The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
HARP TO HEART: Sophomore Bia Yoo practices the harp during lunch to prepare for Northwood’s winter instrumental concerts
Northwood taps into unique musical strengths
READY, SET, BRAWL: Northwood freshmen Kevin Chen, Manvir Kalra and Evan Jung plan their strategy for the next round of the tournament
HSYAT hosts brand new Brawl Stars Tournament
GIVING BACK: Senior Katherine Jiang donates cans to the canned food drive bins outside of the SAC.
Thanksgiving food drive competition
DANCING INTO THE FUTURE: Northwood dance students practice in 2003 (left); Dance Theatre sophomore Mirabelle Wang and junior Madison Chang perfect their choreography during rehearsal, preparing to bring their routine to life on stage (right).
Then vs. Now: How Northwood’s dance program all began
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Northwood Girls Flag Football team celebrates after winning the first ever CIF Division II title.
Girls Flag Football wins CIF championship
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
Reconnecting during the holidays
Reconnecting during 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
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
Sienna Hidalgo

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer

Sienna is a staff writer for the Northwood Howler and also a hedgehog enthusiast. In her limited free time, she loves to waste away the hours with a hook in one hand and yarn in the other, crocheting as if her life depended on it. When she’s not aggressively crocheting, she’s either reading, napping, or jumping over hurdles while running in a circle.

All content by Sienna Hidalgo
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Northwood Girls Flag Football team celebrates after winning the first ever CIF Division II title.

Girls Flag Football wins CIF championship

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
December 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

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
November 14, 2024
EXPRESSIONS AND IMPRESSIONS: Members of Northwood’s Improv Club play a game of “Remote Control,” in which actors improvise dialogue to fit spontaneous settings and locations called out by the audience.

Improv Club at GameCon event

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
November 4, 2024
A WONG-DERFUL WIN: In a doubles match against Sage Hill School, varsity tennis captain senior Baylie Wong volleys the ball back to her opponents during the girls’ tennis senior night.

Baylie Wong: Champion of multiple domains

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
November 4, 2024
GRACEFULLY GALLOPING: Equipped with her safety gear and riding helmet, equestrian senior Julie Heninger practices riding her horse, Irco, at the stable grounds in San Juan Capistrano.

Equestrian Julie Heninger is the mane character

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
October 1, 2024
THE ART OF CROCHET: Junior Shriya Balaji works on her latest project, a green blanket, while sitting beside some of her other works, including a crocheted portrait of herself.

Hooked on Fun: Shriya Balaji’s crochet journey

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
September 27, 2024
SAVE YOUR DIGNITY AND YOUR BUTT: Northwood students resort to finding creative places to sit after finding the school desolate of open tables.

Alternative seating options for better gluteal health

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
December 18, 2023
Tackling the debate between club sports and school sports

Tackling the debate between club sports and school sports

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
December 17, 2023
COASTAL CELEBRATION: The El Navegante won Best Power Boat in the festive 2022 Newport Beach Boat Parade competition with holiday-themed boats, houses and offices. Photo provided by Bleu Cotton Photography

Boats, ballet and bright lights: Holiday-themed events

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
December 14, 2023

Make Your World Better: an interview with Sandy Banks

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
November 30, 2023
BAKING MONARCHY: British cuisine colonizes Netflix.

British shows take over Netflix

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
November 21, 2023
I SEE NO COLOR: Is it a beige flag, or are you just colorblind?

Beige flags, but make it Northwood edition

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
November 5, 2023
CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS: Sophomore Reisa Iwai shares Japanese culture through temporary tattoos. (Photo provided by Renee Li)

Irvine Global Village Festival

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
October 31, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month: An interview with Joey Cabrera

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
October 20, 2023
PICTURE PERFECT PRESIDENT: Poetry club president Saya Ryu perfects her poems, pondering about the pictures she can paint through her words.

From Passion to Creation: Saya Ryu, a poet with a vision

Sienna Hidalgo, Staff Writer
September 30, 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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