s getting up on time, getting ready, eating breakfast, and the rest of the “morning routine” before school.

Setting time for any homework or projects is also a must and isn’t always easy. On top of that, a job to support yourself takes up time, energy, and focus. Together, a job and college classes are enough to fill the day, leaving little room to take care of yourself.

So what would caring for a child do to that schedule? Being a parent is a full-time job on its own. How hard must it be to be a student, employee, and a parent all at the same time? read more

This Story Sucks!

By editorialteam on November 9, 2019

Doctor cautions against deadly virus

By Ryan Lyesiuk
Observer Contributor

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an often deadly virus, but with the right knowledge and precautionary measures, the chances of obtaining this disease are slim.

According to Dr. Charlotte Newell, adjunct faculty in the Vet Tech program, the chances of acquiring EEE significantly decrease as the temperatures drop. Newell stated, “Everyone is at risk until there is a hard frost.” Hard frost (28 degrees or lower) often does not occur in Massachusetts until late October or early November, according to the National Weather Service. read more

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