With drills churning into metal, screwdrivers turning screws, metal scraps everywhere, and remnants of prototypes strewn about, the robotics room at Northwood is just pure chaos. The instructor, Mr. Jeff Martin, and his team have been working throughout the year to build robots for competition and to get a head start for next season. In addition to that, the team is working to write up grant proposals to send out to sponsors like NASA to fund their projects. [Read more…]
Students March to Protest Gun Violence
March 23, 2018 by
Four of the deadliest mass shootings in America have been at schools, including the one at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 and wounded 15 a little more than a month ago. Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and others around the country, have called for a national march on Washington, which is taking place tomorrow. According to the March For Our Lives website, the purpose of the event is to “demand that [children’s and families’] lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today.” In addition to the March in the nation’s capital, at which organizers expect more than 500,000 people, there are local marches in more than 800 communities throughout the country and internationally, according the march organizer’s website. [Read more…]
Northwood’s Florida Home Unknown to Most Today
January 30, 2018 by
Most current Northwood School students have no idea that the school once had two campuses. That’s right, two campuses. In addition to the one that we all know best here in Lake Placid, there was a second campus originally in Coconut Grove, Florida and the to Hillsboro Beach, Florida, which is known today as the Hillsboro Club. So why was there a second campus in Florida?
Northwood School’s former beachfront campus in Florida, which is currently the Hillsboro Club.
In “History of Northwood School,” written by English faculty and alumnus Mr. Don Mellor, we learn how students traveled between campuses. Describing today’s Northwood, Mellor wrote, “It’s a school that would be represented in every Winter Olympics since 1964, a school with the most National Hockey Leaguers for its size anywhere. It’s a school with ice climbing, rock climbing, and white water kayaking. It’s a place where once a year on Mountain Day each kid is out of the classroom climbing an Adirondack peak, and most years if you add their cumulative mileages, students hike the equivalent distance from Lake Placid to their school’s original winter campus in Florida.”
A postcard depicting Northwood School circa 1943.
It all began with a man named John H. Hopkins, the founder of Northwood. Back in 1902, Hopkins had some health issues and he was sent to the Adirondacks to breathe it’s clean air, which was believed to have restorative effects. Hopkins found himself in Saranac Lake, which, according to Mellor, “was recognized as a center for healing, where patients would spend their days outside, bundled up in blankets, and breathing in the cool Adirondack air.” Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins had resided on Rainbow Lake and found that they needed a way to support themselves. They did private tutoring in a rental house and met three boys.
There, The Lake Placid School was established. One night, fireworks lit up the sky and coincidentally, Hopkins said it “signified the birth of a school.” In the first 23 years of existence, the winters would be spent at the Florida campus. Back then, this paper, now The Mirror, was called The Migrator to reflect the school’s two campuses and the students’ travel between them. Instead of doing winter sports, like skating and skiing, students occupied themselves with fishing, sailing, and even going into the everglades. Mellor wrote that “Hopkins’ original site for the school was in Coconut Grove, FL in a house built by an English sailor shipwrecked in the late 1800s. Later, in 1924, the school would relocate to Hillsborough Lighthouse near Tampa.” After the Christmas holiday, students would then pack up their bags and head back up to the Adirondacks. This dual campus existence for twenty years. By then, Lake Placid was known as a winter sports hotbed, which quickly became a part of Northwood School’s identity.
Prep Team Goes 2-3 in Invitational [Photo Gallery]
January 18, 2018 by
Prep team action at the Northwood Invitational.
For the past 39 years, It’s been a Northwood tradition to host the invitational Hockey Tournament. With forty-five teams competing in four divisions, it’s on the Lake Placid’s biggest hockey weekends of the year.
The prep team played five games. Four round robin games and one consolation game. They faced the U18 Islanders Hockey Club, Cheshire Academy, Fountain Valley School and Le Sommet in the round robin and the Valley Forge Minutemen in the consolation game. The Huskies fought hard and managed a 2-3 record for the tournament. [Read more…]
College Football National Championship Preview: Georgia vs. Alabama
January 8, 2018 by
With the college football season coming to an end, two playoff games recently took place on New Year’s Day. The first match-up was in Pasadena, California for the Rose Bowl. The number three ranked Bulldogs of the University of Georgia and number two ranked Sooners of the University of Oklahoma battled it out for a spot in the national championship game. Going into the game, the Sooners were the 2-point favorite to win, according to ESPN. [Read more…]
A Capella Group Starts on a High Note
December 8, 2017 by
Here at Northwood, we are all about talent, excellence, and most importantly, togetherness. Whether it’s on the ice, the classroom, or even on stage, students love to create fun opportunities and events to do on the weekends. One activity that seems to be increasing in popularity is the a cappella group, which is led by head of school Mr. Maher. About once per week, he opens up his home to these students’ musical talent. [Read more…]
Huskies Take Two in Border Battle with OHA
October 31, 2017 by
The Huskies went 2-0 over the weekend, playing some excellent ice hockey Saturday and Sunday. The prep team hosted Ontario Hockey Academy for their first game in Saranac Lake, then traveled to Massena, for a neutral location matchup.
Junior Alex Ray (22) has a scoring chance in a recent game vs Rice at the Olympic Center.
Going into the first game, the Huskies were looking to continue with their winning ways. The Huskies came to play as soon as the puck dropped against a very physical OHA team.
In game one, the Huskies had a bit of a slow start, but gained the 2-0 advantage with Wyatt Friedlander (2019) in the net. The game winner from Jack Pensa (2018, Forward) was the icebreaker and Zach Ellsworth (2019, Defense) then netted the second goal of the game to make sure the Huskies had the win safely secured.
The Huskies celebrated the victory for a short time period after the game, but quickly had to focus on the rematch the following afternoon.
In game two, the Huskies had a bit of a slower start than game one. Going into the first intermission, OHA and the Huskies were tied 1-1. At that point, Coach Silengo gave his team a stern talking to, and it was just complete dominance for the Huskies for the rest of the game. Northwood came out on top with 4-2 after John Biechler (2019, Forward) scored the empty netter to seal the deal. Wyatt Friedlander (2019) was in net. The rest of the goals came from Alexander Ray (2019, Forward), Cisco DelliQuadri (2020, Forward), and Tristan Allard (2020, Forward). All four players played a crucial role in the success for the Huskies, but it was an all around effort from everyone.
The Huskies came out of the weekend with two big wins because of Wyatt Friedlander’s stellar and consistent performance throughout the weekend.
“Overall, the team played well. We all worked for each other and worked against adversity,” said sophomore Scott Herman, the youngest defenseman on the team. “Once I got my first point, whether it was a goal or assist, I felt like I was getting used to the high level competition,” said Herman. “Since I come from Florida, playing with my age group, then moving to a new state, school, and playing against kids almost 3 years older than me makes me feel accomplished that I already have 2 points. Especially because people and coaches from Florida have told me that I should not be playing u18, and should be playing u15 or u16. By getting my first Northwood points this weekend, I feel like I have proven those people wrong, and that I will adjust to playing U18 AAA hockey.”
The next challenger for the Prep Team is Rice Academy November 4th and 5th, a rematch from Family Weekend. The Huskies are going to try and perform better than they did last time they battled the Knights when they split a weekend with them with a win and a shootout loss.
Students Discuss Anthem Protests
October 10, 2017 by
What began as one NFL quarterback kneeling during the national anthem to protest racism and police brutality has led to hundreds of players, coaches and front office staff protesting President Trump in a turn of events that has divided the nation.
The 49ers’ Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem prior to the game against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on Sept. 1, 2016, in San Diego, California. Photo: Getty Images
Prep Team Steamrolls Middlesex Bears
October 10, 2017 by
With the hockey season officially underway, the prep team traveled to Byfield, Massachusetts to play their first two games against the Middlesex Bears at Governor’s Academy on September 30th and October 1st. They came out victorious for an undefeated weekend. With those two wins, the prep team was the only team at Northwood to still be undefeated.
Junior Alex Ray in recent Prep team action at the Olympic Center.
Prep Team Splits with Rice in Family Weekend Showdown
October 9, 2017 by
Coming off of two strong wins in Byfield Massachusetts, the prep team could have been the only undefeated hockey team at Northwood. The team didn’t have to do as much traveling this weekend as they were just up the street at the Lake Placid Olympic center. They played their two games against Rice prep during parents weekend on October 6th and 7th. With their families in the stands, the Huskies sure put on a show, splitting the weekend and winning the first game by a nail biting score of 2-1. The second game was lost in a 3-4 shootout.
Alex Ray ’18 has a scoring chance vs. Rice. Photo: provided
In game one, the Huskies started out with a rough and shaky first period, ending the period with a 1-1 tie. The game was physical and fast paced. The Huskies came out for the second period flying from the start. The game ended with a 2-1 score in favor of the Huskies. Rico DiMatteo ‘20 was in net for the victory. Goals from John Biechler (2019, Forward) and Finlay Ulrick (2019, Forward) sealed the Huskies’ third win of the season.
“I thought in the first game we could have done a lot better. Especially in our defensive zone,” said junior forward Finlay Ulrick. “Having said that, it’s always nice to win at home and it was great to score a goal as well. The second game was a tough one. We showed great character to come back and tie the game late in the third. When it comes to a shootout, it’s anyone’s game. Unfortunately, we came out on the losing end. I think the boys can learn that we need to work hard 100% of the time and give the other team no opportunities.”
In game two, the Huskies came out of the locker room, led by starting goalie Wyatt Friedlander ‘19, looking like they were ready to go back and battle the physical Knights of Rice prep. The game was teeter-tottering back and forth with the scoring. After the first period of play, the score was tied 1-1.
After the second period of play, there was no scoring. Finally, by the end of a thrilling third period, The Huskies and the Knights were tied.
Overtime came to an end without resolution, and it was time for a shootout. It didn’t work out in the end for the Huskies who they lost 1-0 in the shootout, with a final score of 3-4.
Coach Dave Vitale gave a recap on what the team could have done better and what they need to do as a team moving forward. “We got off to a slow start, but I think we played well overall against Rice,” said Vitale. “Our goalies were great, and we were able to capitalize off a couple Rice turnovers. I thought we showed a lot, coming back from down two goals to tie the game on Saturday. Moving forward, we know we have to improve our defensive zone coverage and our breakouts, but we have a lot of reason to be optimistic for this season.”
