{"id":26977,"date":"2020-12-11T21:42:45","date_gmt":"2020-12-12T02:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom2\/2020\/12\/12\/twas-the-night-before-vacation-week\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T09:54:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:54:04","slug":"twas-the-night-before-vacation-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2020\/12\/11\/twas-the-night-before-vacation-week\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2019Twas the Night Before Vacation Week"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"woman<\/a>

Allison Dolan-Wilson, VP of Institutional Advancement<\/p><\/div>\n

Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president of institutional advancement, rewrote the traditional classic, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, customizing it for a Northern Essex audience. She shared her rendition at the virtual holiday party for faculty and staff on Dec. 10.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2019Twas the night before vacation week and all through the campus,<\/p>\n

Not a single soul was stirring, \u2018cuz the task force wouldn\u2019t let us.<\/p>\n

The signage was hung by the student center with care,<\/p>\n

In hopes that more students soon would be there.<\/p>\n

The faculty were nestled all snug in their beds,<\/p>\n

While visions of zoom best practices danced in their heads.<\/p>\n

And the Knight in his armor, and I in my mask,<\/p>\n

Had just settled our brains and finished our last task.<\/p>\n

When out on the quad there arose such a clatter,<\/p>\n

Half the police academy ran out, to see what was the matter.<\/p>\n

Away to the windows the VPs flew like a flash,<\/p>\n

And hoped there wasn\u2019t a gathering or other holiday bash.<\/p>\n

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,<\/p>\n

Left Mike happy with the shoveling work below.<\/p>\n

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,<\/p>\n

But dozens of faculty and staff (socially distanced to be clear).<\/p>\n

With spirit and can-do, so lively and quick,<\/p>\n

We knew in a moment this wasn\u2019t a trick.<\/p>\n

More excited and energized than bunnies they came,<\/p>\n

They whistled and shouted and congratulated each other by name.<\/p>\n

Go, Sarah \u2013 Go, Hilce, Go Heather and Danny!<\/p>\n

Go, Nancy \u2013 go, Jonathan, Go Kelly and Courtney!<\/p>\n

To the top of our game to the top of our field,<\/p>\n

Our brilliance and creativity is something we wield!<\/p>\n

As tired students at the end of finals fly,<\/p>\n

When they meet with an obstacle, never ask why.<\/p>\n

So back to their home offices they flew,<\/p>\n

With a head full of ideas, and some candy canes too.<\/p>\n

And then in a twinkling we heard on the roof,<\/p>\n

Was it prancing and pawing of tiny little hoofs?<\/p>\n

As we drew in our heads, and were turning around,<\/p>\n

We realized it was just the duct cleaners making that sound\u2026<\/p>\n

They were dressed all in plastic from head to foot,<\/p>\n

And their clothes were all tarnished in dust bunnies and soot.<\/p>\n

A bundle of tubes were flung on their back,<\/p>\n

And we knew we needed to leave and quickly set to pack.<\/p>\n

Our eyes how they twinkled, our feelings so merry,<\/p>\n

Our teams were all awesome, our students so very.<\/p>\n

Our year was closing out, tied up like a bow,<\/p>\n

And our thoughts and our ducks were mostly in a row\u2026<\/p>\n

Holiday treats were held tight in our teeth,<\/p>\n

And happy thoughts encircled our heads like a wreath.<\/p>\n

Our community came together like a belt on a belly,<\/p>\n

And everyone partnered up like peanut butter and jelly.<\/p>\n

There were hits and some misses we\u2019ll keep on the shelf,<\/p>\n

And we\u2019ll laugh and move on in spite of ourself.<\/p>\n

A wink of Lane\u2019s eye and a twist of his head,<\/p>\n

Soon gave us to know, we had nothing to dread.<\/p>\n

We all filled our duties and did excellent work,<\/p>\n

We all basically wore pajamas, a work from home perk.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t lay your finger aside of your nose,<\/p>\n

COVID is catchy keep your hands in repose.<\/p>\n

We sprung to our cars, to our teams gave a whistle,<\/p>\n

And started vacation like the down of a thistle.<\/p>\n

But you\u2019ll hear us exclaim, as we drive out sight,<\/p>\n

Happy Holidays to all, you all rock day and night!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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