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
Rachel Yokota

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor

Rachel Yokota is a Northwood senior and the Managing Editor for The Howler. She has created a whole new level of freelancing by finessing her way out of The Howler roster for three years—and if she’s not hacking InDesign, you’ll find her at the pool. Rachel’s best friends are remove.bg and wordhippo.com (on the down low…).

All content by Rachel Yokota
We're all in this together!

We’re all in this together!

Karen Bruce, Kaylie Wang, Rachel Yokota, and Madeleine Pham
June 3, 2024
CHAMPIONS IN EVERY SENSE: Northwood Athletes of the Year Riley Bajorek and Zaid Yunis celebrate their accomplished high school careers and the enduring mark they have left on Northwood.

Northwood athletes honored as NHS and PCL top talent

Rachel Yokota and Anthony Park
May 23, 2024
BAWK BAWK: Junior Dylan Khang and math teacher David Lee flaunt their feathers at the CIF Southern Section Chicken Flinging Qualifier.

CIF sanctions girls and boys chicken flinging

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 5, 2024
FEARLESS ON THE FIELD: Captain senior Nikki Sanders cradles the ball outside the box as she strategizes her next move.

Girls lacrosse beats out Beckman and all odds

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 19, 2024
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS: Northwood teachers such as instrumental arts director Whitney Tavlarides strive to constantly improve their programs.

Northwood ranks No. 1 in IUSD

Rachel Yokota and Anthony Park
September 2, 2023
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
LAST DANCE: These four seniors enjoy their final year with the team as Northwood girl's volleyball heads into CIF for victory.

SENIOR SPEAK: Girls volleyball on their last season

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
October 31, 2022
Student Speak: Why Your Sport?

Student Speak: Why Your Sport?

Rachel Yokota, Managing 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
ALL OUT SPRINT: Sophomore Derek Hitchens (left) and senior Christopher Leung (right) race to the finish at Meadowood Pool.

Diving in with Chris and Derek

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
August 21, 2022
NICE TO MEAT YOU: Ricebunn's iconic Salmon and KBBQ Beef Onigiri wrapped up and ready to go!

Fusion Foods at their Finest: Ricebunn

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
June 1, 2022

NHS alumni Ashley Dasom Lee

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 13, 2022
GRITO: Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer sing their hearts out in UCI’s Winifred Smith Hall.

Mariachi from past to present

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 12, 2022
FOR THE WIN: With the help of The Howler's flawless guide to the Winter Olympics, junior Tiana Gao takes gold in Short Track Speed Skating.

Winter Olympic Sports for Dummies

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
February 22, 2022

Reform after slurs directed at Portola students

Annabel Tiong and Rachel Yokota
February 10, 2022
PARADING THE STREETS: Members of local fraternities were part of the motorcade that included antique cars and leaders in the Black community, from state senators to kickboxing champions.

42nd Black History Month Parade

Rhea Gupta and Rachel Yokota
February 10, 2022

CSALT serves athletes

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
February 10, 2022
DRILLING IT INTO MEMORY: Girls JV basketball head coach Erin Halle (left) assigns the girls different numbered positions while teaching them how to execute an offensive drill.

Back to the Pack: Return of the alumni

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
December 9, 2021
STRESSING OUT: A student tries to not cry while reviewing cross sections in math.

How to avoid putting the “pro” in procrastination for finals week

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
December 6, 2021
5 Solutions to Beat the Traffic Driving You Crazy

5 Solutions to Beat the Traffic Driving You Crazy

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
November 22, 2021
How Do Sports Adapt to Weather Changes?

How Do Sports Adapt to Weather Changes?

Rhea Gupta and Rachel Yokota
November 3, 2021
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Rising population growth in Irvine poses challenges to resident satisfaction in the future.

Harmful Irvine population growth

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
October 27, 2021

S1 Episode 4: Ringing In: Northwood’s new bell schedule two months later

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
October 20, 2021
YOU WISH YOU WERE A T-WOLF: Junior Timberwolves encourage the crowd to cheer at a football game.

Cheering with the future T-Wolves

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
September 29, 2021
SINGING THE NiGHT Away: Attendees sing their hearts out at the karaoke station.

Mask-erading at Midnight: Senior Gala 2021

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 27, 2021
HONORING NORTHWOOD: Along with Distinguished School, Northwood has also received several other awards that are proudly displayed on the campus.

Northwood honored as a California Distinguished School

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 3, 2021

Students speak out at Virtual Advocacy Trip

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 23, 2021
IS SHARING CARING?: Netflix has recently begun to crack down on password sharing, leading to frustration among long-term users.

Pursuing Netflix Password Sharers: A Potential Mistake

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 17, 2021
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Senior Stephanie Chen practices her volleyball fundamentals.

Girls Beach Volleyball joins CIF scene

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 22, 2021
UNFINI(SHE)D: Both Harris and Guntrip join the fight for women’s rights, continuing a legacy of persistence.

Women’s (Her)story Month: Celebrating women then and now

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 22, 2021
SWITCH AND PLAY: The Nintendo Switch has been the focus of Nintendo Directs since 2017, when the console was released.

2021 Nintendo Direct: Five Fantastic Features

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 5, 2021
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