The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
Looking back with staff
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)!
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
CRUNCHWRAP CRUSH: Finals week desperation leads to some less-than-tasty test-taking troubles.
How to Fail Your Finals: Finals week horror stories
CHEW ON THIS: Chew chows down on Le Shrimp Noodle Bar’s Cantonese-Japanese fusion dishes at their new Irvine Spectrum location.
Wok-hei meets ramen at Le Shrimp Noodle Bar
READY FOR LUNCH: Nutritional services associate II Cesily Hadley takes inventory of the leftovers from the morning break before clearing them out in preparation for the lunch rush.
What happens to cafeteria leftovers?
BARREN BLACK FRIDAYS: A changing consumer culture alters how Black Friday is celebrated.
What happened to Black Friday?
BAKING LESSONS, HISTORY AND BITES: Senior and Global Baking Club President Joyce Zhang shares a lesson on the recipe and rich history of cornbread while handing out fresh samples during this month’s meeting.
Global Baking Club’s sweet influence on culinary delights
CAPTURING THE SPIRIT: Sophomore Matthew Chan brings Christmas spirit to life through the South Coast Repertory’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”
Bringing Holiday Magic to Life: Matthew Chan’s journey in “A Christmas Carol”
WAYS TO BE "WICKED": Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) stun audiences with their musical performances.
“Wicked,” you will be popular
TENSION INCREASING: Grief and anger spark changing dynamics between Vi and Jinx.
A visually stunning sequel to “Arcane: League of Legends”
LUXURIOUS LANGSON: UCI curates a museum of American Impressionist art.
Local art museums to explore during Northwood’s first full Thanksgiving Break
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
Looking back with staff
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!
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
HOLIDAY HISTORIES: While Thanksgiving can be a time to celebrate family traditions, it’s equally important to recognize the history behind it.
Acknowledging the past of Thanksgiving with holiday spirit
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
ON PAR FOR SUCCESS: Senior Captain Annabelle Wong completes her swing, intently watching the ball’s trajectory down the fairway
Driving to Victory: Girls’ golf celebrates a stellar season of success
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rita Lai

Rita Lai, Accent Editor

Rita is the Accent Editor for Northwood High School, and her favorite class is Calculus. In her free time, she likes to frolick in strawberry fields and does competitive curling. She likes to dye her hair a lot.

All content by Rita Lai
Crossing from one end of the bridge to the other

Crossing from one end of the bridge to the other

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
May 26, 2023
SASS & PIZZAZZ: Dance theatre junior Marisa Chacon (left) and Senior Catie Jamieson stare at each other intently as they recreate the interesting tension of La La Land’s iconic bench scene.

Dance BTS and show

Rita Lai and Karen Wang
May 10, 2023
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Though some students might forever fear the impending doom of approaching deadlines, others find efficiency in working close to deadlines. (Isabella Torrales)

The controversy of procrastination

Rita Lai and Karen Wang
April 10, 2023
IT’S RAINING HEARTS AND LOVE LETTERS: Some people like the rain better than other people.

Taking a deep dive into the “A” of LGBTQIAP+

Ellie Chan and Rita Lai
February 14, 2023
HANDWRITING JUST AIN’T RIGHT: When there’s more efficient and fair methods of evaluating students, educators should consider turning away from handwritten work.

Student anonymity in grading

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
January 6, 2023
NEVER TOO SICK FOR MUSIC: A fortunate choir member has the opportunity to showcase his seasonally acquired skills, admittedly to the chagrin of his fellow performers.

Top 5 reasons to come to school sick

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
December 10, 2022
Rating political signs

Rating political signs

Karen Wang, Annabel Tiong, and Rita Lai
November 8, 2022
Northwood’s Campus of Horrors: A tour that leaves you howlin’

Northwood’s Campus of Horrors: A tour that leaves you howlin’

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
October 31, 2022
DAY 1: I named him Doug. He came into existence on Sept. 2. He was born from the marriage of 50 grams of filtered tap water and 50 grams of whole wheat flour.

Sourdough September

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
October 13, 2022
Studying with or without music? Pros and cons

Studying with or without music? Pros and cons

Rita Lai and Annie Lee
September 26, 2022
LIBRARY LEVITY: Freshmen Emma Walton (left), Adam Elkoustaf (middle) and Shada Sirat (right) enjoy a bright moment of reprieve during their study session.

Good, Bad and Ugly: Advice for a frenzy of freshmen fears

Kaylie Wang, Accent Editor
September 26, 2022
Taken by Elle Chan

New (Academic) Year’s Resolutions: Northwood Edition

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
September 14, 2022
Spring times bring May rhymes

Spring times bring May rhymes

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
May 20, 2022
CRADLED CHOOK: Ke’s younger sister demonstrates the proper way to hold a chicken.

Happy-Go-Lucky Poultry Day: Clucky pet chickens

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
March 19, 2022

Seven Northwood students commit to collegiate athletics

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
March 11, 2022
Dialing... VAPA Line

Dialing… VAPA Line

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
March 11, 2022
SUPPLEMENTAL SELECTIONS: Piled on textbooks are other reading material on Black History and antiracism, available at Northwood’s school library.

Black history’s lack of depth in American schools

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
February 28, 2022
Super Bowl Traditions

Super Bowl Traditions

Annie Lee, Rita Lai, Chris Song, and Karen Wang
February 10, 2022
HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!: Senior Devon Huang readies himself to shoot a free throw at an away game against University High School.

Winter captains lead the charge

Rita Lai and Annie Lee
February 10, 2022
FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC: (left to right) Junior Vero, freshman Charlie and juniors Charlie and Niki are one of the many groups of friends just spending time together during tutorial, showing the less commercialized but still appreciated aspect of platonic love in relationships.

Different types of love languages: “Amor-e” ways to show your amour

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
February 9, 2022
Eclectic electives to take in the Spring semester

Eclectic electives to take in the Spring semester

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
January 5, 2022
Everyone’s a winger: Many families are hoping to make the OC Turkey Trot a yearly tradition, both for the exercise and the bonding experience

#FEASTMODE: Race the cluck

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
December 9, 2021

MCU’s latest addition

Rita Lai and Karen Wang
December 8, 2021

Northwood custodians sweep us away

Noelle Escalante and Rita Lai
October 27, 2021
BBQs by land and sea

BBQs by land and sea

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
October 27, 2021

Our truths: TEDx Talks

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
October 27, 2021
SISTERHOOD: Seniors Aditi Sreenivas (left) and Sofia Partridge (right) portray sisters Jo and Beth from the musical “Little Women” as they sing “Some Things Are Meant To Be,” a final duet before Beth’s death.

The world’s a stage for theater

Rita Lai and Karen Wang
October 27, 2021
writer_artist_swap

Writer/Artist Swap

Richelle Gunawan, Graphic Artist
October 27, 2021
Odd October occasions

Odd October occasions

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
October 4, 2021
Which Northwood Bug Are You?

Which Northwood Bug Are You?

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
September 29, 2021

Orchard Hills asphalt plan takes on lawsuit

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
September 29, 2021
ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS: Travelers awaiting their flight stroll through a historical gallery at the John Wayne Airport.

Historic sites of OC

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
September 29, 2021

How to grow an at-home miniature herb garden

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
June 6, 2021

STATE TESTING ramps up

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
May 30, 2021
A half-sin table spread of sabzeh (سبزه) – grown sprouts, samanu (سمنو) – sweet pudding, senjed (سنجد) – Persian olive, serkeh (سرکه) – vinegar, seeb (سیب) – apple, seer (سیر) – garlic, and somāq (سماق) – sumac.

March Equinox

Rita Lai, Accent Editor
March 18, 2021
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