The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
FOR AS LOW AS 10 CENTS: Gamble on your favorite sports while putting your own future on the line.
The harmful rise of underage sports betting
A DILL-LIGHTFUL GAME: Junior Amber Chih practices her forehand.
Picking up pickleball: Irvine’s trending sport
STRETCHING THE LIMITS: Junior Omar Latifzada Jr. loosens up with a side bend stretch during yoga.
The only thing yoga-nna need
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
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
Anna Cao

Anna Cao, Staff Writer

Hi! I’m Anna Cao, a junior this year. If you’re ever looking for me, just know I’m an avid book lover!

All content by Anna Cao
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
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

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
October 1, 2025
SMILING IS CARING: Northwood parents listen to psychologist Sheila Modir's presentation about their students' mental health in collaboration with Rady Children’s Health.

Mind over marks: Prioritizing students’ well-being

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
September 29, 2025
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
September 19, 2025
DIVING DYNAMICS: Freshman Hanna Muncy captured mid-air in a pike position with her legs and arms extended and finishing into the water with a head-first entry during April 5 meet.

Belly Flops Not Included: PCL champ Hanna Muncy

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
June 5, 2025
SENIOR SEND-OFF: Junior Leanna Lo cuts a photo from a collage of old pictures to commemorate the graduating seniors.

Leaving the Den: How Northwood celebrates its seniors

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
June 3, 2025
More Than Meets the Eye: Northwood artists paint their way to District Honors

More Than Meets the Eye: Northwood artists paint their way to District Honors

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
May 16, 2025

Passions of the Pack: Leadership on Campus

Courtney Lee and Anna Cao
April 22, 2025
Marine Biology teacher Gabby Kim-E assists students as they discover the anatomy of mussels.

Elective Expo booming with interactive showcases

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
March 17, 2025
TRADITION IN TUNE: Sophomore Amy Liang plays traditional Chinese music on her violin for the South Coast Chinese Orchestra.

Students celebrate Lunar New Year at Segerstrom

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
February 28, 2025
ACE IN ACTION: Junior Jack Schultz dominates the pickleball court with a sharp serve.

In a Pickle: New pickleball tournament

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
February 26, 2025
READY, SET, BRAWL: Northwood freshmen Kevin Chen, Manvir Kalra and Evan Jung plan their strategy for the next round of the tournament

HSYAT hosts brand new Brawl Stars Tournament

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
December 17, 2024
DANCING INTO THE FUTURE: Northwood dance students practice in 2003 (left); Dance Theatre sophomore Mirabelle Wang and junior Madison Chang perfect their choreography during rehearsal, preparing to bring their routine to life on stage (right).

Then vs. Now: How Northwood’s dance program all began

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
December 17, 2024
TENSION INCREASING: Grief and anger spark changing dynamics between Vi and Jinx.

A visually stunning sequel to “Arcane: League of Legends”

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
December 3, 2024
PROTECTING THE PETS: ASPCA board members junior Emily Tamura (left), junior Emily Huang (middle) and senior Urika Tandiono (right) announce upcoming volunteer opportunities at animal shelters in a club meeting.

ASPCA’s pawsitive impact on animal rights

Lian Le and Anna Cao
November 10, 2024
TEACHING RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY: Federation of Jewish Students co-presidents junior Adiv Yair and senior Tom Per- el discuss the traditions and significance of Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday celebrated in mid-October that focuses on repentance and atonement.

Federation of Jewish Students fosters belonging

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
November 6, 2024
BULLSEYE BEAST: Sophomore Ryan Koo practices shooting at Mile Square Regional Park Archery Range

Archer Ryan Koo never misses the mark

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
November 4, 2024
GOTTA GO FAST: Every day, student Dash Bolt uses his supersonic cosmic powers of speed and aerodynamics to zoom to the front of the lunch line before anyone else on campus.

Lightning Lane: Meet the student who’s always first for lunch

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
October 3, 2024
THE NEW PASSES: Senior Anton Kingsley wears the bathroom pass around his neck in order to use the restroom during class.

Restroom Regulations: New bathroom pass policy

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
September 25, 2024
EMPOWERING MINDS: Peer tutor senior Daijelle Morris helps a student understand math concepts.

Tutor Center switches to morning session

Anna Cao, Staff Writer
September 24, 2024
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