I’m from Rochester, Minnesota, and this is my 3^rd year at Northwood. I like to make music and produce beats in my free time. I grew up listening to underground artists and producers, so I’ve always been inspired by them. I also like to draw and mountain bike when I’m home.

My favorite things to do on my weekends off are go into town, eat at a restaurant, and relax and reset from the week, preparing for the next. I play video games, including Minecraft, Rocket League, and Roblox. When I go back home, I hang out with my friends and family, go downtown, and basically chill – other than training.

I have three brothers who are all older than me, and I have a dog named Silas. My favorite thing to eat is Asian food, and my favorite color is red. Something people wouldn’t know about me is that I’m very talkative. You have to get to know me. I’ve played hockey, basketball, and tennis in my early years. I also like to ski when I’m home in the winter.

In ten years, I see myself either playing professional soccer or working for a job I enjoy. I hope to be successful in whatever I do. A few weeks ago, I committed to Old Dominion University, which was big for me because my goal has been to play Division 1 soccer. I’m planning to go into international business, but that can change, so I’m not entirely dead set on it yet.

As told to Yosef Spear ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“I would have to say the best part of Northwood is being around my best friends all the time and being able to spend time with my teammates every day. It just makes every day fun and interesting, and I feel lucky to have that. I also love having class with all my friends; it is something special, and I did not get to have that at my prior school. Even if I do not have teammates in my class, there are still so many kids around campus that I can call friends, and that is what makes Northwood so special.

“Over my two years at Northwood, I have just learned how to be an adult. It matures you quickly when you can no longer rely on your parents.  I have learned how to be independent, manage my time better, and just real-world skills that will benefit me further down the line in my life. It has also taught me to reach out to people and become friends with everyone I can. This place puts you in the perfect position to become friends with people you would never have had the chance to meet.

“Next year, I plan to play junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL and then further my career in academics at a university. I hope to study law or education, and I would love to become a lawyer or a teacher.

“School here, compared to in Canada, is honestly better. I am closer to all my friends and can spend more time with them than I did in Canada. I do, however, find the school here a little harder, but the pros outweigh the cons. I am happy that I decided to come here, and it was a great decision for me.”

As told to Kevin Betsch ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“What made me come to Northwood was how strong the academics are and the hockey, along with the development. Those were the two no-brainers in my decision to go here. I found Northwood just exploring all the different prep schools and the overall town of where Northwood stands: Lake Placid, and the history that comes with being here.

“I’m from the Cree nation of Mistissini in Quebec, which is twelve hours north of Northwood. I love playing with the Mistissini Warriors in junior and senior Indigenous hockey tournaments. In my free time, I play golf and also go fishing.

“Looking back on my time at Northwood, I am really going to miss the community. Everyone here is fantastic. It feels like we are just one big family here, and I always feel at home. My experience here has been unreal; I can genuinely say it has been the best three years of my life. And it’s really going to be hard to get used to not being here every day, moving on.

“After my time here, I plan to head back home in the summer and reconnect with my boys and my family. As for the future, I want to play Junior hockey, and then, when my time is up there, I would also plan to pursue college while continuing to play hockey.

“My advice for incoming students or upcoming seniors is to really take in everything here. I can remember walking in on my first day of sophomore year in the back of my head, and it’s crazy that it is almost over now. The friendships I have made will last a lifetime, and I feel that is what really makes a place like Northwood so special. The experiences I had here are once-in-a-lifetime, and everyone should always take advantage of what they are given here at Northwood.

As told to Parker Thompson ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Ladridge.

“I’m from Saratoga Springs, New York, which is about an hour and forty-five minutes from Northwood. Before coming here, I played on the North Jersey Avalanche. We were in billet houses there, so getting to be in dorms with all the guys is a way different experience.

“I chose Northwood for the profound hockey program we have here. I thought it would be the best thing for me to play the highest-level 18U competition while developing on ice with the resources available and strong academics for my senior year.

“My favorite part about being at Northwood is the tight-knit community we have. Getting to hang out with the boys every day has been the best, and you get to build lasting memories with everyone.

“My best memory at Northwood so far was when my team went to the Pittsburgh Pirates game. It was at the start of the season, so it was a good way to hang out with all the guys while also being a really cool ballpark. The fireworks after the game on the bridge, too, were something I won’t forget. That whole night has been one of the best for sure.

“My plans after Northwood are to play junior hockey. I want to play NCAA Division I hockey after and major in business, finance, or sports management.

“My favorite artist has to be the Lumineers. I got to see them at a concert this summer back home, and it was the best concert I have ever been to.

“The best advice I could give to someone is not to concern yourself about the future and what is not happening now, to only focus on the present and what you can do to get better in the moment.”

As told to Owen MacLean. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“My favourite thing about Lake Placid is walking around the lake into town. The food is always good, and it’s a fun time with friends. I also enjoy playing golf at the Lake Placid golf course. The mountains in the background of the course are truly impressive. During my free time, I usually train, study, rest, and hang out with friends.

“This is my first year at Northwood, and it’s been amazing every step of the way. On my first day, I was nervous, but in a couple of hours, I was already accepted into the Northwood community with open arms, with friends, teachers, coaches, and teammates treating me like family.

“I transferred to Northwood because it was to further my education and improve in a better hockey program. Being from Texas, hockey isn’t big because it’s more about the Cowboys and Football players, but hockey is where my passion lies. I found out about Northwood through a buddy of mine, and after visiting the school, I knew I should attend here. The community is filled with unmatched culture and trust.

“Someone who inspires me is my dad. He pushes me to my limits and knows I can handle it, and in the end, it makes me a better player and better person, and I am grateful to him.

“Being at Northwood helps me set up my life for the future. Learning to be independent, how to deal with setbacks, and overcome them, whether that’s in the classroom, on the ice, or in life.

“I am thankful for Northwood for setting my life for the better and preparing me for the worst. This is an all-around school, and I am proud to say Northwood is my second home.”

As told to Justin MacLeod ’26. Photo by Mr. Aldridge

“I started playing hockey when I was three years old. At that age, I wanted to do everything my two older brothers did, and since they were on the ice, I wanted to be right there beside them. What began as following in their footsteps quickly became something much bigger—hockey became one of the things I love most and shaped who I am. Growing up, the rink was my favorite place, and the sport became a part of my identity, teaching me many life lessons and giving me some of the most valuable friendships.

“I love Northwood so much because Northwood is a special place with truly special people. It is a community that pushes you to reach your potential while also giving you the support you need to get there. The environment—both academically and athletically—has encouraged me to grow in ways I never expected. The location makes it feel even more unique. Northwood has challenged me, inspired me, and shaped me into the person I am today.

“I live by the quote, ‘You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days.’ Northwood is the perfect example of this message. So many opportunities here feel like once-in-a-lifetime moments, from the experiences on the ice to the relationships off it. I try to remind myself every day not to take any of it for granted. Being at Northwood is something I sincerely appreciate, and I know that the lessons, memories, and friends I have made here will stay with me long after I graduate.

“If I did not play hockey, I’d play either lacrosse or golf. I played lacrosse at my old school and really liked it. I play golf as my spring sport here and play in the summer.

“There are so many great options to eat in Lake Placid, but my personal favorite is the upstairs bar and grill. I have so many good memories of going there with my parents after home games. And the food is fantastic, and I love how homey it feels inside.

“Looking ahead, I plan to attend RPI and play Division 1 college hockey. I am excited for the future, but also sad and scared to leave the place I have called home for the past two years. I am not entirely sure what I want to study yet, but I know it will be something related to math or science.”

As told to Anna Monette ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“If I weren’t playing football, I would probably be playing E-sports. I find that, like, you don’t have to go outside and sweat or push your body physically; it’s more about quick thinking and staying calm under pressure, which I like. I’ve been playing League of Legends for a long time – since I was 9 – so that’s the game I’m best at.

“My hidden talent? I’m really good with spicy food. Some would argue that it isn’t exactly a “talent,” but I believe it is. It also helps me when I’m stressed, because when I am, you can usually find me eating spicy food. ”

“If I could, a piece of life back home that I would include in the US would be how convenient transport is. In Korea, you can get around easily without a car, and there’s always something to do – everything is close by.

“Does pineapple belong on pizza? Personally, I love pineapple on pizza. Sweet and salty together is pretty good – I don’t really have much else to say except that it tastes good.

“Favorite food from the dining hall? Cheeseburger.

“The last thing I’ll say is this: You need to love yourself before loving someone else.”

As told to Gavin Kruger. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

JT Wint ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Northwood alum JT Wint ’25 spent this year’s winter concert in a familiar place but with a new role. Instead of sitting in the crowd, he was up in the light booth helping run the show with senior Jacob Slagel ’26.

Wint came back to campus while he was home on break between college semesters. His mom, faculty member Lisa Wint, brought him as a guest for the formal dinner, and he decided to stay for the concert.

For Wint, the winter concert has always been part of his Northwood story. When he was a student, it pushed him out of his comfort zone in a good way.

“It was fun,” he said. “Definitely out of my comfort zone, but it got better as the years went by. I think it was very positive.”

One of his clearest memories is from his first year.

The Northwood School Light Board. Photo by Jacob Slagel.

“Probably my favorite memory was with Sophia Sherman ’25,” Wint said. “She read a poem, and I did the slide whistle and a little bit of drums for a Bruce Springsteen song, ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.’ That was probably the most memorable.”

This year, instead of playing on stage, he stepped into the light booth. From there, the view of the concert shifts. You see the same stage and the same crowd, but you also see all the details that most people never notice.

“It is a little muffled up there,” he said, “but you get the same view. You are just paying more attention to detail than many other people might. You are making sure the lights are correct and in the right positions.”

Working in the booth meant focusing on timing and coordination. Each song needed a different look, and the cues had to match the music. Wint said the atmosphere while he and Slagel ran the board felt focused.

“The energy was very professional,” Wint said. “You get straight to the point. You have to be ahead of the game.”

He was not worried about missing any crucial moments.

“I do not think there was a cue I was really nervous about,” he said. “Jacob was on top of it, so there were no worries.”

This was not Wint’s first time on lights. He thinks he has worked the booth “two or three years,” though he does not remember exactly which ones. The system itself has not changed much since he graduated, but coming back as an alum gave him a different perspective.

As a student, the concert felt like a big night where everyone dressed up, performed, or watched friends on stage. Now he sees more of the planning behind it.

He did not see the pre-show setup this year, but he knows there is more going on than people expect.

“It seems like it is just clicking buttons,” he said, “but it is really about coordination and making sure you have it planned out well.”

Wint thinks the light booth is a good place for students who are curious about tech to start. The board looks complicated at first, but he believes it is manageable with support.

“If a student wants to volunteer, I think it is easy enough to learn,” he said. “With the right mentor, you would be pretty set.”

For one night, that mentor was a current student, and the alum was the one stepping back into the system he used as a teenager. The roles had flipped, but the goal was the same as it has always been at the winter concert, whether you are on the stage, in the crowd, or up in the booth.

Make the show happen, and make it feel special.

“Hockey has always meant everything to me. It is the reason I came to Northwood and why I push myself every day to be the best every day. It has provided an outlet to get away from all the noise and play with my best friends. I have built so many connections and made so many memories through hockey, and I am forever thankful.”

“My favorite hockey memory to date is winning USA Hockey Nationals with my Chicago Mission 15s team in 2024. It was such a surreal experience, and I would give anything to go back to that moment. I think those moments and experiences are why I love hockey so much and give it my all every time I step on the ice or in the weight room at GVN Performance.”

“Northwood has truly provided me with an environment where I can push myself on the ice and in the classroom, like in Doc’s AP Lit class. The tight-knit community is unlike any place I have been to, and that’s what makes everyone successful. The Lake Placid environment has been amazing as well. Not many kids can call the Olympic Center their home rink, so I make sure not to take it for granted. I hope to continue playing high-level hockey in the future, and I believe that Northwood is going to help me get there.”

“In my free time, I watch Formula 1 and college football. I also hang out with my best friend Zackary. I am still abundantly salty that Notre Dame got left out of the playoffs; the committee screwed us over. I enjoy playing video games such as F1 and EA Sports College Football. Being in Berg with all the boys has been a wonderful experience so far, and I am looking forward to the rest of the year!”

As told to Andrew Sherland ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“I don’t have a favorite color because I feel like all the colors would be sad if I picked one.

“I’m a homebody. I like to stay at home a lot—but I do want to travel. Even though I like to hang out with my friends and family, I also like to have alone time, where I can just be with myself. I like to listen to music. I love to read, maybe watch TV. I’m a cat person, not a dog person, but I still love dogs. I’ve had a lot of pets, but now I only have one dog left….This is sad.

“We used to have two cats, another dog, and a rabbit. We also had a turtle. My parents said he ran away.

“Now I’m just left with the craziest dog in existence, who we thought was normal when we got him, and is not. How is he not normal? He’s afraid of other dogs. But instead of running away, he decides to go crazy, barking and screaming. This made our walks very interesting. And, when he doesn’t get a haircut for a minute, he starts to look like a pom pom—a really dirty pom pom.

“I live in the area, but I started at Northwood my junior year of high school because I was a competitive figure skater up to that point, and I mainly trained down in Jersey. I ended up leaving competitive figure skating and started training down in Boston. I moved clubs and moved coaching teams, and I started training up here and doing FaceTime with my coach. I wanted to return to in-person school for my junior year, especially leading up to college, and I tried to form genuine connections and friendships with people outside my sport.

“From my time at Northwood, last year really stuck with me, especially the trip to Japan. That was insane. I got closer with a lot of people that winter, through skiing and that LEAP trip to Japan. I felt like I formed connections with people on a way deeper level than I would have normally, especially since we were practically living together and seeing each other all the time on that trip. Up to that point, I had felt that gap because I wasn’t a boarder, but now I see myself getting closer with and getting to know people even more than I thought I ever would. My highlight of Northwood is the friendships I made. And I still keep in touch with everyone who graduated or transferred schools, and I see them whenever I can.

“Something a lot of people don’t know about me is that I have a two-year-old sister who I love so, so much. I love to talk about her when she’s brought up. I’m also Bulgarian—both my parents are from Bulgaria, and most of my family is still there.

“I also love traveling. I’ve been to numerous countries, but among them, Italy and Japan are my favorites. I really want to go to Egypt, and I also want to go to China, which I’m planning to do this summer. I really want to go to Egypt to see the new museum they opened. It’s so cool. I also really want to ride a camel and snowboard down the dunes. I also really want to try surfing. That was on my 2025 bucket list, but it didn’t happen, so I’m hoping it happens in 2026.

“I’ve always been into RnB, so that’s mainly the type of music I’ve listened to. I went through a classical music phase where I would bring around a boombox to the rink and blast classical music in other people’s faces, telling them how fire it was. They would tell me that I’m crazy.

“Also, I don’t understand sarcasm. So whenever anyone’s sarcastic, I fully believe them, and it’s very embarrassing, because I’ll be gaslit, and I would never know. So don’t take advantage of me. That’s the end of that.”

As told to Sasha Luhur ’27. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.