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Posts tagged as “student life”

Your Head’s in the Game

By editorialteam on February 23, 2024

Princess Yeboah’s Success

By Jordan Chila | Observer Contributor

Photo courtesy of Princess Yeboah

Princess Yeboah arrived at the Mount in the fall semester of 2023 with the tough decision to make about whether she wanted to pursue a creative future in writing or a clinical career in nursing. Yeboah grew up in Baldwinsville and attended Monty Tech in Westminster for high school. Yeboah, a basketball enthusiast and person of faith, made her family very proud when she graduated in the spring of 2023. Initially, she had a strong desire to join their health technologies program; however, Yeboah ultimately ended up taking business technology. read more

Challenging Justice

By editorialteam on February 23, 2024

Death Note Review

By Sam LeMay | Observer Contributor

Image copyright Nippon TV

Death Note is an anime that toys with the audience’s perception of justice and judgment. The main character, Light Yagami, also known as Kira, blurs the line between protagonist and antagonist. He introduces a twisted sense of curiosity as he explores his vision for a new world.

The 37-episode anime debuted in 2007, directed by Tetsurō Araki (“Attack on Titan”) and adapted from Tsugumi Ohba’s successful manga series by the same name. Death Note has also been adapted into a light novel series, several live action films and series, a video game, and a musical. read more

Larian Studios’ “Baldur’s Gate 3” Takes Over the 2023 Game Awards

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

By Kent Yang | Staff Writer

Image Copyright Larian Studios

The Game Awards, initiated in 2014 by veteran game journalist Geoff Keighley, stand as an annual ceremony honoring both creative and technical accomplishments within the gaming industry. Since its inception, the awards has gained immense popularity, evolving into the most-watched awards ceremony in entertainment. Last year’s Game Awards ceremony gathered a staggering 103 million streams. To put this into perspective, the Oscars, a longstanding and renowned awards ceremony, grappled to attain 20 million television viewers. read more

A Year in Tech

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

Top Tech Trends and Innovations of 2023

By Kent Yang | Staff Writer

Within the dynamic world of technology, several noteworthy trends and innovations emerged in 2023, shaping the foundation of the next great digital era. 

Quantum computing took center stage with IBM’s groundbreaking development of a new quantum computer capable of executing specific calculations millions of times faster than its predecessors. 

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) experienced a breakout year for generative AI, deep learning platforms, and advancements in autonomous robots and vehicles. Tech giants like IBM, Apple, Intel, and NVIDIA are in a fierce race to create the best hardware that leverages AI technologies. read more

Profile: Julian Anderson

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

The “Parking Lot Selfie Guy”

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

Photos courtesy of Julian Anderson, collage by Elysian Alder

Julian Anderson is the 20 year old Media Arts and Technology (Audio Concentration) major who took the Mount’s new Student Feed app by storm when he decided to kick off the semester by posting a selfie of himself sitting on the trunk of his car. The caption? ‘Parking Lot Selfie, Day 2.’ 

“I knew at first people might approach me, asking me if I was the guy who posted selfies in the parking lot, but I wasn’t that nervous,” said Anderson. “It was more for me than it was for anyone who liked following along with my selfie journey.” read more

Elf the Musical

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

Spreading Holiday Cheer for All at the Mount

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Laura Cavanaugh via Theater at the Mount

On Saturday, December 2nd, Mount Wachusett Community College’s Theatre at the Mount (TAM) put on a spectacular performance of their holiday show, Elf: the Musical, a stage adaptation of the hit 2003 film of the same name.The musical follows Buddy (David Allen Prescott)—a human raised by the elves (who are “Happy All the Time,” according to the show’s opening number) at the North Pole—as he sets out on a journey to New York City in search of his real father…and his true identity.  read more

It’s the Holiday Season

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

An Examination of the Holidays Celebrated (and Not Celebrated) at the Mount

By Desiree Leader | Observer Contributor

The holiday season is happening all over the world. Eighty-five percent of people in the United States will be celebrating Christmas–everywhere you look, there are lights, trees, and Santas. As a matter of fact, in America, Christmas is celebrated 14 times more often than Hanukkah, and the ratio of people celebrating Kwanzaa to Christmas is 1:49. Although Christmas is the most popular holiday in America, it is clearly not the only one. Despite the Mount taking steps to be inclusive, some people feel that more could be done.  read more

Troubling Times

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

MWCC Community Considers Responses to Middle East Conflict

By Amal Elkhoury | Observer Contributor

Following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7th, the MWCC community is considering how best to navigate the difficult discussions that have arisen. Students must balance the emotional toll of a foreign battle with their academic challenges, and many National Guard members are anxious about being called out to fight. However, MWCC President James Vander Hooven has not yet issued an official statement for impacted students. 

When asked why, Vander Hooven said, “I readily acknowledge that I have not specified an event. I also did not send a message specific to the war in Ukraine or conflicts in Africa. But…the mental health of our students and employees is extremely important to me.”  read more

Food for Thought

By editorialteam on November 19, 2023

Investigating Food Insecurity at MWCC

By Desiree Leader | Observer Contributor

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, 1 out of 7 people in Massachusetts receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps. Food insecurity is a global issue, and it is no different at the Mount.

With a recent reduction in additional supplemental benefits, the local demand on food pantries is at an all-time high. According to Pam Guild, President of the Board of Directors at the Wachusett Food Pantry in Sterling, there has been a major uptick in recipients during and since the COVID-19 pandemic because “prices are going up all over for basics.” read more

Wanted for Questioning

By editorialteam on November 19, 2023

Community Reflection on the Manhunt for Aaron Pennington

By Sam LeMay | Observer Contributor

Aaron Pennington remains the figure of interest in the troubling events that unfolded on October 22nd. The incident, which involved the fatal shooting of his wife, Breanne Pennington, and his subsequent flight, has prompted students and staff at the Mount to reflect upon their sense of security in the area. As of this issue’s publication date,  the latest press release from Massachusetts State Police indicates that they have suspended their search, confirming that although they haven’t found him, they are assuming he is still alive until a body is found. On the morning of October 23rd, an email from MWCC Student Services reached the student body, advising them to immediately contact authorities if they encounter anyone matching Pennington’s description. read more