The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
HIDDEN HEIGHTS: Backstage Northwood’s theater, sophomore Jon Lee explores near the catwalk, one of the many tucked-away corners of Northwood’s theater few students ever see.
Hidden places in the Den: Exploring the stage
DEFENDING THE DEN: The perpetual howls of Timby and his pack echo through the halls of Northwood High School, embodying the T-wolf spirit.
Edition I of Timby’s Casual Chronicles: Forging a pack
DIGITAL MASTERPIECE: Video games create immersive experiences, blending creativity and storytelling that earn their place alongside other famously recognized art forms.
Games, governance and thought
BAND-ING TOGETHER: Sophomore Alvin Chung and music director Cole Quizon pose after an eventful rehearsal.
Tuning in: Moments with music director Cole Quizon
NEED FOR SPEED: GR86 Hakone Edition speeds through not for racing but for the car-enthusiast thrill of it all.
Car-CHOW: 10 ways to have fun as a car lover
STREET SMARTS: City of Irvine and CR Associates staff listen to a community member’s traffic concerns at the Suggested Routes to School open house on Sept. 4.
Irvine prepares first Suggested Routes to School map for Northwood
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
Taking advantage of Northwood’s college visits
SUPPOSED RAMPANT PLAGARISM: False flags or red flags?
How Northwood’s teachers are handling student plagiarism
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
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
MONEY IS RAINING FROM THE SKY: Students should get a head start on ensuring their financial security by taking advantage of scholarship opportunities.
Importance of applying for scholarships
PROCRASTINATION NATION: Constantly leaving work for later can cause stress and an unmanageable workload.
The fault in our stars: Why the worst action is inaction
DON’T GO PLAY YOUR VIDEO GAME: The decreasing quality of Roblox games is enough to disappoint even the most dedicated of fans.
Roblox should be fun, but it isn’t anymore
LEARN WITHOUT PRESSURE: Extra credit opportunities can help students demonstrate their knowledge beyond tests.
Extra credit: Grade booster or learning opportunity?
HOLDING BACK THE TRUTH: Free speech is the new “fake news.”
Democracy under autocracy: Infringement on free speech
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
ALWAYS HARD-WORKING: Special Needs staff prep trash bags to collect recycling during tutorial to help fund the classroom.

Special education teacher contract protections

2
Northwood sweeps SCJEA

Northwood sweeps SCJEA

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
NOTE-ORIOUSLY GOOD PRACTICE: Senior Zayd Kisonak studies for AP United States History by using an AP FRQ prompt available from The College Board.

College Board removes access to previous free-response questions

5
ORGAN-IZING A LESSON: New science teacher Marianna Robles uses her experience teaching AP Biology in TUSD to prepare class materials.

New teachers, from a Tustinite to a New Yorker

6
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

News
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
Anna Cao, Staff Writer
October 6, 2025

The inaugural IUSD Clash Royale Tournament was hosted by the High School Youth Action Team Sept. 27 at Heritage Park Community Center.  Sixteen...

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
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
Accent
Taking advantage of Northwood’s college visits
Thierry Wijaya, Sports Editor
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
Kyle Lee, Staff Writer
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
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
LEARN WITHOUT PRESSURE: Extra credit opportunities can help students demonstrate their knowledge beyond tests.
Extra credit: Grade booster or learning opportunity?
Luccia Gorokhovsky, Staff Writer
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
Recent Results
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14
Oct 11 / Varsity Boys Waterpolo
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Canyon
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King
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Oct 10 / Varsity Boys Waterpolo
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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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