Natalie Gaeckle

The Senior Skip Day Tradition

May 2, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Every year, seniors at Northwood, along with many others in schools across the nation, hold a “senior skip day.” Senior skip day is normally planned on a sunny day, where seniors can enjoy the weather and take a break before the end-of-year finals and AP exams. This year, the Head’s Council proposed senior skip day to be on Friday, May 2^nd. While most schools across the country have seniors simply skipping a day of school and splitting off into separate groups to go to the beach, city, or any other fun function, Northwood students have a bit more planned for the day.

Before a week of STEM and Humanities symposiums, AP exams, finals, rehearsals, and garbage clean-up efforts for Earth Day stacked up on the week of May 4th, seniors pray for warm weather on the Friday before to enjoy a nice, relaxing day. On Friday, the breakfast will be chocolate chip pancakes, a nice treat to start off the day. Then, starting around 10 am, there will be a slip n slide on a small hill near Berg dorms. There was also be spike ball with music playing all around, a perfect environment to just have fun with friends. Nearing the end of the day, most seniors in co-cos can skip and take a hike up the Cobble Hill Trail to enjoy a senior sunset. The hike will be an especially memorable one as Cobble Hill is a staple in the Northwood community. It is used for many purposes, from leisurely hikes with friends to training and pre-season workouts. It has also been used in the past in STEM projects for students monitoring wildlife in the Adirondacks. It is a very special place with many memories, and now that the snow has finally melted, it is a perfect time for the senior class to take advantage of the nature around them and take one of their last hikes up it.

Senior skip day is a tradition in many schools, but at Northwood, it’s an opportunity to bond with fellow seniors and reminisce about their time here. It lets students reflect on Northwood’s special and personal community. While it doesn’t officially mark the end of the year, it does mark the beginning of the end-of-year senior festivities. Two weeks after this, there will be a senior dinner, the commencement ceremony, and the final celebration with families and close friends.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

Prom Preview

April 17, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

As spring comes up, spirits are rising, and students begin to prepare for the many end-of-year activities. For seniors, this time of year is also one of the most important, as their final prom and formal approach, along with senior dinner and graduation. All of these events require planning ahead of time, especially prom, which is being held earlier in the year on Saturday, April 26^th, instead of May after finals, as it has been since 2021.

Ms. Donatello, who runs student activities, along with Ms. Riffle, are the two main faculty members who have been planning the event. Alongside them, there are students Jesse Schoch ‘25 and Sophia DeAnzeris ’25 helping with the planning and possibly adding events for the night. They can aid in bringing different perspectives and ideas. Instead of in front of the school under a tent, the prom festivities will be in the Lussi Ballroom at the Convention Center. This is an area in the Lake Placid Olympic Center, which adds a cool historical connection to the prom location. Additionally, an off-campus accommodation had to be found this year, due to the muddy conditions that would be dealt with had it been in front of the school again during the middle of spring, and the options were limited as venues do not hold events anymore and were too costly.

One difference in the planning this year compared to last, according to Ms. Donatello, is that they are working with a catering service that is able to offer more. Hopefully, the food options will be more accommodating with all different kinds of diets, as well as being more diverse altogether for people to have healthy and tasty options. The food service is also becoming much more “streamlined,” so instead of pulling together different courses from different caterers, it all comes from one and is a lot more organized.

2025 Prom is expected to go well, with many new things happening. Some students are disappointed that the dance will not be right outside of the school as is traditional, but because of all the early work that is being put into planning, it is bound to be a fun night. Many students can be expected to wear spring colors and flowy dresses, as most have already purchased their outfits.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

STEM Project Explores Link Between Agility and Cognitive Ability

March 20, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Northwood offers a variety of unique classes that allow students to self-direct their projects. Whether it’s science, entrepreneurship, or study-based, there is always a class where students create their curriculum and pace with a project. One of these classes is STEM Research, taught by Jill Walker. In this class, students can work in pairs or individually to create a plethora of projects, including studying athletes’ hydration levels, recovery methods, fruit fly nutrition, animal patterns in the Adirondacks, or simply testing whether they can build working prosthetic arms and renewable energy sources.

Cara Dempsey ’25

Teegan Wardlaw ’25

One specific project, undertaken by Cara Dempsey ’25 and Teegan Wardlaw ’25, both 4-year seniors, involves testing multiple sports teams to assess their different abilities and determine if there is any association with the skill sets required for their respective disciplines. In their words, their project is “about comparing the physical and cognitive skills that are acquired through the three different sports at Northwood.” Additionally, as both Cara and Teegan are alpine skiers, they sought to explore the athletic differences between various sports and their training schedules. They took advantage of the strong sports school environment to showcase the athletic differences in categories such as agility, speed, and more through their tests.

Because most STEM projects must wrap up data collection and building before spring break to allow for finishing poster writing and printing immediately after returning, students are wrapping up their process and creating conclusions based on their data. Cara and Teegan are a part of that group as they finish up data collection on a pool of about 25 athletes across the disciplines. When they are done, they will compare the data to make their final assessment.

With their project approaching completion, Cara and Teegan can reflect on the actual impact of their work, especially when they participate in a showcase in Lake Placid at Northwood Schools’ HUB building. When asked about the impact their project would have on a larger audience, the girls replied, “We think it’s important for people to understand how each sport differs from others and how important sports are in general to teenage development.”

Those connections are essential in recognizing strengths rather than weaknesses, as each sport emphasizes different skills. As Cara and Teegan wrap up their studies, they look forward to showing off their work in early May.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Huskies Fare Well at Alpine U16 States

March 12, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Last week, the U16 Alpine State Championships were held at Whiteface Mountain, not only giving our Northwood and NYSEF athletes a home advantage but also allowing them to be more comfortable overall on the hill during the three-day event, which included Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super G events. This weekend turned out to be extremely successful, with Northwood athletes nearly sweeping the top 10 spots in every event.

From states, the top athletes advance to either Easterns or Finals: the first batch of 7 or so people go to Easterns, while the next 7 places qualify for Finals. While Easterns is a level above Finals, both fields are extremely competitive, including the top athletes in the age bracket in the region. One difference between both groups, however, is that good performance at Easterns allows skiers to qualify for Nationals, of course, given the name, a nationwide event bringing together the best U16 skiers in the country for competition. This is very different from the U18 Nationals qualifications, which are mainly based on points accumulated throughout the season instead of one race series determining placement.

While Northwood and NYSEF athletes had a home hill advantage, it would be nothing without the dedication and tireless training from themselves and dozens of coaches. Most of the season’s training comes down to states, which pretty much concludes the fast-paced season.

The list of Northwood athletes qualified for Easterns for the women includes: Maika Beaudoina ’27, Riley Ward ’27, Ollie Boutelle ’28, Bella Cummings ’27, and Georgie Larkin ’28. For the men, Hudson Marshall ’27, Luke Wardlaw ’28, and Will Carou-Jones ’27.

The Finals men’s team of Northwood students includes Emmett Fox ’27 and Charlie Fox ’27. We wish both teams the best of luck in their races.

Filed Under: People, Sports

Kuder Competing in U18 National Alpine Championships

March 3, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Sydney Kuder ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Following a successful weekend in Sugarbush Mountain, Vermont, winning (and getting a personal best) in one giant slalom race and 2^nd U18 overall at the second, Sydney Kuder ’25 is in Aspen for the U18 National Alpine Championships. This is an event where only a certain number of athletes from each region qualify based on a point qualification system, so this achievement is a massive one in the competitive world of alpine skiing. I caught up with Sydney before she left for a brief interview.

Natalie Gaeckle ‘25: What are you most excited/worried about?

Sydney Kuder ‘25: I’m most excited to ski in Colorado again, in really nice, sunny weather, and for the snow conditions. I’m also excited to train before racing and then, of course, for the racing itself because I know it’s going to be really competitive and fun. I’m a little worried because I don’t know that many people out here, but I’m hoping I can make new friends, which is a little scary but new.

Is it your first time in Aspen? And do you think it’s going to be different from Copper?

It is my first time in Aspen. I don’t think it’s going to be that different from Copper, but I definitely think it’s going to be different in the sense that I’m here to race and not just to train. So, I’m going to be kind of in a different mindset the whole time. It’s also different because it’s almost March, and Copper is always like a preseason type of trip.

What is your goal for these races?

Honestly, I don’t really have much of a goal. I kind of just want to experience it. It’s my first time competing at the national level, and I’m just hoping to have a good time. And I don’t really have a set goal. I’m just going to try my best and see what I can do.

What is your pre-race routine or ritual?

I feel like I’ve really gotten good at my skiing routine, and that’s gotten different as seasons have gone on. It’s not too intense, but it’s structured. After I wake up, I like to have a good breakfast, and I always have a cup of coffee to wake myself up. Then I’ll do my warmup in the lodge, and after I’ll go out to inspect and then take one to two free runs. My number of runs depends on how long the chairlift is, how much time I have between the race runs, and how long the trail is in general. And then, once I’m done with that, I go back inside, and I eat a lot of candy because it helps me get quick sugar and energy, and it helps me feel better overall before my race. Then, when I go for my run, I like to have my air pods in to hone myself in and get locked in at the top. I’ll also visualize the course a lot after inspection and before I run. And then at the top, I do my like activation, like my previous warm up/stretches, have some good, positive self-talk, and finally I send it.

Was this a goal of yours this season?

This was definitely a goal of my season. I’m happy that I accomplished it and that I’m able to be in Aspen this year.

Filed Under: People, Sports, Top Story

Humans of Northwood: Maya Wissler ‘25

March 3, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Maya Wissler ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“Right now, my college plans were to hopefully go to a good college for nursing, become a nurse, and then become a pediatric nurse/practitioner. But recently, I’ve been thinking about possibly taking a gap year, traveling and visiting different parts of the world, and then going to college to become a nurse if that’s still something I want to do.

“My favorite thing about Northwood is probably the number of opportunities I have had while being here. I think that part of that is the LEAP program and being able to go to Japan and St. Lucia. I was also able to go to Puerto Rico, so I’ve had life-changing experiences all over. I also love the best friends I’ve met here, and I’ll be sad to leave next year.

“I think my friends would describe me as a person who’s not afraid to be themself, and someone who is always laughing and happy.

“My favorite memory growing up is probably going to my grandparents’ house on Upper Saranac Lake with my family. Going on the boat, tubing, playing games, watching the sunset, swimming, and doing anything there made me grow and become the person I am today. My family is close, and staying there helped us be closer and helped me learn a lot.

“My favorite hobby is probably dancing. I dance every day of the week at a studio. I also love baking, and since I’m vegan, it’s become something I’m very passionate about and can experiment and have fun with. I like to make the most of my meals. I’ve also rediscovered my love for skiing recently. I skied a lot when I was growing up but stopped for a good eight years, and then with the Japan LEAP, I fell in love with it, and I’m excited to learn how to get better and do it again.”

As told to Natalie Gaeckle ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Julianne Brochu ‘25

February 11, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

“In the future, I want to pursue skiing and hopefully go to a good college where I can also pursue my academic career. And I could link those two together, go to a day one ski team and, yeah, just pursue academics, I guess, and after that, live life wherever the wind brings me

“I really, really love, like, folk, like R and B kind of music, like soft bags. And I really, really like the Lumineers, and my favorite song is Stubborn Love by the Lumineers. But on race days, I go with Tupac.

“My favorite part about Northwood is probably the schedule and how teachers are so accommodating to us traveling. So that’s definitely a plus, having them care so much about our academics and when we’re on trips and stuff.

“If people were to describe me in three words, I think they’d go with bubbly, persevering, and a foodie.

“When I was little, pre-COVID, I was 11/12, ish, I used to go to summer camp for a month, and it was in Maine, and that’s where I learned English, mostly, and other things. And I went there for three years and it was really fun. And that’s my favorite memory, just like the whole camp. It was no phones. But that’s like, back when, like, I didn’t have a phone yet, so it didn’t even matter. That’s where I learned to do kind of everything. We would have a bunch of activities. I would rock climb and water ski, so I learned a bunch of cool activities to do. It was nice. I also met a lot of good friends there that I still am connected to.”

As told to Natalie Gaeckle ’25. Photo by Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Marie-Jeanne “Midge” Cazes ‘25

February 10, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

“I came to Northwood because my friend Julianne [Brochu ‘25] was here. She explained how much she liked Northwood, so it inspired me to see what it offered.

“I’m a skier, so I like to go outside and move around, like going for a walk. I find it relaxing, especially when beautiful nature surrounds me.

“I enjoy drawing when I have free time. It helps me to forget about everything and wind down after stressful days. I can focus on my inspiration and nothing else when I draw.

“My favorite vacation is when my family and I go to Florida. I like this vacation because we are by the beach, and it’s the only time we are all together and don’t think about work, school, or any other problems.

“My plans for the future are to go to college and ski there if possible. Academically, though, I would like to study to be an architect or work in finance because I’m interested in those jobs. I’d also like to have my family around me more.”

As told to Natalie Gaeckle ‘25

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Alpine Skiing Early Season Update

January 17, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Slalom podium at Val St. Come. Julianne Brochu ’25 🥇U18/🥈Overall, Leann Aubut-Laurin ’26 🥉U18, and Cara Dempsey ’25 4th U18. Photo: Northwood/NYSEF (Instagram)

This past winter break, Northwood skiers of all levels have been training hard to return to race schedules and sweep podiums in races across New York State. Following a very stressful and busy last week of school during the 1st semester, FIS girls headed up to Stratton Mountain for a 4-day Eastern Cup series. Consisting of 2 giant slalom and two slalom races, every skier had to expend a lot of energy and recovery time to manage the constant active schedule. Overall, our athletes did very well across the board: Julianne Brochu ’25 and Leanne Aubut-Laurin ’26 won second and third U18, respectively, and 11th and 14th overall in the first slalom race. Julianne then won 1st U18 (7th and 8th overall) in the following second slalom and the first giant slalom.

Following this rigorous race schedule and winter break, the FIS girls’ team decided to focus on a giant slalom training block to stay home, get better, and keep up with schoolwork.

Immediately following New Year’s, the whole team was together for a USSA race at Whiteface, then scattered to different races and plans for the following days. FIS women had another 4-day (that ended up being a 3-day) eastern cup series at Whiteface, while the U16s traveled to West and Bellayre Mountain, another NYSEF branch, to compete in the Sports Page Cups.

Here is a recap of the results from @northwoodnysef’s Instagram page:

Finally, the last event that just occurred for the FIS boys’ team was a travel race to Okemo where, on day 1, Charles Leduc ’25 got 12th place with the fastest second run, and Lucas Smith ’26 got 19th place overall with a new personal best. On the second day, Marcos Alvarez ‘26 got 20th place overall, and Luke Salibello ’25 achieved a new personal best.

Considering that FIS and USSA races have gotten increasingly competitive, these achievements are very impressive for all athletes and just another step in the process to success in their later athletic endeavors. Even before winter break, FIS women were stacked on the podium at Sunday River, Maine and Val St Come in Canada.

As the ski season really begins to pick up, likely, the teams will only go up from here!

Filed Under: Sports

Ski Teams Head to Colorado and Switzerland

November 12, 2024 by Natalie Gaeckle

Training hill at Copper Colorado. Photo provided.

Beginning November 10, almost the entire Northwood alpine ski team will be departing for Copper Mountain Colorado (U18s) and Saas Fee, Switzerland (U16s). Just like earlier this year in Valle Nevado, Chile, the skiers will be working on fundamental training skills in slalom and giant slalom courses.

All the Copper-bound athletes will be staying in separate houses 10 minutes away via a bus that will take them to the mountain. Copper is a popular venue for early season training, so most days, athletes will have allotted lane times as early as 5 a.m., starting and ending the ski day extremely early to make time for other activities and schoolwork later. On some other days, however, the skiers may have lanes as late as 1:00 p.m., which completely flips their schedules. In contrast, to get up to the Saas-Fee glacier, athletes must walk to a tram that loads early in the morning at 7:00 a.m. to get to the top if there isn’t any snow leading all the way to the town.

Both venues are extremely popular for national and school ski teams to get as much practice as possible before the race season officially begins. This being the case, short timed allotted lanes are constantly full, forcing teams to take any chance they can on snow. However, the crowds and start of the busy season are worth the wait, considering the prime conditions that Saas Fee and Western skiing at Copper provides.

Anja Robertson ’26 has been to Copper on multiple occasions. “The snow is absolutely amazing and the weather is always so good.” Hopefully during these upcoming camps everything runs smoothly, and the athletes make successful developments in their skiing!