Mitchell Baker

Pink the Rink Weekend a huge success

November 14, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Kate Broderick ’22 (foreground) at the Pink the Rink game in October 2021 (Photo: Northwood School/Facebook).

The “Pink the Rink” event took place at the Lake Placid Olympic Center on Saturday, November 4. Pink the Rink is a student-led event that was created to spread awareness and raise money to fight breast cancer. Halle Mules ’24 and Owen Flynn ’24 came up with the idea and coordinated the successful event.

Throughout the school day, students were given opportunities to donate money to help the cause. The organizers also did a fantastic job marketing the games, and with the soccer teams in Lake Placid for the weekend, large crowds came to support the cause, all wearing pink.

Ritter Coombs ’25 said, “It was a great experience playing for a great cause. It was also fun looking at the crowd and seeing everyone united.”

Halle Mules, the captain of the Girls’ Hockey team, is a key student-leader at Northwood. “We did Pink the Rink to hopefully make this event a student-led tradition at Northwood,” Mules said. “We wanted to play for something bigger than ourselves. We also wanted to correlate this idea to this year’s theme of unity,” she added.

Unity is something that is very important to the culture at Northwood and is something leaders at this school are trying to achieve. Diego Green ’25 expressed, “It was a great idea. Seeing everyone come together to support something that is bigger than sport is beautiful. Even [soccer Head] Coach Moodey and his family came to support.”

Halle and Owen would not have been able to produce this event without the help of several teammates, teachers, and students. The community didn’t only come together during the event but also during the process of creating the event.

The event was one to remember and is something that will most certainly continue to be a tradition at Northwood. “The event went really well,” Mules said. “Everyone being able to come out and support something bigger than us shows the school culture is alive and well. A lot of kids donated, and a lot of kids learned more about breast cancer,” Mules added.

As the community continues to grow, more and more leaders are trying to stimulate change. Northwood encourages these students to do what Owen and Halle did because it only brings positivity to the community.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Seven Hockey Players Committed to Colleges

November 1, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Six girls’ hockey players are committed to colleges already. Photo of a recent lineup card by Mitchell Baker ’25.

As the 2023-24 school year has commenced, the hockey teams are off to a record-breaking start. Four girls have committed to top Division 1 and Division 3 programs that will put them on a positive trajectory in life. On the boys’ team, the first commit of the new year is Ritter Coombs ‘25. Ritter has committed to Providence University, a Division 1 hockey powerhouse.

“Committing” is a major goal for many athletes at Northwood. The most common answer to the question “Why did you come to Northwood?” is “to further my academic and athletic ability and one day attend a top university.” Coombs started his Northwood journey last year as a sophomore with the ambition to one day play Division 1 hockey.

“Committing to Providence and a Division 1 school is something I’ve been dreaming of my whole life. It means a lot to me and my family. All the money, time, and effort spent has paid off.” In men’s hockey, players commonly play a year or two of junior hockey before starting college. Committing as a junior in high school means Ritter could take his first step on campus any time in the next five years.

“I’m not exactly sure what’s next,” Coombs said. “I seem to have an opportunity to play in Dubuque next year for the Fighting Saints of the USHL. I could also come back to Northwood and play for Coach Mallaro. I am not sure when I will go to Providence. It depends on how I progress on the ice.”

Girls’ Hockey has four new commits, making a total of six committed players on its team. The two commits from the 2022-23 school year are Scout Oudemool ‘24 (Harvard University) and team captain Halle Mules ‘24 (Saint Lawerence University). The new commits are Katie Demers ‘24 (SUNY Oswego), Hilary Wilkin ‘25 (University of Vermont), Kristen Kiggen ‘24 (Long Island University), and Sofia DeAnzeris ‘25 (University of Vermont).

Demers is a 3-year senior who plays a crucial leadership role at the school on and off the ice. “The commits so far this year have been great for the program,” Demers said. “Sophia and Hilary are great pickups for UVM. I know they are looking forward to playing there. Kristen’s commitment to Long Island University is also a big deal. I don’t know much about LIU, but Kristen will do well anywhere. She plays an important role in our team culture, and I am sure she will thrive,” Demers added.

Demers was humble when she spoke about her own decision. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to play at SUNY Oswego. I have dreamed of playing hockey in college and can’t wait. I am thankful for everyone at Northwood and am now focused on putting my jersey in a better place for those who will come in the future.”

These major commitments continue to grow the reputation of both Northwood School and its hockey program.

Despite the positive news, a commitment to a university does not guarantee that a student will attend that college. A commitment to a program is verbal and is not legally binding, which means that, technically, either party can de-commit. When athletes commit, they have committed to the sports team at the program, meaning they still must apply for the school like everyone else. Many athletes, particularly at Division 1 programs, get a recommendation from the athletic department, meaning their grades don’t have to be on par with the average admitted student at that college. It is rare for a college to de-commit a player based on poor athletic performance. Colleges avoid this because it develops a poor reputation that will heavily impact them in later recruiting classes. The most common reason for a college to de-commit an athlete is when they drop their grades or conduct themselves poorly online or away from athletics.

Another misconception about committing is that the student-athletes can relax until they start college. This is not the case. The five hockey stars will have to continue to work hard on and off the ice to solidify their spot at their chosen university.

Northwood is so proud to have helped these students achieve their dreams and are optimistic for their future.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Uruguayan Student Watches His First-Every Hockey Game at the Olympic Center: Bucket List Location

November 1, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

This story is part of Editor-in-Chief Mitchell Baker’s ’25 series he’s calling “Bucket List Locations,” where he joins a student doing something or going someplace for the first time that every student should do or visit before graduating. Read other stories in the series here.

Camilo Pereda ‘25, from Uruguay, at his first hockey game. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25.

I took Camilo Pereda ‘25, a Uruguayan on the U19 soccer team, to watch his first hockey game at the famous Olympic Center. Every Northwood student needs to cheer on the Huskies at a home hockey game.

Lake Placid, the host city of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, has global recognition as a hockey town. Miracle is a famous movie that contributed to the global recognition and the history of hockey in this special town. I felt as if it was only right to take Camilo to watch the Prep team play in the Olympic Center.

The hockey game was played over Family Weekend, so several families and all sports teams were there to cheer the boys on. The buses to the game were packed, and several chants were led as students were excited to see the team play.

“I have never seen a hockey game, and I don’t understand the rules, but I am excited to learn more,” Pereda said. “In Uruguay, Ice hockey is almost unheard of. I knew it was a sport, but I have never seen anyone play or watch it.”

Camilo comes from a very soccer-focused background. In Uruguay, soccer is life. Everyone lives to watch or play soccer, no matter who you are. Camilo was surprised to learn about the cultural differences in the U.S. Hockey in Lake Placid is like soccer in Uruguay.

The student section at a recent Prep game vs. Stanstead College. The Huskies won 5-0. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25

Hockey will always play a special role in uniting this school and this town. People from all over the world come together to enjoy a physical game whilst supporting their team with immense amounts of passion.

“I was shocked to see how it united all the different sports teams at Northwood,” Camilo said. “Most of us had no idea what was going on, but we screamed for every play like our life depended on it.”

This year’s school theme is Unity, which has been something Northwood has struggled to pride itself on in a while. The constant travel for the variety of teams makes it difficult to create that school unity. All the activities that force unity benefit the community but ultimately are nowhere near as unifying as the hockey games. Sport brings people together in unthinkable ways. The unification experienced at a hockey game is what makes the event so special.

“My experience was unbelievable. I celebrated goals with people I would normally not talk to. For moments, I really felt like the school was united, which is an experience that money can’t buy,” Camilo added.

The Prep team won the game 5-0 against Stanstead and were ecstatic after the win. Camilo concluded the evening by saying, “I am grateful that I was able to experience this form of unity and sport. It is something I would never have experienced back in Uruguay, so I am very grateful.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People Tagged With: BucketList

Bucket List Location: Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery

October 12, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

This year, The Mirror is launching a new series called “Bucket List Locations.” A bucket list location is a place or an event every student should visit or do before they graduate to take advantage of Northwood and the Lake Placid region. A member of The Mirror Staff and I will be taking a new student to a Bucket List Location almost every week for the rest of the school year.

Elise Frasher ’25 ordering at Emma’s. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25.

Elise Frasher ’25 with her cone outside of Emma’s. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25.

Through the series, we hope to share the extraordinary activities we can experience in Lake Placid with the greater Northwood community. Our goal is to encourage other students to step out of their comfort zone and maximize their Northwood experience before they graduate.

Machai Davis ‘25 and I took Elise Fraser ‘25 to the famous “go-to ice cream spot,” Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery this week. Emma’s is famous for its large portions and delicious options. Elise’s first reaction when we told her she would be going to Emma’s was surprising, she said, “Emma’s? What is that?” Elise is a new student from Sweden. She arrived in Lake Placid only a month ago, meaning she hasn’t ticked off a single Bucket List Item. We knew she would be a great candidate for the inaugural Bucket List article.

The trip to town was short but allowed us to learn more about Elise and Swedish culture. Elise came to Northwood to progress her academic and athletic career to a level that would allow her to attend college in the United States. “I’m not really sure what my dream school is, but I love the Ivy League schools,” Elise shared.

Another thing we learned is that the Swedish love ice cream. According to Elise, Sweden is the world’s biggest sweet eater and Europe’s biggest ice cream consumer. “Ice cream and sweets are very popular back home, which means I am picky about ice cream. I don’t like ice cream that isn’t top quality because of what I’m used to in Sweden.”

After the short walk, we enjoyed some long-awaited Emma’s ice cream. Elise’s favorite flavor is cookie dough, so she ordered two scoops on a waffle cone. Machai and I were nervous that she wouldn’t like the ice cream because of the high standards of Swedish ice cream. We made Emma’s sound like ice cream heaven, which it is to most of us, but would it be ice cream heaven for her?

“The ice cream was great. I really enjoyed the texture and the large portion. I also liked the service and the shop. It felt like home almost!” Elise loved it even more than anticipated.

Elise concluded the trip by saying, “I will definitely visit Emma’s again, and this is something that I feel like all students must experience. I had no idea about Emma’s. Now, I am a huge fan. This experience makes me wonder about the other hidden activities in Lake Placid.”

This was the first destination on the Bucket List and was immensely successful. We encourage all students to take a relaxing walk down to town and enjoy some delicious ice cream at Emma’s.

Next time around we will be taking a new student to experience a more nature-themed activity, stay tuned!

Filed Under: Northwood Life Tagged With: BucketList

AFL: Collingwood Wins the 2023 AFL Grand Final

October 11, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Staff writer and Collingwood Superfan Mitch Baker ’25 (photo provided)

The Pies won! The 2023 Australian Rules Football Grand Final was won by the Collingwood Football Club (The Magpies or “The Pies”) in what has been described as the best final ever against the Brisbane Lions. In the end, Collingwood won by a slender margin of 4 points in a see-sawing battle that saw the lead change several times. The final score was 90 to 86, and it came down to the final seconds.

Collingwood has been known as a team that wins the close ones, and after losing a key player to a concussion early in the match, were up against it in hot conditions. The temperature was the highest ever for a Grand Final (Spring) at 85 degrees.

The 70’s/80’s band KISS provided the musical entertainment prior to the game with their hits “I was Made for Loving You” and “I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night” and did a great job on what was their last tour of Australia in front of the 100,024 people in the crowd.

Texan Mason Cox is now the only American who has won an AFL Premiership. And my idol, Scott Pendelbury, dominated in the last quarter despite being the oldest player on the ground. It was because of him that I developed a left foot!

Collingwood’s Coach, Craig McRae, took the role two years ago and has brought a change in culture and attitude. His mantra has been to create winning habits and do them daily. He’s told the players to focus on the moments and has encouraged a family environment at the club. As a result, the players are enjoying their football, and the team spirit and belief have carried them across the line.

I started supporting Collingwood as a kid, and whilst they won a Premiership in 2010, I was too young to remember it. But I go to games when I’m at home and will savor this win, as will my family!

Go Pies!

Filed Under: Sports

Collingwood Takes on Brisbane in Highly Anticipated Australian Rules Football Grand Final

September 29, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Illustration: AFL

The Australian Rules Football season is reaching its peak with the Grand Final of the Professional Australian Football League (AFL) on Saturday, September 30 (2:30 p.m. Melbourne time / Sat 12:30 a.m. New York time).

“Aussie Rules,” or “Footy” as it’s colloquially known, is a highly physical contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field with the objective being to kick an oval-shaped ball between the center two poles of four (a goal).

The Grand Final will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a packed crowd of 100,000 spectators. The day before the grand final is a public holiday in Melbourne.

The 2022 TV broadcast was the most-watched program, with nearly 6 million viewers domestically.

Footy is a great sport to watch as the game is a fast-running game, not unlike soccer or basketball in terms of ball movement, where players can kick or handpass a ball to teammates. Highlights of the match include players leaping in the air on the shoulders of their opponents to catch the ball (“take a mark or a speccy”), chasing an opponent and tackling them to the ground, or threading the needle from an acute angle to kick a goal. When there are 100,000 people in the stands cheering the atmosphere is electric, and fans cheer on mass to berate the umpire when they think a decision has gone the wrong way. There is no padding, and players can be hit from any direction so it’s not a game for the weak.

This year, the finalists are:

Collingwood Football Club (Magpies)

Illustration: AFL

The “Pies” have made it to their 45^th Grand Final after beating the Greater Western Sydney Giants in a nail-biting Preliminary final on Friday night by 1 point. 97,655 fans attended the MCG, and when the siren went to end the game, the noise was deafening. My friend Andy Smith was there and commented, “Best game ever, it was crazy! It was so loud; I’ve never heard anything like it.” GWS had won their last 11 games straight, and as the newest team in the league with a new coach, it would have been a fairy tale for them to win the Grand Final. However, Collingwood, who finished the season on the top of the ladder, held strong in a high-pressure game. American Mason Cox played well, kicking the goal to put them ahead in the 3^rd quarter.

Match highlights.

Brisbane Football Club (Lions)

Illustration: AFL

The Brisbane Lions finished second on the ladder from the home and away matches and defeated Carlton in the other Preliminary final on Saturday to advance to the Grand Final. Brisbane defeated Collingwood in the 2002 and 2003 Grand finals.

Collingwood’s forward (like a striker in soccer) sustained a knee injury on Friday and will miss the Grand Final. Despite this, Collingwood is a slight favorite to win the big event.

In the US, Fox Sports will cover the game. Who’s going to join me to watch and cheer for my beloved Pies to win?

Filed Under: Sports

New Academic Schedule Has Fans and Foes

September 26, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Drew Donatello ’25 (left) and Jack Spiegel ’24 study the new schedule posted in the school’s lobby (Photo: Mr. John Spear).

As the 2023-2024 school year has commenced, returning students are adjusting to a new academic schedule, and the diverse opinions are causing major debates on campus. The school year has only just begun, so students and faculty are still yet to see how this schedule plays out when travel for sports becomes hectic. Mrs. Carmichael plays an influential role every year in the modification of the schedule, she expressed, “We tend to change our schedule each year. It is an annual thing to tweak it and make it better. Around here it’s a pretty regular thing.” The annual schedule modifications always creates a debate at the start of every school year.

The major change in the new schedule is the return of classes on Fridays. Last year, Northwood decided to remove Friday classes for the first time because athletes were often absent due to travel and Friday classes were regularly half-empty. Mrs. Carmichael said, “The Friday schedule was very chaotic and was exceedingly difficult for non-student athletes, which is about 20% of our population. We did some further analysis on when teams travel and found that it was common for teams to leave earlier in the week than Friday, which didn’t make sense for the schedule.”

“I thought no Friday class last year was perfect for athletes,” said Lokoah Paye ’25, a soccer player. “Having no class meant I didn’t fall behind at all and on free weekends it gave me time to get ahead.”

Not everyone agrees. “Friday classes are important,” argued Sachiel Ming ’23, a teammate of Paye’s. “Missing a day of class each week will compound and put us at a disadvantage for big assessments like the AP exams. It can be challenging at times to manage class and travel, but I strongly believe it is better for the Northwood community. Friday class is normal everywhere else in the world, so hearing returning students complain about it is almost absurd. It is still early in the year, but the schedule has been fine.”

Another interesting change to the schedule is the addition of the lab blocks for math, writing, and science. This year, there are labs on Tuesdays from 9:50 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:35 to 1:55 p.m. Students can use these lab times to meet with teachers and catch up or get ahead on work. Science teachers will also hold practical lab sessions every second week during these periods. This allows teachers to dive into more detail with their lab teachings because of the longer allotment of time. A normal 45-minute class doesn’t allow students to experience a professional lab experience.

Ming appreciates the Tuesday labs. “I like this change to the schedule because these labs act as a Flex class, which is extremely beneficial during the busy parts of the season,” he said. Some students have observed that the lab change almost seems as if it is a solution to traveling athletes missing Friday classes.

Initial reviews of science labs have been positive. “The science lab was really great last Tuesday. I felt I learned a lot more and enjoyed the lab a lot more than previous years,” added Noah Moodey ’25.

Faculty have also had their opinions on the new schedule, Mrs. Carmichael said, “I can tell you for a fact that the math and science departments are very happy. As with anything, there are a variety of opinions especially within the faculty, but so far, I haven’t received any complaints.”

All returning students have an opinion and are talking about the new schedule change. Even if they don’t love the schedule change, there seems to be a lot of optimism about the new school year. The school community will soon find out if the new schedule is more sustainable than the popular “no Friday” class schedule.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Senior Leaders Share Advice

May 18, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Every year, a new senior class is granted the opportunity to influence and guide the next generation through leadership roles and leading by example in the Northwood community. The ’23 class has taken this opportunity to the next level.

“This year, the senior class has made everyone more involved in the community,” observed Sachiel Ming ’24. “They have done a better job in promoting more diversified friendship groups. I have learnt a lot more about the hockey and ski teams this year, and it has been a great experience,” Ming added.

The class of 2023 is composed of countless leaders from all teams, and their leadership has positively shaped our community. It will truly be noticeable when they leave. Their Northwood experiences provide wisdom like no other, and help younger students strive for more, throughout their Northwood journey. Members of this senior class will be commencing their college life at top universities such as Northwestern, Columbia, and Yale.

Turner Jackson ’23 is a three-year senior who will attend Northwestern University next year. Turner is a role model at Northwood and has inspired many students to strive as he has done. His personality is renowned at Northwood, and he is known to be a kind man who will always be there to help. His advice to Northwood students is, “Enjoy the process. Take everything one step at a time. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and put yourself out there. You have so many opportunities, so make the most of them.”

Jackson also reflected on his journey and regretted not taking enough time to get to know everyone. He acknowledged that often, students cling to their sports groups and don’t venture out. He wishes he had spent more time with other remarkable individuals at school. Turner, an international student from Hong Kong who came to Northwood to reach his goal of attending a top university, has been at the school for three years and reflected on his time here, expressing, “My Northwood experience has been unique. Everyone will have their setbacks and successes. My experience has been nothing short of that. It has prepared me for the next stage of life.”

Another role model senior is Thebe Mosehathebe. Thebe is a four-year senior who will attend Hobart College next year to pursue his passion for soccer. Thebe has constantly worked to improve the culture at Northwood School and has mentored younger students. He believes the most impactful advice he could give is to, “Live in the moment. Enjoy every day and see it as another opportunity to learn something new. Speak to the hockey girls, go out to town with the skiers, laugh with hockey boys, and get to know the independents. There are so many different types of people who come from different backgrounds, and there’s a lot to learn from them,” Thebe said.

“Get to know the faculty as well,” Thebe added, including the cleaning staff, the administrative team, and the kitchen staff. There are a lot of great people at Northwood, and all it takes is opening up and being friendly to learn a thing or two.”

Thebe also reflected on how he could have used his time at Northwood differently, expressing, “I wish I had gotten to know more people earlier each year. In my experience, you get to know a lot of interesting and fun individuals only at the end of the year, which makes me wish I had known them much earlier.”

Northwood students often neglect the opportunity to socialize with people from all over the world, and the diversity of Northwood is something that makes the school special. Students should capitalize on this. Thebe began his hectic Northwood journey as a freshman and emotionally reflected on his time at Northwood, saying, “It has been an amazing journey. I have experienced tremendous personal growth over the years, and I believe I have become a more well-rounded individual. I have forged many enduring relationships and have endeavored to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I can only express my gratitude to Northwood for shaping me into the person I am today.”

Northwood extends its heartfelt appreciation to this year’s senior class for their resilience and leadership. Thebe and Turner are exemplary role models at Northwood who have truly impacted this school. Northwood encourages all students to depart knowing that they have influenced the Northwood community for the better. With not much time remaining until our seniors bid their final farewell to Northwood, seize this opportunity to learn as much as possible and heed the advice given by Turner and Thebe. We will deeply miss our seniors and wish them the very best of luck in all their future endeavors.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

U19s Win Soccer Showcase; U17s Take 3rd

May 9, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

The U19 Team won the showcase. Photo provided.

Northwood recently hosted the Black Rock Spring Soccer Showcase. Teams from all over North America came to Northwood School to showcase their talent in front of top colleges. Several coaches left the showcase happy because of the high-standard games and the well-run program. The U19 and U17 Northwood teams competed hard and played in 4 intense games. The U19 team sought to defend its title on home turf after triumphantly winning the previous Northwood Invitational. The U17s were determined to avenge their previous effort to win the Northwood Invitational, where they, unfortunately, lost in the final in penalties. Northwood faculty and students were eager to support both teams and did so passionately.

The U19s started the weekend with a 1-0 victory against Pro Stars Fc. Sachiel Ming ’24 scored a beautiful left-footed goal in the first 10 minutes of the game. The hockey boys showed superb support and celebrated with the players after the potent goal. The game slowed after the first goal, and the U19 held on and won 1-0. The U19s then took on Riberio Moojen SPU for their day’s final match. The support decreased from the Northwood community due to the inclement weather, but that did not affect the team. The boys won 1-0 with a classy finish from Andreas Viteri ’23.

Sachiel Ming expressed, “The first day of the showcase was heaven. We were determined to put on a show in front of our fans, and we did. Playing in front of fans gives you that extra boost to work harder. The Northwood community was like a 12^th man with its support.”

The team dominated the last day of the showcase, winning its first game against Western Reserve 1-0 and its second 3-0 against Burlington Football Club. Cedric Lemaire proclaimed, “The team was excellent on our home turf. We entered a flow state as a team and were unstoppable.” The U19s defended its title, going undefeated without conceding a goal. They excelled in the previous Northwood Invitational and continued their impressive home form.

The U17 team started the weekend extremely slow, losing 2-0 against St. Anthony Futuro SC. The team started the game off lethargically, and the score line reflected it. Lohkoah Paye ’25, Co-Captain stated, “We started off terribly. We weren’t playing like us, and the team morale was low. St Anthony took advantage of that and capitalized early to put the game to bed. We picked our form up later in the game, but it was just too late.” The second game started much better for the U17s, as they took the lead early, with Mitchell Baker ’25 scoring off a Jace Donowa ’25 cross. They, however, didn’t hold the lead as the game continued and drew 1-1. Sam Rudy, a skier who watched the game, said, “The 17s played a lot better in the second game. They came out stronger and scored a nice goal. Unfortunately, the other team scored a banger which was almost impossible to save, but the 17s looked a lot better than I expected.” The U17 team was disappointed with their results after the first day because it put them in the 3^rd and 4^th playoff, not the final. They played the semifinal for the 3^rd and 4^th playoff against Immaculate Heart School (IHC), a familiar rival. It was IHC who won the previous Northwood Invitational. The U17 team was out for revenge and took this game personally.

Coach Martinez analyzed IHC’s game plan and changed the team’s formation and press. Coach Martinez deserves much credit for this tactical change because the team won the game. The team came out strong pressing hard. IHC didn’t know what to do, and the boys finally broke through with 10 minutes left. Diego Green ’25 scored off a Jace Donowa cross. Diego celebrated passionately, and the lads were experiencing pure joy. Later in the game, Baker scored a cheeky goal chipping the goalkeeper off a Hamish Riddle ’26 through ball. The game ended 2-0, and the team got their revenge.

The win secured a start in the playoffs for 3^rd place against Pro Stars FC. The game was immensely scrappy due to tired legs and heavy rain. Both teams were exhausted but battled hard but couldn’t find the back of the net. The team was preparing for a penalty shootout, but with 3 seconds to go, Baker scored a header from an AJ Etumnu ’25 corner. The team went crazy and stormed the pitch, celebrating the victory. The U17s weren’t happy with 3^rd place but were pleased with their performance on the second day.

Both teams competed hard over the weekend and entertained a passionate crowd. Northwood School held another successful event and would like to thank all teams and coaches who made the trip to compete over the weekend. The community loves hosting games for the teams and looks forward to many more successful showcases.

The U17 team took 3rd place in the showcase. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Spring Mountain Day a Hit

May 8, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Scene from Spring Mountain Day 2023. Photo: Provided.

On the 28^th of April, Northwood held its annual Mountain Day, which had been postponed from the usual start of the year due to horrendous weather. Students were disappointed about the event’s postponement but were thrilled to get the opportunity to participate.

Mountain Day has been an annual event at Northwood for over 45 years. Retired teacher and outing club director Don Mellor, an expert in outdoor activities, started Mountain Day and is responsible for this remarkable event. The event allows the Northwood community to engage in the Adirondack experience as students climb and hike through the beautiful mountain range surrounding the school.

Bobby O’Connor is the current head of the Northwood Outing Club (NOC) at Northwood and was in charge of Mountain Day this year. “This year’s Mountain Day was a modified version. It involved smaller mountains because of the timing. The trail conditions in the spring limited us to peaks below 500 feet. All in all, it was a really good day, and all the kids were able to get out and enjoy the peaks,” O’Connor said.

Mountain Day was also a good opportunity for kids to experience the NOC program. NOC is growing at Northwood and has been embraced by many students over the years. “Mountain Day is definitely one of the staples of the NOC program and is something we look forward to every year. It originated with Don Mellor, who is now retired from the school, but had such a strong presence here and his influence has really made Mountain Day huge for us. It is like the Super Bowl for the NOC program,” O’Connor said.

Several students were impressed with the experience and are looking to join the NOC program post-Mountain Day. Cedric Lemaire ’24 remarked, “It is hard to participate in NOC activities because of the rigorous soccer season, but now that the season is coming to an end, I am looking forward to potentially participating in NOC.”

Mountain Day is a great opportunity to experience the Adirondacks and a unique opportunity to get to know different people. It is usually at the start of the year, so it helps new kids settle in. A criticism of Northwood is different teams don’t often mix with each other, and it is a real problem. The athletic diversity in friendship groups is poor, as most athletes hang out with teammates from their own sport, which doesn’t create a family vibe within the school. On Mountain Day, the groups are randomized so people from all backgrounds and sports are forced to talk to each other. This was apparent this year.

“I usually don’t talk to many of the soccer kids on the U17 team, but I was in a group with two players on Mountain Day and I loved it,” Sam Rudy ’23 said. “I got to learn more about the hockey program and the people in it. I enjoyed the mixed groups and look forward to next year’s event,” Hamish Riddel ’26 said.

Mountain Day was a huge success this year. It is important to recognize all the hard work Bobby O’Connor and the other staff members put into the organization of the day. The Northwood community loved it and can’t wait for the next one!