“I have lived in three different countries. I was born in Melbourne, Australia and was only one year old when my family moved to Hong Kong. I spent 10 years in Hong Kong, which was an amazing experience. I moved back to Australia when I was 11. The diversity of Hong Kong allowed me to meet people from all over the world and learn about their culture. I also lived in an apartment, forcing me to become close with my siblings. I have one younger brother and one older sister who both play soccer. I am close with both and have grown up relying on them for entertainment. My brother and I are very competitive and have compared goals scored, grades, etc., since a young age. He has pushed me to be better on and off the field.“Off the pitch, I love to spend time with friends and family, listen to music, and watch different sports. When I’m back in Australia, I love watching Australian Rules Football. I grew up playing Aussie rules and sometimes wish I continued playing it. My favorite food is Steak and Chips made by myself. After doing a cooking LEAP last year, I am confident I can make a great steak.

“My favorite place to go on vacation is Bali, Indonesia. I have Indonesian grandparents, so I have visited Indonesia a lot since a young age. I love surfing against my brother, constantly competing over who can catch the bigger wave. I also love the cheap food and nice weather.

“I came to Northwood as a freshman two and a half years ago to hopefully use my soccer to help my family pay for university. I was nervous when I first came. It was a big leap from spending so much time with my family growing up to being halfway across the world from them. I faced a lot of adversity being homesick when I first came, but I quickly overcame that and have loved my experience ever since.

“Reflecting on my Northwood life, I realized how much the school has changed me. As a player, I went from a defender to an attacker, and as a person, I have learned a lot more about community, leadership, and culture. I will miss Northwood, but I am looking forward to the future.

“Next year, I will study finance and play soccer at Georgetown University. I am forever grateful that Northwood and Black Rock have allowed me this opportunity. I still have one month to go, so I will enjoy these last moments and prepare for my future.”

As told to Machai David ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“I am from Ontario, Canada. This is my first year at Northwood, and the school has become my home away from home. I love it here.

“I came to Northwood to play hockey. I am on the Prep team. We have had a good season and are about to hit the 40-win mark. My season has been great. It has been my best year by far. I enjoy playing with the team and having an enjoyable time with my teammates.

“I thought coming to Northwood and being away from home would be weird, but the transition was great. There are a couple of guys from Canada, so it felt like back home.

“My favorite moment at Northwood was winning the True Prep Cup in New Hampshire. I played my best in that tournament.”

As told to Machai Davis ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“My time here at Northwood has been great. I found things I am interested in and would not be doing if I did not come here. Northwood has introduced me to people who will be my friends for life.

“I came to Northwood as a first-year student. I got the wonderful opportunity to come here because my mom has worked here for twenty years. I was not sure if I could like it, but a couple of months into my first year, I loved it.

“I have lived here my whole life. I live in a town nearby called Jay, New York, about a twenty-minute drive. I went to the public school before Northwood.

“I started skiing when I got to Northwood, I enjoy it a lot. I played hockey before but stopped doing it because of my love for skiing. Also, I like music, such as making beats, playing the drums, and computer work.

“Before college, I am considering taking a year off school. I plan to do computer-based stuff like cyber security.

“One thing I would change about Northwood is the dress code because I would like to be comfortable when I work. One of my highlights is just me and my friends skiing and just having fun.”

As told to Machai Davis ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Ms. Lisa Wint (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

Ms. Wint was born in Oswego, New York. She grew up in Queensbury, New York, which is about 80 miles south of Lake Placid. She loves living in the Adirondack because she loves outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, mountain biking, gravel and road cycling, kayaking/canoeing, and skiing.

Ms. Wint is Northwood’s Learning Center Coordinator and Team Dean. She joined the faculty in the fall of 2015, when the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, where she had previously taught, closed. When Ms. Wint joined Northwood, she taught Spanish 2 and Spanish 3. The next year, she worked with Brenda Cotton, who was a former teacher at the National Sports Academy, to create the learning center. Her primary role now is as a full-time learning coach in the learning center. She has had many roles at Northwood: a Spanish 2 and 1 teacher, a class dean for every grade except senior, the team dean for the independent group, and the faculty advisor for the CARE co-curricular.

Ms. Wint has a son who attends Northwood. Johnathan, better known as JT, is a junior at Northwood. He enjoys NOC, Recreational skiing, and CARE. Ms. Wint loves being in school with JT because she gets to help him with work and gets to see what he does in his school day.

Ms. Wint is the faculty leader of CARE, which is a community service co-curricular that has been highly active in our local community. CARE has several fundraisers this year to support two local food pantries, the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department and the Tri-Lakes Animal Shelter. “CARE has helped with a winter coat and gear drive, made hundreds of holiday cards for the residents at a local nursing home,” said Wint. “We have many projects planned for the spring, such as roadside clean up after the snow has melted, a bottle and can recycling initiative to help the environment and put the 5 cent per can deposit to good use, and we are cleaning up the unused books on campus for donation and resale.”

Ms. Wint most enjoys her time in the learning center and teaching. “I have found my purpose,” she said. Helping students become successful and independent learners is an amazing reward. Ms. Wint says, “Even though at times it can be frustrating, it is amazing to be part of the student journey.”