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
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
October 2, 2025

Fitness seems terrifying. Confusing terms (macros? micros?), intimidating atmospheres and judgmental stares often discourage students looking to get stronger. But never fear – taught by P.E. teacher...

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
September 25, 2025

Former football player, cross-country runner, track-coach-turned-history teacher: Steven Plette is a man of many talents, including his new role as assistant coach for Northwood’s girls flag football...

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
September 18, 2025

Northwood varsity boys football beat Woodbridge High School 38-7 on Sept. 12 in their first home game of the season.  The game kicked off with wide receiver and captain senior Jack Schultz scoring...

Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back

Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back

Megha Kishore, Staff Writer
May 14, 2025

“Coaching has made me more prepared for the future because it’s a way for me to see the sport from a different perspective. I am always on the other side as the swimmer, but in the summer, I’m...

Fast Splash: Northwood swim surges at PCC finals

Anna Cho, Staff Writer
May 12, 2025

Varsity boys and girls swim closed out a strong season with the boys team taking second overall and the girls finishing fourth in the 2025 Pacific Coast Conference Championships from April 29 to May 2.  36...

BEHIND EVERY KILL: Varsity boys volleyball setter Jonathan Tan performs a jump set, positioning the ball high up in order to execute a quick attack with his teammate.

Varsity boys volleyball served wins at their face-off against Sage Hill

Raelle Tiong, Arts & Entertainment Editor
April 18, 2025

The varsity boys volleyball team dominated 3-0 in their last league home game of the season against Sage Hill, adding a fourth win to their streak and bumping their season record up to 6-2.  “It...

Ready for More: Senior Austin Diaz back on the track after breaking school records.

Austin Diaz is gaining speed

Megha Kishore, Staff Writer
April 8, 2025

Whether he’s racing down the red rubber or having his teammates’ back, varsity sprinter senior Austin Diaz has broken too many records to keep track. Diaz broke the 400-meter record at the Crean...

COMMANDING THE MOUND: Senior Carter Liu winds up and delivers a pitch in baseball’s opening league game against Irvine High.

Varsity boys baseball batters up for the season

Raelle Tiong, Arts & Entertainment Editor
March 25, 2025

The tension in the field was palpable as pitcher senior Spencer Collins-Williams came on in relief. From the Northwood dugout, cheers erupted from the varsity boys baseball team as they chanted his name....

COMING IN FIRST: First baseman Katerinna Rizos prepares her throw to home base as she diligently trains for her upcoming game.

Katerinna Rizos: Swinging to success in softball

Aimee Pan, Copy Editor
March 17, 2025

With her drive, sophomore Katerinna Rizos secured herself a position in The Cup 2026, a fierce, 10 day international high school softball tournament in the United Kingdom. Rizos is fueled by her competitive...

CHARGING TO SUCCESS: Senior Ryan Loo dribbles towards the goal in a varsity boys soccer game.

Winning With A Passion: Boys Soccer ends a successful season

Zoe Yan, Staff Writer
March 14, 2025

Following a hard-fought and long winter season, Northwood boys soccer ended their run strong, winning five consecutive games before losing in CIF semifinals against Desert Mirage High School. The semifinals...

MAKING HIS MARK: Senior Jeremiah Tak weaves through the defense, scanning the field for his next move in their game against Irvine High.

Boys lacrosse “sticks” a win at their first home league game

Luna Bouhairi, Managing Editor
March 10, 2025

Northwood’s varsity boys lacrosse team dominated Irvine High School 17-0 in their first home league game on March 3. Their victory marked a strong rebound performance after their previous loss to...

ON PAR FOR SUCCESS: Senior Captain Annabelle Wong completes her swing, intently watching the ball’s trajectory down the fairway

Driving to Victory: Girls’ golf celebrates a stellar season of success

Anna Cho, Staff Writer
December 10, 2024

Northwood girls’ golf swung their way to becoming two-time league champions, placing fifth at the CIF Southern California Golf Association Team Qualifier.  Individual qualifiers—senior Bridget...

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