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
Noelle Escalante

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor

Noelle is open to talking to anyone within her immediate vicinity, unless she has her chunky white headphones straddled across her head. She’s probably furiously typing edits onto an article with the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack on repeat, in order to make the time feel like it’s going quicker.

All content by Noelle Escalante
Crazy course coincidences can change everything

Crazy course coincidences can change everything

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 26, 2023
THE LITTLE MERMAID

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

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 17, 2023
THEORY IS KEY: Music Production Club founders seniors Satwik Bondelepati and Howard Wu explain functional harmonies and their uses in music.

De-Compressing Northwood’s first Music Production Club

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 18, 2023
Examining Toxic Positivity

Examining Toxic Positivity

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 12, 2023
CARTS CONTAMINATING COASTLINES: Shopping cart ocean pollution seemingly becomes a greater problem than we think

Cart Horrors: How shopping carts contribute to ocean pollution

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
February 21, 2023
Home for the Holidays: Decorating with poinsettias and fresh trees may not "point" in the most sustainable direction.

The dangers of over planting for the holidays

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
December 1, 2022
EFFICIENCY IS NOT ALWAYS KEY: Utilizing short-hand text frequently in everyday life can potentially bleed over into academic writing. While it may be comedic, the reader may not be very impressed.

Gen Z Shorthand Text: Is it making kids illiterate?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
November 1, 2022
SAVE IT FOR THE RAIN: The movie-watching ambience is best paired with trickling rain in the background.

Cozy autumnal movies to manifest the fall vibes

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 31, 2022
GLOWING FACES: Wearing sunscreen is the number one tip that Northwood teachers, and indeed most experts, suggest. That being said, sliced cucumbers never hurt anybody.

Teacher Speak: How Northwood Teachers keep their Skin Fresh

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 7, 2022
COORDINATING THE CROCODILE ROCK: (Left to right): drum majors June Lee, Brendan Birozy and Bhargavi Deshpande prep for the 2022 field show on a Monday morning.

Friday Night’s Alright for Marching: How Drum Majors delegate the Wall of Sound throughout the football season

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
September 26, 2022
NORTHWOOD’S TRUE COLORS: Northwood’s school spirit shines through in the athletic director’s office.

A Marvelous Mural Masterpiece

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
August 21, 2022
Teacher MBTI Types

Teacher MBTI Types

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 29, 2022
HEALTHY TRANSPORTATION: The "Lime" scooter system in metropolitan cities becomes more accessible to sidewalk civilians.

Public Electric Scooters: The benefits to its implementation

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 4, 2022
Healthy Transportation: The "Lime" scooter system in metropolitan cities becomes more accessible to sidewalk civilians.

Public Electric Scooters: The Benefits to its Implementation

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 30, 2022
THE CEREAL KILLER: Virtual Box Tops are perpetuating the wealth gap in education.

Box Tops for Education: Philanthropy or increasing inequality?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 17, 2022
What do your springtime allergies say about you?

What do your springtime allergies say about you?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 15, 2022
HOUSE DIVIDED: In a survey of 762 students conducted by The Howler, many Northwood students await the latest COVID statistics to make their decision about safety without masks.

OC mask mandate

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 10, 2022
NO MORE MONKEY BUSINESS: NFTs like this $210,000 Bored Ape may not be as environmentally friendly as you think.

The rise of cryptocurrency and NFTs

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
February 10, 2022
The Good, Bad and Ugly: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with A&E

The Good, Bad and Ugly: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with A&E

Yejin Heo, Noelle Escalante, and Karen Wang
February 9, 2022
A show NHS needed

A show NHS needed

Noelle Escalante and Erin Tsai
February 9, 2022
Cafeteria food tier list

Cafeteria food tier list

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
December 9, 2021
DAPPER DUO: With their layered fits, juniors Salma Iliasu (left) and Kiara Kuriakose (right) are safe from the ever-shifting weather conditions.

Cause a Frock-us: Layered outfits

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
December 8, 2021
"Ankle Biter” Mosquito Species bites Orange County

“Ankle Biter” Mosquito Species bites Orange County

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
November 16, 2021

Northwood custodians sweep us away

Noelle Escalante and Rita Lai
October 27, 2021
Halloween Unscramble

Halloween Unscramble

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 27, 2021
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Okamoto leans towards an arabesque at the Gila River, Arizona, where her grandmother had been interned.

Dancer Emily Okamoto finds beauty within brokenness

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
October 27, 2021
ON AIR: Assistant show producer senior Matthew Son prepares the camera to record the desk hosts for the second episode of NTV.

And it’s back! NTV S20

Helia Degan and Noelle Escalante
September 29, 2021
Memorial Book Day

Memorial Book Day

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
September 29, 2021

Diversity in Shang-Chi: Is it enough?

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
September 29, 2021
Astronaut in the Ocean’s dive into the Top 100

Astronaut in the Ocean’s dive into the Top 100

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
May 24, 2021
JIGGLING WITH HAPPINESS: A fan recreation of Buzzfeed Tasty's recipe, a Jiggly Japanese Cheesecake.

Buzzfeed Tasty: Subtle racism against Asian-American dishes

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 30, 2021
BREAKING CHARTS AND SWOONING HEARTS: Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak pose for their Lacoste collaboration line.

Silk Sonic: How the duo came to be

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
April 19, 2021
Binge or dip: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel

Binge or dip: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel

Noelle Escalante, A&E Editor
March 22, 2021
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