Humans of Northwood: Georgia Bailey ’23

Georgia Bailey is a second-year senior at Northwood from Quebec, Canada. She is one of the assistant captains on the girls’ hockey team and has been pursuing the sport since age 6. Next year Georgia will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to continue her hockey career and go into their biology program in hopes of going into a field of medicine.

In her free time and over the summers, Georgia finds herself trying many different sports, such as swimming, volleyball, and hiking. She also has a deep passion for sweets and enjoys baking cookies and muffins. She is most passionate about spending outside with her family and friends.

As told to Maisie Crane ’23. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Humans of Northwood: Mr. Howard Runyon

Mr. Howard Runyon (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge).

Howard Runyon, also known as “H” or the Spanish pronunciation, “Ah-Chay,” is a man who has experienced many lives.

He grew up near the coast of New Jersey, just south of New York City, which “you could see on a clear day from the highest point of his town.” He grew up with three siblings, a sister and two brothers who worked at Northwood for many years but retired a few years ago. A fond memory of his was playing in the saltwater river beside his home, sifting through the sand with nets for treasures and creatures.

For his last three years of high school, he attended Middlesex School, where he found his love and passion for rowing, much like his father. After high school, he attended Yale University, which he picked because it was “probably the most famous place that had admitted me.” He mainly focused on rowing in his first two years there, which altered his academic path. But after a bit of trouble in the rowing department, he left college for a year and a half, returned, and completed two more years before graduating.

While away from school, he spent much time thinking about what he wanted to do with his life. He explored outside on a bicycle journey and a snowshoe expedition in the White Mountains. Before he returned to university, he took classes at a small local college near his hometown to improve his grades. Then he decided he wanted to be a mountaineer, worked in a tent factory in Wahington, and climbed on weekends. He returned in the summers between his last two years of college with a degree in philosophy.

After undergraduate studies, he moved to New York to try to get a job in publishing or filmmaking. He got a publishing company job when he decided to apply to film school simultaneously and got into Colombia University’s filmmaking school. He completed courses in two years but took another two and a half years to complete his thesis.

After film school, he was hired by a friend to proofread McGraw Hill medical textbooks, which he did for a few years while also working on selling his film school thesis. People hired him to help develop their films, but no projects ever took off. He had done this for around seven years but decided to move with his then-girlfriend, now his wife, who wanted to attend business school in Chicago. While there, he lost his passion for filmmaking and regained his passion for cycling, which he once did at home. He raced bikes professionally and worked on screenplays to make some money. He decided to retire from racing when the risk of injury became a more significant threat. He didn’t want to give up sports entirely, so he was hired by a rowing club in the summer and was later hired by the University of Chicago to be their head coach for four years.

After their daughter was born, they moved to Spain to study flamenco music and guitar while his wife studied dance. They lived there for four years and moved back to the States, where Runyon was hired to work at Northwood beginning in 2005.

Runyon has a deep connection to the history of the crew at Northwood. Though he didn’t start the crew program, it was created sometime in the 1920s and operated until until 1955. In Runyon’s words, the program’s demise is “unbelievable.” One night in the winter of 1955, all the crew equipment disappeared and later appeared at Dartmouth because “somebody somewhere” decided it should go to them because of their building collapsing, ending rowing at Northwood for forty-five years. He has now been the crew team leader for almost eighteen years.

He describes his favorite moments at Northwood being when he first sees a student start to like and grasp what they are learning and when a rower begins to get the sport and learns to navigate the intricate boat. He also enjoys the residential aspect of getting to know students and teachers outside of the classroom and his interactions on campus.

In his free time, he still enjoys bicycle riding, rowing, running, and walking in the woods with his “peculiar” dog Aries (a new guinea singing dog), who he adopted from a Northwood alum.

Humans of Northwood: Natalie Zarcone ’23

Natalie Zarcone, originally from Long Island, NY, has been a student at Northwood for three years. She came to Northwood to pursue her hockey and academic career and has played for around 15 years. Natalie is this year’s girls’ hockey team captain and is completing her post-graduate year. Next year she will attend the University of Vermont, playing for their hockey team and pursuing a major in exercise science. In the future, she hopes to work in athletic training but is open to trying other careers. She is known to be quite a singer on her hockey team and enjoys learning and playing the guitar. Natalie also added she enjoys sunsets!

As told to Maisie Crane ’23. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Celebrating Nurse Appreciation Day!

Margaret (Marge) Maher (left) and Jody Borzilleri in the health center (photo: Maisie Crane ’23).

At Northwood, we love our nurses, Jody, Marge, and health center assistant Caroline Roy!

Every day, they help us with meds or assess how we are feeling, and they are great to just talk to. They have helped our school overcome mass illnesses like covid or the flu and offer snacks when you’re feeling hungry.

Their office is in the back of the dining hall and is a hub for many students during off periods, in-between classes, and during mealtimes. My friends and I often find ourselves talking about our problems with one of our nurses after lunch.

“I really appreciate all the hard work put forth by our nurses. Whenever I was feeling down Jody would hit me with the aroma therapy. Thank you!” Wyatt Wardlaw ‘24 said.

“I love to visit the nurse’s office with friends,” Sophia Schupp ‘24 said, “and love when Caroline gives us cookies!”

Thank you to our fantastic nursing staff, who dedicate so much to keeping our school healthy!

Ring the Bell Sees Boost in Participation

Mirror staff writer Maisie Crane ’23 caught up with Mr. Thomas Broderick, director of the Northwood Fund, to recap the 2023 Ring the Bell campaign.

 

The Mirror: How did the day go for you?

Mr. Broderick: The day was wonderful. For me, it was an opportunity to highlight all that happens at Northwood. The live video “look-ins” were fun to participate in and watch. So, while it was a hectic day, it affirmed our mission.

How important is the annual fund?

The annual fund, which we call the Northwood Fund, is a critical component of Northwood’s viability as an institution. On the one hand, the money raised for the Northwood Fund directly impacts every program we run to give our students the best educational experience we can provide. The Northwood Fund is also a barometer of our health as a school. The more alums/families participating in the Northwood Fund, the stronger the institution is. It demonstrates that our constituents care deeply about their school and are invested in making the school a priority of their philanthropic efforts.

How many new donors did Ring the Bell generate?

Last year we had 262 alumni, parents, grandparents, students, faculty, and friends of the school participate in Ring the Bell. This year we had 418 donors participate, an increase of 156 new donors (59%). Given that we wanted to get 400 donors, we feel that the day was successful. We also raised over $436,000 on the day.

What did you learn from this year’s Ring the Bell?

Ring the Bell affirmed that Northwood School is fortunate to have such a dedicated philanthropic base of alumni, parents, grandparents, students, faculty, and friends of the school. It gives me hope that we can continue to bring our past alumni into the fold so that they can be proud of their school and invest in the future of our students.

It’s Spring Break, and Northwood Students are Going Around the Globe!

Beginning March 31st, the Northwood community is starting our long-awaited spring break! After a long first half of the semester and the end of all winter sports and their successful seasons we will embark on a two weeklong break. Here are some examples of where just a few students and teachers will travel.

Lawson Sorokan ’24 is visiting Toronto to see his family and friends.

Ms. Kelly Carter is going to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for her aunt’s 5th wedding with her husband and children.

Drew Donatello ’24 is going to Naples, Florida, with his parents.

Darryl Cooper ’25 is going to St Lucia with his parents and younger siblings.

Caroline Purcell ’24 is traveling with her boyfriend’s family to St Martin.

 

Morgan Smith ’24 will travel with her parents and siblings to Louisiana to visit her grandparents and aunts.

Markus Sumi ’24 is returning home to Toronto Canada.

Jozef Zilinec ’24 is going home to Slovakia to see his parents.

Sophia Schupp ’24 will compete in ski races in Aspen, Colorado, the first week and then continue her stay there, joined by her parents and brother.

Reid Fesette ’25 is traveling to Florida with his parents.

Hung Nguyen ’25 is flying to Denver, Colorado, by himself to explore the city.

Will Winemaster ’23 is returning home to Chicago to see his family.

Nori Fitzimmons ’24 is traveling with her friend’s family to the coast of California to see extended family.

Maegan Byrne ’24 will look at colleges and then go to Turks and Caicos with her family and younger siblings.

 

 

Good News Abounds from College Office

Northwood School’s social media feed has been abuzz with college acceptances recently. In no particular order, here’s a summary of the good news our seniors have received, compiled from those social media posts. Follow Northwood School on Facebook and Instagram for more news from the College Counseling Office.

Kaitlyn Cielo ’23
Assumption University
Giordan Gulati ’23
Lindenwood University, St. Cloud State University, Merrimack College, and University of Louisville
Olivia Duvall ’23
SUNY Albany, Elmira College, Albany College of Pharmacy, and University of South Florida
Finely Donahue ’23
Connecticut College, Wheaton College, and Rhodes College
Georgia Bailey ’23
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Audrey Bartlett ’23
Fairfield University, Le Monye College, and Siena College
Maisie Crane ’23
Lehigh University
Laura Sherman ’23
Lasell University, Lynn University, Thomas Jefferson University, Elmira College, and Moore College of Art and Design
Jazlyn Lluberes ’23
Seton Hall University, Marquette University, Seattle University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, and Villanova University
Mariema Thioubou ’23
St. Michael’s College, SUNY Geneseo, Marquette University, Suffolk University, and University of Connecticut
Ean Malay ’23
Gettysburg College
Bella Wissler ’23
Middlebury College
Kira Cook ’23
Fairfield University
Chloe Duvall ’23
Eckerd College and Florida Southern College
Mathis Nolet-Gagne ‘23
Allegheny College
Iva-Amanda Nelson ‘23
Columbia University
Tam Nguyen ’23
Syracuse University
Natalie Zarcone ’23
University of Vermont
Camden Abel ’23
University of New Hampshire, University of Maine, Providence College, and University of Rhode Island
Jackson Smith ’23
Merrimack College, SUNY Oswego, Clarkson University, and Providence College
Sophia Kelting ’23
University of New Hampshire
Chloe Lewis ’23
SUNY Plattsburgh
Turner Jackson ’23
College of Charleston
Kiet Do ’23
Lawrence University
Sebastien La Roche ‘23
Marquette University, Le Monye College, University of New England, and Creighton University.
Bailey Bartholomew ’23
Clarkson University, Nazareth College, Elmira College, SUNY Canton, SUNY Buffalo State.
Abigail Sinclair ’23
Davidson College
Jillian Clark ’23
Le Moyne College
Carter Day ’23
University of Montana, Colorado State University-Fort Collins, University of Colorado-Denver, SUNY Plattsburgh, Vermont State College- Castleton, University of Oregon, Colorado Mesa University, and Plymouth State University
Junyeop Lee ’23
Marquette University and Creighton University
James Schneid ’23
Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Nikolas Trakakis ’23
University of Maine
Brian Bette ’23
St. Michael’s College
Lucca Campagnani ’23
Ohio Wesleyan University
Aiden Lasky ’23
SUNY Geneseo
Henry Thorton ’23
SUNY Oswego
Cole Bauman ’23
Nazareth College and Niagara University
Noah Leddel ’23
University of Denver
Bjorn Lervick ’23
St. Olaf College and Johnson & Whales University
Santiago Salame ’23
Creighton University, Bryant University
Kirk Nguyen ’23
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Adria Tebo ’23
University of New England
Rafael Borlido ’23
Clemson University
Pedro Gonzales ’23
Rochester Institute of Technology
Joey Winthrop ‘23
Skidmore College
Paige Melicant ’22
Miami University of Ohio
Peppi DelliQuadri ‘22
Temple University
Leah DeFilippo ’22
St. Michael’s College and University of Denver
Kannon Flageolle ’21
Suffolk University
Nathan Kirschenbaum ’21
Niagara University, Salve Regina University, and UMass Lowell
Brendan Merriman ’21
Norwich University, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Oswego, Robert Morris University, St. Norbert College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Rochester Institute of Technology

 

Phone-a-Thon Connects Students, Alumni

Liz Creighton ’24 on the phone with Amelia Brady ’21 during the recent Ring the Bell alumni phone-a-thon. (Photo: Maisie Crane ’23)

Ring the Bell is one of the most significant events held annually at Northwood school, as it serves as a fundraiser for the annual fund. This fund helps pay for various experiences and activities that benefit Northwood students. By donating to the annual fund, individuals can provide Northwood students with more experiences and memories they will cherish forever.

In the weeks leading up to Ring the Bell, the advancement team, students, and faculty prepare for this important day of giving. The social media pages of Northwood are flooded with videos of students and faculty, reminding everyone about the upcoming event. Moreover, alums and people with connections to the school receive letters reminding them to contribute.

Jackson Smith ’23 (left) and Turner Jackson ’23 speak to alumni during the recent Ring the Bell alumni phone-a-thon. (Photo: Maisie Crane ’23)

On February 15th, the head of the annual fund, Thomas Broderick, or Brody, hosted a phone-a-thon at the Innovation Hub on Main Street. Five Northwood students from different cohorts, grades, and places came together to make calls, leave voicemails, and write emails to alumni, reminding them to donate to the annual fund on March 2nd.

Current ski racers were able to speak to graduated students. Liz Creighton ’24, a Northwood alpine skier, had the opportunity to call Amelia Brady ’21, an alpine skier currently attending the University of Virginia. Amelia stated that it was great to hear from a current student. She remembers her days at Northwood on Ring the Bell, working on the advancement council, connecting with alumni, and building connections. All student volunteers returned from the call-a-thon laughing about the funny conversations that lasted up to an hour with people who had graduated from Northwood many years ago. Thus, Ring the Bell raises money for the fund and brings back fond memories of Northwood school to people who may have forgotten the small things they experienced.

Izzy Boehm ’26 connects with alumni during the recent Ring the Bell alumni phone-a-thon. (Photo: Maisie Crane ’23)

On the day of Ring the Bell, all students during their English classes will bus to the hub and call and write an alum. Brody believes that bringing students into the school’s philanthropy process gives them access to connections and new life experiences for their future lives. This approach encourages students to realize the value of giving back to the community and building long-lasting relationships.

In summary, Ring the Bell is a day that represents the essence of Northwood School’s community. It brings students, faculty, and alumni together to support the annual fund, which helps students create memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. Additionally, it allows students to develop a sense of philanthropy, fostering their ability to make a difference in the world.

Click here to Ring the Bell for Northwood and show your support for the school’s continued success.

Humans of Northwood: Ms. Andrea Farrell

Originally born and raised in Lake Placid, Andrea Farrell grew up alpine skiing for NYSEF and exploring the Adirondack Park. Attending Middlebury college, she went to school with plans to attend medical school and become a doctor. But she had a change of heart and sought a different educational path. Ms. Farrell ended up graduating with a degree in environmental science with a focus on conservation biology. Within this degree, she grew comfortable teaching both math and science.

After Middlebury, Ms. Farrell moved to Tanzania for almost a year. She worked for the African Wildlife Foundation, a group focused principally on improving wildlife and the environment in Africa. Farrell returned to Lake Placid not intending to stay but got a job as a long-term substitute at the local public school. Shortly after, she worked full-time at another local private school, National Sports Academy or NSA. The school closed a few years later when Farrell taught a Northwood for one year.

Ms. Farrell and her husband Mike have three children: Charlie is 9, Peter is 7, and Katie is 5. Farrell returned to Northwood this fall after a nine-year hiatus from teaching when she raised her family and tutored local children in math. Now that her kids have grown a little older, Farrell is ready to get back into teaching.

Ms. Farrell teaches two sections of pre-calculus and is enjoying being back. She says the culture feels comfortable and familiar. She is getting to know the school again, as it has changed a lot since she last taught, and she hopes to continue working here for a long time.

She enjoys spending time in the region in her free time because her family is rooted here. She likes to run, swim, bike, and hike. She grew up skiing for NYSEF, so she spends her winter weekends on the slopes and at Mount VanHovenberg. She loves to travel domestically with her family. They have been all over the country. During the school’s January break, she plans to take her family to Costa Rica and explore and hopes to bring them back to Tanzini to reexplore her old home.

As told to Maisie Crane ’23. Photo provided.

Northwood Trustee Elected State Supreme Court Justice

Ms. Allison McGahay (photo provided).

Northwood School Trustee Allison McGahay was elected to the state Supreme Court in November, and she will be sworn in to serve a 14-year term next month. The New York State Supreme Court is the highest trial court in New York. It has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and hears cases involving contracts, torts, real estate, and criminal offenses. The New York State Supreme Court is organized into four judicial departments, each of which is responsible for hearing cases in a particular geographic area of the state. McGahay received the most votes of the six candidates who ran for the three open seats. She is the first woman to win a State Supreme Court seat in the 4th Judicial District, which encompasses the Adirondacks.

McGahay is a Lake Placid local who lives in town with her husband, Bill, and two young children, Liam and Grace. She has been a lawyer for 17 years and graduated from Albany Law school. In 2020, she joined the Northwood School Board of Trustees, where she serves on the legal committee.

McGahay began her election bid in 2021 and campaigned all over the state for over a year. She spent her days visiting small Adirondack towns and the Albany region. In the Adirondacks, her yard signs were ubiquitous.

Her jurisdiction ranges from north of Albany to the Canadian border. Once sworn in, she will split her time between Lake Placid, Elizabethtown (the seat of Essex County), and Albany.

She is a dedicated attorney, mother, Trustee, and now State Supreme Court Justice!

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