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
Rachel Gima

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor

Rachel Gima is a Northwood senior and Sports Editor for The Howler.

All content by Rachel Gima
Senior Spencer Ho jumps to return the ball to the other side of the court during the CIF-SS match against Servite High School.

Boys Tennis CIF

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
May 28, 2022
Short letter to my classmates

Short letter to my classmates

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
May 27, 2022
Shifting Gears: Changes to the parking permit system

Shifting Gears: Changes to the parking permit system

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
May 11, 2022
NEW KID NERVES: Northwood welcomes its new transfer students with open arms.

New to the Pack: Transfer students reflect on their transition to Northwood

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
March 29, 2022
Early Athletic Commitments

Early Athletic Commitments

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
November 17, 2021

Diving into summer with ISL

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
August 19, 2021

Instrumental Music: Performing with the Pandemic

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
May 30, 2021
Overlooked study tips

Overlooked study tips

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
April 26, 2021

Peek into Fine Arts Week

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
April 23, 2021

Northwood Student-Teachers

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
March 30, 2021
Superstitions

Superstitions

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
March 22, 2021

AcaDeca (Aca)Decks their competitors

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
March 22, 2021
SMACKDOWN STYLE: Junior Aiden Freeland takes down his opponent with force.

Wrestling tackles pandemic setbacks

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
February 12, 2021
AN ADVENTURE WITHIN REACH: Sophomore Grace Carmichael virtually explores the art of the Rijksmuseum, a national museum of the Netherlands, in the comfort of her own home.

Around the world in a single sitting

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
February 12, 2021
2021 fashion forecasts: Trends to shop

2021 fashion forecasts: Trends to shop

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
February 12, 2021
Jade rollers have become the new aesthetic addition to vanities across the globe, but dermatologists have contested the results they claim to produce.

Counterintuitive Skincare Trends

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
January 26, 2021
LOOKING FORWARD: Farrah Khan pushes for a progressive Irvine.

New Mayor Farrah Khan on COVID-19 and civil rights

Rachel Gima and Helena Zhou
January 7, 2021
WE 'CAN' DO IT: With masks and gloves to prevent the spread of COVID-19, sophomore class president Rachel How and vice president Eugenie Chang package thank-you cards and food donations.

Making Northwood’s distanced canned food drive count

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
January 7, 2021
Native American Samsoche Sampson performs a dance at a Native American Heritage Month celebration.

Native American Heritage Month

Rachel Gima and Tyler Wong
November 21, 2020

Challenging beauty standards

Ashley Lee and Rachel Gima
November 15, 2020

Seattle ‘defunds’ their police department

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
November 2, 2020
Good-bye to a Northwood Legend

Good-bye to a Northwood Legend

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
October 21, 2020
STOKED WHILE SOAKED: Head Coach Kyle Kim-E and Assistant Coach Is- abelle Comtois review the team’s playbook during a routine water break.

Girls water polo rises up the ranks

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
October 5, 2020
ONE, TWO, THREE, SMILE: Senior Kamryn Scott was in- spired by a painting in a restaurant in Buffalo, New York.

A guide to Northwood’s art gallery

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
October 5, 2020
Fall Treats with Tricks

Fall Treats with Tricks

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
October 4, 2020
Interviewing water polo sensation Max Abravanel

Interviewing water polo sensation Max Abravanel

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
September 27, 2020
Welcoming the new season with safe traditions

Welcoming the new season with safe traditions

Rachel Gima and Diego Moreno
September 27, 2020

Northwood’s Alma Mater: a virtual celebration

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
June 1, 2020
2020-2021 student leadership

2020-2021 student leadership

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
May 29, 2020
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS: Local students take the time to contribute to COVID-19 relief efforts by making care packages and masks.

Don’t stop me now: students respond to COVID-19

Pranav Gaddam and Rachel Gima
May 29, 2020
Balancing books for rookies

Balancing books for rookies

Rachel Gima, Sports Editor
April 14, 2020
Welcome, future Timberwolves!

Welcome, future Timberwolves!

Rachel Gima and Hari Sreeramagiri
April 14, 2020
BATTER UP: Junior Kamryn Scott perfects her pitching technique.

Full swing into Softball

Rachel Gima and Tyler Wong
March 6, 2020
MAN DOWN!: A Northwood wrestler systematically pins down his opponent.

Wrestling tackles winter season

Rachel Gima and Ryan Wu
February 14, 2020
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