The Student News Site of Northwood High School

The Northwood Howler
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)!
DISHONORABLY DECOMMISSIONED: Nobody exactly knows what will happen to the physical form of Siri Alexa Bixby, but we can assume that he’ll get what he rightfully deserves in the end
AI counselor given the pink slip and shut down
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
Student Speak: Which science is the most challenging?
Student Speak: Which science is the most challenging?
SELF-EXPRESSION IS IN STYLE: During club rush, senior fashion club president Dae Truong and other members pass out fliers and candy to students, telling them about the club's agenda and mission in order to advertise their club.
Love & Lace brings Northwood fashion a new flair
PROTECTING THE PETS: ASPCA board members junior Emily Tamura (left), junior Emily Huang (middle) and senior Urika Tandiono (right) announce upcoming volunteer opportunities at animal shelters in a club meeting.
ASPCA’s pawsitive impact on animal rights
CRAMMING ON CAFFEINE: Senior Santi Vanegas sips on a honey lavender latte, one of the house species from The Mugs menu, while working on his schoolwork.
Not your cup of tea? Try The Mugs
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
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
DANCING WITH SERENITY: Sophomore Grace Li refines her moves in her fourth period dance choreography class.
Flow Into Formation: Expressing creativity through student choreography
A PLUM OF SUSPICION: Professor Plum receives a mysterious envelope from Mr. Wadsworth, setting the stage for a night of intrigue and deception in Northwood’s production of “Clue."
Northwood’s “Clue” on stage served up murder and mystery at its finest
CRAFTING CLUE: Costume head junior Kaylee Fernandez perfects Wadsworth’s mustache for Clue play’s dress rehearsal.
The Heroes Behind the Capes: Northwood’s costume team
INKING IT IN: Junior Nathan Tuason carefully transfers his design onto a shirt, guided by screenprinting teacher Robert Stuart.
Screen Print Design’s impact on artistic vision
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!
March 2024 Centerspread
March 2024 Centerspread
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
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE: Choosing the military over the conventional college path can have its benefits.
Silver and Navy to Red, White and Blue: College vs. the military
CELEBRATING TRADITION: Elders from the Gabrielino-Tongva, Acjachemen and Oaxaca tribes pose in traditional attire.
From Erasure to Empowerment: The purpose of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
CLUBS, CLUBS AND MORE CLUBS: Local students are overwhelmed by the vast quantity of clubs on campus.
There are too many clubs on campus
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
GAME DAY ENERGY: Northwood’s JV Pep Squad kicks off the home game by energizing the frosh football team from the sidelines.
Behind the cheer: Northwood’s pep squad
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
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
April Howler Volume XXV, Issue VII – April 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
Introducing California Colleges
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
Day of the deadines
Day of the deadines
Introducing new staff at Northwood
Introducing new staff 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
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
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
Connecting Eras with Art: AP Art History Teacher Zane Pang talks about the importance of understanding world history through art.
Gallery: Elective Expo
DESK: Junior Issac Lee and Senior Bharathi Kaliraj open the first Fine Arts Assembly and NTV Broadcast since before Covid-19.
Looking back on the fine arts assembly
Step 7 - Distribution: The paper is finally printed and it’s ready to be shared with the school
Behind the scenes of the Northwood Howler
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
Rachel Yokota

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor

Rachel Yokota is a Northwood senior and the Managing Editor for The Howler. She has created a whole new level of freelancing by finessing her way out of The Howler roster for three years—and if she’s not hacking InDesign, you’ll find her at the pool. Rachel’s best friends are remove.bg and wordhippo.com (on the down low…).

All content by Rachel Yokota
We're all in this together!

We’re all in this together!

Karen Bruce, Kaylie Wang, Rachel Yokota, and Madeleine Pham
June 3, 2024
CHAMPIONS IN EVERY SENSE: Northwood Athletes of the Year Riley Bajorek and Zaid Yunis celebrate their accomplished high school careers and the enduring mark they have left on Northwood.

Northwood athletes honored as NHS and PCL top talent

Rachel Yokota and Anthony Park
May 23, 2024
BAWK BAWK: Junior Dylan Khang and math teacher David Lee flaunt their feathers at the CIF Southern Section Chicken Flinging Qualifier.

CIF sanctions girls and boys chicken flinging

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 5, 2024
FEARLESS ON THE FIELD: Captain senior Nikki Sanders cradles the ball outside the box as she strategizes her next move.

Girls lacrosse beats out Beckman and all odds

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 19, 2024
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS: Northwood teachers such as instrumental arts director Whitney Tavlarides strive to constantly improve their programs.

Northwood ranks No. 1 in IUSD

Rachel Yokota and Anthony Park
September 2, 2023
TALK TO ME: An extra pair of hands means more students’ academic needs are met during tutorial.

Student tutors can help us make the best of every tutorial

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
November 21, 2022
LAST DANCE: These four seniors enjoy their final year with the team as Northwood girl's volleyball heads into CIF for victory.

SENIOR SPEAK: Girls volleyball on their last season

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
October 31, 2022
Student Speak: Why Your Sport?

Student Speak: Why Your Sport?

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
September 26, 2022
STOKED FOR SEPTEMBER: Let’s just ignore the smoke and fire and drink pumpkin spice lattes.

Falling for September

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
September 23, 2022
ALL OUT SPRINT: Sophomore Derek Hitchens (left) and senior Christopher Leung (right) race to the finish at Meadowood Pool.

Diving in with Chris and Derek

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
August 21, 2022
NICE TO MEAT YOU: Ricebunn's iconic Salmon and KBBQ Beef Onigiri wrapped up and ready to go!

Fusion Foods at their Finest: Ricebunn

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 31, 2022

NHS alumni Ashley Dasom Lee

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 12, 2022
GRITO: Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer sing their hearts out in UCI’s Winifred Smith Hall.

Mariachi from past to present

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 12, 2022
FOR THE WIN: With the help of The Howler's flawless guide to the Winter Olympics, junior Tiana Gao takes gold in Short Track Speed Skating.

Winter Olympic Sports for Dummies

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
February 22, 2022

Reform after slurs directed at Portola students

Annabel Tiong and Rachel Yokota
February 10, 2022
PARADING THE STREETS: Members of local fraternities were part of the motorcade that included antique cars and leaders in the Black community, from state senators to kickboxing champions.

42nd Black History Month Parade

Rhea Gupta and Rachel Yokota
February 10, 2022

CSALT serves athletes

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
February 10, 2022
DRILLING IT INTO MEMORY: Girls JV basketball head coach Erin Halle (left) assigns the girls different numbered positions while teaching them how to execute an offensive drill.

Back to the Pack: Return of the alumni

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
December 8, 2021
STRESSING OUT: A student tries to not cry while reviewing cross sections in math.

How to avoid putting the “pro” in procrastination for finals week

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
December 6, 2021
5 Solutions to Beat the Traffic Driving You Crazy

5 Solutions to Beat the Traffic Driving You Crazy

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
November 22, 2021
How Do Sports Adapt to Weather Changes?

How Do Sports Adapt to Weather Changes?

Rhea Gupta and Rachel Yokota
November 3, 2021
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Rising population growth in Irvine poses challenges to resident satisfaction in the future.

Harmful Irvine population growth

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
October 27, 2021

S1 Episode 4: Ringing In: Northwood’s new bell schedule two months later

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
October 19, 2021
YOU WISH YOU WERE A T-WOLF: Junior Timberwolves encourage the crowd to cheer at a football game.

Cheering with the future T-Wolves

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
September 29, 2021
SINGING THE NiGHT Away: Attendees sing their hearts out at the karaoke station.

Mask-erading at Midnight: Senior Gala 2021

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 27, 2021
HONORING NORTHWOOD: Along with Distinguished School, Northwood has also received several other awards that are proudly displayed on the campus.

Northwood honored as a California Distinguished School

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
May 2, 2021

Students speak out at Virtual Advocacy Trip

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 22, 2021
IS SHARING CARING?: Netflix has recently begun to crack down on password sharing, leading to frustration among long-term users.

Pursuing Netflix Password Sharers: A Potential Mistake

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
April 16, 2021
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Senior Stephanie Chen practices her volleyball fundamentals.

Girls Beach Volleyball joins CIF scene

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 22, 2021
UNFINI(SHE)D: Both Harris and Guntrip join the fight for women’s rights, continuing a legacy of persistence.

Women’s (Her)story Month: Celebrating women then and now

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 22, 2021
SWITCH AND PLAY: The Nintendo Switch has been the focus of Nintendo Directs since 2017, when the console was released.

2021 Nintendo Direct: Five Fantastic Features

Rachel Yokota, Managing Editor
March 5, 2021
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