The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
HARP TO HEART: Sophomore Bia Yoo practices the harp during lunch to prepare for Northwood’s winter instrumental concerts
Northwood taps into unique musical strengths
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
GIVING BACK: Senior Katherine Jiang donates cans to the canned food drive bins outside of the SAC.
Thanksgiving food drive competition
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
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Northwood Girls Flag Football team celebrates after winning the first ever CIF Division II title.
Girls Flag Football wins CIF championship
SWITCHING SYSTEMS: Heritage Park Regional Library is one of many libraries in the city that will soon join the Irvine library system.
Irvine to transition to city-run library system
MENDEZ IS MANDATORY: Mendez v. Westminster, a key yet underrated case during the Civil Rights Movement, is now to be taught in all California schools.
Mendez v. Westminster headed for Statewide instruction in California
DISTINCTLY DECORATED: History teacher Greg Guy's advisement won the Advisement Door Decorating Contest.
A Doorway to School Spirit: Advisement Door Decorating Contest
ADVANCING ACCESSIBILITY: Senior Erica Zou walks along the newly-modified accessible sidewalk near the front office.
Howler Investigates: Sidewalk Renovations
GEARED FOR CONVENIENCE: The new racks sit almost full in just their first week open allowing students a new, more convenient place to park their bikes.
New bike racks at Northwood
CRUNCHWRAP CRUSH: Finals week desperation leads to some less-than-tasty test-taking troubles.
How to Fail Your Finals: Finals week horror stories
CHEW ON THIS: Chew chows down on Le Shrimp Noodle Bar’s Cantonese-Japanese fusion dishes at their new Irvine Spectrum location.
Wok-hei meets ramen at Le Shrimp Noodle Bar
READY FOR LUNCH: Nutritional services associate II Cesily Hadley takes inventory of the leftovers from the morning break before clearing them out in preparation for the lunch rush.
What happens to cafeteria leftovers?
BARREN BLACK FRIDAYS: A changing consumer culture alters how Black Friday is celebrated.
What happened to Black Friday?
BAKING LESSONS, HISTORY AND BITES: Senior and Global Baking Club President Joyce Zhang shares a lesson on the recipe and rich history of cornbread while handing out fresh samples during this month’s meeting.
Global Baking Club’s sweet influence on culinary delights
CAPTURING THE SPIRIT: Sophomore Matthew Chan brings Christmas spirit to life through the South Coast Repertory’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”
Bringing Holiday Magic to Life: Matthew Chan’s journey in “A Christmas Carol”
WAYS TO BE "WICKED": Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) stun audiences with their musical performances.
“Wicked,” you will be popular
TENSION INCREASING: Grief and anger spark changing dynamics between Vi and Jinx.
A visually stunning sequel to “Arcane: League of Legends”
LUXURIOUS LANGSON: UCI curates a museum of American Impressionist art.
Local art museums to explore during Northwood’s first full Thanksgiving Break
MELODIES AND MEMORIES: Sameer Gadhia of Young the Giant joins Northwood Chamber students for a quick picture after their performance.
A Giant Harmony: Chamber performs with Young the Giant at IPSF Gala
Looking back with staff
Sock-Tober: Appreciating the smaller luxuries
Sock-Tober: Appreciating the smaller luxuries
Blast to the Past: Looking back on childhood favorites
Blast to the Past: Looking back on childhood favorites
Learning to let go
Learning to let go
We're all in this together!
We’re all in this together!
BATTLE OF THE ADVISEMENTS: during a student forum meeting, 15 individuals from different advisements volunteer to play a game of musical chairs in order to win a pie party.
Student Forum’s under-appreciated benefits to campus
CALENDAR CONFUSION: Students struggle with the awkward time between winter break and the new semester.
New Year, New Me… But Not Yet: Break between the semesters
HOLIDAY HISTORIES: While Thanksgiving can be a time to celebrate family traditions, it’s equally important to recognize the history behind it.
Acknowledging the past of Thanksgiving with holiday spirit
YA LIKE JAZZ?: Northwood’s Jazz Junction showcases their musical talent with an improvisation led by Junior Sooho Cho (center left) and Senior Drew Maragay (center right) at Northwood’s Club Rush.
Niche gave Northwood activities a C+ rating. Respectfully, we disagree
Celebrating Wimptober
Celebrating Wimptober
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
NO BIG SHOT: Sports tryouts really aren’t as difficult as they seem.
How to survive your first sports tryout
BE(LEE)VING IN YOURSELF: Flag Football Coach Harry Lee delivers feedback to his team at practice.
Harry Lee: Building a coaching legacy
BRUNSON’S GUARD GAME: Junior Jacob Whang mimics his favorite player Jalen Brunson’s three-point celebration.
Tip-Off Talks: Northwood students share their NBA picks
TEAMWORK AND STRATEGY: Players meet for a 2:30 check-in with coaches in the theater to finalize their game plan.
A behind-the-scenes look at Northwood’s varsity football team’s game day experience
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
Nov/Dec Howler Volume XXVI – Issue IV, December 16, 2024
Nov/Dec Howler Volume XXVI – Issue IV, December 16, 2024
October Howler Volume XXVI - Issue III, October 31, 2024
October Howler Volume XXVI – Issue III, October 31, 2024
September Howler Volume XXVI - Issue II, September 24, 2024
September Howler Volume XXVI – Issue II, September 24, 2024
August Howler Volume XXVI, Issue I – August 20, 2024
June Howler Volume XXV, Issue VII - June 3, 2024
June Howler Volume XXV, Issue VII – June 3, 2024
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
Reconnecting during the holidays
Reconnecting during 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
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
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
Hispanic Heritage Month: An interview with Joey Cabrera
Hispanic Heritage Month: An interview with Joey Cabrera
Profiles in Science: Northwood science teachers dish on how they discovered their passion for science and their journey to Northwood
Profiles in Science: Northwood science teachers dish on how they discovered their passion for science and their journey to Northwood
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
PRECISION IN EVERY STRIKE: Sophomore Sophia Chen hits the keys on the vibraphone during marching band’s morning practice.
Beat by beat: A behind-the-scenes spotlight on Northwood’s marching band
TEAMWORK AND STRATEGY: Players meet for a 2:30 check-in with coaches in the theater to finalize their game plan.
A behind-the-scenes look at Northwood’s varsity football team’s game day experience
Introducing California Colleges
Introducing new staff at Northwood
Introducing new staff at Northwood
Inside T-wolf Thank Yous
The Northwood Howler presents Northwood beauty secrets
The Northwood Howler presents Northwood beauty secrets
Inside the Irvine Unified Council PTA's Student Advocacy trip to Sacramento
Inside the Irvine Unified Council PTA’s Student Advocacy trip to Sacramento
The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
Lauryn Chew

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor

Lauryn Chew is a junior and the Accent Editor for The Howler. She loves My Melody and Miffy, and she is deeply interested in exploring the intersections of race, gender and migration. Aside from her passion for journalism, Lauryn is also engaged in community work as a member of Challenge Success’ National Student Advisory Council and the president of her nonprofit organization, OC Focus.

All content by Lauryn Chew
CHEW ON THIS: Chew chows down on Le Shrimp Noodle Bar’s Cantonese-Japanese fusion dishes at their new Irvine Spectrum location.

Wok-hei meets ramen at Le Shrimp Noodle Bar

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
December 4, 2024
READY FOR LUNCH: Nutritional services associate II Cesily Hadley takes inventory of the leftovers from the morning break before clearing them out in preparation for the lunch rush.

What happens to cafeteria leftovers?

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
December 2, 2024
CELEBRATING THROUGH STOCK PAPER, STICKERS AND SHARPIE: Senior William Ryee writes a heartwarming card for a close friend’s birthday. He strategically uses his large sticker collection to decorate and personalize his gift.

The Power of Cards: A priceless gift of gratitude

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
October 5, 2024
SCHEDULING SMARTER: With the help of online tools such as Google Calendar, students can better manage stress during the school year by tracking upcoming deadlines and blocking out time for studying, socializing and resting.

Stairways to Success: Steps to stay organized

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
August 20, 2024
BIKES AWAY: Citizens of Irvine pick up their bikes and helmets at Woodbridge Town Center to begin cycling to UCI.

CicloIrvine: Celebrating community, connection and clean air

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
May 15, 2024
WASHED AWAY: The winter guard captivates their audience with their performance of “Car Wash.”

Marching together for P.E. credits

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
April 29, 2024
PORTRAIT OF JOY: Freshman Jiyoung Yun created a char- coal portrait for Malak, a Syrian girl who enjoys writing stories. Photo provided by Kim Rohrs

The Memory Project: Giving back with art

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
April 22, 2024
STUNNING SPEECHES: Freshman Lydia Liu expressively delivers her dramatic interpretation to the competitors at the state qualifying tournament.

Northwood Speech and Debate is state bound

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
March 15, 2024
STRENGTH FROM SPINACH: Spinach is filled with nutrients that are vital for your body, and many cultures have their own ways of preparing it; with these three recipes from Nigeria, Korea and Turkey, everyone can enjoy adding leafy greens to their meals.

A plate of spinach a day keeps the leprechauns away

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
March 15, 2024
VOTE NOW: A woman puts her vote in a ballot box.

Preparing for the March 5 primaries

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
March 4, 2024
CLEARING THE PATH TO GRADUATION: Samantha Otten (left), Abigail Wu, Corey Okamoto and Chris Vien (right) discuss their stories and experiences that influenced their decision to graduate early.

Early Bird Gets the Worm: Stories about graduating early

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
February 16, 2024
D.I.Y. DECOR: Sophomores Bonnie Chen and Suzan Whiteside welcome good luck and prosperity in the new year with handmade chunlian (Spring Festival couplets).

Transforming tradition for the Lunar New Year

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
February 10, 2024
PICTURE-PERFECT PRESSURE: A drive to do better results in students pushing for the unattainable.

Never Good Enough: Toxic perfectionism

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
December 16, 2023
HEART OF COMMUNITY: Holding onto cultural traditions of Novena de Aguinaldos has strengthened Latin American communities.

Spotlight: Nine days of Novena de Aguinaldos

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
December 14, 2023
SANRIO SUPERHERO: Hello Kitty is more than just a character: she is an activist.

The Case of Hello Kitty: How cute culture cultivates change

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
December 5, 2023
FILIPINO FESTIVITIES: In a club meeting, Kai Club board members used a Kahoot with trivia questions to educate students about Filipino American culture and the importance of Filipino American History Month.

Northwood celebrates Filipino American History Month

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
November 1, 2023
A STEP TOWARDS EQUALITY: California public schools have begun implementing gender-neutral bathrooms with the introduction of Bill 760.

Gender-neutral bathrooms mandated in public schools

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
October 31, 2023
LIES IN DISGUISE: Fast fashion giants like H&M often manipulate consumers by marketing their clothing as both affordable and eco-friendly.

Greenwashing in fashion

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
October 26, 2023
CAUGHT GPT: Junior Andrew Hendrickson worries about AI being mis-detected in his essay.

Can we trust the quality of AI detection?

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
September 29, 2023
BREW-TEA-FUL AND TEA-LICIOUS: Junior Phoebe Chu studies in Junbi’s relaxing atmosphere while enjoying the Straight Up Matcha drink.

Matcha love for the quali-tea drinks and snacks at Junbi

Lauryn Chew and Amy Jeon
September 28, 2023
HONORING THEIR SACRIFICES: The ground zero day laborers deserve recognition and appreciation for the contributions and sacrifices they made during the 9/11 recovery efforts.

Never Forget: Remembering the day laborers at ground zero

Lauryn Chew, Accent Editor
September 11, 2023
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