Bristol Community College ~ Fall River ~ New Bedford ~ Taunton ~ Attleboro ~ Online
Front cover photo - Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven, MA.
Photo by Troy Pleau.
Contributors
EDITOR-IN-CHIEFS:
Gerard Villemenay
Hadley Hunt
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Troy Pleau
Gerard Villemenay
COPY-EDITOR: Tatiana Raudales
STAFF WRITERS:
Dominic Paquette
Samuel Guillotte
LAYOUT & DESIGN:
Hadley Hunt
COVER PHOTO: Troy Pleau
FACULTY ADVISER: Tracy Furtado-Chagas
CONTRIBUTORS:
Bailey Bisson - Photography
Joseph Travis - Graphic Design
PRINTING: TCI Press
Publication Information
The HAWK is the official student-run newspaper of Bristol Community College c/o Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA 02720, 508.678.2811, ext. 4295.
The newspaper serves the Bristol Fall River, New Bedford, Attleboro, Taunton and online campuses. All expressed opinions do not necessarily represent those of The HAWK, its staff, its advertisers or the college. The HAWK’s office is located in room H129B on Elsbree Street; phone number 508678-2811, ext. 4295; email: thehawk@bristolcc.edu. website: bristolthehawk.com
Unauthorized duplication prohibited without expressed written consent.
The Hawk student newspaper is supported by INT 210 or 220 interns, COM 212 practicum class members and work-study students.
Any student interested in being a part of The HAWK and earning college credit can take the COM 212 practicum class, and/or do an internship through INT 210 or 220. There are also several work-study positions available.
Please contact the adviser Tracy Furtado-Chagas by emailing Tracy.Furtado@bristolcc.edu or calling 774-357-2831.
From the Editors
Hello readers,
Welcome to the HAWK’s first summer print edition!
Continue reading to find out how to approach this summer with important and entertaining tips that students can use for this summer semester. The HAWK’s incoming Editor-in-Chief, Hadley Hunt, will present what readers will expect in this edition.
The HAWK thanks everyone for taking time to read this edition, and wishes everyone a great and safe summer.
Sincerely,
Gerard Villemenay, Editor-in-Chief
Following the Spring 2023 semester, many Bristol students are probably wondering how they are going to spend their summer. If this sounds familiar, then consider using this print edition as a guide to having a summer break that is perfectly balanced with plenty of productivity, and an abundance of summer fun.
For this print edition, the HAWK believes that it is important to highlight the work-life balance. While the summer does allow for extra time to be dedicated to getting ahead in your education, it is also known as “summer vacation” for a reason, so don’t forget to relax and have a blast!
The HAWK hopes that students take away some valuable information, ideas, and advice from this edition. With its many and wide-ranging topics, there is surely something in this print edition that every student can enjoy. The HAWK thanks everyone for continuing to support the student paper.
Relax and enjoy the beachside views of Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven.
Photo by Troy Pleau.
Tips to be productive in the summer
Gerard Villemenay | Editor-in-Chief
For many Bristol students, the end of the spring semester could not have been over sooner, especially after a cyberattack that hit the Bristol community on Dec. 23, 2022. The spring semester was delayed by a week, but it ended on time. Bristol students are now taking classes this summer to keep up with their course work.
This piece focuses on how to help other students deal with the stress of coursework during the summer semester, and offers tips to relax and remain productive.
The Summer 2023 semester is here, and students are taking classes to graduate on time. Some Bristol students reflected on the summer courses that they have taken in the past.
Mitchell Kenyon, a Bristol student majoring in general studies, summarized his experience with his summer courses last year, “Personally, I took two last summer,” said Kenyon, as two classes was the maximum number of classes that he wanted to take that semester.
Diana Carney, a liberal arts and psychology student like Kenyon, suggests students take one or two courses.
Dominic Garcia, a dual enrollment student, advises that Bristol students take 3 courses over the summer.
Connor O’ Brian, another dual enrollment student, recommends that Bristol students take 2 courses in the summer.
Kyle Hankis, Venessa Corga, Skylar Depina, and Eric Xu, also all dual enrollment students, suggested that Bristol students take four courses in the summertime.
No matter how many classes students take throughout the summer, students will deal with distractions from schoolwork in the summer, such as hanging out with friends and family, and working full or part-time. These distractions can cause some students to fall behind on their work, which can create stress of keeping up with classes.
To keep up with courses, students must find diverse ways to stay on top of their work. O’Brian says, “Students and people need to keep themselves focus[ed] which is different for everybody.”
For Bristol sudents, there are multiple ways to balance schoolwork and life with these helpful tips.
“Try and go to the library as often as possible,” said Garcia. “Procrastination is what kills.”
Kenyon encourages students to create a schedule that includes dedicated study time and setting a clear academic goal for the summer, minimizing distractions, and being accountable. Other students held similar opinions and provided their tips.
“Create a strict schedule to follow throughout the summer,” said Corga.
Enjoy the sun at a local basketball court. Photo by Troy Pleau.
“Balance between work and hanging out with friends to get it all done,” said Depina.
Teddy Girouard, a general studies student, advises that if students are struggling with their course work students should “get a tutor.” Girouard says that he started spending two hours a day in the library and learning commons with a science tutor.
Course work during the spring, summer, winter, and fall semesters can also add stress to Bristol students trying to maintain good grades and balance work and social life. How can Bristol students manage the stress from all the coursework they are given? “Relax as much as you work. The human body can’t deal with all that stress and [you] need to give time for yourself,” said Xu.
“Don’t procrastinate and plan out your course work accordingly,” said Corga.
“Pace yourself for sure.” said O’Brian.
Students have the tips to be productive not just during the summer semester, but all semesters. During the summer, Bristol students need a break from school to have fun. “Make sure to give yourself free time,” said Hankis. People often take the free time they have for granted by not spending it on things that are a fun activity or hobby.
The Bristol community offered great ideas for those looking for new ways to have fun this summer break to help take the thought of college out of the community’s mind.
Garcia recommends that students enjoy their summer by, “spending [time] with friends.”
Hankis says that students should do beach activities such as swimming, surfing, and playing volleyball. He enjoys “hobbies that relieve stress such as watching TV and playing games.”
“Me personally, I like to go fishing,” said Kenyon. Kenyon also recommends playing in local beach volleyball games or a local YMCA basketball league.
“Meditating, taking it easy, and not pushing yourself to get work done,” said Corga.
Playing “general sports such as basketball and baseball,” said Depina. She also enjoys “doing daily exercises, yoga, meditating, running, and stuff like that.”
“Working on hobbies that you can enjoy,” said Xu.
Girouard recommends going to the beach and bringing a book, friends, go to Fenway...or “go out and enjoy the summer.”
Girouard gave an analogy of water in a cup, “... if water is poured into a cup, then eventually it will overflow.” In other words, if stress is kept inside for too long, then the feeling of being overwhelmed will explode out.
With summer officially here, students prepare to plan for their futures following the semester. Some Bristol students are taking summer courses to graduate on time.
While dealing with schoolwork, working part-time or full-time, Bristol students should have a system to keep up with coursework and be able to have time to enjoy the warm weather and participate in activities that help lower stress and increase productivity.
Find the perfect fishing spot.
Photo by Troy Pleau.
Bristol students prepare for summer and fall courses
Hadley Hunt | Incoming Editor-in-Chief
When the Spring semester approached its end, many students were left wondering where to start in planning for their upcoming courses, whether it was for summer, fall, or both. As well as this, staying on track with assignments during the summer when the classes go by faster, and fun summer activities may sound more enticing can be difficult as well.
According to the Bristol website, summer classes can be used to get ahead or catch up on completing an associates degree. Keeping up with these course requirements is a big commitment. It’s important to know what assignmemt schedules and studying methods work best for students, to guarantee that students are getting the most out of their learning material.
Registration can be an intimidating time for many students. There’s many courses and subjects to choose from, and once chosen, many have multiple teachers and multiple classroom settings. It’s not easy knowing which academic environment will best suit students’ needs, such as being unsure of what to expect from the course work, the instructors, and the requirements of these courses.
However, registration doesn’t have to be a solo process. Students such as Sheryl Campbell, who graduated in May, had found that daily communication with Bristol students online can be helpful in answering lingering questions or concerns, or to help another student with answering theirs.
“I keep myself focused and excited for school by keeping up with others,” said Campbell. “Every morning at 10 a.m, no matter what, I check my
school email, then blackboard, then the student feed. Then at 5 p.m, I check again for any responses and updates.”
The student feed can be located on the Bristol CC mobile app. Here, students are constantly reaching out and supporting one another through their academic and personal endeavors. Most commonly around registration season, students registering ask for other’s thoughts on specific courses to be shared, in order to help them know what to expect and what choices are best for them. It can make the decision process of what courses to take less daunting when students receive multiple opinions. As well as this, while registering for classes can be done individually, there is always the option to register with a student’s assigned advisor.
Summer itself is often associated with both relaxation and excitement. For students who have never taken classes during the summertime, it can be challenging to get adjusted to this new schedule. It’s important to find ways to ease into this routine, and now that classes have started,
Students can register for classes themselves or with an advisor. Photo by Troy Pleau.
find how to get used to these classes and their demands. Fran Chapin, who is going into the nursing program this upcoming Fall, prepares for the beginning of each semester by keeping up with a class schedule before it starts. “Two weeks before the semester,” said Chapin. “I start following along with the school schedule. I put a ritual into place, with a better bedtime and better habits. I just make sure the right things are done everyday.”
Once the semester has started, the first few weeks of courses can be hard to keep up with. Campbell believes the best way is to be patient and focus on the schedules of assignments, so students can get into a rhythm they’re comfortable with.
“If you can get through the first three weeks, it gets better from there,” said Campbell. “For the first three weeks of any course, figuring out teacher expectations and due dates can be difficult. It can take time to figure out a rhythm and know when to expect these assignments to be due. Just give it time, and don’t give up,” she added.
Although it is important to keep up with these assignments, struggling to maintain motivation to do so can hinder staying on track. Motivation to complete coursework can be a challenge, which is why it is so important to have a reward system for short-term achievements, and a long-term goal to reach. To get through tougher assignments, Chapin finds motivation in rewarding herself for a job welldone.
“I encourage myself with rewards for accomplishing work,” said Chapin. “That’s a big thing for me, setting a goal, accomplishing it, and giving yourself something in return.” Some of these rewards could be a well-deserved break by watching an episode of your favorite show, or spending time with friends.
Completing assignments and allowing for a reward in return adds up to achieving a long-term goal. This goal is something that should act as a reason why all of this hard work is being put in. For example, the potential for success that would allow her to help others is the most fulfilling motivation for Chapin. “I don’t like to fail, and that’s a big
motivator,” said Chapin. “I want to be successful. As a nurse, I want to stand up for my clients and be a voice for them. To do this, I have to further my education. This drives my desire to be successful, so I keep coming back to the schoolwork.”
Not everyone studies alike, and that is an important factor to consider during the semester. To find what fits best for Bristol students, attempting different approaches to studying can help narrow down what does and doesn’t work. Even if a beneficial study method is in use, students could still find another method that works.
Students can incorporate learning and studying into a daily routine. For John Morris, a student veteran at Bristol, utilizing his down-time to keep up with school work has helped keep him from falling behind.
“I like to integrate learning into my lifestyle,” said Morris. “When I can’t attend lectures, I put on the lectures in the car and listen to the material while I’m driving.” As well as this, Morris makes sure to set aside time to commit solely to schoolwork. With this, outside plans will not conflict, and there is even more time dedicated to catching up on assignments. “I like to dedicate a specific time where you block out three to four hours, no matter what, to school. If you make sure on, for example, Monday nights at five, that you sit down and don’t make any other plans, then it tends to work out.”
Other students find value in revisiting old assignments and staying refreshed on the topics. This way, the material won’t get forgotten about over the course of the semester. Anthony Martinho, who is currently a first-year student at Bristol, has noticed the benefits in this study method.
“I study regularly, usually by rewriting my notes,” said Martinho. “If I have old homework, then I re-do the questions to remember.” As well as re-doing old assignments to keep the material fresh, keeping track of due dates can make the work process easier. Campbell likes to interpret the deadlines for assignments as being a day earlier, to ensure an assignment is never turned in late.
“It is an incredible stress saver,” said Campbell. “I always turn in my assignments one day early. I don’t like having the deadline and feeling like I am going to miss it. It gives me an entire 24 hours to solve any problems.”
There are many ways to lessen the stress of assignments and due dates. Simple changes in the way that students prepare for courses can make a huge difference. Communicating with other students, following along with a school schedule before the semester starts, and focusing on attaining a goal are just some of the many methods that have helped other Bristol students stay on track for this summer and prepare for the fall. With these students’ varying perspectives on studying methods and maintaining focus, students may find some helpful advice that’ll improve their own preparation for upcoming courses.
Fort Phoenix may just be the next go-to homework destination. Photo by Troy Pleau.
As students head into the summer, these HAWK staff members compiled a list of popular books among Bristol students. It isn’t surprising that reading daily has numerous benefits, including: developing empathy, strengthening critical thinking skills, and improving concentration. It can also help shed light on perspectives you are unfamiliar with or expand your worldview.
Bristol student and Writing Center Peer Tutor Ezekiel Davies, who is majoring in general studies, spoke about his favorite book. He mentioned “Catch 22” by Joseph Heller. Davies said, “It’s about frantic frights about flying among a bombardier and frequent requests to be grounded instead of flying and becoming part of the crew. The main character Yossarian is in the Air Force until stationed on the island on Pianosa, semi-fictional. It makes a valid point of life and zero mercy. Some might call it satire.”
“Catch 22” greatly impacted Davies by leaving him with a powerful message. Davies said the message, “reflects on human nature and how the way people think doesn’t always make sense. It reflects on the human condition and the way people run things. I like to think if a person of power was to read it, they wouldn’t necessarily believe it.”
Davies recommends the book to at least “three out of the four people” he knows and emphasizes that it may not be for everyone, since “it is a little dense...it is not something you breeze through.”
Thankfully “Catch 22” is an accessible read that “can be found at any library,” said Davies. Lastly, Davies rates the book “3 out of 4 stars,” and would
Learning
want to thank Heller for witing this book, and ask about Heller’s experiences in World War II, if he had the chance to speak to him.
According to Mitchell Kenyon, a library assistant at Bristol’s Library Learning Commons at the Fall River campus, popular titles for Bristol students in the last few years include; “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, “The Good Ancestor” by Roman Krznaric, “Educated” by Tara Westover, and “Tales of Two Americas” by John Freeman.
Overall, curling up with a book could be a life-changing experience that provides a new perspective and connects anyone with a deeper understanding of human nature. One could learn about the impacts of racism, or read a story commenting on the human nature behind war.
The Bristol Library
Commons is home for hundreds of literary classics. Photo by Troy Pleau.
Some of the many books available at the Bristol Library Learning Commons. Photo by Gerard Villemenay.
Bristol highlights 2022 2023
Dominic Paquette | Staff Writer
Gerard Villemenay | Editor-in-Chief
BRISTOL HIGHLIGHT:
Women’s soccer team brings home banner winning their championship in the Fall
The women’s soccer team became the first women’s athletic group at Bristol to win the Region XXI Championship and make it to nationals.
Holyoke Community College was their opponent in this one, also finishing their season strong. Their performance was still not enough to beat the Bayhawks after they put up an astonishing five goals to stand alone at the top.
The Bayhawks, coached by Jason Tassinari and led by Captains Jenna Cambria and Jillian Swass, ended up finishing 10-2, to cap off a season that will go down in Bristol athletics history.
HIGHLIGHT:
The Bristol community welcomes the new Vice President of Academic Affairs
The college welcomes Dr. Andrew Fisher, who began his role as the vice president of academic affairs on May 22.
According to Bristol’s website, Fisher will lead the college’s academic programs and services to ensure that it meets
Bristol’s mission, goals, and core values.
Fisher will also ensure that college services and programs will meet students’ and the community’s needs. To learn more about Dr. Fisher, visit Bristol’s website.
Photo by the Bristol Bayhawks.
BRISTOL
Bristol Community College wrapped up the 2022-23 year. These years held many highlights and memories for students and faculty. Without these moments, Bristol would not be where it is today.
BRISTOL HIGHLIGHT:
Bristol’s Spring 2023 semester delayed due
to
unknown cyberattack
Everything was on track for the semester of Spring 2023, until Bristol became victims of a cyberattack taking everyone by surprise on Dec 23, 2022. The original start date for the semester was set to be Jan. 18, but later moved to Jan 25, due to the attack.
The college discovered ransomware in the network that affected all online campus services including all computers and Wi-Fi.
Bristol’s Information Technology Services department shut down the network and Wi-Fi to bring back a clean and secure system.
“Each piece of the system was put back online with the highest safety protocols in place once they were determined that they were safe,” said Associate Director of Media Relations Kevin Spirlet.
According to the Bristol website, it was confirmed that limited amounts of personal information were removed by an unauthorized individual who was in connection with the cyberattack, such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank account information, credit or debit card information, medical information, and so on.
“The external professionals who regularly investigate and analyze these types of situations concluded their investigation on April 10, 2023,” said Spirlet.
The college reports that there are no current instances of identity fraud or improper use of information. Those who were potentially impacted by this event, and had their information at risk received printed notifications in the mail, to guide them on what steps to take to further protect their information, including enrolling in a complimentary credit monitoring service, placing a fraud alert on their credit files, and so on.
“Bristol Community College is committed to evaluating its internal controls and instituting further security measures to protect personal information,” said Spirlet.
Most links on accessBCC were down during the first weeks of the semester, which included financial aid, final grades, and official transcripts, creating a hard start to the spring semester. Currently, these links are accessible, and all is restored.
BRISTOL HIGHLIGHT:
The Veteran’s Center at Bristol
Bristol Community College officially reached the gold category for military friendly schools for the 2023-2024 year. Helping the Joseph A. Marshall Veteran’s Center reach these goals is Director Denny Cosmo, along with six students and two interns involved in the club itself.
“This year is the first year we got gold, last year we got silver, and the year previous to that we just got recognized,” said Cosmo.
Bristol is looking to reach the top 10 category of military friendly schools and has already reached the top of Massachusetts Community Colleges.
“Out of 15 or so Massachusetts community colleges, we are the only one that got gold,” said Cosmo.
Each year Bristol is adding things to make it better and easier for the veterans to fit in and get the education they need.
“Professor Brian McGuire had an English 102 course [that was] veteran themed,” Cosmo said.
Bristol is adding more events, socials, and activities to get the veteran students engaged, which will help them access resources, such as disability services, tutoring, and the writing center.
“Once they are engaged and connected, then we can have them academically successful. Then, once they are academically successful, they are thriving and gaining confidence,” said Cosmo.
Everything is going in the right direction for Bristol to be able to reach the top 10 category. Each year they have been moving up in the categories and helping the veterans get the right education they need.
“Once they are here, we want them to pursue their degree, and continue to grow professionally and personally,” Cosmo said.
The Veteran’s Center in E building at Bristol’s Fall River Campus.
Photo by Troy Pleau.
BRISTOL HIGHLIGHT:
Graduates cross finish line together
After Bristol’s 56th commencement, the 2023 class from Bristol Community College graduated and more students went on to improve their lives.
This year’s valedictorian was Stanley J. Dzengelewski, candidate for an associate in the arts in Liberal Arts and Humanities.
Dzengelewski maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his time at Bristol while working full time, and taking care of his two daughters.
“This is merely a deep breath before we make another plunge below the surface,” said Dzengelewski, during his valedictorian graduation speech.
Dzengelewski finished his first two years of college education and looks to finish his final
years at the University of Michigan, still not forgetting the community held at Bristol.
“It would mean nothing if we were not crossing this finish line together as a community,” said Dzengelewski.
This year’s salutatorian was Victoria Nickole Ribodoux, a candidate for an associate in the arts in liberal arts as a history transfer.
Robidoux plans to continue with her passion for museum conservation and anthropology. She worked at the Rhode Island School of Design museum, while excelling academically, as well as founding the Mortals Club at Bristol.
BRISTOL HIGHLIGHT:
Bristol Mobile Market is giving free food to help families in need
As prices get higher, families struggle more trying to set food on their tables. At all Bristol campuses, volunteers are helping donate food to over five hundred families a month.
Registration resets every month for this free food market, giving every family an opportunity to get the help they need.
The Greater Boston Food Bank and the CARES Act funds the Bristol Mobile Market. This food market takes place on the second Thursday of every month.
Food for the food market.
Photo by Bailey Bisson.
Ideas and tips to keep your mind and body healthy this summer
Samuel Guillotte | Staff Writer
Well, that’s a wrap folks! Bristol has made it to the end of its 2023 Spring semester. Now, many may be wondering, how do students keep themselves entertained and healthy throughout the summer?
The answer to this question isn’t quite clear. There are so many things students can choose from to stay busy. The Bristol community has some ideas that will keep students’ minds and bodies healthy, as well as allow for a summer full of fun.
With the warm weather here, one could simply suggest going outside. Just like the spacious outdoors, there’s so much room for things to do. Plenty of people have problems trying to figure out how to spend their summer days. Many constantly go back-and-forth deciding whether they should take a trip to the beach with their friends, or do an at-home activity. However, sweltering heat and humidity could alter those plans at any given point.
The first tip to remember is to stay hydrated. The heat will drain the body’s energy, thus draining one’s motivation to be productive during the day. Staying hydrated will refresh the body, energizing a person enough to keep working and moving throughout the day.
Just because it is summer does not mean students shouldn’t have goals. Bristol
students should set aside an attainable goal to accomplish during the summer, whether it’s signing up for the gym, getting another job, or working more hours at a current job. This goal is part of a “grind,” a popular slang term for putting in hard work towards something. A grind can keep a person busy and on their toes during the summer. Bristol student Jordan Donahue had the pleasure of sharing what she does for her own grind.
“I jog in the summer. Usually, I listen to music and try to time how long I go for,” Donahue said. “I work as a lifeguard during the school year, so it’s important to stay pretty in shape.”
Engaging in a sport, or workout, is one of the most effecient ways to keep the mind and body entertained during the summer.
Jogging can help students stay on the grind. Photo by Troy Pleau.
Thank you Arts and
Humanities department
The summer 2023 print publication was created by the hardworking staff at The HAWK student newspaper. The stories displayed here were developed from the perspective of past and current Bristol Community College students.
This publication would not be possible without the help of the Arts and Humanities department, and the HAWK thanks the department for endorsing the student newspaper to help bring this edition to life and help other Bristol students deal with the tribulations of college work in the summertime while providing tips to unwind during this break.
The HAWK wishes our readers to have a safe and productive summer. Remember to unwind and continue to stay on the grind!
Arts and Humanities bulletin board located in B building. Photos by Gerard Villemenay.
Visit a local beach this summer, such as Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven.
