Underwear is not designed to be worn as a hat, but one day during my preschool years I thought differently. I was upset and decided to take my underwear off and put them on my head like a hat for the rest of the day. My name is Daniel Colabufo, and I’m senior from Camillus, New York.

For me, I liked pretty much everything about Northwood, although study hall could sometimes be a grind. I see why it’s necessary, though. Apart from that, I loved every moment of the past three years. My experience has been great. I’ve had the ability to grow my game on the ice, and I have also have had the opportunity to meet so many new people and build friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime. The memories and experiences Northwood has given me are unforgettable, from lessons learned from Coach Cassidy and my teachers, especially Reno, to being a part of the team that made school history by winning the First State Championships.

Deciding to attend Northwood was a tough decision for me because many factors came into play, but I wouldn’t have changed my choice because of all the positives that came with it. My decision was dependent on the hockey program and the academics. I felt I would develop the most on the ice and in the classroom if I chose Northwood. Also, I could see myself at Northwood before I enrolled, it checked all the boxes I was looking for.  However, leaving my family and friends behind was one of the toughest parts for my family and me. I do miss them the most, but fortunately, I am very lucky because my parents usually take the trip to come and watch me play most weekends which is very nice because I get to see them more than many of my teammates.

West Genesee High School, my old high school which I very much enjoyed, and Northwood are two different schools. The major difference between Northwood and West Genesee High School is the class size. Because the class size is so much smaller and most teachers even live on campus at Northwood you tend to develop more meaningful relationships with your teachers.  Overall, you spend more time with your teachers and classmates.

All of the memories and experiences made during my years at Northwood are moments that will carry with me through my life after I graduate. I am going to be playing a year of Junior hockey in the AJHL for the Bonnyville Pontiacs and then will be attending The College of the Holy Cross to play college hockey.

– As told to Aimee Headland ‘20

I’m 17 years old, so I feel a little young to head off to college this September. But I think it’s better to get a head start.

I’m from Miami, Florida. I’m going to major in economics and get a master’s degree after college. Even after Northwood, I want to continue snowboarding as if I were at Northwood.

– As told to Miranda Bookman ‘20

I come from a hockey family with three older brothers and a father who has coached all of us throughout the years.

I’m from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Before coming to Northwood, I played with Ottawa Ice and Lady 67’s. This is my second year at Northwood. After Northwood, I’m pursuing physical and occupational therapy at Lawrence University. Although my plans can change along the way, I hope to study abroad to take part in many medical programs.

– As told to Miranda Bookman ‘20

I’m from Penfield, New York, and my favorite TV show is All American. At Northwood, I did a PG year and played on the Junior Team. My first impression of Northwood was that it was a tightly knit community. At Northwood, everyone is outgoing, so you never feel left out of anything. This impression hasn’t changed one bit, and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.

My experience at Northwood has been a great one. I made so many new friends and met so many cool people from all over the world. If I had to pick a favorite memory, I think it’d be the road trips with the JRT boys. There isn’t much I didn’t like about Northwood. I did always want more free time, but I knew that was something I’d have to give up if I wanted to play hockey. And I was perfectly okay with that.

I’ll miss all the friendships I made at Northwood. I can’t imagine not seeing my buddies every day, but I know those friendships will last a long long time.

In the near future, I’ll be playing a year of Juniors for the Jersey Hitmen NCDC team.

– As told to Hadley Swedlund ‘20

Until the age of 7, I had a bowl haircut.

I’m from Nottingham, England. I learned about Northwood because my brother graduated from this school in 2016. Hearing all his stories about the memories he had here, I knew Northwood would be a fit for me even before I went to Lake Placid.

My first impression of Northwood has definitely not changed. It’s an unbelievable campus in an amazing location. I can’t imagine spending my high school years anywhere else. Northwood quickly became a home away from home and a family.

Northwood has been life-changing and insane. I had the chance to experience things not many people get to. It’s been unforgettable that I got to live and do everything with my best friends and teammates. I have created unbreakable bonds with people from all over the world. This school has given me the opportunity to grow my game both on and off the ice. It’s also helped me grow as a person. Now I’m ready for my next steps.

I will remember my three years at Northwood. It’s hard to pick just one favorite memory I had at Northwood, but I’d say hockey seasons were one of my favorites. I got to spend all day, every day with my team. I practiced, played games, took road trips, and spent my free time with my team. This past season was definitely the best one. My team and I went through all the ups and downs together. Another favorite part was that I got to be a boarding student. My friends and teachers quickly became family to me. There isn’t really anything I dislike about Northwood. But I can say that the cold and snow are always great to start with, but when they drag on, I don’t like them.

I’m going to miss pretty much everything about Northwood, even the little things like eating with my friends. I’m going to miss the hockey seasons I’ve had with the girls, Coach Gilly, and Coach Getz-Riffle. I’ll miss the tight-knit family.

As of right now, I’m not certain where I’ll be attending University. But I know that I’ll be playing college hockey.

– As told to Hadley Swedlund ‘20

Fun Fact! I absolutely adore Timothee Chalamet and Harry Styles.

My experience at Northwood was a complete metamorphosis. When I first went to Northwood, I was a skier looking to ski in college. But throughout my four years, I grew into so much more than just a skier. I still have lots of growing to do, but I found my true passions like music and writing. In my senior year, I actually decided to stop skiing competitively. Northwood has really helped me step out of my shell.

I’m from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. It’s the Jersey shore (… but nothing like the show, LOL). I chose Northwood because I wanted to improve in skiing. Also, my dad went to Northwood, so I always thought it sounded like a really cool place. When I first toured Northwood, I fell in love with how small and family-like the school seemed, though I was intimidated. Now I call Northwood my home. It’s definitely going to be weird now that I won’t be there anymore. But my best friends and the faculty that I met there will always be dear to my heart.

I have so many memories at Northwood that it’d be really hard to pinpoint a certain moment. I’d say that the smaller moments were probably the best ones. I loved hiking Cobble with Julia to have dance parties or binge-watching the show Friends in the Paul’s apartment during the winter. I also had so much fun performing in the musicals.

There is so much I’ll miss about Northwood. I’m going to miss my best friends, the community, the first snowfall of the school year, and the chocolate-chip pancakes we had on Fridays for breakfast. I’ll also miss driving through Keene in the fall when it was at its peak foliage, hearing the reactions of the girls’ dorm when a Headmaster’s Holiday was announced, swimming in the lake on a nice day, seeing the first fire in the fireplace, getting ready for formal dinners, and watching the hockey teams absolutely kill it during Northwood Tourney. The biggest thing I’m going to miss is waking up every day in an environment full of endless support and love. But there is is one thing I wish was different about Northwood: the groupings. I found it a bummer that it was always “the skiers” or “the hockey players” or “the soccer players.” I think the Northwood community is so much more than that.

Next year, I plan on going to Wheaton College in Massachusetts. It’s about 20 minutes outside of Providence and 40 minutes from Boston. I’m not sure what I want to major in, but I hope to become a writer or a journalist for an art/music magazine someday.

When I was a freshman, I definitely did not picture myself as the human I am now as a senior. But I wouldn’t change myself for anything. I had ups and downs, but I’m happy with who I have evolved into.

– As told to Olivia Paul ’21

At Northwood, I skied and was an RA for the girls’ dorm. I’m from Redding, Connecticut, but I chose Northwood not only for the prestigious ski program but also for the academics. I’m a four-year survivor, so there’s a lot about Northwood that I’ll miss when I graduate. I’ll miss my friends, my sport, and, most of all, the Northwood community as a whole!

Next year, I’ll be attending Purdue University and be studying hospitality and tourism management.

– As told to Olivia Paul ’21

The only thing I dislike about Northwood is the food. But other than that, Northwood has given me friendship bonds that I’ll never forget and experiences that will last. I’ve loved all of my three years at Northwood. It’s been my home away from my home in Webster, New York.

Before Northwood, I attended a public high school, so the biggest difference between that school and Northwood was definitely the boarding aspect. At Northwood, I got to live with the boys and become close with my team. Another important difference was the sports programs. Northwood has given me opportunities in hockey that I could never have received before.

Although I missed my family and my family missed me, choosing Northwood was easy. Northwood offered me not only all the educational opportunities but also great high-level hockey. There were a lot of new guys that joined the program this year. But we quickly became close and made it into a pretty special year. The boys are something I’m going to miss the most.

Once I graduate, I’d like to play college hockey.

– As told to Aimee Headland