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
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
SUBLIME SKINCARE: Junior Jessy Elias and alumni Jasmine Elias show off their Se.Lo serum products.
Glow with Se.Lo: Northwood entrepreneurs spread self love through skin care
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
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
CHARGING TO SUCCESS: Senior Ryan Loo dribbles towards the goal in a varsity boys soccer game.
Winning With A Passion: Boys Soccer ends a successful 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
Shreya Aithal

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer

Shreya Aithal is a Northwood junior and staff writer for the Howler. She loves reading period dramas like Bridgerton, and can typically be found at school until at least 5 p.m. so if you ever need company, she’ll be there, but she might be speaking at a pitch only dogs can hear or drowning in calculus 3 :(

All content by Shreya Aithal
KEEP CALM AND PARRY ON: Class of 2023 alumnus Kevin Sohn fences for Harvard University.

Former Timberwolf athletes on sports outside the pack

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
December 18, 2024
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”

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
December 16, 2024
No Treat?: Teenagers often feel excluded by adults from the trick-or-treating holiday tradition.

Trick-or-treating: How old is too old?

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
November 4, 2024
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

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
November 1, 2024
SINGING STARS: The Acapella Club passes out candy and fliers during Club Rush.

Club communities foster connections at Club Rush

Anna Cho and Shreya Aithal
October 31, 2024
PINK AND PROUD: Northwood’s girls flag football team celebrate pink out and senior night during their final game of the season against Rosary Hill, supporting breast cancer awareness.

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month as students

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 21, 2024
PICKLEBALL PLAY: Freshman Leo Liu practices his skills on the basketball court in preparation for the new lines to be painted in.

New pickleball lines painted on blacktop

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 30, 2024
“BEETLEJUICE” IS BACK ONCE MORE: Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

Love and horror’s splendid return in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 27, 2024
SPRINGING TO VICTORY: Spring season athletes end off the year with numerous school records, league wins and CIF placements while also balancing academic endeavors such as AP testing season, finals and extracurricular activities outside of their sport.

The best of this year’s spring sports season

Anna Cho and Shreya Aithal
June 5, 2024
MAYOR’S CHOICE: Vice Mayor Larry Agran, Mayor Farrah Khan and award winning sophomore Eileen Zhang pose at the opening reception of the Irvine City Hall High School Art Exhibition.

Eileen’s expressive art at city hall

Shreya Aithal and Hannah Liu
June 4, 2024
THE MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP: New companions allow for personal growth in high school.

Friend groups can change… and that’s okay

Zoe Yan and Shreya Aithal
April 19, 2024
HISTORY SHOWDOWN: Staff writers go head to head on the best AP History course. (Neil Godse)

History showdown with APUSH and WHAP

Aishwarya Ramasubramanian and Shreya Aithal
December 18, 2023
JOURNALISM IS MY PASSION, THEY SAY: This freshman Beginning Journalism student plans to apply as a computer science major.

Interview with a Howler hopeful

Riya Gupta and Shreya Aithal
December 17, 2023
SEASON’S SYMPHONIES: Students showcase their musical talent onstage as an assortment of rhythms and melodies intertwine, marking the start of a festive season.

Late fall and winter shows call forth festive feels

Shreya Aithal and Riya Gupta
December 15, 2023
HISTORY HEATED UP: As of yesterday evening, parts of the Tustin hangar were still ablaze as the OCFA stopped active work for firefighters’ safety.

Tustin Landmark Up in Flames: The loss of WW2 hangar

Shreya Aithal and Riya Gupta
November 8, 2023
PREPARING A PATHWAY: Freshmen Alex Li and Anderson Lay discuss with the Yale college representative about extracurricular activities to pursue.

IUSD’s College and Career Readiness Fair

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
November 6, 2023
TIME FOR TACKLING TRIATHLON TRAINING: Senior Madison Ledgard (left) stretches before cross country practice.

Madison Ledgard takes on national triathalon competition

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
November 4, 2023
GOING DIGITAL: Junior Ayesha Siddiqui downloads the Bluebook app to prepare for the digital PSAT.

Preparing for the new digital SAT with the digital SAT

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 31, 2023
DIVIDING DISTRICTS: Irvine Districting Map 151 has been officially selected for final vote in March 2024. Photo courtesy of City of Irvine.

Irvine Districting Map 151: A new system for council elections

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 12, 2023
PAC IT UP: Many teams dissolved their contracts with Pac-12 and dispersed to different conferences.

Diminishing Pac-12 leaves impacts on high school athletes

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 1, 2023
AN ENSEMBLE OF INTERTWINING ELEMENTS: The Northwood Marching Band is a force to be reckoned with as they holler in the stands.

Behind the Band: The elements of Earth, Wind & Fire

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 30, 2023
SECURING SUCCESS: Boys swim and golf captains lead their teams to dominate PCL championships for the second year, qualifying for CIF.

Two-teams, two-peats for Northwood swim and golf

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
May 26, 2023
A BETTER FUTURE: Sophomores Jasmine Le and Ashley Cao discuss issues regarding mental health and teen culture in their focus group.

Student voices help reform Irvine’s Strategic Plan

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
April 12, 2023
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Last minute cancellation of Spring Fling left students peeking through the looking-glass.

Spring Fling: Cancelled

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
March 21, 2023
A SWEET SURPRISE: Willy Wonka lead senior Ze Xi Isaac Lee and the rest of the cast opens the night with their inviting performance of “The Golden Age of Chocolate.”

Northwood’s Willy Wonka: An invitation into the “World of Imagination”

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
February 13, 2023
Northwood Philharmonic Orchestra cellists prepare to perform “Overture to Marriage of Figaro” under the guidance of director Ben Case.

Northwood Performers take the stage at the annual Northwood Area Concert

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
January 23, 2023

Profiles in Science: Northwood science teachers dish on how they discovered their passion for science and their journey to Northwood

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
December 13, 2022
WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER: Children get creative while climbing on a rope play structure, enjoying their youth at Sweet Shade.

Including all spectrums of ability in Irvine playground

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
December 9, 2022
A PHOTO IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS: Alexei Tolkachev transforms moments into tangible memories through photography. (Tyler Truong)

Flash! Alexei Tolkachev, one in a million (shot)

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
December 9, 2022
ANOTHER TERM?: Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan faces competitors in a debate held at UCI.

Meet the candidates: 2022 Irvine mayoral elections

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 31, 2022
“EARTH” WITHOUT “ART” IS JUST “EH”: Northwood’s Interdisciplinary Arts Council strives to bring an appreciation to the art communities and classes available on campus.

The Arts in Action: Northwood’s Interdisciplinary Arts Council

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 31, 2022
A basic guide to CIF terminology

A basic guide to CIF terminology

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 31, 2022
College Admission To-Do List

College Admission To-Do List

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
October 26, 2022
Junior Isabella Hulbert skims through her captivating novel during lunch, kept company by the exciting words of an undercover spy.

BookTok Student Speak

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 27, 2022
PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS: The clarinet section spread out during morning practice to warm-up with scales and learn the new notes for their set.

Behind the Plumes and Podium: Who’s in charge?

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 26, 2022
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Seniors Nick Cortes and Destiny Crisantos enjoy a night of dancing, singing and pictures, all while red-carpet ready

Grammys at The Oak: Northwood takes on Homecoming

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 26, 2022
FINGERS FLYING: “When I was really practicing for 2x2 I would usually do at least 200 solves per day, which equates to about 80 minutes,” Choi said.

Cubing with Kyeongmin Choi

Shreya Aithal, Staff Writer
September 26, 2022
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