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“Wicked: For Good” may defy expectations

(Image courtesy of IMDB. “Themes of choice define the story of ‘Wicked: For Good’.”)
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: For Good,” the long-awaited sequel to the 2024 film “Wicked” and based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name, will open in two weeks as early reviews indicate another successful award season.
Whereas “Wicked” covered Act I of the stage production, “Wicked: For Good” covers Act II and follows Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland as they embrace their new...

Voters rebuke Trump in 2025 elections

(Photo courtesy of Yuki Iwamura) “Zohran Mamdani declares victory at watch party”
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
On November 4, Americans headed to the polls to make their voices heard in state and local elections, marking the first test of President Donald Trump’s second administration, as the country grapples with the longest government shutdown in history. 
It was a strong evening for Democrats, who outperformed and exceeded expectations in several national high-profile races.  Abigail Spa...

Bus carrying UMass Lowell students catches fire

(Photo courtesy of Westwood Firefighters Local 1994) “Firefighters put out bus fire”
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
On Sunday, October 19th, a bus carrying around 40 members of the UMass Lowell Marching Band on their way to an exhibition performance for the Massachusetts Instrumental Choral & Concert Association (MICCA) at Norwood High School caught on fire off Route 109 in Westwood.
All the students, most of whom were in the percussion section, were able to safely evacuate without any injuri...

Off Broadway Players host fall production

(Photo Courtesy of Anton Grankin) “Cast of ‘Peace in Our Time.'”
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
UMass Lowell’s student drama club, the Off Broadway Players (OBP), is preparing to open their fall play production of Noël Coward’s “Peace in Our Time.” 
Set during World War II, “Peace in our Time” is a what-if show about a group of Londoners at a saloon bar called “The Shy Gazelle” following if Nazi Germany had invaded and occupied the United Kingdom. 
“The Shy Gazelle” is run by Fred and Nora Sh...

UMass Lowell Marching Band prepares for upcoming fall season

(Photo courtesy of Peter Currier) “Michael Hood-Dowd and UMass Lowell Marching Band performing at Convocation.”
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
The UMass Lowell Marching Band (UMLMB) has officially kicked off its new season with its marching show “These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things.”
Not a reference to the song popularized by Julie Andrews, the show consists of favorite selections performed by the UMLMB in the past, including “First Circle & Third Wind” by Pat Metheny Group, “Bohemian Rhap...

United States faces government shutdown

(Photo courtesy of Mariam Zuhaib) “The United States Capitol on Oct. 2, 2025”
Benjamin Heffner
Connector Editor
For the first time in over six years, the United States will face a government shutdown, after both a deadlocked House and Senate failed to reach a funding deal over Obamacare subsidies.  
The shutdown, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 1st, will impact several federal organizations and payouts to its employees, including a delay in services for federal programs, partial...

UMass Lowell Convocation 2025

(Photo courtesy of UMass Lowell) “Freshman gather at the Tsongas Center for Convocation.”
Benjamin Heffner 
Connector Editor
On Tuesday, Sept. 2, freshmen making up the UMass Lowell Class of 2029 gathered at the Tsongas Center for Convocation, a formal welcome for new students into the UMass Lowell community. 
Chancellor Julie Chen encouraged students to get involved with campus life and academic opportunities, while at the same time building long-lasting connections and friendships that would h...
The Mount Observer •

The 21st Annual TAMY Awards - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


On Sunday, June 1st, high school theatre students across Massachusetts gathered at the 21st Annual TAMY Awards, held at Theatre at the Mount (TAM). Modeled after the Tony Awards, which recognizes achievement in Broadway theatre, the TAMY Awards recognizes achievement in high school theatre.


Gail Steele, theatre professor and director of TAM, said that the idea for the TAMY Awards first came in the 90s when her daughter, who was an all-star high school ath...
The Mount Observer •

[April Fools] Mascot Reveal Debut Shelved Over Mascot Costume Wearer Disagreements - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


After much deliberation (and an unexpected amount of arm wrestling), the MWCC marketing department has made the difficult decision to pause the mascot rollout—not because of the design, or the name, but an unexpected internal conflict: Everyone in the MWCC Leadership Team wants to wear the costume. The situation comes as MWCC prepares to surprise students with a dramatic mascot reveal at the April event.


Stephanie England, MWCC’s Director of Marketing & C...
The Mount Observer •

MWCC Hosts Gambling Prevention Event - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


On Wednesday, March 26, the MWCC Counseling and Wellness Department hosted a gambling awareness event in the South Cafe aimed at educating students on responsible gambling, financial wellness, and available resources on campus. The event included free breakfast and lunch, a photo booth, and raffles.


Leanne Hadsel, MWCC’s senior mental health counselor, said that the event gave students the opportunity to explore the impact of gambling behaviors, learn abo...
The Mount Observer •

MWCC Students Vote in SGA Elections - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


From April 14-17, MWCC students had the opportunity to make their voices heard in the 2025 SGA Spring Elections. Kathleen Matson, Director of Student Life, issued the following statement. “10 candidates ran for eight At-Large positions and two candidates for one Student Trustee position. For the At-Large positions, the top eight highest vote-getters win. There was a tie for the 8th position; the currently seated SGA held a tie-breaker election. There were a...
The Mount Observer •

MWCC Community Reacts to Tufts Student Detainment - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


As of April 7th, President Donald Trump’s administration had revoked nearly 1,500 international student visas. On April 25th, court orders restored legal status to some. Many of the students in visa limbo had minor legal infractions, while others did not have anything on their records. The earlier high profile arrests of students like legal permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil followed by the much publicized ICE arrest of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish citizen study...
The Mount Observer •

Review: Into the Woods at TAM - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


Correction 3/25/25: A previous version of this article omitted that Melissa Gates was an Early Education major. This has been amended.


Theatre at the Mount’s (TAM) latest production, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, brings together several classic Brother’s Grimm fairy tales, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. Their stories are all tied together in a storyline about a childless baker and his wife seeking to start a family who fa...
The Mount Observer •

FAA Scare - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Staff Writer


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...
The Mount Observer •

Profile: Julia Feeley - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor


At 17 years old, high schooler and dual enrollment student Julia Feeley has become a well-known fixture in productions at Mount Wachusett Community College’s Theatre at the Mount.


Feeley recently performed in the holiday show Sound of Music as Liesl, a sixteen-going-on-seventeen-year-old who’s the oldest of seven children of the Von Trapp family. Feeley enjoyed playing the role, saying she learned a lot about the character. “I learned a lot about...
The Mount Observer •

Three MWCC Students Injured in MART Bus Accident - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor


Three MWCC students were injured on November 26 after they were struck by an oncoming MART bus. According to a statement released by Campus Police, at approximately 7:50 AM, the MART bus was attempting to make a turn near the Lot B bus stop when the students were struck. 


Samuel Nieves, who was on the bus at the time of the incident, said that as the bus was turning, it suddenly accelerated onto the curb, colliding with students and hitting a ligh...
The Mount Observer •

Americans Re-Elect Trump for Second Nonconsecutive Term as 47th President - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor


On the national stage, former President Donald Trump secured victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris to become the 47th president of the United States. Trump became the first president since Grover Cleveland to win two nonconsecutive terms. He earned 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226, sweeping all seven battleground states. Trump also won the national popular vote, making him the first Republican to do...
The Mount Observer •

How High Schoolers in Central Mass Are Getting Diplomas at MWCC - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor


In June 2024, Bryce Caron graduated from Gardner High School with not only a high school diploma, but college credits as well under his belt. Caron earned his college credits through the North Central Massachusetts Early College Academy, a division of MWCC’s Early College & Dual Enrollment Department. He is now continuing his studies at Springfield College majoring in Psychology with two minors in Athletic Coaching and Sports Analytics. “Dual Enrollm...
The Mount Observer •

What's Cookin' at MWCC - The Mount Observer

Submitted by Benjamin Heffner (Passed on from my grandmother and great-grandmother!).


Serves 4.


Ingredients2 Acorn Squashes2 tsp Olive OilGround beef1 tsp salt1/8th tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg1 onion, finely diced4 cloves garlic, minced¾ cups bulgur2 cups water


Directions:

Submitted by Benjamin Heffner (Passed on from my grandmother and great-grandmother!).

Serves 4.

Ingredients2 Acorn Squashes2 tsp Olive OilGround beef1 tsp salt1/8th tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg1 onion, finely diced4...
The Mount Observer •

Tips and Tricks for Supporting Your Mental Health During Election Season - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor


Mental health is a topic of concern for many people, and awareness for mental health has been steadily increasing. Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is eager to contribute to this important cause. Leeanne Hadsel, Senior Mental Health Counselor of MWCC’s Counseling and Wellness Services department shared some insight on the topic of mental health during election season and gave some advice about how students, staff, and faculty can manage their...
The Mount Observer •

MWCC Students Provide Thoughts on 2024 Presidential Debate - The Mount Observer

By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor


Last month’s debate on September 10 between former President Donald Trump, a Republican, and Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, marked the first—and potentially the only—chance for voters to see both candidates on stage discussing key issues facing the nation, including immigration, taxes, the economy, abortion, and foreign policy.


Students Matthew Infantino, Sarah Vargas, and Oren Cohen gave their thoughts on the debate.


Matthew Infanti...

Mentioned Articles

The Mount Observer •

Profile: Benjamin Heffner - The Mount Observer

By Vana Kingsley | Observer Contributor


Benjamin Heffner, a dual enrollment student and a regular Mount Observer contributor, is graduating this spring to pursue a degree in audio engineering at UMass Lowell. 


Heffner has been part of the dual enrollment program at MWCC since 2023, through the North Central Massachusetts Early College Academy. A lifelong resident of Gardner, Heffner began taking classes at the Mount during his junior year of high school and is now preparing to transfer to...
The Mount Observer •

Out with the Old and In with the New - The Mount Observer

By Jordan Chila | Editor-in Chief


MWCC started the process of implementing a new mascot in the fall of 2024 with a vision that embodied the school’s mission. Students and faculty were asked to vote on various animals and in the end the mountain lion stuck. However, it did receive a makeover. MWCC Marketing department hired the design firm School Branding Agency to create three options that students voted on between January 27th and 30th. Phase 3 is soon approaching.


The results for the new...
The Mount Observer •

MWCC's Learning Success Center: A Free Resource Overlooked - The Mount Observer

By Princess Yeboah | Assistant Editor


Mount Wachusett Community College’s LaChance Library Learning Success Center is a central resource to the campus community, but can be misleading to students of being strictly a tutoring center, which is totally not the case. Located near Trio and Student Support Services on the Gardner campus, and located near Enrollment Services on the Leominster campus, It’s a service that all students have full advantage of. Ranging from assistance to research papers,...
The Mount Observer •

Have No Fear! Open Educational Resources Are Here! - The Mount Observer

By Jordan Chila | Editor-in-Chief


Open educational resources (OER) are available for use at MWCC. An initiative has been put into place to locate, redeem, and output these supplies. These resources are a compilation of material that students and faculty can acquire to use in their classrooms. OERs were developed to aid in the financial struggles students may face when securing resources for their education, such as textbooks. MWCC wants students to know that they can access these resources an...