The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
DRILLING IT DOWN: Head football coach Erik Terry breaks down plays during afternoon practice.
A Terry-fic start for football’s new head coach
THE FUN IN FUNDRAISERS: They’re an excuse for a treat but also a great way to support school sports!
From Chipotle to game day: The importance of fundraising
REST AND RESET: Taking periodic academic breaks is crucial in prioritizing student mental health.
Skip the skip: Taking a mental health day
BROADENED LENS: Senior Sophia Xiong discusses the sociopolitical and cultural context of her family’s immigration to the U.S. with senior Wendy Seefeldt and juniors Zaarya Vaid and Tamana Maiwandi.
Why Ethnic Studies matters today
ALWAYS HARD-WORKING: Special Needs staff prep trash bags to collect recycling during tutorial to help fund the classroom.
Special education teacher contract protections
GAMING FOR GLORY: Junior Edon Deng celebrates a successful strategy against his second round opponent of the Clash Royale Tournament.
HSYAT hosts inaugural Clash Royale Tournament
MEALS SODA-LICIOUS: Selected lunch items from the cafeteria include a vegetarian burger and Kiwi Berry soda.
CA bill targets ultraprocessed foods in school cafeterias
SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED: Senior Michelle Hui uses Gemini Pro for clarification on a science topic.
IUSD provides all students and staff access to Gemini Pro
REGAL RECREATION: The iconic castle design of Northwood Community Park may see more structures, themed equipment and terraced landscaping.
City begins planning Northwood Community Park renovations
Portola Parkway - Orchard Hills Drive intersection
Irvine City Council approves extending bus service to Northwood
BOOKED FOR A BREAK: At Heritage Park Library, library branch supervisor David Cheung reads a book in order to unwind after a busy day.
Updates at city-owned Heritage Park Library
NINETY MINUTES, ENDLESS POSSIBILITY: Here’s how students make the most of their time when late start isn’t just a Wednesday occurrence.
Taking advantage of an open first or second period
DELEGATION OF HOSPITALITY: Northwood’s 2023 Language Ambassadors point to their countries of origin—diverse like the English Learner students the program began mentoring that year.
Northwood Family Forever: How the Language Ambassador program was born to accommodate
BEHIND THE NEWS-LE-TTER: Counselor Le keeps students informed by updating the weekly newsletter.
Meet Northwood’s newest counselor: Tiffany Le
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE: Senior Winnie Wei visits Bowdoin College’s marine laboratory during her college visit.
Senior Winnie Wei is winn-ing in her STEM research
GONNA BE GOLDEN: “KPop Demon Hunters” has skyrocketed in popularity to the point that it has its own instant ramen.
K-popping off with KPop Demon Hunters
GETTING THE ICK: Hot boy summer gone cold real quick.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” turned ugly
BACK TO BLACK: Wednesday returns to Nevermore Academy with new mysteries and a forever scowl.
Here we “woe” again: “Wednesday Season 2, Part 2”’s spectacular return
DEMON VERSUS DUB: With breathtaking animation, music and character design, Ne Zha 2’s English dub might just be worth the watch.
Ne Zha 2: A global phenomenon no one has heard of
PLAYING PERCUSSION: junior Yun Wen strikes the bars with four mallets during percussion ensemble’s performance at Jazz at the Oak.
Percussion ensemble lights up the night at Jazz at the Oak
Mind your manners: A T-wolf’s guide to campus care
Mind your manners: A T-wolf’s guide to campus care
Welcome to Northwood: Comprehensive Campus Guide
Welcome to Northwood: Comprehensive Campus Guide
Senior highlights
Senior highlights
Etiquette in the age of distraction
Etiquette in the age of distraction
Northwood Q&A
Northwood Q&A
HOLDING BACK THE TRUTH: Free speech is the new “fake news.”
Democracy under autocracy: Infringement on free speech
NOT SO BIG AND BEAUTIFUL: Fissions and obstacles ravage the very systems that comprise our country’s foundations.
Learning to loans: What the Big Beautiful Bill means for education
SAFETY, NOT STARES: Gym policies must be reformed to protect the safety of all people, including female-presenting individuals who dress for comfort, not attention.
Beyond fear of falling weights: Women’s reality in fitness
A MEANINGFUL GIFT: Sometimes even cleaning up desks can make a teacher feel appreciated.
Recognizing and appreciating teachers year-round
OPEN UP: Experimental discussion among peers is crucial to ensure an environment full of diverse perspectives and speech.
Experimental thought in school is the point
CONSISTENCY IS CORE: After a five-minute run, sophomore Keanna Anell practices crunches to warm up the abdominal muscles. Both cardio and strength training are core components of calisthenics.
Calisthenics: Brains and brawn
STRATEGY IN MOTION: During drills, assistant girls flag football coach Steven Plette helps break down routes to sharpen the team’s game.
Coaching with relatability: Steven Plette
TOE TO TOE-CHDOWN: The Northwood football team prepares an offensive play against Woodbridge.
Varsity boys football scores second W of the season
Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back
Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back
Fast Splash: Northwood swim surges at PCC finals
BRAINROT TO THE MAXX: Attention Based Learning techniques prove to be anything but beta.
Northwood implements Attention Based Learning on campus
Comic: Birthdays during testing season
Comic: Birthdays during testing season
TERRIFIC THEMES: The Met Gala will never fail to amaze audiences with outfits in accordance to these themes.
Majestic Met Gala theme ideas
FROM BURN BOOKS TO TEXTBOOKS: Teens tackle trigonometric equations instead of tribulations, chasing career aspirations, not devious schemes.
Beyond the cliché: Exposing Hollywood’s high school myths
CRIES ALL AROUND: Charger conveys their utter misery owing to the departure of their one and only true love.
Devastated charger sends a tearful goodbye
September Howler Volume XXVII - Issue II, September 29, 2025
September Howler Volume XXVII – Issue II, September 29, 2025
August Howler Volume XXVII - Issue I, August 2, 2025
August Howler Volume XXVII – Issue I, August 2, 2025
June Howler Volume XXVI - Issue VIII, June 2, 2025
June Howler Volume XXVI – Issue VIII, June 2, 2025
April Howler Volume XVI – Issue VII, April 21, 2025
March Howler Volume XXVII – Issue VI, March 19, 2025
How to ride the Irvine CONNECT
PLANK PARTY: Junior Alice Baik (left) and senior Caleigh Nystrom (right) hold plank during warmup in preparation for the first Spring Show rehearsal.
Behind the Scenes: Northwood’s dance show
A look inside Winter Guard’s season
Passions of the Pack: Leadership on Campus
From Sunrise to Sunset: A day in the life of students in Ramadan
Passions of the Pack: Leadership on Campus
FOSTERING DIALOGUE: AP Government teacher Steven Plete engages with a student students
Teaching AP Government during an election year
BACK IN THE ACT: Northwood alum Katherine Paladichuk performed "Shrek" at Northwood during her high school career.
Katherine Paladichuk: Former Northwood acting star to Broadway performer
Take it from us: Senior gives advice
Make Your World Better: an interview with Sandy Banks
Make Your World Better: an interview with Sandy Banks
PLANK PARTY: Junior Alice Baik (left) and senior Caleigh Nystrom (right) hold plank during warmup in preparation for the first Spring Show rehearsal.
Behind the Scenes: Northwood’s dance show
From Sunrise to Sunset: A day in the life of students in Ramadan
SETTING THE STAND: Freshman Class Council members Carson Lv, Bella Shim, Abbie Kim and Mischka Rajula set up their Cake Pop Stand during lunch.
Class councils celebrate the holidays
IN THE DEEP END: Varsity water polo goalkeeper junior Sidney Francisco De Paula Junior contests against El Toro High School as he lines up for a strategic throw.
Northwood’s fall sports in full swing
STAY IN THE LOOP: Senior Valentina Nguyen works on intently her next crochet piece, a red hat, which she is making as a commission from her Instagram account @valentinacrochets
Unique hobbies at Northwood
How to ride the Irvine CONNECT
A look inside Winter Guard’s season
Introducing California Colleges
Introducing new staff at Northwood
Introducing new staff at Northwood
Inside T-wolf Thank Yous
The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
Trending Stories
1
TOE TO TOE-CHDOWN: The Northwood football team prepares an offensive play against Woodbridge.

Varsity boys football scores second W of the season

2
ALWAYS HARD-WORKING: Special Needs staff prep trash bags to collect recycling during tutorial to help fund the classroom.

Special education teacher contract protections

3
NEW LEADERSHIP, FAMILIAR ROOTS: Assistant principal Alissa Changala returns to her alma mater after two decades.

Meet Northwood's new assistant principal: Alissa Changala

4
Northwood sweeps SCJEA

Northwood sweeps SCJEA

5
DELEGATION OF HOSPITALITY: Northwood’s 2023 Language Ambassadors point to their countries of origin—diverse like the English Learner students the program began mentoring that year.

Northwood Family Forever: How the Language Ambassador program was born to accommodate

6
STRATEGY IN MOTION: During drills, assistant girls flag football coach Steven Plette helps break down routes to sharpen the team’s game.

Coaching with relatability: Steven Plette

News
MEALS SODA-LICIOUS: Selected lunch items from the cafeteria include a vegetarian burger and Kiwi Berry soda.
CA bill targets ultraprocessed foods in school cafeterias
Alisha Jain, Staff Writer
October 1, 2025

California lawmakers on Sept. 16 approved Assembly Bill 1264, a bipartisan measure that aims to eliminate “ultraprocessed foods of concern”...

SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED: Senior Michelle Hui uses Gemini Pro for clarification on a science topic.
IUSD provides all students and staff access to Gemini Pro
Jiwoo Chung, Staff Writer
REGAL RECREATION: The iconic castle design of Northwood Community Park may see more structures, themed equipment and terraced landscaping.
City begins planning Northwood Community Park renovations
Jay Bruce, Accent Editor
Portola Parkway - Orchard Hills Drive intersection
Irvine City Council approves extending bus service to Northwood
Jay Bruce, Accent Editor
Sophomore Ella Yu sells a matcha brownie to a friend as a part of the Seeds Club at Sophomore Movie Night.
Sophomore Movie Night returns
Megha Kishore, Staff Writer
Senior and CSF Club President Hannah Cho receives formal apparel at the CSF donation drive, preparing to send the contribution to Working Wardrobes.
CSF’s Donation Drive
Nancy Sun, Viewpoint Editor
Mindful Moments: Freshman Raegan Ivanista focuses on decorating her rock with acrylic markers at the Oak during Sleep for Success Week.
From School Spirit to Self Care: Sleep for Success Week advocates for mental health
Lian Le, News Editor
Accent
NINETY MINUTES, ENDLESS POSSIBILITY: Here’s how students make the most of their time when late start isn’t just a Wednesday occurrence.
Taking advantage of an open first or second period
Shelly Au, Staff Writer
DELEGATION OF HOSPITALITY: Northwood’s 2023 Language Ambassadors point to their countries of origin—diverse like the English Learner students the program began mentoring that year.
Northwood Family Forever: How the Language Ambassador program was born to accommodate
Jiwoo Park, Staff Writer
BEHIND THE NEWS-LE-TTER: Counselor Le keeps students informed by updating the weekly newsletter.
Meet Northwood’s newest counselor: Tiffany Le
Thierry Wijaya, Sports Editor
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE: Senior Winnie Wei visits Bowdoin College’s marine laboratory during her college visit.
Senior Winnie Wei is winn-ing in her STEM research
Aimee Pan, Copy Editor
Arts & Entertainment
GONNA BE GOLDEN: “KPop Demon Hunters” has skyrocketed in popularity to the point that it has its own instant ramen.
K-popping off with KPop Demon Hunters
Raelle Tiong, Arts & Entertainment Editor
GETTING THE ICK: Hot boy summer gone cold real quick.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” turned ugly
Raelle Tiong, Arts & Entertainment Editor
BACK TO BLACK: Wednesday returns to Nevermore Academy with new mysteries and a forever scowl.
Here we “woe” again: “Wednesday Season 2, Part 2”’s spectacular return
Lian Le, News Editor
DEMON VERSUS DUB: With breathtaking animation, music and character design, Ne Zha 2’s English dub might just be worth the watch.
Ne Zha 2: A global phenomenon no one has heard of
Anna Cao, Staff Writer
Viewpoint
HOLDING BACK THE TRUTH: Free speech is the new “fake news.”
Democracy under autocracy: Infringement on free speech
Aimee Pan, Copy Editor
NOT SO BIG AND BEAUTIFUL: Fissions and obstacles ravage the very systems that comprise our country’s foundations.
Learning to loans: What the Big Beautiful Bill means for education
Nancy Sun, Viewpoint Editor
SAFETY, NOT STARES: Gym policies must be reformed to protect the safety of all people, including female-presenting individuals who dress for comfort, not attention.
Beyond fear of falling weights: Women’s reality in fitness
Aimee Pan, Copy Editor
A MEANINGFUL GIFT: Sometimes even cleaning up desks can make a teacher feel appreciated.
Recognizing and appreciating teachers year-round
Nancy Sun, Viewpoint Editor
Recent Results
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Esperanza
5
Oct 3 / Varsity Boys Waterpolo
Northwood
0
Laguna Beach
42
Oct 3 / Varsity Football
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Laguna Beach
39
Oct 2 / Frosh Football
Northwood
6
Irvine
7
Oct 2 / Varsity Boys Waterpolo
Northwood
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St. Margaret’s
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Oct 2 / Varsity Girls Volleyball
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Woodbridge
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Oct 1 / Varsity Flag Football
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Woodbridge
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Sep 30 / Varsity Girls Volleyball
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Sports
CONSISTENCY IS CORE: After a five-minute run, sophomore Keanna Anell practices crunches to warm up the abdominal muscles. Both cardio and strength training are core components of calisthenics.
Calisthenics: Brains and brawn
Diti Patel, Staff Writer
STRATEGY IN MOTION: During drills, assistant girls flag football coach Steven Plette helps break down routes to sharpen the team’s game.
Coaching with relatability: Steven Plette
Saerin Hwang, Staff Writer
TOE TO TOE-CHDOWN: The Northwood football team prepares an offensive play against Woodbridge.
Varsity boys football scores second W of the season
Xiaoyan Alli Wang, Staff Writer
Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back
Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back
Megha Kishore, Staff Writer
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