Li Feng

Garvey’s Peak Pathway Explores Sports Broadcasting

May 15, 2024 by Li Feng

In March, Garvey had a press credential at the ECAC Championships in Lake Placid. Photo provided.

The Peak Pathways Program is Northwood’s exciting next-level iteration of its wildly successful Independent Initiatives. In the Peak Pathways Program, students complete a year-long, self-designed, self-directed, in-depth learning exploration of a topic or field of interest that aligns with their future aspirations. Northwood School continues to establish an environment where students absorb and thrive in learning and actively engage in research and critical thinking, turning education into a lived experience.

Under the Sports Industry Peak Pathway, guided by Mr. John Spear, Augustine “Gus” Garvey ‘25 is a notable example of student-driven projects. Gus is dedicated to exploring sports broadcasting and announcing play-by-play of various sports. For instance, Gus has broadcasted dozens of hockey games for all three hockey teams at Northwood School and visited the Philadelphia Flyers to shadow professional broadcasters, meaning to watch and take notes of the games to develop his understanding of the field further.

Garvey with the Philadelphia Flyers President Keith Jones when he shadowed professional broadcasters at a Flyers game. Photo provided.

Although Gus has only broadcast hockey games until now, he hopes to explore various other sports. “I have only done hockey but am also interested in diving into other sports. I am trying to work on broadcasting for soccer, but I am concerned about my depth of knowledge.” Despite his concerns and difficulties, such as the general biographies and the rules of the games, Garvey also expressed his love for broadcasting, “I can obtain a greater understanding of the people around my community, which is a great way to get involved.”

This rigorous structure provided by the Peak Pathways class results in students who can successfully navigate a rapidly changing world. Specifically, students like Gus will be able to acquire the skill sets to nurture and leverage their strengths to create value in the world and self-direct their learning to upskill themselves continually. Thus, Gus, who invested intensely in making the most of the experience, has made incredible real-world connections and has produced an impressive body of work they can be proud of and draw upon moving forward.

“The biggest thing I have taken away from this course is the career path ahead of my future. It is a wonderful experience to develop my interest in the field of broadcasting and the overall actions behind the camera,” said Augustine.

The emphasis on student-driven projects like Gus’s extensive project illustrates the school’s role in providing a platform where problem-solving skills and creativity are encouraged and expected. The journey through Peak Pathways class at Northwood is not limited to textbooks but allows students to navigate their paths, set goals, and bring their ideas to life.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Peter C. Remington ’73 to Address Graduates at Commencement

May 15, 2024 by Li Feng

Peter Remington ’73. Photo: peterremington.com

As graduation approaches, anticipation is building up for the speaker addressing this year’s graduating class. This year, Northwood is thrilled to announce that Peter C. Remington (Northwood Class of 1973), a prominent business executive and renowned author, will be gracing the commencement ceremony as the guest speaker.

With a notable career of over 37 years, Peter Remington has made significant contributions to sales, marketing, and personal development. Remington’s expertise and influence are widely acknowledged, from steering companies with annual sales ranging from $4.6 million to an impressive $263 million to collaborating with industry giants like Home Depot and Outback Steak House and automotive leaders like Buick and Porsche.

Beyond his professional achievements, Remington is deeply committed to giving back to his community. As the Chief Possibility Officer of Prepare 4 More, a self-development company, and the founder of Cheers 4 Charities, a nonprofit organization benefiting children’s charities in Houston, he displays a spirit of generosity and benevolence.

As Northwood’s guest speaker for the graduating class of 2024, Peter Remington brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, and inspiration. Join the community in welcoming Mr. Remington as Northwood celebrates the achievements and aspirations of its students.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Peak Pathways Fosters Entrepreneurial Spirit

May 14, 2024 by Li Feng

The Peak Pathways Program is Northwood’s exciting next-level iteration of its wildly successful Independent Initiatives. In the Peak Pathways Program, students will complete a year-long, self-designed, self-directed, in-depth learning exploration of a topic or field of interest that aligns with their future aspirations. Northwood School continues establishing an environment where students absorb and thrive in learning and actively engage in research and critical thinking, turning education into a lived experience.

This week, we delve into the Entrepreneurship class, one of the many practical and career-focused courses offered under the Peak Pathways Program. Led by Mr. Thomas Broderick, this class is designed to be experiential, equipping students with entrepreneurial skills and the confidence to tackle real-world problems. By working on meaningful projects, students can hone their creative problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship skills.

Leon Brody ‘24, a shining example of the Peak Pathways Program, is dedicated to sharing his French-Canadian culture through a unique business model. His venture, selling Cretons in the US market, not only adds diversity but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for Canadian heritage. Leon’s keen market awareness, particularly in the rising charcuterie market in the US, is a testament to his commitment to thorough research and strategic planning.

“One significant takeaway from this class is the ability to organize long-term projects,” Leon said. I have learned to structure my ideas over weeks and months rather than days, recognizing the importance of setting short-term and long-term goals,” he added.

The independent class structure offered by the Peak Pathways program equips students with the ability to navigate a rapidly changing world successfully. Specifically, students like Leon will gain the skills necessary to nurture and leverage their strengths, creating value in the world and continually directing their learning to upskill themselves.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

Humans of Northwood: Ace Strack

May 10, 2024 by Li Feng

Ace Strack (right) in Columbus watching his beloved Blackhawks. Photo provided.

“It is funny how nicknames can sometimes become a permanent part of our identity, even beyond where they originated. The nickname came from my high school hockey team experience. In 8th grade, I was on the hockey team as a goalie, but the coach did not remember my name. Although Adrian Strack is still my full name, the nickname “Ace” has become a part of who I am.

“I was born in Lake Placid in 1965, went to Lake Placid High School, and graduated in 1983. I then went to college in Elmira and majored in business administration. After graduating, I worked at O.R.D.A for more than 20 years before getting married. I had two children, Grant and Sabryna [Northwood class of 2017] Strack. After graduating from Northwood School, Sabryna went to study at St. Lawrence University.

“As far as Northwood School, I started in the late 90s as a night security guard. I took the position full-time in 2021 before working as a janitor. One of my favorite aspects of Northwood is the friendly environment and this experience was at full display this year. The whole school came together to support the girls’ hockey team during one of their games, raising awareness for breast cancer. Events like this highlight the unity and spirit of a school community.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Ndhego Zikusoka ‘24

May 8, 2024 by Li Feng

“When I was 13 years old, I volunteered at the Entebbe Zoo in Uganda as a junior zookeeper for a week. I would go every day for seven days. My dad would drop me off in the morning for the zoo rounds meetings, where all the zoo staff members met for a morning briefing, and then I would be assigned which animals I would work with that day. I worked with lions, snakes, crocodiles, giraffes etc. I would take photos of my experiences, and at the end of each day, I would write in my journal about how the day went. I learned a lot from my fellow zookeepers, and it was an experience that got me out of my comfort zone.

“I wrote a book about my experience being a junior zookeeper for a week at the Entebbe Zoo (UWEC) in Uganda. The thing that inspired me to write my book was the fact that my former librarian, Mrs. Cathy Kreutter, who is also an author of many books, looked at the article I wrote about being a junior zookeeper at the Entebbe Zoo and thought that it could have a greater potential of turning into a book. She talked to my parents about the idea of publishing the book and following a discussion with my parents, my parents and I agreed to turn the article into a complete book.

“The book took about two and a half years to write. I worked with photographers called Yusuf and Makune Marcellino, a mentor who is also an author called Mrs. Cathy Kreutter, my parents called Mr. Laerence Zikusoka and Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. We edited the text, retook many photos, and designed the layout, cover, and theme. The printing was done at New Vision in Uganda. I first printed 1,000 copies, and my grandmother, Mrs. Rhoda Kalema, sponsored printing some of the first copies.

“My favorite part was when I was going to feed the elephants with other zookeepers on a truck, throwing huge pumpkins to the elephant. The elephant with its big leg squashed the pumpkin, making it flat and mushy. The sound it made when squashing the pumpkin was unheard of as if it was squashing brains.

“Finally, the book was launched in 2021, and around 30 people attended the meeting due to COVID restrictions and space. Others attended one-on-one, like my school principal, Mr. Oscar Musoke. Being able to write and speak to many about my zookeeping experience left an unforgettable memory that would have a long-lasting effect for the years to come.”

As told to Li Feng ’24. Photo by Mr. John Spear.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Flying High: Standout Performances from Kroll and Penning at Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Junior Nationals

April 22, 2024 by Li Feng

Mitchell Penning ’25 and Jack Kroll ’25 traveled to Alaska to compete in the Junior National Championships in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined, and both student-athletes earned spots on the podium.

Ski jumping involves two rounds where jumpers earn points based on distance and style judged by five judges. Nordic combined is a single-round ski jumping competition that determines starting times for a subsequent cross-country race, with athletes’ starting times determined by their distances from the leader in the ski jumping portion, with the first person to cross the finish line winning.

Kroll in the ski portion of NOrdic Combined. Photo provided.

Medal winners from the East. Photo provided.

The Eastern contingent at Junior Nationals. Photo provided.

Penning (left) and Kroll (right) on the podium. Photo provided.

Kroll jumps at Junior Nationals. Photo provided.

Over the week of competition, Jack secured 3rd place in the individual U20 Jumping Competition and 2nd place in the Nordic Combined. In team events, Jack clinched 1st place in the 4-man ski jumping event and the 2-man Nordic combined relay. “It was a great trip and competition. My favorite part was being part of a podium sweep by the Eastern division in U20 men’s ski jumping and then being a part of one of East’s two teams that made the podium in the 4-man event. Not only was the A team competitive, but our B team got 3rd, beating all but 1 other team.”

Meanwhile, Mitchell achieved 2nd place in the U-20 individual Jumping and overall 3rd place in the team event. However, during the individual competition, the winds started to pick up in the second round, canceling the competition. As a result of unfortunate weather conditions, the officials took points only from the first round. Mitchell expressed his disappointment, saying, “This was disappointing to me because having two jumps would have given me another opportunity to pass 1st place in scores.”

As they return from the competition, Jack and Mitchell carry valuable experiences and memories from their journey at the Junior Nationals, bringing excitement and high hopes for their next races.

Filed Under: Sports

Van Dorn Wins Photography Contest

April 15, 2024 by Li Feng

Abigail Van Dorn’s ‘25 winning photograph.

Abigail Van Dorn 25’ recently participated in The Lake Placid Institute’s 24 Hours: A Photographic Interpretation of Life in the Adirondacks Photography Contest, earning a spot to be selected as one of the winners.

This year marked Abigail’s third consecutive participation in The Lake Placid Institute’s 24 Hours contest, a display of her dedication and passion for capturing the essence of life in the Adirondacks. Out of the 95 entrants who contested for recognition in this event, Abigail stood out remarkably.

The judging criteria, which included factors such as creativity, technique, beauty, uniqueness, and how well the photographs interpreted life in the Adirondacks, posed a challenge to all participants. However, Abigail’s photograph exceeded these standards, earning her a well-deserved spot among the 27 selected winners out of the 170 submissions received.

Reflecting on her achievement, Abigail expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying, “I was super excited to be awarded in this competition for the third year. So many other competitive and amazing photographers enter this contest, and it is always fun to see their creative interpretation of life in the Adirondacks.”

We congratulate Abigail on her outstanding achievement and look forward to witnessing her continued growth and success in the world of photography.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Revealing the Pursuit of Knowledge: The Journey to Personal Growth

March 25, 2024 by Li Feng

From Socrates to today’s undergraduates, philosophy professor Mitchell Green discusses the history and current relevance of the human quest for self-knowledge. (Getty Images)

Knowledge is crucial and essential to human nature. Humans function to discover and acquire new knowledge. By nature, some inherent qualities and behaviors define who we are as an individual. From socialization to curiosity, these natural traits are the basis for the pursuit of knowledge.

In this article, I will be exploring the reason people seek knowledge and dive further in detail with my experience in discovering and seeking knowledge and understanding where my core values come from.

Knowledge allows us to develop into a person of substance. Meaning that a person is well respected and admired with qualities such as humility, integrity, and morality, which are influential/valuable to themselves as well as to society. Most individuals would aspire to become a better version of themselves. Whether a student or an employee, at school or work, these individuals have a purpose, a goal that they strive to achieve. As a result, to the best of their abilities, they would push and challenge themselves to achieve that goal. However, before all steps, knowledge is the basis, the most fundamental aspect of human cognition. Knowledge must exist to achieve greater growth. Once knowledge is obtained either through experience or learning and or observing, it guides individuals to develop into a person of substance.

Personally, the road to playing collegiate soccer, or a step further, has tremendously influenced my characteristics and values that encourage me to become a person of substance. For example, one of the most important things I learned as a student-athlete is humility. Through the years of playing soccer, I have experienced many difficulties; however, there is a rule by nature, that both good and tough times are temporary. Nothing in life is everlasting. If something good has occurred, it is a signal that there will be a downfall. If something bad has occurred, it is a signal that you can mount back up again.

One bad practice does not lead to a bad game. One bad game does not lead to a bad season. One bad season does not lead to a bad career. Just because of a mistake or a setback, one should not criticize or captivate oneself from it, but instead accept the failure and look forward to improvement. Soccer has taught me to remain humble in any situation and focus on the process rather than the result.

Knowledge allows us to make informed decisions. Every decision reflects our actions. These actions always result in consequences that are either pleasant or unpleasant and we take responsibility for them. However, making informed decisions is not easy. It means having an understanding and knowledge of the possible outcomes and consequences that come along with it. Likewise, it is important to make informed decisions to reduce the risk of making poor decisions and have the responsibility to act for it. These informed decisions may help to fulfill and achieve the desired outcome. Therefore, it is essential to have a clear understanding and knowledge of the different perspectives, consider the pros and cons of each action, and recognize the possible consequences/impact the decisions may have on oneself and others. Without knowledge, it is difficult to understand a situation, evaluate options, and anticipate potential outcomes.

For example, for an athlete, multiple factors are required to enhance their performance. One key factor is proper nutrition and hydration. With proper nutrition and hydration, athletes can recover and repair their tissues, as well as provide energy for the proper use of muscles. Thus, I strongly believe that as an athlete myself, it is crucial to maintain a healthy diet and avoid any distractions that may disrupt my performance. Therefore, I exert myself fully to avoid drinking, smoking, and other harmful substances or activities.

Curiosity is the basis of knowledge. It is the foundation of the desire to learn and have a deeper understanding of the world around us. Just like a car, the car cannot go anywhere without fuel. Curiosity acts as the fuel used to run the car in search of knowledge. When one is curious about a certain topic or object, they create a need to discover that curiosity. Accordingly, that curiosity will develop into knowledge. Once that knowledge is obtained, one can understand and discover that there is an unlimited amount of knowledge that has yet to be discovered or learned. In other words, the more knowledge obtained, the more curiosity developed. Interestingly, this cycle never ends.

That is why knowledge is crucial and essential to me.

Filed Under: Opinion

STEM Research Encourages Innovation and Independent Learning

March 2, 2024 by Li Feng

Shreeniket Bhat ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Northwood School encourages students to explore the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. The school has established an environment where students not only absorb and thrive in learning but actively engage in research and critical thinking, turning education into a lived experience.

Shreeniket Bhat ‘25 stands out as a great example of student-driven exploration. Shreeniket has been dedicated to working on a soft robotic gripper designed for optimizing fruit harvesting. This innovative project dives into the emerging field of soft robotics, where flexible materials like silicone are used, enabling the handling of delicate or irregular items more effectively than traditional hard robotics.

The mGrip soft gripper earned its reputation by picking and placing fragile yellow and pink marshmallow Peeps without damaging them. Photo: Soft Robotics.

“Although I appreciate the independence this course offers, I initially struggled with having a clear plan for my project,” Bhat said. “Especially as I wasn’t accustomed to steering my initiative. However, this course has taught me how to set and constantly amend short- and long-term goals based on the ideas I research and explore as I progress,” he added.

Ms. Jill Walker’s class requires students not just to consume information but to engage in their educational journey actively, fostering independence and adaptability.

The emphasis on student-driven projects like Shreeniket’s soft robotic gripper illustrates the school’s role in providing a platform where innovation is not just encouraged but expected. The journey through STEM education at Northwood is not limited to textbooks but allows students to navigate their paths, set goals, and bring their ideas to life.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Martin and Lux Represent USA at Winter Youth Olympics

February 13, 2024 by Li Feng

Sliders competing at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea. Photo: USA Luge.

Luge is the fastest sport on ice. A pulse-pounding sensation that pushes the boundaries of speed, precision, and sheer nerve. Juniors Wolfgang Lux ‘25 and Sadie Martin ‘25 represented the United States at the Gangwon, South Korea, 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games. Both athletes competed in doubles luge. Their races took place at the Alpensia Sliding Center, the site of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, on January 19-February 1, 2024.

Lux, before competing in the Youth Olympics in South Korea, underwent a crucial qualification round in Germany just ahead of the Winter Youth Olympics. Reflecting on his qualifying runs, Lux said, “On our first race, we did not do too well.” Despite the initial setback, which placed them 9th, Wolfgang and his partner, Nate Bivins, demonstrated resilience and determination, placing 6th in the second race and securing a spot for the 2024 Youth Olympics in Korea.

Sadie Martin ’25. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Wolfgang Lux ’25. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

In a track of tough competitors, the duo finished in the 11th with a time of 1:46.132. Their accomplishment was more remarkable, considering their limited preparation time on the demanding track.

Ahead of the women’s doubles event, Sadie ‘25 and her partner, Haidyn Bunker, faced an unexpected turn of events. The duo crashed during their second heat, preventing them from crossing the finish line. This unsettling event highlighted the unpredictable nature of luge competitions.

At the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Korea, Wolfgang Lux and Sadie Martin proudly represented the United States of America and Northwood School globally. Their performances added to the record of successes and challenges that define the luge world, leaving a permanent mark on the icy tracks of the Alpensia Sliding Center.