The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
AIRPOD WARRIOR: Me, oblivious and happy, before I lost three pairs of AirPods and four cases.
Nice humble songs by Megha
Gravity Lost: The sky was never the limit
Gravity Lost: The sky was never the limit
AAAAAND ANOTHER THING: [CENSORED] [REDACTED] [BABY SCREAMING] [SIRENS] [SILENCE].
SHOCKING: Irvine woman still doesn’t know words to alma mater despite being a senior
FASHION KILLER: Me and my snowman fitted up since day one.
How (not) to lose a guy in 10 days
DÉRACINEMENT: A one-year-old’s innocent grin, a fleeting warmth of fragile light before the gathering shadows.
Breathing through the end of liminality
Portola Parkway - Orchard Hills Drive intersection
Irvine City Council approves extending bus service to Northwood
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
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
PRESERVING THE PAST: A preserved glimpse into Orange County history, Old Town Tustin stands as a gateway into early California architecture and history.
Historic spots in OC
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
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
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
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
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
Senior highlights
Senior highlights
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
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
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
Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back
Legacy of the Pack: Athletes give back
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
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
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
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
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
Northwood through Timby’s eyes
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
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
Noelle Escalante

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor

Noelle is open to talking to anyone within her immediate vicinity, unless she has her chunky white headphones straddled across her head. She’s probably furiously typing edits onto an article with the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack on repeat, in order to make the time feel like it’s going quicker.

All content by Noelle Escalante
Crazy course coincidences can change everything

Crazy course coincidences can change everything

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 26, 2023
THE LITTLE MERMAID

The Little Mermaid Reboot: The representation needed in today’s age

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 17, 2023
THEORY IS KEY: Music Production Club founders seniors Satwik Bondelepati and Howard Wu explain functional harmonies and their uses in music.

De-Compressing Northwood’s first Music Production Club

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 18, 2023
Examining Toxic Positivity

Examining Toxic Positivity

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 12, 2023
CARTS CONTAMINATING COASTLINES: Shopping cart ocean pollution seemingly becomes a greater problem than we think

Cart Horrors: How shopping carts contribute to ocean pollution

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
February 21, 2023
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
EFFICIENCY IS NOT ALWAYS KEY: Utilizing short-hand text frequently in everyday life can potentially bleed over into academic writing. While it may be comedic, the reader may not be very impressed.

Gen Z Shorthand Text: Is it making kids illiterate?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
November 1, 2022
SAVE IT FOR THE RAIN: The movie-watching ambience is best paired with trickling rain in the background.

Cozy autumnal movies to manifest the fall vibes

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 31, 2022
GLOWING FACES: Wearing sunscreen is the number one tip that Northwood teachers, and indeed most experts, suggest. That being said, sliced cucumbers never hurt anybody.

Teacher Speak: How Northwood Teachers keep their Skin Fresh

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 7, 2022
COORDINATING THE CROCODILE ROCK: (Left to right): drum majors June Lee, Brendan Birozy and Bhargavi Deshpande prep for the 2022 field show on a Monday morning.

Friday Night’s Alright for Marching: How Drum Majors delegate the Wall of Sound throughout the football season

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
September 26, 2022
NORTHWOOD’S TRUE COLORS: Northwood’s school spirit shines through in the athletic director’s office.

A Marvelous Mural Masterpiece

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
August 21, 2022
Teacher MBTI Types

Teacher MBTI Types

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 30, 2022
HEALTHY TRANSPORTATION: The "Lime" scooter system in metropolitan cities becomes more accessible to sidewalk civilians.

Public Electric Scooters: The benefits to its implementation

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 4, 2022
Healthy Transportation: The "Lime" scooter system in metropolitan cities becomes more accessible to sidewalk civilians.

Public Electric Scooters: The Benefits to its Implementation

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 30, 2022
THE CEREAL KILLER: Virtual Box Tops are perpetuating the wealth gap in education.

Box Tops for Education: Philanthropy or increasing inequality?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 17, 2022
What do your springtime allergies say about you?

What do your springtime allergies say about you?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 15, 2022
HOUSE DIVIDED: In a survey of 762 students conducted by The Howler, many Northwood students await the latest COVID statistics to make their decision about safety without masks.

OC mask mandate

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 10, 2022
NO MORE MONKEY BUSINESS: NFTs like this $210,000 Bored Ape may not be as environmentally friendly as you think.

The rise of cryptocurrency and NFTs

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
February 10, 2022
The Good, Bad and Ugly: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with A&E

The Good, Bad and Ugly: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with A&E

Yejin Heo, Noelle Escalante, and Karen Wang
February 10, 2022
A show NHS needed

A show NHS needed

Noelle Escalante and Erin Tsai
February 10, 2022
Cafeteria food tier list

Cafeteria food tier list

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
December 9, 2021
DAPPER DUO: With their layered fits, juniors Salma Iliasu (left) and Kiara Kuriakose (right) are safe from the ever-shifting weather conditions.

Cause a Frock-us: Layered outfits

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
December 9, 2021
"Ankle Biter” Mosquito Species bites Orange County

“Ankle Biter” Mosquito Species bites Orange County

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
November 16, 2021

Northwood custodians sweep us away

Noelle Escalante and Rita Lai
October 28, 2021
Halloween Unscramble

Halloween Unscramble

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 28, 2021
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Okamoto leans towards an arabesque at the Gila River, Arizona, where her grandmother had been interned.

Dancer Emily Okamoto finds beauty within brokenness

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 27, 2021
ON AIR: Assistant show producer senior Matthew Son prepares the camera to record the desk hosts for the second episode of NTV.

And it’s back! NTV S20

Helia Degan and Noelle Escalante
September 29, 2021
Memorial Book Day

Memorial Book Day

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
September 29, 2021

Diversity in Shang-Chi: Is it enough?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
September 29, 2021
Astronaut in the Ocean’s dive into the Top 100

Astronaut in the Ocean’s dive into the Top 100

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 24, 2021
JIGGLING WITH HAPPINESS: A fan recreation of Buzzfeed Tasty's recipe, a Jiggly Japanese Cheesecake.

Buzzfeed Tasty: Subtle racism against Asian-American dishes

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 30, 2021
BREAKING CHARTS AND SWOONING HEARTS: Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak pose for their Lacoste collaboration line.

Silk Sonic: How the duo came to be

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 20, 2021
Binge or dip: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel

Binge or dip: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 22, 2021
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