Gavin Kruger

The History of Mountain Day

October 11, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

Don Mellor ’71 rock climbing in the Adirondacks (Photo: Carl Heilman II)

Northwood has many traditions, like monthly formal dinners, Winter Carnival, and Family Weekend. Those are all awesome events, but one dates back many generations: Mountain Day.

Mountain Day is often the source of excitement or misery amongst students each year. Everyone knows it’s a tradition, but few know when and who it began with. I am pleased to introduce you to the man who birthed the idea: former student and teacher and renowned rock climber Mr. Don Mellor ‘71.

I asked him about the origins of Mountain Day. “I started it,” he said, “I think it was fall of 1978. A fellow teacher named Jeff Byrne and I organized it. He suggested the idea, and we set it up.”

I was not surprised to learn that Mountain Day looked slightly different than it does today. “In the early years of Mountain Day, we wouldn’t tell the kids when it was. They would get up in the morning, and Mountain Day would be announced. That was something we used to do,” said Mellor.

“I think another big difference was that we were a bit more careless. Careless about going out in bad weather and other contingencies. Since Bobby (O’Connor) has arrived, we’ve become a lot more mature about our safety outdoors,” Mellor added.

Mr. Mellor shared a very interesting story about the importance of safety. “A tough one was when we lost two kids overnight. They split off from the rest of the group and got lost in the woods. They ended up staying a night in the woods before we found them the next day. This is kind of the way I live my life: When you run into adversity, you learn a lot. That time, we learned a lot about the importance of cooperating with Adirondack park rangers and the importance of having kids listen to the instructions,” Mellor said.

Scene from Mountain Day 2023. Photo: Northwood School (Instagram).

From the summit of Hurricane Mountain on Mountain Day, September 21, 2021 (Photo: Ms. Vanessa Pillen).

Scene from Mountain Day 2023. Photo: Northwood School (Instagram).

Mellor understands that some students aren’t enthusiastic about Mountain Day, and he has some advice for those students. “If you go through life and you don’t try stuff, your life will be flatter,” he said. “Last year, I joined a choir, having no singing background. A big choir, 78 people. And I said, I want to try it. For me, to stand in front of people in a big choir was uncomfortable, and a bit scary,” Mellor said. “But that’s what I encourage people to do. You will not remember sitting on a couch all day, but a day where you step out of your comfort zone and test yourself, you will remember the days you did that,” Mellor encouraged.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Max Notley’s ’27 Pre-Game Ritual

October 4, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

Max Notley ’27. Photo provided.

This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

On any given morning, while everyone else is asleep, you can expect to find U17 team captain Max Notley ’27 on the field or the turf. The American-Brit winger is a sophomore, who is in his second year at Northwood. He enjoyed a little taste of success last year, playing a smaller role. However, this year, he will be a vital piece for the team’s success. I sat down with him to learn about how he prepares himself for games.

“When I wake up, I’ll eat a good, heavy breakfast. Then I’ll prep my stuff for the game. And then I’ll continue my prep, stretching, getting my mind right, that sort of stuff.”

Max has a rigid pre-game routine. “I listen to music on the bus ride to games, usually English rap. While on the bus and even before I get on the bus, I start visualizing my game, picturing myself out on the wing, receiving passes into my feet, taking people on.”

The hardworking prospect feels that he is doing the right things but isn’t quite at the level that he would like to be. “I work very hard and will continue to do so, you know, getting up early and doing the extra stuff. I feel I am disciplined and have a good work ethic. So, I think I’m doing all the right things, but I’m not at the level I want to be at just yet.”

Max also shared some interesting advice that he would give to student-athletes. “Be in the moment. Because one day, there won’t be any more team meals or bus rides back to school after a win. So embrace it all, soak it in, and don’t take anything for granted. Give 100% every day. The last thing I’d say is to love what you’re doing, whatever your passion is, give it your all.

He also shared that “everyone is on their own path. Don’t worry about comparing yourself to others because comparison is the thief of joy. It’s only a matter of time before your dreams come true.

Filed Under: People, Sports Tagged With: PreGameRituals

Get to know Samuel Andoh ‘28

September 24, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

Samuel Andoh ’28. Photo provided.

Samuel Andoh ’28 is a ninth grader from Ghana who came to Northwood to pursue his dream of playing professional soccer. His peers and teammates recognize him as a hardworking and humble student-athlete.

So far, he is settling into Northwood well. “I’m getting comfortable, but it is stressful. There is a lot of stuff going on.” Andoh also shared the differences between school here versus school back home. “In Ghana, we write in books, we don’t use any laptops; that is too expensive. So, I’m now getting used to using a laptop for schoolwork. I also find the teaching different. Back home, the teachers are less… patient. I find here, I can ask as many questions as I need; in Ghana, it’s not the same.”

Andoh explained to me that back home, his family doesn’t have much. “My family is passing through a lot of difficult times, and sometimes we don’t have food to eat or the resources we need. I left my family at the age of 12 to find a good education and to continue my career [in soccer].”

Samuel Andoh ’28 in the black kit. Photo provided.

I asked Samuel what soccer is like in Ghana compared to here. “It’s very different. We don’t play on turf back home. The ground is rough. When you fall, you get hurt; it’s not like here, where we get to use nice turf.”

He also shared his future aspirations: “My dream is to work hard so one day I can change my family’s lives and the community I’m from.”

He also took some time to share with me his faith in God. “The journey that I’m on is thanks to God. God held my hand from the beginning to today. I believe that with God all things are possible; he will make a way for me.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Travel to Uganda and Japan Highlight New LEAP Offerings

September 18, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

The new school year is upon us. Our unique lifestyle at school undergoes constant changes throughout the year, but Northwood doesn’t just look to change things; the community also looks to make additions. Some notable additions this year are the LEAP program’s two newest offerings.

LEAP is a one-of-a-kind program in which students get to experience going somewhere in the world or learning a new skill. LEAP offerings stay mostly the same, with many courses being around for years. There are, however, usually one or two unique course offerings that change every year. This year, those two new options are a skiing and cultural trip to Japan, designed by senior Gus Garvey ‘25; and a trip to Uganda where students will walk with gorillas.

The first of the two new courses is a trip to Japan, where students will get to ski while experiencing Japanese culture. What makes this LEAP so interesting is that it was designed by a student—senior Gus Garvey. Last year, Gus decided to create this course as his PEAK Pathway. PEAK Pathways is a year-long project where students learn about topics they are passionate about, then build a project around those interests. Gus had a passion for creating this trip as he is of Japanese descent and loves skiing. He shared, “This LEAP will be half skiing, half cultural. Students will get to experience Japanese culture from a variety of different perspectives—from the slopes of rural Nagano to the bustling melting pot of Tokyo.” He also shared his excitement to educate his fellow students as part of the trip: “In addition to having an excuse to go to one of my favorite places on earth, I also hope to provide valuable insight and guidance to the rest of the group due to my experience there.”

The second new LEAP is a trip to Uganda. This is possible because of an alumni connection with Lawrence (’93) and Ndhego Zikusoka ‘24. Lawrence Zikusoka’s wife, Gladys, is a world-renowned health and research expert in Uganda. Northwood decided to use this connection and transform it into an opportunity. This LEAP will be led by Ms. Fagan and Mr. Spear.

“We’re going to fly to Entebbe, a city in Uganda. And then, we are going to drive halfway across the country to spend a night in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we will go on a game drive and meet employees of Dr Gladys’s non-profit health organization,” Fagan said. This trip will focus on discovering the relationship between humans and apes; specifically, how viruses can be transmitted from humans to apes and vice versa. “We will also have a day where we trek in the jungle and follow a troop of gorillas. This is something that you need a permit for, so it’s a really cool and unique opportunity,” said Ms. Fagan.

Students will begin signing up for LEAP courses in the coming weeks.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Soccer Team Adds Two DIII Commits

May 12, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

Northwood’s soccer program has added two more commits to their list of successful college players. Those two new commits are Sam Knauff and Liam Burke. This article is a dive into why they chose to commit to their respective schools and what they will miss about Northwood.

Sam Knauf ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Sam Knauff ‘24, the PG out of Lake George, is headed to Washington College. The liberal arts school in Maryland offers Sam good-quality soccer and an ideal academic setup for Sam because, as it is a liberal arts school, he will be able to figure out what his area of study will be and not have to go into his first-year knowing exactly what he will want to study. He explained this to me during our conversation: “I plan to go and find my way. I have ideas of what I excel in in school, but I’m just gonna take everything as it comes. Because, you know, it’s a journey.” Regarding the soccer side of college, Sam is excited about getting going with his new team. “My tipping point in deciding I wanted to commit to George Washington was spending a few days with the soccer team. It’s just so diverse. The coaches are great. It feels like they have a great culture, and I will fit right in.” Sam also wanted to mention something he will miss dearly. “What I will miss most is the Clam Chowder soup.”

Liam Burk ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

German Liam Burk ‘24 is headed to one of his dream schools: RPI. As a tech-minded and tech-savvy person, RPI aligns perfectly with his academic interests. During our conversation, he expressed delight and excitement about furthering his academic and athletic journeys at RPI. “I chose RPI because it represented the perfect fit for me. I’m interested in studying computer science and game design, so this school perfectly fits my interests. RPI aligns in many ways, not solely academically. One of my other things was that I wanted to go to a middle-sized school in terms of population, which is the case at RPI. It is also not too remote location-wise, another important factor for me. The tipping point in my decision to go to RPI was when I first contacted the coach. The school was always on my radar because of what I discussed regarding academic alignment, population, and location. So, when they told me they were interested in me, it made me conclude that this is where I want to be. What will I miss about Northwood? If I had to pick one thing, I would say my friends,” Burk added.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Gunnar Gleasman’s ’26 Pre-Game Ritual

May 11, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

Gunnar Gleasman ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“When we’re playing in the afternoon or a night game,” said Gunnar Gleasman, a sophomore hockey player from Colorado, “I like to wake up, and the first thing I do is go for a walk. While I’m on my walk, I’ll listen to some country music. Then, I’ll call my parents during my walk. Once I’m back, I’ll Normatec for a little bit. I like to eat two and a half hours before we head to the rink. Usually, I eat lots of fruits and other natural sugars. I also like to get in an English muffin and sometimes a few eggs. That said, I don’t like to fill up on protein at the beginning of the day. I also will bring some sweet potatoes for the rink too; I’ll eat those exactly one hour before the game. After warmups, I’ll read a few lines from a book I love: Make Your Bed. I’ll read a few lines from a part of the book I’ve been relating to recently. Then, 10 minutes before the game, I’ll go into the hall to meditate and take deep breaths.

“I found out about Northwood because of my uncle. He played at Northwood and then went on to Harvard. My mom’s side of the family has all been hockey players, so that’s also where I found hockey. My dad’s side of the family didn’t know much about hockey, so it was from my mom’s side and my uncle. As a kid, I watched a few hockey games and began to love the sport through watching. I remember my first game was a New York Rangers game. So that’s why I’m a Rangers fan.

“Advice I’d give to a student-athlete? First, I think you have to constantly communicate with your teachers to ensure you’re ahead of the game and doing well in your classes. Then, in my case, though, what I will say applies to any athlete: you have to be confident. You have to be willing to make plays and put your body on the line. Also, preparation is key. You gotta be prepared for everything. Take everything seriously: your warmup, eating healthy, and taking care of your body is a big one.”

As told to Gavin Kruger ’26.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Sports Tagged With: PreGameRituals

Humans of Northwood: Joaquin Ocana Leigh ‘24

May 8, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

“You would be surprised, but I love the snow. Of course, I get tired of walking and it is too cold sometimes. But, coming from a warm weather country, living in the heat my whole life, I was tired of it. Coming to the snow and feeling the cold is like a relief for me. Of course, I love wearing shorts and sandals, but I also like the snow, having a jacket, all that stuff.

“I’ve been living here up in New York for the last three years, since 2021. I did my sophomore, junior, and half of my senior year in Western New York at IHC. I was there until there was an accident. Not really an accident, but basically, we ran out of funds. We didn’t have enough money to keep the program going, so it was closed.

“I chose to come to Northwood because I already knew the coach and some people here. So, I knew it would be a good place for me. Second, it was the best option for me if I wanted to continue my academic and soccer career.

“Once the accident happened at IHC, we had three options. One is that we could stay there but without soccer. Second, we could go back to our countries, but that was basically saying goodbye to any chance of playing in college. The other option was to transfer.”

“My life here is very different from when I was in Ecuador. When I’m here, I revolve around soccer and my studies. It’s just all practice, studies, and a little free time. But even in your free time, you still think about practice or some games on the weekend. Then, when I’m home, I can relax more since I do not have classes. I try to practice for 2 hours a day, a few days a week. But that’s not the most important thing for me. The most important things for me when I’m home are my family and my friends, my grandparents, my siblings. Going to the beach or my friend’s house, I’m more relaxed.

“A piece of advice I’d give to a new kid coming to Northwood would be don’t be afraid of talking to new people. People here are very nice, so don’t be afraid of talking to new people.”

As told to Gavin Kruger ’26. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Pete Moore ‘24

May 8, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

“My whole family’s been around hockey. My dad played at Illinois. Both my cousins play college hockey right now, as well. One of my cousins plays at Harvard, and the other at Middlebury. So yeah, that’s how I got into playing hockey: it runs in my family.

“I’ve played a lot of sports (other than hockey). I played basketball and soccer, and I ran cross-country and track. I played basketball for my varsity basketball team, and I also ran track and cross country for my Varsity team. I’ve always kind of just been the best at hockey.

“I found out about Northwood because my uncle knows Coach Miller really well. He and Coach Miller played in a hockey tournament once. But also, my aunt has known Coach Miller through I don’t even know what. But they’ve known each other for a while. Yeah, so my uncle kind of got me introduced to Coach Miller. Then I visited and fell in love.

“Away weekends are my best memories. It’s always the most fun to travel with the team. If I had to pick a favorite home weekend from this year, I’d probably say the Northwood Invitational. That was fun.

“I got to meet Pavel Datsyuk. That’s a cool person I’ve met. Before he left the Red Wings, I went to a camp at my local rink that was run by him. So, I got to be around him for a week and get to know him. I also got to meet Matty Beniers, the captain of the Seattle Kraken. My cousins are family friends with them, and through my cousins, I’ve gotten to meet him.

“A piece of advice I’d give is to just go into it with all the confidence in the world. Like yeah, you’re here for a reason. Make the most of it and try to stay confident.”

As told to Gavin Kruger ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Students Share Spring Break Plans

March 29, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

It goes without saying that everyone at Northwood is itching for spring break to finally arrive. Some students have had the luxury of living close enough to home to be able to see their parents every break. Other students live far away and have not had the opportunity to see their family and friends. The two-week spring break gives international students a chance to go home and see their loved ones. It also gives everyone the chance to travel and go somewhere tropical.

Freestyle skier Clay Fuller ‘25 has a travel-full break. “I’m taking the bus down to Penn Station. From there, I’m going to see my girlfriend in Brooklyn. I’m going to spend five days with her. Then, I’m heading out to [Freestyle] Nationals in Copper, Colorado. Then, I’m going back to Brooklyn again to hang out with my girlfriend for another five or six days. Then I’m going to hop on the bus to come back to school.”

Englishman Lucas Campion ‘25 is going back home after not being able to see his family for four months. “Yeah, so, I’m taking two flights to get to my destination, Newcastle. I live in a town called Tynemouth, which is by the sea. I’m going to be working for some days as a lifeguard on the beach. I’ll be practicing [hockey] a lot too.

Some students are getting away to a tropical destination. Hamish Riddell ‘26 is one of those students. He’s spending his break in the tropical warmth. “I’m spending the break in Costa Rica. I’m going to be there with my teammate, Trey. I’m looking forward to the sun and the warm weather.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

An Inside Look at Soccer Recruiting at Northwood

March 7, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

Northwood’s soccer program has witnessed the arrival of some big, bright stars since the dawn of the program. Names like Said El-Eyssami ‘26, Mitch Baker ‘24, and Sachiel Ming ‘24 come to mind. How has Coach Moodey been able to consistently recruit top-end talent on and off the pitch? What’s their recruitment system like?

Coach Jon Moodey at a rainy game at home in the fall of 2023. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Jon Moodey is Black Rock’s highly-regarded coach. “We look for candidates with excellent soccer/football ability and the desire to learn and grow,” Moodey explained. “What is also very important is the academic interest of the candidate,” he added. “We want to know that they’re very serious about their academics. This does not mean they are perfect students, but they must be intent on making the most of their opportunity.”

Character counts, Moodey said. “When it comes to recruiting, we look for character. We’re looking for good people who understand the notion of community and want to be leaders, on and off the field,” he explained.

Narrowing down the list of prospects can be difficult. Coach Moodey explained a “glowing” application and a reassuring interview could help the coaches close in on the candidate. “I tend to do a Zoom with each family or invite them to campus, so I get to know them better as people. This is to make sure that not only are we excited about the candidate but also that they are excited about us. If all these things line up, we typically proceed to offer that individual a place in our academy.”

“Tony Mohamed and I do the recruiting,” said Moodey. “We work together for Black Rock. This year, we’ve been to South America, including Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Brazil. In addition, I’ve been to Bermuda. Profé Coss has been to Puerto Rico. Tony has also been down to Trinidad and Antigua. In the next month, he’s heading to Germany, Italy and England. Also, we do look throughout North America for good players.”

Moodey also learns about prospective student-athletes from his current players. “We love referrals from former and current players. We believe the players have a good network of friends who might be interested in this pathway. You guys [the players] probably know your former teammates from home who might be a good fit for what we offer. Those sorts of referrals are really something we value.”

Prospective student-athletes interested in soccer can inquire on Northwood’s website or reach out to Coach Moodey directly.