MWCC News & Events: What's Up at the Mount

MWCC's weekly e-newsletter

Friday, June 9, 2006

Nashua Valley Council Boy Scouts of America Presents
MWCC President Asquino with 2006 Distinguished Citizen Award

By Janice Battista

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino is known for his passion for improving lives and communities through civic engagement and volunteerism. His commitment earned him recognition this week as the 2006 Distinguished Citizen by the Nashua Valley Council Boy Scouts of America. In addition to the award presentation, the council announced that an endowment fund will be created in Asquino’s name to help launch a new urban outreach initiative to involve more young people in scouting.

Past award recipient Kenneth Ansin presented the 2006 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award to MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino on behalf of the Nashua Valley Council Boy Scouts of America.

“When I was a young boy I wanted to become involved in the Boy Scouts,” Asquino told the crowd of more than 400 people gathered in his honor on June 6 at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Leominster. “As it turned out my younger brother by only one year also wanted to be a Scout. My parents could only afford uniforms and scout gear for one of us, so I stepped back to allow my brother this option. Over the next several years I watched him as he learned scouting values and techniques and went on field trips. He stayed in scouting right up to the Eagle rank.”

“While I never regretted my decision to encourage my brother I would now like to try to make certain that others don’t have to limit their options and opportunities due to costs. Therefore, I propose that we begin to establish an endowment to help those who cannot afford the cost of scout uniforms and gear and tonight I make the first pledge of $1000 to this fund.”

Gerald Bieler, Scout Executive of the Nashua Valley Council, said $1,000 from the proceeds of the award dinner also will be used for the new fund. Kenneth Ansin, a past award recipient, also pledged $1,000. Additional pledges were made by made those attending the event, and pledges are still coming in, Bieler said. The council, which also presented Asquino with the James E. West Award, plans to continue to raise funds to begin an outreach program into the Latino community to get more children involved in the scouting program. The council hopes to partner with existing community organizations to establish new troops and packs, programs, and camping opportunities.

In accepting the award, Asquino thanked his family, the faculty and staff at MWCC, the Board of Trustees and the MWCC Foundation board, as well as “everyone who works in the community to build social capital.”

“So many people in this room deserve this honor more than I and I am truly humbled. But really tonight is not about Dan Asquino,” the college president said. “It is about forces, events and things much more powerful and much more essential to the health of our communities and our souls. Tonight is first about volunteerism, community spirit and the building of social capital. Second, it’s about support for the Boy Scout Organization, an organization which has at its core the values of character development, citizenship training and physical and mental fitness. Each year this Boy Scout organization services the needs of 3,500 young people and does so in the most efficient manner possible. It is among our young people that we must instill a spirit of leadership, of giving back and of service to human kind and community,” Asquino said.

In addition to the award presentation, the dinner included entertainment by Rob Surette, a self-taught artist with a mission to inspire people around the world with his Amazing Hero Art portraits. Known as the fastest portrait artist in the world, Surrett created portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in rapid succession while inspiring video clips and music played in the background.

“Those of you who have heard me speak know of my passion for civic engagement. I truly believe that we in North Central Massachusetts have an opportunity to become model communities for the remainder of the nation. It is a fact that healthy communities are engaged communities. Those communities with a vast supply of social capital and a network of volunteers are communities which constantly experience lower drop out rates, lower crime rates and higher rates of involvement in the affairs and issues that are essential to the communities’ health and well being,” he said.

Organizations such as the Boy Scouts are hard at work building a culture of volunteerism among our young people, Asquino said. “In my estimation, civic engagement experiences are the things that build character and value. This is a movement that has caught the attention of many foundations, private philanthropists and corporations. This trend needs to continue, as does the movement to increase the number of youth who study and graduate with degrees in science and math. A social sense combined with an urge to remain competitive as a community and a nation is what will enrich us all.”

“Therefore, my plea this evening is that we come together, the corporate community, the political community, the educational and non-profit community to build and support a first class civically renewed social and educational system that will increase opportunity, and that we support via our time and resources, organizations such as the Boy Scout organization,” he said.

“The belief Dan has of the importance of community engagement and the energy he has been putting into that to try to make things better for people here in our community is the reason he was selected as this year's Distinguished Citizen,” Bieler said. “He has been involved in a lot of organizations, but it’s the heart and soul that he puts into everything that stands out.”

The award dates back to 1970 and the recipient is nominated and selected by past honorees.

 

MWCC, HealthAlliance, Leominster Campus, Team Up for Kid Expo Event

A forecast of rain did not dampen the spirits of hundreds of area families who turned out to learn about children’s health and safety during the Molly Bish Kid Expo held Saturday, June 3 at HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster Campus. The event marked the first time the hospital and MWCC teamed up to bring the popular event to the city of Leominster. Coupled with the third annual Molly Bish Kid Expo held on May 20 at MWCC’s campus in Gardner, the events served more than 2,500 area residents this year.

Volunteers from the Molly Bish Foundation created and distributed 140 Molly Bish Child Safety I.D. kits. In addition, the event featured a variety of health and safety activities, including a car seat safety inspection, the distribution of free bicycle helmets courtesy of the hospital, and demonstrations.

“We are proud to host this event,” said HealthAlliance Hospital CEO Patrick Muldoon. “In spite of the weather’s lack of cooperation, we are pleased that so many families from the Northern Worcester County area were here to enjoy the fun and educational displays and activities.”

Raffle prizes included week at summer camp at Orchard Hills Athletic Club, a bicycle courtesy of the Molly Bish Institute, gift certificates to Gamache Cyclery, plus a bike helmet, passes to Roll On America and gift baskets.

In addition to the hospital, college and the Molly Bish Foundation, sponsors and exhibitors participating in the event were Applebee’s, Gamache Cyclery, Roll On America, Medical Associates pediatrics, American Red Cross, Children’s Aid & Family Services, Healthy Directions, the Leominster Police Department, Leominster Multi Service Center, MedStar Ambulance, Morrison Food Services, Orchard Hills Athletic club, Ross Products, Starbucks, Atlantic Tent Rental, and WXLO Radio.

 

MWCC Library Hosts Literacy Summit for Massachusetts Educators

The realization that many high school seniors enter college ill-prepared to research and write academic papers has resulted in a unique opportunity for Central Massachusetts teachers and librarians. Mount Wachusett Community College hosted a free summit, “My College Freshman is Your High School Senior,” on Thursday, June 8.

Funded by the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System and the MWCC College Access and Preparation Program, the day-long summit gave librarians and educators an opportunity to discuss common concerns and strategize on ways to best prepare students as they proceed through the educational system and into the workforce. The unique event provided participants with an opportunity to discuss such topics as information literacy and writing and research across the curriculum

Nearly 150 people attended the event. Although similar events have been held in other regions of the country, the summit at MWCC is the first time such a program has been held in New England.

“This is evidently an idea whose time had come, and I hope this event will be the first of many to unite the common interests of librarians and teachers,” said the program’s organizer, Heidi McCann, reference and instructional services librarian at MWCC. “I am so thrilled with the response we have received. What we can accomplish together, helping students in their writing and research, is much more than is possible working separately.”

The program included a panel discussion and breakout discussions, breakfast and lunch. Certificates of Attendance worth six Professional Development Point (PDP) hours were issued by CMRLS to library teachers and other faculty who participate.

The program provided a way for educators to gain a common understanding of “what kids need to succeed in terms of information literacy,” said Carolyn Noah, regional administrator of the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System. “Many, many students are ill-prepared to do the research they need, because in Massachusetts in recent years, not all school libraries have been adequately funded. Librarians are working diligently to keep up with the needs of students, but they don’t always have the necessary resources, and the students may be coming to college unprepared. The outcome of this event is to provide people with an understanding of what’s needed to prepare students for college level work.”

McCann and a group of librarians in the region have developed “Libraries for Life,” a benchmark for information literacy that shows what students should learn at various ages to be prepared for entering college. The benchmark was presented at the conference.

More information about the benchmark can be obtained at http://libraries4life.pbwiki.com (password: matrix) or by contacting Heidi McCann at 978-630-9255.

 

“Turned for Two” Wins New England Student Woodworking Design Competition

More than $5,000 in cash awards and other prizes were presented to high school students from throughout New England who participated in the third annual New England Student Woodworking Design Competition, sponsored by MWCC’s Forest and Wood Products Institute. The competition, held May 30 through June 2, drew more than 30 entries from over a dozen schools and concluded with an awards ceremony in the college’s Fine Arts Center.

Graham Oakes, a 2006 graduate of Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H., won first place with a cherry dining table titled, “Turned for Two,” which was complete with plates, goblets, flatware, wine bottle, a lazy Susan and other accessories all crafted from native woods. He was presented with a $500 first place award, and his woodworking teacher, Jack Grube, was presented with $500 of lumber for the woodworking program at Pinkerton. Hayden Mann, a sophomore at U-32 High School in Montpelier, Vermont placed second, with a walnut and curly maple table. He received a check for $350 and his school received $250 in lumber. Third place went to Matt Kiersey, a 12th grader at Windsor High School in Connecticut, who created a poplar TV stand. He received a check for $250.

Grube described the competition as an excellent opportunity for woodworking students to showcase their talent. Six students from Pinkerton participated and four placed in the top 10. “It was extra work for me and it was stressful at times. Somehow that was all forgotten when I saw the smiles and tears in the eyes of the parents as the awards were announced and the pride on the students’ faces,” he said. “This has been one of the most rewarding years of my teaching career. The reception confirmed the need and benefits of showcasing the work of our students and our programs.”

The student entries included a variety of coffee tables, end tables, and nightstands, table clocks, a grandfather clock, a gliding porch bench, lamps, a hope chest, a cupboard, a poker table, and other designs.

Tuck Nichols, president of Nichols & Stone, Inc., delivered the keynote address during the award ceremony and also served as one of three judges. Other judges were David Sargent of Sargent Wood Products, Mickey Callahan of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers and Michael Humphries of Michael Humphries Woodworking. The yearly competition is hosted with support from the Wood Products Manufacturers Association and WoodLINKS USA.

Numerous businesses and organizations donated funds and products for awards to winning entries, including Weyerhaeuser Corp. of Assonet, Woodshop News of Essex, CT, Van and Co. of Pawtucket, RI, Nichols and Stone of Gardner, the Society of American Period Furniture Makers based in Bellingham, Crestwoods of Winchester, N.H., and Heyes Forest Products of Orange, Oleksak Lumber of Westfield, WJ Cox of Clarence, NY., Woodmeister Corp. of Worcester, New England Architectural Woodworking Institute of Sharon, Forester Moulding of Leominster, Alliance Machinery of Marlborough, Mark Richey Woodworking and Design Inc. of Newburyport, Sargent Wood Products of Gardner, Michael Humphries Woodworking Inc. of Warwick, the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers based in Barnstead, N.H., Williams and Hussey Machine Co. of Milford, N.H., The Woodery Lumber Co. of Lunenburg, Downes and Reader Hardwood Co. Inc. of Stoughton, LaChance Furniture of Gardner, H and R 1871 of Gardner, Woodcraft Supply Corp. of Parkersburg, W.Va., Franklin International of Columbus OH, Barnes and Noble at MWCC, and The Home Depot in Leominster.

 

Area Middle School Students Celebrate the Arts at Annual Write On! Celebration

Middle school students learn drumming techniques from master drummer Steve Leicach, who performs with World Rhythms Productions.

Hundreds of students from area middle schools celebrated their artistic achievements during the annual Write On! Celebration held by the College Access and Preparation programs at MWCC. Write On! a writing and art competition sponsored by Project GO and Project Excel invites student to submit original short stories, poetry and artwork. Prizes are awarded for winners and all students receive a certificate for participating.

The competition’s grand prize winners are: Sara Trautner, poetry, Clinton Middle School; Kasey LeBlanc, short story, Gardner Middle School; and Haeley Rochette, art, Gardner Middle School.

As part of the cultural commitment of the grants, musician, composer and educator Tony Vacca of World Rhythms Productions in Northampton and master drummer Steve Leicach of Vermont performed and invited students to participate in the concert.

Participating schools include Academy, BF Brown and Memorial of Fitchburg, Clinton, Gardner, Murdock of Winchendon, and Samoset and Southeast of Leominster.

Talent Search/Project GO (Greater Opportunities) is a federal TRIO program, funded through the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the College Access and Preparation Programs Department at MWCC. GEAR UP is a six-year, $9 million initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by MWCC. Project Excel is a Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Program funded by the Department of Higher Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance and administered by the College Access Programs Department at MWCC.

 

ACT Students Complete Successful Semester

This past semester, five students were dual-enrolled at Shriver Job Corps and Mount Wachusett Community College. “These students have proven that they are capable of doing great things and we are very proud of them,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

ACT stands for Advanced College Training and is an advanced trade at Shriver Job Corps. Any student in good standing who has completed a trade and earned a GED or high school diploma can apply for the program. Students maintain their enrollment at Shriver and simultaneously take a full course load of four or more classes at MWCC. Students commit to two full semesters at the college, with the option to request an extension for a longer enrollment.

Ashley Abreu, Jonathan Alvarado, Andew Kunis, Otilio Perez-Colon, and Gregory Whitehead all completed the spring 2006 semester. Spring 2006 marks the third semester for Perez-Colon who hopes to continue his education at Ithaca College after he completes his associate’s degree next spring. Whitehead, in his first semester at MWCC, earned a place on the Dean’s List while working part-time as a web page developer for a local firm in Gardner.

The ACT students will tell you that it’s not easy to be full-time college students at MWCC and live at Shriver Job Corps. Homework, part-time jobs, social activities, and early morning van rides to Gardner all make for a hectic existence. However, the satisfaction of working toward a college education and making a better life for themselves is what drives them to success.

“I would like to personally congratulate these students on their successes and wish them all the best as they continue their education,” said Kristin C. Asselin, director of educational services/Shriver Job Corps for MWCC.