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 beloning
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
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
APPROACHING APPLICATIONS: Senior Stanley Suen works on his Common App in the college and career center after school.
California legislature passes bill to ban legacy admissions at private colleges
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
CONNECTING THROUGH CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: Senior Malaika Mateti holds a tray of candles in her traditional South Asian attire while celebrating Diwali with her friends.
Shedding Light on the Festival of Light: Diwali
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
AGATHA ALONGSIDE WANDAVISION: Episodes of "Agatha: All Along," a sequel to the beloved "Wandavision," will have new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+ for fans of magic and mystery.
A promising start to “Agatha All Along”
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
Katherine Paladichuk: Former Northwood acting star to Broadway performer
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
Katherine Paladichuk: Former Northwood acting star to Broadway performer
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
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
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 17, 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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