Kevin Betsch

Thanksgiving Traditions

November 17, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

As Thanksgiving Break approaches, the excitement of going home is evident in many students around campus. Many students have unique family traditions and ways of celebrating the holiday.

“I am going home for Thanksgiving Break!” said senior Mark Tverskoy. Tverskoy is from Ivanovo, Russia, and will be taking a long trip home for the holiday. He is flying out of Boston, connecting in Turkey, and then making a final stop in Moscow. Although he is traveling home, Tverskoy noted that Thanksgiving is not traditionally celebrated in Russia. “In Russia, Thanksgiving is not celebrated by many people, but I do think that the idea of Thanksgiving is growing. Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday because I just love the idea of people celebrating how thankful they are for everything they have!”

Senior Hunter Bridges is heading home to Saratoga, New York, for the break. When asked about his Thanksgiving traditions, he said, “My entire family from my dad’s side goes to my grandparents’ house each year. I just really love spending time with my family members, and after being away from home for a while, it’s nice to catch up.” Bridges also shared his favorite Thanksgiving foods: “My aunt makes this really good sugar cookie cake every year, but my favorite food is the stuffing for sure.”

“I usually go over to my best friend’s house with my family,” said senior Henry Kress when asked about his plans for Thanksgiving. Kress is traveling home to California for the break and is excited for the warmer weather and the California sun. “My mom’s pumpkin pie is my favorite thing for sure—make sure to add the extra whipped cream. I also love the mac and cheese my friend’s mom makes.” He added, “It will just be so nice to go home and spend time with my friends and family, whom I haven’t seen in a while. I’m also excited to see my dog, Po.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Prep Hockey Eager for First League Crossover Weekend

November 11, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

From November 14th to 17th, the Boys Prep Hockey Team will head up to Saint Andrews College, where the first PHC crossover weekend will be hosted. The Huskies will be taking on every other PHC team from the west division. These teams include the number 1-ranked team in the country, Shattuck St. Mary’s, the number 3 team in the country, Culver Military Academy, and the number 1-ranked Canadian Hockey Team, Saint Andrews College. Prep will take on Culver first at 2:00 p.m. on the 14th, followed by Shattuck at 12:00 p.m. on the 15th, and Saint Andrews at 2:00 p.m. on the 16^th.

“Ready,” said senior Henry Kress. “Ready to go out there and show out. These games are really hard fought, and one mistake can lead to your team losing,” said Kress about the upcoming weekend. “These games have been circled on the calendar for a while. Saint Andrews is our biggest rival, and they beat us last year in the finals. I’m looking forward to playing that game.”

“All of the teams that we play are on completely different levels from anyone else we have played this year,” junior Miles Van Mullen said. “I am excited to rise to the occasion and hopefully come out with some wins against three great teams,” he added. Van Miullen is eager to face one team in particular. “Shattuck for sure,” he said. “Last year, when I was at Mount St. Charles, we played them multiple times and never beat them once. I am really looking forward to hopefully beating them.”

Junior forward Anton Stackow played games with the Prep team last year, but never in a PHC crossover. “This team as a group still has a lot to prove,” said Stackow. “We have had some tough losses this year, but we are a great group, and we are going to prove that. I think we all have some fuel behind us,” he added. Stackow also has a team he’s eager to face. “Saint Andrews for sure. I really do not like them, and they really do not like us. It is a big rivalry, and beating them in their own rink would be awesome,” he added.

Last year, the Prep team finished first in their division, heavily dependent on their games within their own division. The Huskies were 9-8 last year in league play, with only 2 wins coming from PHC crossovers. The Huskies hope to improve significantly this year in the crossovers and substantially boost their ranking in the PHC.

Filed Under: Sports

Students React to LEAP Assignments

November 4, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

LEAP is a special end-of-year activity that is available only to underclassmen in grades 9-11. There is a variety of options, ranging from golf to a trip to Uganda. Students were asked to give their top three LEAP course options to Ms. Fagan, who then slots the kids into their LEAP for the year. 11^th graders get priority, followed by 10^th and 9th graders. There are only a limited number of slots available for each LEAP, and with the finalized list of LEAP students, the campus is filled with excitement.

Kevin Betsch ’26 with a catch during the 2025 Fly Fishing LEAP. Photo provided.

Sophomore Russell Astuto is in his first year at Northwood and is experiencing his first end-of-year LEAP activity. “I got slay the ADK,” Astuto said, “it was my first choice, and I am excited for it.” When asked what he is most excited about, he said, “To spend time with people I might not know super well. It’s exciting to meet new people. I am also excited for all of the activities that come with being in the LEAP, like ziplining and rafting,” Astuto added.

Faculty member Ms. Heather Odell is leading a brand-new LEAP course. She and Carrie Wardlaw are leading the trip to the Galapagos Islands. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people, and it is so amazing that they are able and willing to lead this LEAP. “I am most excited about visiting the place that Charles Darwin explored and researched to learn more about the evolution of species,” Odell said. “I am also excited to see the amazing wildlife and the beautiful landscape,” she added.

“LEAP week is an opportunity that you would not have anywhere else,” said Casey Morrissey ‘27. “It is sad when all your friends graduate and you must stay on campus for another week. Overall, though, it is super fun,” Morrissey added. “I am in fly fishing, and it was my first choice, so I’m pretty pumped,” He’s excited to learn about the sport of fly fishing. “Just learning more about fishing, I want to learn how to tie knots and tie-on different baits. I am also excited to learn to fly fish,” Morrissey said. “It is not something you get a chance to learn every day. Last year, some of my friends were in the fly-fishing LEAP and had a ton of success and fun while in the LEAP, so I am excited!” he added.

Staying an extra week after graduation does not sound very appealing or fun to most students new to the idea, but LEAP is a chance to do something you might never get to do again. When else are you going to be able to go to the Galapagos? The staff also does an excellent job of making the week super fun. Take full advantage of your Leap and have so much fun.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

Prep Team Falls at South Kent Tourney

October 27, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

The 2024-25 Prep Team celebrates its third consecutive championship at South Kent. Photo provided.

The boys’ Prep hockey team recently headed to South Kent School in South Kent, Connecticut, to defend their back-to-back-to-back championships in South Kent’s annual tournament. The layout for this tournament is that there are 4 teams, and each team plays 3 games. The team with the best record at the end of the weekend claims the championship.

Last year, the Prep team swept through the tournament, beating the New Jersey Rockets, South Kent Selects, and Upper Canada College. This year, the boys’ team played the same teams but unfortunately had a different outcome.

Northwood played the 8th-ranked New Jersey Rockets in their first game. This game was quite a battle. After the first two periods, Northwood dominated and took a 2-1 lead in the third. However, the Rockets battled back and scored a late goal to tie the game 2-2. The game would head into overtime, where Northwood would dominate again, but neither team came out on top. The game went to a shootout, where the Rockets ended up winning after what seemed like an endless shootout.

In Northwood’s second game, the Huskies took on 12^th-ranked South Kent. The Huskies, being hungry from their prior loss, were looking for a victory. However, the game was hard-fought from start to finish. South Kent took a 1-0 lead early in the game, and the game stayed 1-0 until late in the third period. Senior forward Max Stracar made a no-look backhanded pass to his linemate, Peter Amigh; Peter took a one-timer and slid it right past the goalie’s pad to tie the game 1-1. Regulation ended, and that meant another overtime for Northwood. The Huskies made sure they would take this one; in overtime, senior forward Charles Pigeon found, once again, Peter Amigh. Peter made no mistake in this opportunity and put the puck right under the crossbar for the Northwood victory.

In the Huskies’ third and final game, they needed to win in regulation to have a chance at winning the tournament. If the Rockets lost to South Kent and Northwood won, the Huskies would win the tournament. The Huskies took on a familiar opponent in their final game: Upper Canada College. This game was not the Huskies’ strongest showing, and they lost to Upper Canada College 4-2 with an empty net goal at the end of the game.

When asked about the weekend, Captain Parker Thompson ‘26 said, “We played the first two games hard. We should have come out on top against the Rockets, but it is what it is. We had a nice bounce-back game, taking down South Kent, but it sucks that we could not continue that momentum into the final game. This game was big, and we were just too confident against an opponent we had already beaten before. Something we can learn from in the future and prevent from happening as we get deeper into the season.”

Filed Under: Sports

Prep Hockey Opens PHC Schedule

October 25, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

Teams in the Prep Hockey Conference. Source: PHC.

The Boys’ Prep Hockey team has its first league games at home this weekend – October 25-26^th. The Prep Team competes in the PHC (Prep Hockey Conference), the premier prep league in North America. The Huskies take on South Kent Selects at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and at noon on Sunday.

The Huskies hope to continue their momentum from last weekend and sweep the Selects, starting league play 2-0. Last year, the Huskies’ record against the Selects in the PHC was 3-1, beating them 3 times and only losing to them once. However, South Kent is not a pushover by any means, being ranked 12^th in the country and taking the Huskies to overtime earlier in the season.

“There really is just nothing like PHC games. The intensity of the game is like no other,” returning goaltender Owen MacLean ‘26 said when asked about the PHC. “All of the teams in the league are not only good, but rivals. There’s a distinct energy to these games, and the desire to win is palpable when watching them. The speed, physicality, and determination are all at another level during these games. It is tough, but it is so much fun!” MacLean added.

Max Stracar, senior forward, is new to the team and has never played in a PHC game before. “I am excited… A little bit nervous but overall excited,” Stracar said. “The PHC is really like no other league in America. The level of play is just different. PHC is one of the reasons why I chose Northwood; the level of competition cannot be matched anywhere else. I am excited,” Stracar added.

Last year, the Huskies were first in their division by the end of the regular season, but ended up losing in the PHC finals to Saint Andrews College. The Huskies hope to return to the position they held last year; however, their goal is to win the PHC. The Huskies are as hungry as ever and are excited to get their league play underway!

Filed Under: Sports

Humans of Northwood: Henry Kress ‘26

October 19, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

“What I love so much about this place is how tightly knit this whole community is. To put it simply, my friends. Everyone here really cares for one another, and it feels like one big family. It makes it easy to live here, and having such a strong community makes leaving home easier. This place really feels like a second home to me.

“For me, I am looking forward to meeting many new friends, especially because of all the amazing people I met last year who have moved on. I am just excited to become friends with more amazing people. I am also pumped for the hockey season, as a returning player, I am really excited to exceed what we did last year as a team.

“Next year, I hope to play Major Junior hockey in either the USHL or CHL. I also hope to continue my development in hockey and further my recruitment process with NCAA Division I schools. I also want to keep up with my academics and knock out some general eds through a college program.

“My main takeaway from my time at Northwood is just to live in the moment. Last year really made me realize how quickly time can fly by. No matter what is going on with outside things, just make sure you are living in the moment. You just form connections here like no other place, and you can never take those for granted. You have no idea where you could be in the next few years, but you can always make sure you are living in the moment and making the most of what you’ve got. It’s not what you’re given, it’s what you do with what you’ve got.”

As told to Kevin Betsch ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Student Names Entire School at School Meeting

October 12, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

Charles Pigeon ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

The school meeting on Tuesday, September 30, was eventful, as teachers spoke about the events of Family Weekend, teams reported results, and we learned that the soccer team is currently ranked third in the nation! However, the biggest event came at the end of the meeting when Charles Pigeon ‘26 got up and took on the annual challenge of naming everyone at the school.

To accomplish this feat, Pigeon took a great approach by trying to meet everyone face-to-face and giving them a handshake rather than just checking the Kahoot. He also decided to take on this challenge in three short days. He said, “My goal was to remember everyone’s name and face in three days,” Pigeon said. “I just woke up and decided this was my goal, and I wanted to accomplish it. So, I got to work.”

“I woke up on Tuesday and realized that it was already day three, so I studied the Kahoot quickly and then pulled Mr. Spear aside and said I am ready to do this,” Pigeon said. “I got up on Tuesday, school meeting, and took on the challenge”.

Pigeon had to learn around 80 new students’ and staff members’ names, but he already knew around 144 returning students’ and staff members’ names.

Standing before the school and attempting to name everyone was an intense experience. “When I first stood up, I was like, ‘Holy Cow, this is getting real.’ My face turned all red, and I got super nervous. Then I said the first student’s name, and I was off.”

Pigeon spoke about his strategy to learn everyone’s name. “I tried to first start with all of the new people, the people’s names I already know are the easiest part, so I tried to get to them last, but I ended up just going in order of the rows. In the end, I ended up struggling the most with my best friends and teammates because I studied all the new students’ names so hard.”

Pigeon says he was motivated by the challenge. “I just wanted to do it because no one else had done it this year, and I thought it would be a good and fun challenge. I also thought that this was just a wonderful experience, and I enjoyed it a lot.”

Some of Pigeon’s friends, however, think that the prize of a $50 Stewart’s gift card is what really motivated him.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Nutrislice App Provides Menu and Nutrition Information

October 9, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

As the year progressed, many returning Northwood students were confused about why the Nutrislice app was not operational. This was not on the kitchen staff; the app’s servers had been down and were not working. However, the servers are now up and running, and here is everything you need to know about the Nutrislice App and how to use it.

To start, if you want to install this app, go to your app store on your phone and search “Nutrislice.” The app will have a lowercase n with a blue line underneath it. Once you have installed it, it will have a search bar where you can search “Northwood.” Northwood School will pop up with a picture of the front of our school. Then you want to press on Northwood School and there will be breakfast, lunch, and dinner tabs on the top as well as the date. Underneath each of these tabs is what we are having for a meal during that time of the day. It will even show you many days into the future.

Another great feature of this app is that each meal will display its complete nutritional values. You can access the nutritional value by pressing on the item. This will also indicate any food allergies that may affect you, allowing you to avoid specific items if you have a food allergy. Nutritional information also provides you with a nutrition calculator, which can break down the plate you are having and the main food groups in the meal. With the ability to see what you are having multiple days into the future, this allows you to meal plan, and if you are a person who tracks your macronutrients, the nutritional information is super beneficial.

Max Stracar ’26 is a new student. He did not have the Nutrislice app, but after installing it and checking out all that it has to offer. “As a person who likes to track what I’m eating and try to hit a protein goal, this app makes that a lot easier,” Stracar said. “When I first got here, I was concerned about getting all my nutrients in because I did not have a way to see what the breakdown of my food was. This app is super helpful and even a relief to me,” added Stracar.

“I love to plan my meals out when I am at home. It was challenging at the start of the year because I had no idea what would be for dinner every night. This app is going to be super helpful, and I am excited to use it,” Hunter Bridges ’26 said.

Download the Nutrislice app in your phone’s app store and try it out for yourself!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Prep Hockey Team Season Preview: “Win the PHC”

September 23, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

With the roster officially finalized this week, the Prep season is in full swing. The boys’ Prep team heads to Pittsburgh for the USHL Fall Classic on September 19^th. They have three round-robin games, and if they perform well enough, they can compete in the championship on Monday, September 22^nd.

Players on the Prep Hockey Team are focused on winning the PHC. Photo provided.

The team has only 8 returning players who played more than half of the games with the team last season. This left room for many players to compete for spots on the prep team. The Blue vs. White scrimmage was extremely competitive at the start of this season, and many athletes displayed their talents, emerging as potential stars for the prep team. Also, athletes who played varsity last season made strong cases to make the Prep team, with 4 of them eventually earning roster spots.

This year, the team recruited many players from top programs across the country. Two kids are from the Chicago Mission 16U team, which had won the National Championship the previous year. Additionally, three kids come from the North Jersey Avalanche 16U, which won the USHL Fall Classic last year during this time. Additionally, players from Mount St. Charles, Dallas Stars Elite, Seacoast Performance Academy, and numerous other notable programs have chosen to join the Northwood Huskies this year.

When Captain of the Prep team, Parker Thompson ‘26, was asked what he was looking forward to most during his senior season, he said, “I am just so excited to become close and create a brotherhood with this group. We have a great group of guys, and I am excited to lead by example this year!” Thompson also went on to say, “I’ve been here for the past three years and I’ve kind of taken all of those bus rides and team dinners for granted, I am really going to take in everything this year and make the most of my senior year.”

I asked both Thompson and returning senior defenseman Devin Smith what their biggest goal was for the upcoming season. Their answers were the same: “win the PHC” (Prep Hockey Conference). Smith also went on to mention, “Last year losing in the finals, it really has stung all summer long. You must sit and think about that loss all summer, it really sparks a flame in you to want to win that much more!” He then went on to say, “All the returners feel the same way, we all grinded all offseason with the same common goal in mind: win the PHC.”

The Prep Team has a tough standard to live up to, set by previous teams. However, the boys seem confident that they will be able to replicate the season they had last year, and even think that they could outdo the previous team. The Huskies are hoping to reach 40 wins as they did last year, but instead of losing the PHC final, they are going to win it!

Filed Under: Sports

Students React to Lofted Beds

September 18, 2025 by Kevin Betsch

Devin Smith ’26 stands beside the lofted beds in Bergamini. Photo by Kevin Betsch ’26.

As students in the Bergamini dormitory opened their rooms for the first time, many were shocked to see that their beds were now lofted. This came as a shock to most because of the difference from how the beds looked last year. Last year, the beds were either bunked or already separated, but on the floor. This year, the beds were separated but lofted up into the air. The shock of this lofted bed has sparked controversy across the campus, with some people liking it, others disliking it, and many holding mixed views.

When Assistant Dean of Students Leigh Riffle was asked about the switch to lofted beds, she responded by asking, “Do you feel like you have more space in your room this year?” I responded with “Yes.” Riffle then replied, “Well, that is the exact reason. It is the most efficient way to provide students with more space in their rooms.” So, here is our answer: the beds were lofted this year to provide students with more space.

Andrew Sherland ‘26 doesn’t love the lofted beds but doesn’t hate them either, saying, “I personally don’t like lofted beds. I wish we were given a choice to either have them up or have them down.” When asked if he felt like he had more space in his room this year, he said, “I feel like my room is just as crowded as it was last year, and I also liked the layout of my room better last year.” Andrew wishes he could have his room the same as last year, and finds getting into bed an inconvenience.

Casey Morrissey ‘27 has mixed feelings about the rooms, with both pros and cons. Casey enjoys “being up in the lofted bed and finds the bed to be cozier and more private than they were in my previous year. “I do, however, think it is a pain getting up and down every morning and night,” Morrissey said. He said he “feels like I have the same amount of space as I had last year.” Casey doesn’t seem to mind sleeping in the bed, but he does mind getting up to his bed and finds it a hassle.

Harry Vant ‘26 has a strong point of view on this. Vant said, “I do not like my lofted bed at all. I keep hitting my head on the ceiling and getting up and down at nighttime is super annoying. I also feel bad because whenever I must get up or down, I wake up my roommate, which is very annoying for them.” Harry went on to say, “I do feel like that I have more space, but I would sacrifice the extra space to have the beds be un-lofted.” Harry wishes they were back to the way they were last year. Many people are also upset that their beds do not have a ladder, and this is why it’s so hard to get up and down.

Don’t worry, Ms. Riffle said, the ladders are on the way, and if you ever want to ask Leigh Riffle why the beds are lofted with an attitude in your voice, she will simply reply with “Because I said so!”