The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
TEACHING RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY: Federation of Jewish Students co-presidents junior Adiv Yair and senior Tom Per- el discuss the traditions and significance of Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday celebrated in mid-October that focuses on repentance and atonement.
Federation of Jewish Students fosters belonging
Honoring the deceased for Día de los Muertos
Honoring the deceased for Día de los Muertos
IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S VIRAJ: Senior Viraj Kadakia toggles with the controls in an airplane before his flying class starts. He is practicing his take-offs and landings in preparation for his pilot's license examination in November.
The sky’s the limit for pilot Viraj Kadakia
LITTER-ALLY RECYCLING: The army of alumni architects assiduously assign areas to apply the assorted artifacts (what a mouthful!).
Lost and Found items are hard at work (literally)!
DISHONORABLY DECOMMISSIONED: Nobody exactly knows what will happen to the physical form of Siri Alexa Bixby, but we can assume that he’ll get what he rightfully deserves in the end
AI counselor given the pink slip and shut down
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
Student Speak: Which science is the most challenging?
Student Speak: Which science is the most challenging?
SELF-EXPRESSION IS IN STYLE: During club rush, senior fashion club president Dae Truong and other members pass out fliers and candy to students, telling them about the club's agenda and mission in order to advertise their club.
Love & Lace brings Northwood fashion a new flair
PROTECTING THE PETS: ASPCA board members junior Emily Tamura (left), junior Emily Huang (middle) and senior Urika Tandiono (right) announce upcoming volunteer opportunities at animal shelters in a club meeting.
ASPCA’s pawsitive impact on animal rights
CRAMMING ON CAFFEINE: Senior Santi Vanegas sips on a honey lavender latte, one of the house species from The Mugs menu, while working on his schoolwork.
Not your cup of tea? Try The Mugs
NO MATTER HOW LO(W), HE'S HERE HELP: Northwood Mental Health Specialist Steve Lo talks to a student in his office.
Managing Mental Health: Meet Northwood’s mental health specialists
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
DANCING WITH SERENITY: Sophomore Grace Li refines her moves in her fourth period dance choreography class.
Flow Into Formation: Expressing creativity through student choreography
A PLUM OF SUSPICION: Professor Plum receives a mysterious envelope from Mr. Wadsworth, setting the stage for a night of intrigue and deception in Northwood’s production of “Clue."
Northwood’s “Clue” on stage served up murder and mystery at its finest
CRAFTING CLUE: Costume head junior Kaylee Fernandez perfects Wadsworth’s mustache for Clue play’s dress rehearsal.
The Heroes Behind the Capes: Northwood’s costume team
INKING IT IN: Junior Nathan Tuason carefully transfers his design onto a shirt, guided by screenprinting teacher Robert Stuart.
Screen Print Design’s impact on artistic vision
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!
March 2024 Centerspread
March 2024 Centerspread
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
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE: Choosing the military over the conventional college path can have its benefits.
Silver and Navy to Red, White and Blue: College vs. the military
CELEBRATING TRADITION: Elders from the Gabrielino-Tongva, Acjachemen and Oaxaca tribes pose in traditional attire.
From Erasure to Empowerment: The purpose of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
CLUBS, CLUBS AND MORE CLUBS: Local students are overwhelmed by the vast quantity of clubs on campus.
There are too many clubs on campus
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
GAME DAY ENERGY: Northwood’s JV Pep Squad kicks off the home game by energizing the frosh football team from the sidelines.
Behind the cheer: Northwood’s pep squad
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
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
April Howler Volume XXV, Issue VII – April 17, 2024
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
Introducing California Colleges
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
Day of the deadines
Day of the deadines
Introducing new staff at Northwood
Introducing new staff 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
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
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
Connecting Eras with Art: AP Art History Teacher Zane Pang talks about the importance of understanding world history through art.
Gallery: Elective Expo
DESK: Junior Issac Lee and Senior Bharathi Kaliraj open the first Fine Arts Assembly and NTV Broadcast since before Covid-19.
Looking back on the fine arts assembly
Step 7 - Distribution: The paper is finally printed and it’s ready to be shared with the school
Behind the scenes of the Northwood Howler
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

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer

Raya is a senior staff writer for the Northwood Howler. You can always count on her having a book on her and she can usually weave food, Greys Anatomy, or Gilmore Girls into any conversation

All content by Raya Abu-Tarif
Honoring the deceased for Día de los Muertos

Honoring the deceased for Día de los Muertos

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
November 6, 2024
CONNECTING THROUGH CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: Senior Malaika Mateti holds a tray of candles in her traditional South Asian attire while celebrating Diwali with her friends.

Shedding Light on the Festival of Light: Diwali

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
October 30, 2024
GAME DAY ENERGY: Northwood’s JV Pep Squad kicks off the home game by energizing the frosh football team from the sidelines.

Behind the cheer: Northwood’s pep squad

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
October 8, 2024
HARK ATTACK: Spirit and Rally Commissioner junior Nathan How attacks the new school year, re-energizing Northwood’s student section at the Beach Bash football game by leading cheers and chants.

A look into ASB’s hype process

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
September 30, 2024
LEARNING THE BASICS: Freshman Paige Volpe practices signing the ASL alphabet with her partner during class. As with verbal languages, mastering the alphabet is a critical first step toward engaging in more challenging, personal conversations.

Building bridges and community through ASL

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
September 26, 2024
KEYBOARD WARRIORS: Celebrities' commentary on global issues is often very controversial.

The influence of influencers

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
May 30, 2024
BE THE HELPING HAND: Reassuring others that mistakes can be overcome dissolves fears surrounding failures.

The Perfection of Imperfection: Honoring mistakes

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
April 19, 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
FINDING BALANCE: Junior Ines Khodja continues to practice her softball swing during practice even through Ramadan fasting.

Playing the Long Game: Ramadan’s impact on athletes

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
March 22, 2024
SKADOOSH: “Kung Fu Panda 4” concludes the beloved childhood series with a fantastic blast

“Kung Fu Panda” strikes again?

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
March 20, 2024
ACHIEVING SERVICE IN AP: Students apply their skills from AP Chemistry to tackle global warming.

AP WE Service: Applying learning to the world

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
February 23, 2024
BEHIND THE BRAIN: Senior Pedram Jokar analyzes various human brain structures with another high school student at the UC Irvine Brain Bee event.

Northwood students excel at the Irvine Brain Bee

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
February 14, 2024
SIMPLIFIED SCIENCE: Dustin Le explains binary code by comparing it to decimals.

Dustin Le: Working with a passion

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
December 21, 2023
TEAM TIME, TURKEY TIME: Northwood girls water polo celebrates their team Thanksgiving meal after a morning practice over the break. Photo provided by Kyle Kim-E.

The unspoken challenges of being a winter sport athlete

Raya Abu-Tarif and Jaycee Hendrickson
December 17, 2023
TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE: Each culture’s holiday involves different gift-giving customs that reflect their traditional values.

Unwrapping gift-giving traditions

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
December 14, 2023
SELECTIVE SPOTLIGHT: Amidst ongoing global crises, major media sources can pick and choose where to redirect an average viewer’s attention.

The gatekeepers of news

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
November 14, 2023
TRIPLE THREAT: Teacher-coaches Megan Stuart, Nicole Grau and Harry Lee coach their respective teams to bring Northwood more wins. Additional photo credit: Andrew Le

Impacts Beyond the Classroom: Teachers who are also coaches

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
November 4, 2023
HYDRATION IS NOW AN ACCESSORY: The initial sustainability efforts behind reusable water bottles are no longer there.

Water bottles are fast fashion’s newest victim

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
November 2, 2023
PLAN AND PREPARE: Preparation and composure can all make the difference in the unexpected event of a natural disaster.

How Northwood prepares for natural disasters

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
October 13, 2023
THE FUTURE OF DISCO: Wearing headphones, silent discos offer different music options so everyone can have a fabulous experience.

A groovy experience at Irvine Spectrum’s Silent Disco

Raya Abu-Tarif, Staff Writer
September 28, 2023
FUN AT THE FESTIVAL: Children's dance group "Las Estrellas Ballet Folklórico" performs on the Fiesta stage at Great Park. (Photo provided courtesy of the City of Irvine)

Food, Fun and ‘Fiest’ivities: Fiesta Latina en Irvine

Raya Abu-Tarif and Sienna Hidalgo
September 27, 2023
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