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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rikkie Gunawan

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor

Rikkie is the Centerspread Editor of The Northwood Howler and on a mission to turn the newspaper into a magazine (kidding!). They’re always drawing in the margins of papers, but also love to read and try creative writing when they get the chance. At any given moment, they’re thinking about what to wear next for their outfit account.

All content by Rikkie Gunawan
[THO] banned books

Debunking arguments for banned books

Alyssa Quintana, Staff Writer
June 3, 2024
Modernizing Northwood Literature

Modernizing Northwood Literature

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
April 25, 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
NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE DAY: With brand new recipes and fusions, the five grilled cheese rulers will forever reign supreme over the Sandwich Kingdom.

Grilled Cheese Recipes: A gouda time is just across your kitchen

Lian Le, News Editor
April 12, 2024
March 2024 Centerspread

March 2024 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan and Courtney Lee
March 15, 2024
TANTALIZING TROPES: Today’s popular romance tropes have become incredibly concerning, so I am begging the reader to re-evaluate their reading selections.

What your favorite romance trope says about you

Kaylie Wang, Accent Editor
February 22, 2024
January/February 2024 Centerspread

January/February 2024 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
February 14, 2024
BOY’S A LIAR: PinkPantheress and Ice Spice give perfect concrete details to support their overarching theme that yes, that boy is lying, as they’ve said numerous times.

Rating 2023 music releases with Standards Based Grading

December 18, 2023
November/December 2023 Centerspread

November/December 2023 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan, Karen Bruce, and Ally Venezia
December 13, 2023
October 2023 Centerspread

October 2023 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan and Anthony Park
October 31, 2023
What’s in my bag?

What’s in my bag?

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
October 27, 2023
September 2023 Centerspread

September 2023 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan and Sohum Sarwate
September 27, 2023
TAKING THE FIRST STEP: The new CARE Court system is just the beginning for positive changes by helping those who need it.

Crisis to CARE: California’s bold shift from punishment to treatment

Anthony Park, Staff Writer
September 26, 2023
August 2023 Centerspread

August 2023 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
August 24, 2023
May 2023 Centerspread

May 2023 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
May 27, 2023
THE LITTLE MERMAID

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

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 17, 2023
DUELING WORLDS: The many revisions caused by an attempt to conform with mainstream culture has left some wondering whether the integrity of the original work still remains.

Why publishers should not be issuing rewrites

Jaycee Hendrickson, Sports Editor
April 13, 2023
Screenshot 2023-04-10 at 7.11.25 PM

Badly written summaries of classics matching game

Jihoo Yoon, Managing Editor
April 18, 2023
COLORFUL CANDY FOOTWEAR COVERED?: A change in M&M shoe choice covered on outlets intended to report on more pressing matters.

Stop the Outrage: Cable news sensationalism of non-problems

Rhea Gupta, Viewpoint Editor
March 13, 2023
February 2023 Centerspread

February 2023 Centerspread

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
February 12, 2023
November/December Centerspread 2022

November/December Centerspread 2022

Rikkie Gunawan, Centerspread Editor
December 9, 2022
Tis the Season: Holiday card ideas that totally sleigh

Tis the Season: Holiday card ideas that totally sleigh

Lucy Kim, Sophia Ho, and Rikkie Gunawan
December 9, 2022
DO THE SAT AND ACT(ually) MATTER? While test scores are no longer considered in many college applications, they still prove to be useful for students.

Are the SAT and ACTs important anymore?

Kaylie Wang, Accent Editor
November 21, 2022
Screenshot 2022-10-31 005749

Centerspread: California Propositions

Rhea Gupta, Viewpoint Editor
October 31, 2022
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