2024 January – The Mirror

Humans of Northwood: Edouard Brochu ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Hamish Riddell

My life has revolved around skiing. My whole community did. All my friends back home in Saint-Ferréol-Les-Neiges, Quebec, are skiers. We did all our dumb stuff together, and we were inseparable. They were the ones who I spent all my time with.

I went to camp in the States every summer as a kid, so I became bilingual quickly, which I think is pretty sweet.

I went to a private elementary school in Quebec City and then to a public high school near my house, and I have been a competitive ski racer since before I can remember. So, at one point, I looked for better programs from my local ski club and school. Northwood seemed like a good option, so I just went for it and was hoping for the best.

Northwood is a sweet place. Very few schools have a community like it. Obviously, It has its flaws, like most things in life, but I don’t regret choosing this school.

My teammates are like the brothers I never had. I was extremely close to Pedro and Sam, and I couldn’t say anything bad about the ski team we had and have. I love our team and spending time with them.

I applied to college a month ago to study aerospace engineering while skiing at the same time. I am waiting for a response and hoping to get in to further my academics in aerospace engineering, which I am super passionate about, and skiing, which I obviously love.

As told to Hamish Riddell ‘26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Ilia Zhandov ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Jordan Shullenberger

I’m a senior, and I play prep hockey. I’m from Yekaturinburg, Russia, but I grew up in a small village in the North of Russia. I live with my mom, dad, and two younger sisters at home. Before coming to Northwood, I played hockey for a U16 AAA team in Pennsylvania. I wanted to find a new school for a better education and a better hockey experience, and I found Northwood by looking at the national hockey high school rankings, so I applied and got in. The website gave me a lot of cool information about the school, and I was very interested.

Two things I’m passionate about besides hockey are guitar and DJing, and I want my future DJ name to be Kitty. I’m very obsessed with music. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 7 years old, and I’ve just started to learn how to DJ.

Something I want people to know about me is that I may seem like a tough guy who doesn’t talk, or I can be perceived as mean, but that’s not how I am at all. I’m a very friendly guy and I like talking and getting to know people, and if you need help, I’m always willing.

As told to Jordan Shullenberger ‘24. Photo by Jordan Shullenberger ’24.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Isabela (Bella) Norris ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Mitchell Baker

I played the violin for 13 years and grew up with a passion for writing. I was born in South Bend, Indiana, near Notre Dame. I have grown up being a Notre Dame fan my whole life. South Bend is quite far from any major city, so I grew up spending a lot of time with my family and being creative to entertain myself. Family is important to me. My favorite thing to do is travel with my family. I love tropical locations, so I prefer traveling anywhere near a beach.

I came to Northwood last year to further my academic and athletic career and hopefully be able to play at the Division 1 level. I also love Lake Placid, so the location significantly influenced my decision to come to Northwood. Coming to Northwood was a big move because I left my family for the first time and had to say goodbye to many of my friends back home. Despite the adversity I faced, the people at Northwood helped me settle in very quickly. My first year was amazing, and I enjoyed being a part of the team. This year, I am a senior, so I play more of a leadership role on the team. I love our team atmosphere; our team chemistry allows us to play well on the ice.

After Northwood, I want to go to college to play hockey and study law. I am interested in law because I love debating and the English language. I want to be a corporate lawyer after college, and most importantly, I want to travel the world.

As told to Mitchell Baker ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Katie Demers ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Halle Mules

Having come from the small town of Chazy, New York, I have always wanted to push myself to achieve greater things in life, and Northwood turned out to be one of my best decisions. When I’m not playing hockey or going to school, I enjoy spending time on the lake or riding dirt bikes with my family and friends.

I’ve been a part of the Northwood experience for three years and couldn’t be more grateful for such an amazing experience; the people are what I’ll miss the most. I have formed incredible friendships with both students and faculty members that I will truly miss when I graduate. Walking into town with my friends has given me some of my favorite memories.

The person who has had the greatest impact in my life has been my father. I strive to make him proud of everything I do, and I truly believe that without him, I would not be who I am today. He has given me many opportunities in life, and I appreciate having such a strong support system.

I’ll be attending SUNY Oswego next year, where I’ll play hockey and study business and marketing. I can’t express how excited I am. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play hockey at their incredible facilities while also majoring in something I’ve always been interested in.

If I had to give any advice to new or returning students, it would be to go out and participate in all of the weekend activities, get involved in things, meet new people, and really push yourself to go outside of your comfort zone. This school provides you with the tools to do all of these things, so it is up to you to take advantage of them and participate.

As told to Halle Mules ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Caroline Purcell ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Maegan Byrne

I started at Northwood four years ago when I was a freshman. Growing up, I moved around a lot, which was cool because I got to live in a bunch of different places. I played many sports and spent a lot of time outdoors with my family. I came to Northwood because I wanted to be on the ski team, and my brother also went here. I live in Wilmington now, so I had been skiing with NYSEF and Northwood students and know a lot about the school.

When I’m not skiing, I like swimming, being out on the lake, hanging out with friends, hiking, road biking with Dad, and working out. My favorite food is hibachi. My time at Northwood has had its ups and downs, but I have grown a lot as a person and learned a lot about myself.

After I graduate, I hope to ski race in college or play lacrosse since I have done both my whole life. I’m excited to leave high school, enter a new chapter of my life, and make new friends. I plan to study nursing or something in the medical field.

As told to Maegan Byrne ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Ben Plucinski ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Gus Garvey

My brother was originally recruited by Northwood about 6 years ago, so [Northwood] was kinda on the map at that point. He didn’t end up coming here, obviously, but when it came to my turn to go to prep schools, it was definitely one of the options, so that’s kind of how I found out about here. He heard about Northwood from one of his friends who went to Kimball Union and played against Northwood, and mentioned that Northwood was a pretty good school, so that’s kinda how I heard about Northwood.

“Every time we get breaks from school, and I go back in the winter, I love to ski. We have a big resort, Alyeska Resort, that I end up going to a lot, and I do some close, easy backcountry skiing, which is right up my hill. I walk up in the boots and ski down – it’s kinda fun. We own a cabin, and we do a lot of ice fishing in the winter and in the summer, just normal fishing for lake trout. I do a lot of trout fishing in the summer with my brother Rainbows, and then something pretty cool we do is dip netting. It’s a pretty specific thing for Alaska. Technically, it’s not even fishing, but it’s a lot of fun. Basically, you just have a giant net, and you go on this river, you go and dip this massive net in using this super long pole, and the salmon, mostly reds and kings, swim into the net, you feel it shake, and you pull it up. It can be a little frustrating, but it’s a good time. I do a lot of fishing. A lot of golf, too.

I was busy last summer, so I didn’t do too much golfing. I worked at the Mac Center, which is our local rink in Eagle River. You must be 18 to drive the Zamboni, so when I go back, I’ll be able to. I just did a lot of maintenance work, cleaning, weed-pulling, and landscape stuff. One of my last jobs was terrifying. I had to hang up a poster, and it was like really, really high up, almost touching the ceiling, and I was on this ladder that was not sturdy whatsoever, and this was like my last day, and I was like “dude, I’m about to die, on my last day”. No safety equipment or anything; just climb up this sketchy ass ladder, and hopefully, you don’t fall off. But we made it. A lot of working out, a lot of skating.

I’m so done with Berg. It’s funny since all the Berg boys are like, “Oh, this isn’t so bad,” and they haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet when you have to walk up and down to go eat a meal, and it’s freezing cold, and you have to layer up to just walk up the hill. It’s ridiculous. I’m looking forward to keeping my room, on 3rd [East], it’s definitely an improvement, I’d say. The triple [dorm room] does not sound fun, honestly. Last year, it was nice, but only for the people who didn’t live in it. I would actually lose it if I lived there. It never could stay clean, since everyone was always in there, but it was fun for everyone who wasn’t actually living there. If I had to pick between the triple with my buddies in Main or a single in Berg, I’d pick the triple, and I’d take Reid, and probably Trudeau.

I’m actually kinda looking forward to not having a LEAP this year, because we get to go home a week earlier than everyone else. I don’t mind it. Muskie Madness was a great time, but that’s a one and done kind of deal, and I’m not too upset about not doing a LEAP this year. For the rest of the year, hopefully we keep our record up, looking forward to keeping that rolling. Definitely looking forward to spending more time with the boys, looking forward to doing some golfing in the springtime. After Northwood, I’m hoping to get a nice junior invitation somewhere. It’s a little too early to decide whether I’m coming back to Northwood or not. I don’t think I should – I’m gonna be so old. But if I don’t have any [junior] options, PGing might be plan B, but the goal is to try to play in a solid junior league next year. Hopefully, from juniors, it goes to college.

As told to Gus Garvey ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Will Dallaire ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Halle Mules

I first heard about Northwood from my advisor based on their strong hockey program, small family-like community, and how friendly the students and teachers were.

As a kid from Quebec who has grown up speaking French, moving to the United States and learning English has opened a lot of doors for me, helped me meet new people, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Learning English was a challenge, and it is something I would not have accomplished in life if I hadn’t come to Northwood.

I couldn’t pick one memory that stands out above the rest, but the time with my teammates on the road, whether it was on the bus, in hotels, or at games, especially at Cushing, where the stands were packed, will always stick with me. Also, regardless of whether it was freezing cold or warm outside, walking into town with my friend group to get Wyatts and Emma’s was a routine in my daily life at Northwood.

I want to be a good friend by setting a good example for those who will be here next year, whether that’s being a great teammate and friend or advocating for myself in the classroom by meeting with teachers when I’m struggling in a class. That is my goal before graduating.

My advice to anyone at Northwood? When I applied, my advisor told me that in two years, I will graduate from Northwood, and it may sound crazy that I am telling you this now, but I just want to tell you that it will go by much faster than you think. So, my advice is to enjoy the ride; some days will be bad, especially if school, sports, or a club you’re in, or even your social life, aren’t going well. Just remember that one day doesn’t define your entire experience; time moves quickly here, so try to enjoy every moment because it goes by faster than you think.

There have been many people who made a difference in my Northwood experience, but two faculty members have had the greatest impact on my time here.

Mr. Miller has been there for me every step of the way, especially during my first year, when I was just getting used to living away from home, playing hockey, and learning a new language. Coach Miller has restored my confidence and gotten me back on track, and I am grateful he believed in me, especially when I was at my lowest.

Ms. Walker will always be my favorite teacher from my time in high school. I thought AP Bio would be a difficult class at the start of the year, but she is the type of teacher who makes learning fun; it is so easy to talk to her and ask questions because she never judges. The environment she has created in the classroom makes learning enjoyable, and I am not afraid to ask a crazy question or to be confused and embarrassed.

I want to thank my family for making the sacrifices necessary to send me to a school in another country. I am grateful for the opportunity that they have provided me because my experiences at Northwood would not have been possible without them.

As told to Halle Mules ’24. Photo by Mr. MIchael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

NFL: Week 18 Recap

January 30, 2024 by Gus Garvey

I can’t believe it, but it’s that time of year again. The final week of the regular season is upon us. Some of you may know the drill from last year, but I’ll run through it real quick for those who don’t. Unlike other weeks, I will not do this recap strictly chronologically, but rather based on relevance to the playoff picture. That said, let’s get the unimportant games out of the way quickly.

Vikings 20, Lions 30

In what may be a surprise move, the Lions are not resting their starters against the Vikings in a game they don’t need to win. The reasoning is that they’re technically still alive for the 2 seed and to gain momentum for the postseason. Despite the Vikings’ defense keeping it close and Aaron Glenn making Nick Mullens look elite for a couple of drives, the Lions cruised to victory on the back of a revived offense. Maybe getting screwed over by the refs last week has them hellbent on revenge against the league. Or I’m just overreacting. Unfortunately, Detroit, you also win another prize: heaps upon heaps of injuries. Kaliph Raymond and Sam LaPorta both went down with potentially serious injuries, which could prove costly down the stretch. As for the Vikings? They had a slim chance of entering today but were eliminated even before their game ended. It’s a fitting end to yet another disappointing season.

Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings

Their season was over when Cousins went down at Lambeau. It sucks, but this season proves even more how unprepared the Vikings are when he and Jefferson are out. The defense looks good, but they need more playmakers on offense for next year. Get to work.

Jets 17, Patriots 3

In what might be Old Bill’s last game with the Patriots, he must get a suitable sendoff. A HEAVYWEIGHT TANK BOWL!!!!!!!

A tank bowl between two trash heaps on the frozen tundra of Foxboro. In any other scenario, this game featuring lifeless offenses and overworked defenses would be cruel and unusual punishment to watch. However, the football gods must have realized that a bad football game was about to take place and brought about an epic snowstorm. The blizzard made this game infinitely more enjoyable to watch. A cold, blustering powder affecting everything on the field of play. Both offenses getting stuck in quicksand as usual, but who cares, they’re playing in the snow, the goal is to have fun. The Jets certainly did, after getting a couple of turnovers late to seal the win and run up the score. They snapped a 15-game losing streak to New England and got their first win at Gillette in over a decade. All that for the small cost of their majestic tank. Hope it was worth it.

Browns 14, Bengals 31

It’s a meaningless game for both sides, with the Browns being locked into the 5 spot in the AFC and the Bungles already being eliminated yesterday. However, a rivalry is still a rivalry to teams that otherwise have nothing to play for. Cincy saw their opponent resting all of their starters and emphasized their incredibly disappointing season with a blowout. It’s not much, but you can call it a moral victory or something, right?

Broncos 14, Raiders 27

Broncos, whatever foolish optimism you had for the playoffs died last week despite your fluke win over a team with no offense. Unfortunately, today, you must play a team with a slightly less horrible offense in the Raiders. Their defense straight-up quit on them. Las Vegas had their way all game long as Denver had no answers for them. Raiders, this may be another disappointing season, but one thing must be said. Antonio Pierce is legit. Mark Davis, you better bring this man back next year, or I will want heads. You’re not going to extend him, are you?

Rams 21, 49ers 20

There were some who bought tickets to this game at the start of the year, envisioning a mighty clash for the NFC West crown. However, that is not the case, as both teams are locked into their respective playoff spots and have nothing to play for. This means we get the battle of the quarterbacks that everyone forgot about. Sam Darnold versus Carson Wentz. The Niners may have been out to a lead late, but Wentz made his case for a permanent backup role somewhere next year by leading the Rams’ backups to a comeback win in the closest thing to a preseason game we’ve seen this year. Not much else to say on this front.

Chiefs 13, Chargers 12

It’s a quarterback matchup worthy of song. Blaine Gabbert versus Easton Stick! The game was as terrible as everyone expected it to be. In the end, the Chiefs’ backups managed to eke out a win against the withered husk of the Chargers to gain some momentum going into the playoffs. They’re going to need it, too.

Now, let’s get into the games with actual playoff importance. First on the docket is the 7th seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh can claim it with a win and a Jacksonville or Buffalo loss. The Texans and Colts are also up for it but play each other so one of them will get the 6 seed while the other will get eliminated.

Steelers 17, Ravens 10

A rain-soaked Baltimore and a must-win scenario for Pittsburgh. This has literally happened to them almost every other year. Baltimore was resting all their starters today, so Pittsburgh got the luxury of facing Tyler Huntley. Predictable things occurred. The defense dominated while the offense did just enough to escape with a win. Now, the Steelers wait.

Texans 23, Colts 19

Win and in. That’s what’s on the line here. Win, and you’re in the playoffs; lose, and you’re out. Both Houston and Indianapolis would fight neck and neck to try and secure a W. Houston may be leading late, but the Colts are driving and have a chance to take the lead with a touchdown. They get to a 4th and 1 in field goal range. They throw- and it’s dropped. Game over, Texans win. Houston, congratulations, for this win. It nets you your first playoff berth since the Bill O’Brien era. Well done.

Playoff Bound: Houston Texans

I’m honestly very impressed. To go from one of the worst teams in the league last year to this. Demeco Ryans has done such a great job with this team, and it shows. Now, onward to the postseason.

Unfortunately, there’s also an elimination to deal with. Indy, I’m sorry.

Eliminated: Indianapolis Colts

So, your best player is Jonathan Taylor, and you don’t even have him on the field for the final play? Or Zach Moss? Good season or not, this play-calling gaffe will haunt Colts fans for the entire offseason. Just wait for Anthony Richardson to get healthy again and then run it back next year. You guys will be fine.

Jaguars 20, Titans 28

Jacksonville, I have 4 words to say: You are absolutely pathetic. A 5-11 Titans team. 5-11. That’s who you had to beat to make the playoffs and secure a home playoff game in front of your 13 fans. And you blew it spectacularly. The defense bent, the receivers couldn’t catch, and Trevor Lawrence. The dude may get the Carson Wentz treatment in a year or two. The dude could barely throw the football. On the game’s last play, he overthrew a wide-open receiver by about 10 yards. Jacksonville, I hope you enjoyed your one year in the spotlight. The Texans clinched the AFC South. Get back in the corner where you belong.

Eliminated: Jacksonville Jaguars

From 8-3 and the world in the palm of your hands to losing 5 of 6. That is an impressive failure. Now you have serious questions, and Shahid Khan isn’t exactly known for his patience. Seat’s getting hotter, Doug.

If you’re in Pittsburgh, you know damn well what this means. The Steelers are back in the playoffs.

Playoff Bound: Pittsburgh Steelers

Yes, they will get killed once they make it, but let them have this. It’s better than the alternative of the Yinzers rioting in the streets, anyway.

In fact, this is a two-for-one, as this game also gets the Bills into the playoffs for the 6th time in 7 years.

Playoff Bound: Buffalo Bills

Nope, I’m not impressed. The sheer inconsistency this team shows weekly is cause for alarm. Just don’t break my heart again. Pretty please?

Next up is the NFC South championship. Tampa can get in with a win over Carolina, while the winner of the Saints and Falcons can get in with a Tampa loss. Tank Divisions always come down to the wire.

Falcons 17, Saints 48

It’s a battle between the two teams that continually shoot themselves in the foot squaring off in New Orleans with a potential playoff berth. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Despite the game remaining close throughout, the Saints were able to snatch momentum back due to Desmond Ridder gifting their defense presents on a routine basis. New Orleans uses this charitable act to rally the troops and run up the score. 31 points scored in the 2nd half in a violent outburst. And even better, they managed to anger Arthur Smith because they scored a garbage-time touchdown with a minute left. Here’s an idea, buddy. If you don’t want your opponent running up the score on you, maybe prepare your defense to make a stop. This season has been more of the same for the Falcons. Endless opportunities that they find ways to choke away. It’s a fitting end for them.

Eliminated: Atlanta Falcons

Arthur Smith, get ready to learn Chinese. That’s the only place he belongs after his “coaching” this season. Not using your best offensive weapons and trusting an increasingly suspect Desmond Ridder really worked out for you, didn’t it? My point still stands. Get a real head coach.

Now, the Saints must wait for Carolina to do their part. We go now to Charlotte, where the Bucs will attempt to clinch a division title.

Buccaneers 9, Panthers 0

And of course, the Bucs make this way harder on themselves than they should be. I mean come on, boys, you’re playing the Panthers. The defense seemed to get the memo by shutting down Bryce Young and his mediocre compatriots every time they got into the red zone. A shutout and a dominant day. Meanwhile, the offense did just enough to escape with a win in the end to set up a playoff game at home next week. Incredibly undeserved.

Playoff Bound: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There’s not much to be impressed about here; the only reason they made it was because the rest of their division kept falling into bear traps. That game against the Eagles has the potential to be horrible.

New Orleans, this is where the journey ends. Just fire Dennis Allen, please?

Eliminated: New Orleans Saints

Yes, I know they technically were still alive until after the 4:25 window, but let’s be real, they weren’t making it in. A small inaccuracy but there was probably only one outcome where they clinched a berth. I’m not losing sleep over it.

Next up is the NFC East title. The Cowboys and Eagles are alive for it, with Dallas controlling their destiny. One of these teams will luck into an extremely undeserving 2 seed, while the other lucks into a probable first-round bye in Tampa Bay. Game on.

Eagles 10, Giants 27

Philadelphia is in panic mode. After royally choking the division to the Cardinals last week, they cemented their status against the Giants in embarrassing fashion. The G-men finish the season on a bittersweet note, as they get revenge for the Christmas day Humiliation 2 weeks ago. Philly now must run off to Tampa for a showdown with the Buccaneers in the Wild Card.

Cowboys 38, Commanders 10

It didn’t matter in the end, since Dallas did what they couldn’t last year and took care of business against Washington on the road. Their defense was dominant and Dak… well, let’s just say he’s playing some of the best ball in his career at the right time. If they keep this up, they’ll win a playoff game. A choke would be hilarious, but come on, they’ll probably beat whatever 7 seed by about 30 anyway.

The next point of contention is the 7th seed in the NFC. Green Bay has the easiest path with a win and clinches against the Bears. The Seahawks need a win against Arizona and the Bears to not be a pile of manure for the honor of being cannon fodder at Jerryworld next week. Bring it on.

Seahawks 21, Cardinals 20

It’s in typical Seattle fashion to take a gift situation and make it much harder than it should be. In one of the most typical games for the Seahawks this year, they did just enough to escape with a late 2-point conversion. Now, the Seahawks wait.

Bears 9, Packers 17

Chicago has been through the trenches this year, but have been on a heater beating up on mediocre teams this home stretch. This was their chance to prove themselves on national TV and flip the bird to their older brothers in the Packers. And they failed miserably. Chicago’s offense came out flatter than a map. The defense could only do so much as Green Bay suffocated their offense at every turn. You would think Justin Fields was in the Roman Colosseum the way he was beat up by the Packer D. Congrats, Bears, for you not only lost to a team that was very beatable, but you also failed in your primary goal of doing to them what the Lions did last year.

Playoff Bound: Green Bay Packers

I’m not impressed. While Jordan Love looks good, they’ve had too many close calls this year for me to trust them. Here’s an idea, boys. Lock Joe Barry in a janitor’s closet in Titletown and let him out sometime in mid-February. If they do that, they’re a Super Bowl contender. If not, well…

Seattle, you know what this means. Too much underachieving, boys. Get out.

Eliminated: Seattle Seahawks

Too inconsistent. A team that would humiliate the Eagles and fall apart against teams like the Steelers. Get it fixed.

There is one final game we need to cover. Bills vs. Dolphins for the AFC Crown. Playoff elimination is no longer on the line for Buffalo, but the 2nd seed in the AFC is up for grabs. And a likely free win against the Steelers. Game on.

Bills 21, Dolphins 14

In this game to decide both playoff futures and jobs for next year, the Dolphins did what they do best: flail around and look like complete frauds against a team begging them to finish them off. The Dolphins had 4 turnovers in the first 3 quarters and barely did anything with them. Lo and behold, Buffalo woke up in the 4th quarter and drove the knife through their faltering heart. Dolphins, your hope of winning the division was ripped away at the last moment. The Bills clinch the AFC East. And Miami now must head into the frigid tundra to face Mahomes and the Swiftie army. Talk about a turnaround.

There is one more thing that must be discussed. The Football Gods desire a feast. Black Monday is their holiday. Let us remember those in the coaching ranks who have fallen.

Arthur Smith (Atlanta Falcons Head Coach, 2021-23)

I thought this guy would be good when he got hired. Little did I know that this guy would be trapped in his own demons. He was completely incompetent when it came to using any of his key weapons, baffling playcalling, and horrible decision-making. The Falcons could have been a dark-horse contender this year, but Smith decided to screw up a generational year for guys like A.J. Terrell and Grady Jarrett. Shame.

Ron Rivera (Washington Football Team/Commanders Head Coach, 2020-23)

This one doesn’t surprise me. Rivara had been past his expiration date for quite a while, and I was merely interested to see how long it would take for the new ownership to pull the trigger. The only positive of this move for either side is that Bieniemy could be promoted to the head honcho role to develop Sam Howell further.

Wink Martindale (New York Giants Defensive Coordinator, 2022-23)

This one isn’t being talked about enough. Martindale is a good defensive mind, yes. But his blitz-heavy schemes exhausted the D on prolonged drives and caused them to collapse late in games. With an offense as lifeless as the Giants were this year, Martindale’s defense needed to be perfect this year for them to have a chance at contending. And it was far from it. He won’t be out in the cold for long.

Bill Belichick (New England Patriots Head Coach/General Manager, 2000-23)

I could see this one coming from a mile away, but it still hits like a truck. Bill Belichick, the evil Palpatine of the AFC, is gone. As a Bills fan, it’s almost surreal to see this happen. Belichick’s first 3 Super Bowls happened before I was born. Half of the Patriots’ fan base have only had Belichick during their lifetimes. It’s a new chapter for the franchise and the entire NFL world. Jared Mayo is a good successor but methinks old Bill wants another chance elsewhere. He’ll have a job again soon. Farewell, Bill. I’ll comfort myself from him constantly beating up on my team knowing his final career playoff game with New England was a 30-point loss to the Bills in Buffalo. That’s something to hang my hat on, at least.

Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks Head Coach, 2010-23)

Now, this one is completely out of left field. Pete Carroll? Sure, the team underachieved dramatically this season and failed to sort out their quarterback issues, but I figured he would get another year or two to shape the team. Even then, it’s not a traditional pink-slipping, but a firing-via-promotion. Ostensibly, he’ll move into a senior role away from day-to-day operations, but something tells me he’s not done coaching. Just the raw energy he continues to have on the sidelines week in and week out. Take care, Pete.

Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans Head Coach, 2018-23)

This one is a shocker. Vrabel was an issue, but far from the main one in Tennessee. He’s a terrific coach who took Titans teams who had no business competing deep into the playoffs. Like a certain DC from New York, he won’t be out in the cold for long.

This is an incredibly weak offering. The Football Gods will want more blood in the playoffs. Until then…

And so, ends another whimsical year of NFL football. I want to thank the NFL for giving me such great content to write about week in and week out. I want to thank people like The Mirror Adviser Mr. Spear, the Editors of The Mirror, and a number of other Northwood students and staff, all of whom have contributed to putting this article together every week. And most of all, I want to thank you, the reader. As I said last year, your demand for this terrible excuse for journalism is why I pour effort into this each week. I debated ending the football coverage after this year, particularly when I was abroad in Japan over the holidays and ran short on time, but I’ve made my decision. Next year, I’ll be here. The football recaps will be better than ever. I’ll see you all for the Super Bowl Preview. Until then, take care.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: GusOnNFL

From Kickoffs to Conversations: The Asian Cup’s Cultural Resonance at Northwood

January 30, 2024 by Li Feng

Illustration from Goal.com

With the Asian Cup already underway, the result from the first two rounds extends excitement amongst the Northwood Community. With representatives from South Korea, Australia, China, India, Thailand, and Japan. The air is thick with excitement as students engage in lively debates, trying to predict which nation will be the finalist to claim the “best Asian country” title. The multicultural identity of Northwood is on full display as diverse perspectives are encountered.

At the time of writing, Qatar is the leading team in Group A, followed by China in second, then Tajikistan, and Lebanon. Each team will fight for a ticket to the knockout stages with one more game remaining. “This would likely be a game of disparity,” says Anthony Wu ‘26 from China. China will play Qatar on Monday, January 22, in a deciding game for China’s advancement to the round of 16.

In Group B, Australia has confirmed their qualifications for the knockout rounds while India, although with one more game remaining, marked their end to further progress in the tournament. Mitchell Baker ’25, expressing optimism about Australia’s possibilities, remarked, “Australia will do great in the knockout stages. We won in 2015, and I believe we can win again.”

On the other side, despite facing challenging opponents in a demanding group, Shreeniket Bhat ‘25, a soccer player for the 17s from India, reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “India firmly stood their ground against teams of simply higher caliber, especially with five of our key players unable to play. It was a tough group to be drawn into, but it was great to see all players play with immense grit.”

In Group C, which does not feature any representatives from Northwood, Iran currently holds the top position as the leading team. Following closely, the UAE secures the second spot, while Palestine holds the third position. Hong Kong, unfortunately, finds itself at the bottom of the group standings. The competition in Group C is heating up with each match adding a new chapter to the unfolding narrative of the tournament.

In Group D, notably the favorites to win the tournament, Japan surprisingly found themselves in second place after a 2-1 loss to the current first-placed Iraq. Despite being optimistic about the Asian Cups, Nikalas Loraing ’25 expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s disappointing because, on paper, we have a very strong team and should be dominating every game. There are a lot of high expectations which leads to pressure on the team and the staff.” The unexpected setback against Iraq has heightened the stakes for Japan. With one more game remaining, Japan faces Indonesia in the final round of the group stage to contest for the first-place position.

In Group E, South Korea is the favorite to advance to the knockout stages, however, following a 2-2 tie with Jordan, South Korea remains in second. Although Korea has world-class players from various parts of the world, such as Heung-min Son from Tottenham Hotspur, Kang-In Lee from PSG, and many more, it is a disappointing start for many Koreans. With one more crucial game remaining against Malaysia, South Korea aims to come out victorious, hoping for a triumphant turnaround for their national team to secure first place in the group.

Lastly in Group F, a decent start to the tournament, Thailand won the first opening game to the tournament 2-0 against Kyrgyzstan and drew their second 0-0 against Oman. Samuel Knauf ‘24, a soccer player for the 19s from Thailand, expressed his disappointment, sharing, “I was expecting a win against Oman, but I am still confident that we could win against Saudi Arabia and qualify for the knockout stages.” The team is fueled by a collective determination to overcome challenges. “Once we qualify, we will demolish every opponent that stands in our way. With great power comes great responsibility,” Knauf said.

Adding to the dynamic atmosphere, the Asian Cup has served as a platform for cultural exchange within the Northwood Community. “It’s been great to have another daily topic of discussion. It enhances the sense of camaraderie in the soccer team here at Northwood since many of us come from Asian backgrounds,” said Bhat. The tournament has not only been a platform for competitive soccer but has also fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie among the diverse backgrounds represented in Northwood. The tournament’s impact goes beyond entertainment, creating a shared space for discussions, connections, and unity among the students.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Sports

What is Design Thinking?

January 30, 2024 by Hamish Riddell

Design thinking, also known as user-centered design, is a five-step problem-solving process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test/refine) that helps people create better products, services, and policies. Design thinking centers the user and requires that the ones designing the solution deeply understand and define both the problem and the people who experience the problem.

Ms. Stacy Prime, Northwood’s Chief Innovation Officer, teaches the Design Thinking course at Northwood School. “In this out-of-the-box introductory course, students become real-world problem solvers and learn the five stages of the design thinking process: to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, & test/refine,” Prime said. “Faced with design thinking challenges, students leverage industry standard tools and processes to create innovative solutions to problems of their choosing. Part design studio, part think tank and makerspace, this hands-on and minds-on course takes place at the Innovation Hub and requires students to grow as critical and creative thinkers, communicators, and collaborators,” she added.

Ms. Stacy Prime, Chief Innovation Officer (Photo: Michael Aldridge)

Prime added an insight into why Design Thinking is included in the Northwood curriculum. “We want Northwood students to have the best education possible and be ready to be leaders in any field they pursue. Introduction to design thinking, along with entrepreneurship, 3D modeling, and robotics, represents new fields of learning that are growing in relevance,” Prime said. Design thinking can help students become leaders that the world is so much in need of: better problem solvers who can listen and collaborate with other people to develop great solutions to the world’s most vital and important problems.

Design thinking can also be applied to students’ learning experiences in general. “Most importantly, we want students to design a personalized path to success that centers their happiness and well-being. Students can apply the principles they learn in design thinking to their own lives, unlocking new opportunities and solving meaningful problems,” Prime noted.

Design thinking skills are applicable to students’ future careers. “The skills learned in design thinking are useful in any career field,” Prime said. “By taking a design thinking class, students learn how to solve problems for and with a specific group of people. Students also learn how to think more creatively and critically, which are two of the most valuable skills that employers look for in the workforce, according to the World Economic Forum,” added Prime.

Design Thinking is a great class to gain insight into how the process can benefit us. Many people worldwide use Design Thinking to solve problems and improve products and experiences. Design Thinking is a great way for students to find a passion and use creative skills to solve problems.