Ryan Combe

Humans of Northwood: Jazzy Valenzuela ’21

December 9, 2019 by Ryan Combe

Jazzy Valenzuela ’21 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

What’s up! I’m 16 years old, and I’m from Stamford, Connecticut. My favorite part of Northwood is all the friends I’ve made here and the teachers I’ve gotten close to. In the fall, I was a part of the drama program where we performed the musical The Good Old Days. In the winter, I’m really excited to get back on the court with my team for basketball, and in the spring, I play lacrosse. I like to play the piano in the living room or make bagels during flex periods. One of the best things here at Northwood is LEAP. This year, I get to travel to Montreal and learn what it’s like to be in a circus. After Northwood, I hope to attend a good college to major in psychology.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Soccer Team Splits in Boston

November 12, 2019 by Ryan Combe

Two weekends ago, Boy’s Soccer traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to play against two of their strong opponents: Milton Academy and High Mowing. Unfortunately, many Northwood players were not available for Saturday’s match, as they had to take the SAT. but they flew to Boston on early Sunday morning to join their team for a re-match against Black Rock’s High Mowing School.

Luca Rodriguez ’20 in action in Lake Placid in September 2019 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge).

On Saturday, in the first match against Milton Academy, the boys knew they were facing a tough opponent. Milton was undefeated in their prep school league and had shown a lot of talent throughout the season. In the early minutes, Northwood did well keeping the ball but allowed a goal. They continued to push and got themselves a goal back through John Sinclair ‘20, tying the game at 1-1. With a goal off a penalty and another counter-attack, the game went into halftime 3-1 in favor of Milton. The game ended at 5-1.

On Sunday, Northwood played against High Mowing, to whom they had lost 2-0 at home just weeks before. Both teams came out fast and aggressive. Many fouls were called in the early minutes. As the game went back and forth, the Huskies found themselves going into halftime trailing 1-0. Going into the second half, Northwood began to throw more numbers forward and tied the game with a tally by Tomas Restrepo ‘20. With fifteen minutes left in the game, Lucas Rodriguez ‘20 found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and slid the ball past him. The game finished at 2-1 in favor of Northwood. The boys ended the weekend 1-1.

Filed Under: Sports

Soccer Team Fares Well Against Canadian Rivals

November 12, 2019 by Ryan Combe

The Boys’ Soccer team recent had four home games against the Canadian teams Woodbridge Soccer Club and St. Andrews College. The boys collectively finished 2-1-1–the U18s had one win and one loss, and the U19s had a win and a draw.

Jon Sinclair ’20 in action against St. Andrew’s College (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge).

On Saturday, the games kicked off with the U19s playing St. Andrew’s College. Northwood came out fast, hoping to bounce back from their loss against High Mowing two weeks earlier. In the opening minutes of the game, Tomas Restrepo ‘20 scored a header, lobbing the goalkeeper to get the momentum going. Soon after, Ryan Combe ‘20 added to the score. Just before the half, Mateo Rodriguez ‘20 scored a header off a corner, making the scoreline 3-0 going into the half. Coming out into the second half, the Huskies were still out looking to put more goals away with a goal from Matías Valenzuela ‘20 and another header from Alvaro Garcia ‘20, ending the game in a 5-0 win. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Sports

New Door Security Makes School Safer

November 5, 2019 by Ryan Combe

Safety is a top priority at Northwood School. This year, Northwood has set up a security system on all the entrances of the school buildings and dorm halls.

The new fob keyless entry system for all of Northwood’s exterior doors (Photo: Mr. John Spear).

The new fob keyless entry system for all of Northwood’s exterior doors (Photo: Luke French ’20).

A fob affixed to an iPhone (Photo: Luke French ’20).

All students and faculty now have small stickers, called fobs, on the back of their phones, which give them access to the buildings on campus. This system ensures that those who do not have permission to be inside school buildings cannot get in. Exterior doors to all school buildings are locked or access to them is restricted by electronic fob entry.

Most students understand the importance of campus security, but there have been mixed feelings about the new fob system. Many students find it a hassle to use fobs at every entrance of the school. Another struggle is that they have to carry their phones all the time to get into buildings. Some say that this goes against a school policy of no phones in common areas, as the system encourages them to bring their phones everywhere they go.

Despite the disagreement, it is undeniable that fobs will allow the Northwood community to stay safer.

Filed Under: Northwood Life

Late Rally Leads to Soccer Win Over Hoosac

October 11, 2019 by Ryan Combe

On the last weekend of September, Northwood’s Boys’ Soccer faced off against Hoosac School. Many students and faculty showed their support for the first home soccer match of the season, and the scoreline did not disappoint.

Northwood Team Huddle before the kick-off vs. Hoosac School in September 2019 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Sports

43rd Mountain Day a Success [Slide Show]

September 23, 2019 by Ryan Combe

With another year in full swing at Northwood, faculty and students prepared themselves for one of the school’s oldest traditions: Mountain Day. Once every year, the Northwood community steps out of the classroom and into a day of adventure on the beautiful Adirondack mountains.

Preparing for the 2019 Mountain Day, Mr. Don Mellor, the English teacher and renowned rock/ice climbing coach, separated students into small groups that would each take on an assigned mountain. Last year, the school walked approximately 1,785 miles total–the distance from Northwood to Dallas, Texas. “The shortest hike is somewhere around four and a half miles,” said Mellor. “Regardless of how short or long the hike is, the most important thing is to have a good attitude.”

Mountain Day has been an annual school tradition for 43 years now, and many alumni look back to this tradition as one of their favorite memories at Northwood. However, students today had mixed opinions on the event. Audrey Higgins-Lopez ‘21 said, “I like Mountain Day because it is a time out of the classroom when we get a great outdoor experience and enjoy the environment we have around us.” Other students stand with Luke Smith 21’. “I feel like a lot of kids don’t like Mountain Day, so there is a negative energy among the students that day.”