The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
HIDDEN HEROES: Bev McPherson, a fifth year senior crossing guard, ensures pedestrians’ safety as she greets a familiar face
Crossing guards put community safety first
WE’RE OBSESSED: Junior Kamron Jamali, who plays May as part of the Advanced Drama cast, rehearses with the understudy cast before the opening night of “Call Me Obsessed.”
From Airport to Main Stage: “Call Me Obsessed”
BREAKING THROUGH: Senior Sailor Kensrue learns to use a chainsaw for releasing smoke and heat from structure fires at the OCFA Girls Empowerment Camp in September 2024
Fire Cadet Sailor Kensrue takes on the flames
NOT FOR EVERYONE: While working in high school is a great path for some, it’s not the best path for all students.
Teenage Employment: A choice, not a requirement
YOUTH STORIES IN FOCUS: Junior Anh Vo discusses his photograph in depth with science teacher Jordan Tyo at the OC Focus’ annual exhibit using the Photovoice method.
OC Focus: Empowering youth of color
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
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
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
BOOKLETS AND BLUEBOOK: Senior Erica Zou takes a practice AP Statistics test on Bluebook using digital formula sheets and scratch paper.
AP tests are going digital
PAST MEETS PRESENT: Unserviced bus stops along Portola await new life through the Irvine CONNECT expansion. 1. Portola Parkway - Orchard Hills Drive intersection
Transportation Commission recommends extending bus service to Northwood
RADIANT ROBOTICS: Northwood Robotics Club President and Technodream 50881A Team Manager Jia Dave works alongside her fellow board members on their VEX robot, configuring the controller and debugging errors.
Technodream 50881A: First all-Northwood VEX robotics team
PAWS FOR INCLUSION: Two young attendees share a moment with the school mascot during Irvine’s Disability Awareness Day, highlighting the district’s ongoing efforts to foster belonging from the earliest years.
Acknowledging differences in IUSD’s Annual Abilities Awareness Event
SHARING EDUCATION: Senior Winnie Wei, president and founder of MORB, leads one of their weekly lunch meetings as members prepare to hear speeches from leadership candidates looking to continue the club’s mission to share educational resources.
Northwood’s Mexico Outreach Buddy creates special connections
Northwood senior Ellen Wang presents a cash prize to Sunrise Venture’s Pitch Summit finalists as Mayor Farrah Khan congratulates them for winning the fan favorite award. Photo provided by Ellen Wang
Northwood students rise to their full potential with Sunrise Venture
From Sunrise to Sunset: A day in the life of students in Ramadan
TINY TERROR ON TWO LEGS: The infamous Chicken Jockey from The Minecraft Movie
“A Minecraft Movie” crumbles at its craft
ROTTEN TO THE CORE: The new “Snow White” movie brings the beloved Disney princess and her evil stepmother to life.
The new live action “Snow White” is apple-solutely disastrous
JAZZED UP: Sophomore percussionist Ryan Koo lays it down on the vibraphone in his performance during their performance at Irvine Jazz Festival.
Jazz takes first place at Irvine Jazz Festival
HITTING THE HIGH NOTES: Senior Louis Gaigneux leads the choir in a rendition of Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go” during the choir showcase during the Night of the Arts.
Northwood arts perform during Fine Arts Week
PASSÉ-ING PERIOD: Teachers join dance students in their annual flash mob for Northwood’s yearly Fine Arts Week.
Chassés, Surprises and Smiles: Dancers excite Northwood at first teacher-student flash mob
Etiquette in the age of distraction
Etiquette in the age of distraction
Northwood Q&A
Northwood Q&A
Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Looking back with staff
Sock-Tober: Appreciating the smaller luxuries
Sock-Tober: Appreciating the smaller luxuries
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
GIRL POWER: Women don’t have to achieve in every field to measure up.
Redefining feminism
PROTECTION MATTERS: Get vaccinated now to keep our community safe.
The dangers of antivax
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
Fast Splash: Northwood swim surges at PCC finals
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
Ready for More: Senior Austin Diaz back on the track after breaking school records.
Austin Diaz is gaining speed
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
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
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
April Howler Volume XVI – Issue VII, April 21, 2025
March Howler Volume XXVII – Issue VI, March 19, 2025
Jan/Feb Howler Volume XXVI - Issue V, February 24, 2025
Jan/Feb Howler Volume XXVI – Issue V, February 24, 2025
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
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
Northwood through Timby’s eyes
What's really behind inflation...
What’s really behind inflation…
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
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
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
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 Northwood Howler presents Northwood beauty secrets
The Northwood Howler presents Northwood beauty secrets
The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
Madeleine Pham

Madeleine Pham, Centerspread Editor

Madeleine Pham is the Centerspread Editor of The Northwood Howler. She might seem experienced at art at this point, but she doesn’t know how to use an Apple Pencil. She lives on Goodreads – don’t even think about looking for her account (please it’s kind of embarrassing). Also don’t ask her about her lefts and rights. What you can (and should) ask her about is her love for a good spreadsheet, and the status on the current book she’s (hopefully) reading.

All content by Madeleine Pham
TRYING NEW THINGS: Activities like marching band enable students to cultivate lifelong friendships.

No Regrets: A letter from your seniors

Anthony Park and Lucy Kim
March 22, 2025
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Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Lauryn Chew, Amy Jeon, and Lucy Kim
February 24, 2025
CROSSING THE DELA-BEAR: Salute the sweets in service for our country

Novel uses for old Valentine’s candy

Zoe Yan and Nancy Sun
March 3, 2025
BARREN BLACK FRIDAYS: A changing consumer culture alters how Black Friday is celebrated.

What happened to Black Friday?

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
November 29, 2024
NO BIG SHOT: Sports tryouts really aren’t as difficult as they seem.

How to survive your first sports tryout

Jordan Chu, Staff Writer
November 6, 2024
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Blast to the Past: Looking back on childhood favorites

Alyssa Quintana, Staff Writer
September 24, 2024
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Sock-Tober: Appreciating the smaller luxuries

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
November 1, 2024
BRAINROT TO THE MAXX: Attention Based Learning techniques prove to be anything but beta.

Northwood implements Attention Based Learning on campus

Kyle Lee, Staff Writer
September 30, 2024
Learning to let go

Learning to let go

Courtney Lee and Madeleine Pham
August 20, 2024
We're all in this together!

We’re all in this together!

Karen Bruce, Kaylie Wang, Rachel Yokota, and Madeleine Pham
June 3, 2024
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Comic: Not having hobbies

Madeleine Pham, Centerspread Editor
May 21, 2024
APPLICATION ANSWERS: There are many qualities that make a good ASB candidate beyond what may seem to be obvious.

ASB Applications: Authenticity in applying

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
April 8, 2024
ILLEGAL TRANSPORT: Kids was caught in violation of the new ruling.

Swithoum sees uptick in legal proceedings after IVF ruling

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
March 29, 2024
SHOULD WE CALL 911?: Teachers may need resuscitation after these senior pranks.

Senior prank season tips and tricks

Zoe Yan, Staff Writer
March 25, 2024
YOUR VOTE MATTERS: Voting for local elections allows for grassroot change and more direct impacts.

Voting in local elections means local change

Anthony Park, Staff Writer
March 21, 2024
ALL OVER THE OSCARS: "Barbie" tends to dominate film conversations despite the many successes of this year's Oscars.

No one wins the Oscar for best snub

Alyssa Quintana, Staff Writer
March 8, 2024
[JUNK]Toxic_Parents(color)

“Oh… That’s not…”

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
February 20, 2024
HELP, MY CRUSH IS GHOSTING ME: It’s frustrating to have a crush on someone who won’t even text you back, but our advice can help.

Good, Bad and Ugly: I found my husband?

Anthony Park, Staff Writer
February 14, 2024
LOCAL LEARNING: UCI provides Irvine residents with an education full of resources and experiences closely available to them.

UCI: Not just the university in your backyard

Vincent Yang, Staff Writer
December 21, 2023
PICTURE-PERFECT PRESSURE: A drive to do better results in students pushing for the unattainable.

STEM isn’t the only path to success

Anthony Park, Staff Writer
December 16, 2023
THE LATEST LANGUAGE: Tone tags are an efficient way to clarify a person’s speech.

How we adapted to online communication through tone tags

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
November 29, 2023
TIMBY’S ALMANAC 2023: Gear up and hunker down in preparation for this year’s weather forecast.

Irvine, California: Accurate one-year weather forecast

Timothy Shin, Humor Editor
October 4, 2023
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Mariah Carey begins defrosting

Alyssa Quintana, Staff Writer
November 5, 2023
DWELL ON THE DEN: After graduating, Northwood alumni wade through life drawing experiences from their high school years.

Beyond the Rolling Hills and Majestic Oak: Alumni speak

Courtney Lee, Copy Editor
November 13, 2023
TUESDAY-WEEN: Even on a school day, the spookiness is unstoppable.

Quick Halloween fits

Amy Jeon, Staff Writer
November 3, 2023
A-MAIZE-ING TIPS YOU AUTUMN KNOW: Enhancing cafeteria food for the fall is quite simple.

How to spice up your cafeteria food

Anthony Park, Staff Writer
November 1, 2023
Taking things slow

Taking things slow

Madeleine Pham, Centerspread Editor
October 20, 2023
YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE: Research polticians before you cast your vote.

When School Walls Speak: The harm of forced outing

Anthony Park, Staff Writer
September 29, 2023
NOT REALLY FEELING LIKE MYSELF TODAY: The newest installment to the world of “Adventure Time” honors its predecessor through its innovation and thematic complexity.

“Fionna and Cake” doesn’t take just the cake (but the whole bakery kingdom)

Alyssa Quintana, Staff Writer
September 28, 2023
JUST SCROLLING BY: Trump browses through Pinterest boards, ready for a picture-perfect mugshot.

A look into Trump’s Pinterest board

Megha Kishore, Staff Writer
September 18, 2023
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Barbie’s Advice (and Ken’s unsolicited but not necessarily unwelcomed opinion)

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
August 30, 2023
BREAKING PLASTIC CEILINGS: The ‘Barbie’ movie portrays the trials and triumphs of female identity.

Celebrating feminism with Barbie

Karen Bruce, Editor in Chief
August 25, 2023
PROM STRUGGLES: Asking someone out to prom can often be a handful

Good, Bad, and Ugly: Prom-ise we can help!

Elena Higuchi, Annabel Tiong, and Eugenie Chang
May 22, 2023
FIGHT OR FIGHT: Luz and her friends from Boiling Isles keep their guards up in a seemingly unwelcome forest.

Goodbye, Owl House

Jihoo Yoon, Managing Editor
May 2, 2023
DIVERSITY IS DELICIOUS: Cultural foods and healthy eating are not only delectable and comforting but can hold the same nutritional value as the normalized Western diet.

Analyzing cultural diets in relation to healthy eating

Rhea Gupta, Viewpoint Editor
April 11, 2023
LIVE FOR THE APPLAUSE: Artists stress over aspirations, projecting them onto the audience and each other while reaching for the “flawless” performance.

Pressure in the Performing Arts: How students experience perfectionism

Alyssa Quintana, Staff Writer
March 14, 2023
UNKNOWN RIPPLES: To be grateful has so many positive side-effects that you may not ever consciously notice, but will enrich your and others' lives.

The butterfly effect of gratitude

Ally Venezia, THO Editor
February 17, 2023
CONVERSATIONS FOR THE SOUL: Podcasts can inform, tell stories and comfort those in need.

Podcast Mania: Five podcasts to tingle all five senses

Lucy Kim, Staff Writer
February 15, 2023
GO-PHER IT: a groundhog rises from its burrow to determine the coming season

Unveiling the Truth About Groundhog Day: Myths, Folklore and Tales

Anna Cho, Staff Writer
February 1, 2023
CASE COUNTS: California Teacher of the Year Ben Case describes the different types of cadences to his class.

The analysis of intervals: Music theory with Ben Case

Rhea Gupta, Viewpoint Editor
December 9, 2022
Home for the Holidays: Decorating with poinsettias and fresh trees may not "point" in the most sustainable direction.

The dangers of over planting for the holidays

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
December 2, 2022
TALK TO ME: An extra pair of hands means more students’ academic needs are met during tutorial.

Student tutors can help us make the best of every tutorial

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
November 21, 2022
NO REST FOR THE TICKET: Taylor Swift’s Eras tour concert tickets go on sale Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST. Will you be one of the lucky few to snag the most coveted ticket of the month?

How to ensure tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour

Ally Venezia, THO Editor
November 14, 2022
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Northwood’s Campus of Horrors: A tour that leaves you howlin’

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
October 31, 2022
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Northwood Text Messages Exposed

Megha Kishore, Staff Writer
September 26, 2022
INCLUSIVITY: Northwood Class Councils could better represent the student body

Reforming class councils for better representation

Jaycee Hendrickson, Sports Editor
September 26, 2022
STOKED FOR SEPTEMBER: Let’s just ignore the smoke and fire and drink pumpkin spice lattes.

Falling for September

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
September 23, 2022
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