Northwood Life – The Mirror

Humans of Northwood: Caroline Purcell ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Maegan Byrne

I started at Northwood four years ago when I was a freshman. Growing up, I moved around a lot, which was cool because I got to live in a bunch of different places. I played many sports and spent a lot of time outdoors with my family. I came to Northwood because I wanted to be on the ski team, and my brother also went here. I live in Wilmington now, so I had been skiing with NYSEF and Northwood students and know a lot about the school.

When I’m not skiing, I like swimming, being out on the lake, hanging out with friends, hiking, road biking with Dad, and working out. My favorite food is hibachi. My time at Northwood has had its ups and downs, but I have grown a lot as a person and learned a lot about myself.

After I graduate, I hope to ski race in college or play lacrosse since I have done both my whole life. I’m excited to leave high school, enter a new chapter of my life, and make new friends. I plan to study nursing or something in the medical field.

As told to Maegan Byrne ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Ben Plucinski ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Gus Garvey

My brother was originally recruited by Northwood about 6 years ago, so [Northwood] was kinda on the map at that point. He didn’t end up coming here, obviously, but when it came to my turn to go to prep schools, it was definitely one of the options, so that’s kind of how I found out about here. He heard about Northwood from one of his friends who went to Kimball Union and played against Northwood, and mentioned that Northwood was a pretty good school, so that’s kinda how I heard about Northwood.

“Every time we get breaks from school, and I go back in the winter, I love to ski. We have a big resort, Alyeska Resort, that I end up going to a lot, and I do some close, easy backcountry skiing, which is right up my hill. I walk up in the boots and ski down – it’s kinda fun. We own a cabin, and we do a lot of ice fishing in the winter and in the summer, just normal fishing for lake trout. I do a lot of trout fishing in the summer with my brother Rainbows, and then something pretty cool we do is dip netting. It’s a pretty specific thing for Alaska. Technically, it’s not even fishing, but it’s a lot of fun. Basically, you just have a giant net, and you go on this river, you go and dip this massive net in using this super long pole, and the salmon, mostly reds and kings, swim into the net, you feel it shake, and you pull it up. It can be a little frustrating, but it’s a good time. I do a lot of fishing. A lot of golf, too.

I was busy last summer, so I didn’t do too much golfing. I worked at the Mac Center, which is our local rink in Eagle River. You must be 18 to drive the Zamboni, so when I go back, I’ll be able to. I just did a lot of maintenance work, cleaning, weed-pulling, and landscape stuff. One of my last jobs was terrifying. I had to hang up a poster, and it was like really, really high up, almost touching the ceiling, and I was on this ladder that was not sturdy whatsoever, and this was like my last day, and I was like “dude, I’m about to die, on my last day”. No safety equipment or anything; just climb up this sketchy ass ladder, and hopefully, you don’t fall off. But we made it. A lot of working out, a lot of skating.

I’m so done with Berg. It’s funny since all the Berg boys are like, “Oh, this isn’t so bad,” and they haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet when you have to walk up and down to go eat a meal, and it’s freezing cold, and you have to layer up to just walk up the hill. It’s ridiculous. I’m looking forward to keeping my room, on 3rd [East], it’s definitely an improvement, I’d say. The triple [dorm room] does not sound fun, honestly. Last year, it was nice, but only for the people who didn’t live in it. I would actually lose it if I lived there. It never could stay clean, since everyone was always in there, but it was fun for everyone who wasn’t actually living there. If I had to pick between the triple with my buddies in Main or a single in Berg, I’d pick the triple, and I’d take Reid, and probably Trudeau.

I’m actually kinda looking forward to not having a LEAP this year, because we get to go home a week earlier than everyone else. I don’t mind it. Muskie Madness was a great time, but that’s a one and done kind of deal, and I’m not too upset about not doing a LEAP this year. For the rest of the year, hopefully we keep our record up, looking forward to keeping that rolling. Definitely looking forward to spending more time with the boys, looking forward to doing some golfing in the springtime. After Northwood, I’m hoping to get a nice junior invitation somewhere. It’s a little too early to decide whether I’m coming back to Northwood or not. I don’t think I should – I’m gonna be so old. But if I don’t have any [junior] options, PGing might be plan B, but the goal is to try to play in a solid junior league next year. Hopefully, from juniors, it goes to college.

As told to Gus Garvey ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Will Dallaire ‘24

January 31, 2024 by Halle Mules

I first heard about Northwood from my advisor based on their strong hockey program, small family-like community, and how friendly the students and teachers were.

As a kid from Quebec who has grown up speaking French, moving to the United States and learning English has opened a lot of doors for me, helped me meet new people, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Learning English was a challenge, and it is something I would not have accomplished in life if I hadn’t come to Northwood.

I couldn’t pick one memory that stands out above the rest, but the time with my teammates on the road, whether it was on the bus, in hotels, or at games, especially at Cushing, where the stands were packed, will always stick with me. Also, regardless of whether it was freezing cold or warm outside, walking into town with my friend group to get Wyatts and Emma’s was a routine in my daily life at Northwood.

I want to be a good friend by setting a good example for those who will be here next year, whether that’s being a great teammate and friend or advocating for myself in the classroom by meeting with teachers when I’m struggling in a class. That is my goal before graduating.

My advice to anyone at Northwood? When I applied, my advisor told me that in two years, I will graduate from Northwood, and it may sound crazy that I am telling you this now, but I just want to tell you that it will go by much faster than you think. So, my advice is to enjoy the ride; some days will be bad, especially if school, sports, or a club you’re in, or even your social life, aren’t going well. Just remember that one day doesn’t define your entire experience; time moves quickly here, so try to enjoy every moment because it goes by faster than you think.

There have been many people who made a difference in my Northwood experience, but two faculty members have had the greatest impact on my time here.

Mr. Miller has been there for me every step of the way, especially during my first year, when I was just getting used to living away from home, playing hockey, and learning a new language. Coach Miller has restored my confidence and gotten me back on track, and I am grateful he believed in me, especially when I was at my lowest.

Ms. Walker will always be my favorite teacher from my time in high school. I thought AP Bio would be a difficult class at the start of the year, but she is the type of teacher who makes learning fun; it is so easy to talk to her and ask questions because she never judges. The environment she has created in the classroom makes learning enjoyable, and I am not afraid to ask a crazy question or to be confused and embarrassed.

I want to thank my family for making the sacrifices necessary to send me to a school in another country. I am grateful for the opportunity that they have provided me because my experiences at Northwood would not have been possible without them.

As told to Halle Mules ’24. Photo by Mr. MIchael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

From Kickoffs to Conversations: The Asian Cup’s Cultural Resonance at Northwood

January 30, 2024 by Li Feng

Illustration from Goal.com

With the Asian Cup already underway, the result from the first two rounds extends excitement amongst the Northwood Community. With representatives from South Korea, Australia, China, India, Thailand, and Japan. The air is thick with excitement as students engage in lively debates, trying to predict which nation will be the finalist to claim the “best Asian country” title. The multicultural identity of Northwood is on full display as diverse perspectives are encountered.

At the time of writing, Qatar is the leading team in Group A, followed by China in second, then Tajikistan, and Lebanon. Each team will fight for a ticket to the knockout stages with one more game remaining. “This would likely be a game of disparity,” says Anthony Wu ‘26 from China. China will play Qatar on Monday, January 22, in a deciding game for China’s advancement to the round of 16.

In Group B, Australia has confirmed their qualifications for the knockout rounds while India, although with one more game remaining, marked their end to further progress in the tournament. Mitchell Baker ’25, expressing optimism about Australia’s possibilities, remarked, “Australia will do great in the knockout stages. We won in 2015, and I believe we can win again.”

On the other side, despite facing challenging opponents in a demanding group, Shreeniket Bhat ‘25, a soccer player for the 17s from India, reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “India firmly stood their ground against teams of simply higher caliber, especially with five of our key players unable to play. It was a tough group to be drawn into, but it was great to see all players play with immense grit.”

In Group C, which does not feature any representatives from Northwood, Iran currently holds the top position as the leading team. Following closely, the UAE secures the second spot, while Palestine holds the third position. Hong Kong, unfortunately, finds itself at the bottom of the group standings. The competition in Group C is heating up with each match adding a new chapter to the unfolding narrative of the tournament.

In Group D, notably the favorites to win the tournament, Japan surprisingly found themselves in second place after a 2-1 loss to the current first-placed Iraq. Despite being optimistic about the Asian Cups, Nikalas Loraing ’25 expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s disappointing because, on paper, we have a very strong team and should be dominating every game. There are a lot of high expectations which leads to pressure on the team and the staff.” The unexpected setback against Iraq has heightened the stakes for Japan. With one more game remaining, Japan faces Indonesia in the final round of the group stage to contest for the first-place position.

In Group E, South Korea is the favorite to advance to the knockout stages, however, following a 2-2 tie with Jordan, South Korea remains in second. Although Korea has world-class players from various parts of the world, such as Heung-min Son from Tottenham Hotspur, Kang-In Lee from PSG, and many more, it is a disappointing start for many Koreans. With one more crucial game remaining against Malaysia, South Korea aims to come out victorious, hoping for a triumphant turnaround for their national team to secure first place in the group.

Lastly in Group F, a decent start to the tournament, Thailand won the first opening game to the tournament 2-0 against Kyrgyzstan and drew their second 0-0 against Oman. Samuel Knauf ‘24, a soccer player for the 19s from Thailand, expressed his disappointment, sharing, “I was expecting a win against Oman, but I am still confident that we could win against Saudi Arabia and qualify for the knockout stages.” The team is fueled by a collective determination to overcome challenges. “Once we qualify, we will demolish every opponent that stands in our way. With great power comes great responsibility,” Knauf said.

Adding to the dynamic atmosphere, the Asian Cup has served as a platform for cultural exchange within the Northwood Community. “It’s been great to have another daily topic of discussion. It enhances the sense of camaraderie in the soccer team here at Northwood since many of us come from Asian backgrounds,” said Bhat. The tournament has not only been a platform for competitive soccer but has also fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie among the diverse backgrounds represented in Northwood. The tournament’s impact goes beyond entertainment, creating a shared space for discussions, connections, and unity among the students.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Sports

What is Design Thinking?

January 30, 2024 by Hamish Riddell

Design thinking, also known as user-centered design, is a five-step problem-solving process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test/refine) that helps people create better products, services, and policies. Design thinking centers the user and requires that the ones designing the solution deeply understand and define both the problem and the people who experience the problem.

Ms. Stacy Prime, Northwood’s Chief Innovation Officer, teaches the Design Thinking course at Northwood School. “In this out-of-the-box introductory course, students become real-world problem solvers and learn the five stages of the design thinking process: to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, & test/refine,” Prime said. “Faced with design thinking challenges, students leverage industry standard tools and processes to create innovative solutions to problems of their choosing. Part design studio, part think tank and makerspace, this hands-on and minds-on course takes place at the Innovation Hub and requires students to grow as critical and creative thinkers, communicators, and collaborators,” she added.

Ms. Stacy Prime, Chief Innovation Officer (Photo: Michael Aldridge)

Prime added an insight into why Design Thinking is included in the Northwood curriculum. “We want Northwood students to have the best education possible and be ready to be leaders in any field they pursue. Introduction to design thinking, along with entrepreneurship, 3D modeling, and robotics, represents new fields of learning that are growing in relevance,” Prime said. Design thinking can help students become leaders that the world is so much in need of: better problem solvers who can listen and collaborate with other people to develop great solutions to the world’s most vital and important problems.

Design thinking can also be applied to students’ learning experiences in general. “Most importantly, we want students to design a personalized path to success that centers their happiness and well-being. Students can apply the principles they learn in design thinking to their own lives, unlocking new opportunities and solving meaningful problems,” Prime noted.

Design thinking skills are applicable to students’ future careers. “The skills learned in design thinking are useful in any career field,” Prime said. “By taking a design thinking class, students learn how to solve problems for and with a specific group of people. Students also learn how to think more creatively and critically, which are two of the most valuable skills that employers look for in the workforce, according to the World Economic Forum,” added Prime.

Design Thinking is a great class to gain insight into how the process can benefit us. Many people worldwide use Design Thinking to solve problems and improve products and experiences. Design Thinking is a great way for students to find a passion and use creative skills to solve problems.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World

Entrepreneurship Class Solves Real-World Business Problem

January 30, 2024 by Lea Lambert

To start the second semester, the Entrepreneurship class led by Mr. Thomas “Brody” Broderick came up with the project of solving a real business problem: The Lake Placid Toboggan Chute. If you’ve walked on Main Street before you’ve probably recognized it by its massive size. This 30-foot-high structure sends toboggans down an ice-covered chute onto frozen Mirror Lake. This is one of locals’ and tourists’ favorite activities to do in the winter. It’s the perfect way to get the adrenaline pumping and have fun with friends.

Photo: Village of Lake Placid Parks Dept.

Students at Winter Carnival 2021. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge

Since safe ice is defined as 4” thick for foot traffic, achieving this thickness takes some cold weather, and with global warming, this has become a real challenge for the safety of the Lake Placid Toboggan chute. For many years, they were able to start rides in December, but some years, including 2024, they can’t start until February. With global warming increasing, what will it look like ten years from now? That’s why the Entrepreneurship class decided to take responsibility for finding a solution and developing a pitch for the Village of Lake Placid Parks Department.

To start the project, “Brody” had to interview each student to see their strengths so he could assign team captains. The chosen captains then had the choice to either trade or keep members of their team with other members from other teams if they reached an agreement with another captain. The teams will compete to find the best solution.

This will be an enriching experience for students, pushing them to be creative and work together. Maybe one of our three teams will come up with the best plan for the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute and get to have a lasting impact on our community.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World

Northwood Bucket List: Ice Skating on the Oval

January 30, 2024 by Mitchell Baker

This is the latest in the “Northwood Bucket List” series by editor Mitch Baker ’24. Read more stories from this series here.

On a recent Friday night a diverse group of U19 and U17 Northwood soccer players stepped out of their comfort zone to skate at the prestigious Olympic Speed Skating Oval. Many of the student-athletes, including myself, had never been skating before, some athletes had never even seen a skating oval before coming to Northwood. The soccer team at Northwood has always been extremely diverse; students from all over the world come to Northwood to further their academic and soccer abilities. Students from Bermuda, Venezuela, Ecuador, Portugal, Spain, and many more came together to skate for the first time.

Some of the students who crossed “Skating on the Oval” off their “Northwood Bucket List” recently. Photo provided.

Lake Placid is known for the famous 1980 and 1932 Olympic games. The facilities students can access are truly unbelievable. Skating is a must-do activity for Northwood students before they graduate. The feeling of gliding around the oval with the lights shining bright and the music playing loud is a feeling that you will remember for life. “It was so fun skating with all the boys,” said Nicolas Cedeno ‘24. “At the start, it was funny watching everyone fall, and towards the end, it became peaceful. We were all able to skate well and enjoyed the night. Skating is something I would have never done in Ecuador, so I am glad I did it here in Lake Placid,” he added.

Cedeno wasn’t the only new skater, Sachiel Ming ‘24 from sunny Bermuda added, “Skating. A Bermudian man skating! A Bermudian skating is like a Jamaican bobsledding, it is a once in a lifetime sight. I would have never had the opportunity to do this back home. I don’t think the majority of the island has ever even seen an oval.” Sachiel learned quickly and ended up racing me towards the end. We both raced like it was the World Cup Final. Sachiel unfortunately fell early in the race, making it an uneven contest. Regardless of the outcome, it was an experience to remember.

It wasn’t only an amazing experience for first-timers. “I have skated a lot back home, but I think last Friday was my best experience,” Lohkoah Paye ’25 expressed. “Seeing all the guys learn whilst being far better than them is very funny. The facility in town is unreal. Seeing all the flags and the famous hockey rinks really adds to the experience,” he added.

The prep hockey team made a guest appearance, watching us new learners skate. Obviously, they found it funny, but they encouraged and helped us learn. Another positive thing about skating is it unites people. I was skating not only with soccer players but also with skiers and other athletes. Some of us were in the same boat, which forced us to try to learn from each other. We were able to laugh and help each other, which made the overall experience far better. I believe I am personally a lot closer with students outside of the soccer team because of skating.

Overall, I think skating is one of the most important things to cross off your “Northwood bucket list.” Everything about it is special to Lake Placid. The soccer boys had a blast and would like to thank Mrs. Fagan for all the help teaching us how to skate. As we hit the peak of winter, more winter sports may be ticked off the bucket list. Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story Tagged With: BucketList

Longtime Bruins Trainer Visits Class to Speak About Concussions

January 30, 2024 by Jordan Shullenberger

Former Boston Bruins’ trainer Don Del Negro helped Kevin Miller off the ice in 2019. AP Photo: Hannah Foslien

Bourque, Neely, Chara, Bergeron, Pastrnak, Marchand. These are some of the best Boston Bruins players of all time, and Don Del Negro has worked with all of them. For 29 years, Del Negro was the athletic trainer for the Boston Bruins, and on January 16, he was the guest speaker for the Psychology of Performance. Northwood’s athletic trainer, Andy Donatello, also visited the class.

The two Donnies attended the same graduate school, Indiana State. Mr. Del Negro also was the head of athletic training at Williams College while Mr. Spear was a student-athlete. My father, Luke, was also a student-athlete at Williams during that time. Mr. Del Negro has had a long-lasting connection with Northwood.

The Donnies visited class at a perfect time: the concussion unit. Mr. Del Negro talked about the status of concussion protocol in the NHL and how “it’s like a swinging pendulum.” In his first couple of years at the Bruins, concussions weren’t taken as seriously as they are today.

“Concussions were based on if you were knocked unconscious or not, and the severity of the concussion was based on how long you were out for,” he said about his early days as an athletic trainer.

“There’s still a grey area with concussions. Before, you could only have one if you were knocked unconscious, and now you have one if you bump your head and there’s no in-between,” he said.

The NHL changed how it handled concussions when the players’ union felt that the players’ health and condition were being taken advantage of for monetary gains.

“It’s bad for money when a star player is out injured; not as many people will watch the games.”

The NHL has administered stricter rules about concussions to help players with their long-term health. “There’s a direct correlation with former athletes who are middle-aged and have depression, too if they were 19 and had an undiagnosed concussion,” he said.

The NFL has also taken this stance. Mr. Del Negro said that Soccer is a little bit behind, and he proposed a rule change restricting headers in the middle of the pitch, which soccer players in the room didn’t support.

Most sports have implemented the ImPACT test, a cognitive function baseline assessment athletes take at the beginning of their season. When an athlete sustains a potential concussion, they re-take the test to see if their cognitive function matches from before. This is just one of the ways that the game is evolving to protect player health and safety.

Don Del Negro and Andy Donatello have been in the game for a while, and they are glad to see it changing to benefit the players.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Freestyle Skiing: What is a Rail Jam?

January 26, 2024 by Yosef Spear

Yosef Spear ’26 at a recent Rail Jam at Titus Mountain. Photo provided.

A rail jam is a freestyle ski competition where athletes worldwide come together to throw down their best tricks. The rail jam includes rails, boxes, tubes, and more.

Northwood School has a Freestyle team in partnership with NYSEF. The two athletes on the team have had three rail jams so far during the 2023-24 season. Sometimes, there will be a “magic carpet,” a conveyor belt for skiers to get on so they don’t have to hike back to the top of the start. Typically, you must hike up and down the course during the jam.

The rail jam usually consists of two heats of younger and older athletes. Snowboarders and skiers alike compete on the same course. The judges score athletes based on their tricks’ variety, difficulty, and style.

Variety includes spinning both ways onto and off a feature, sliding left foot and right foot forward, and more. The style is how athletes look during the trick and how well they land/ride out. Difficulty is how technical and challenging your trick is.

Rail Jams can be held at almost any ski mountain with features. Whiteface Mountain (Northwood’s home mountain) normally has one or two rail jams a season.

Rail jams typically last 20-30 minutes, and they are either in open style or closed style. Open style is when athletes can go in whatever order they see fit. While hiking, if an athlete passes another, that athlete can choose to go before the one they passed. Closed style is when there is an order in which athletes must go in. A competition official has a list that determines the athletes’ order. That athlete waits for the judge to give the “ok,” sending the next athlete down to complete their run.

As the season progresses, athletes rack up their points at every rail jam they compete in. The athletes with the highest points go to Nationals, competing at a special mountain with the best features.

Below: Clay Fuller ’25 training recently. Video provided.

Below: Yosef Spear ’26 training recently. Video provided.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Student Section Brings Energy to Hockey Games

January 25, 2024 by Halle Mules

Student-athletes devote endless hours to their sports for months on end, on top of their/ demanding academic schedule. Since sports teams are often on the road, home games are eagerly awaited. Every year, there is one weekend when all sports teams are at home. The Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament is unique in that it draws a crowd of both participants and fans. The Northwood community has the ideal opportunity to show support for their teams, and they did just that.

The student cheering section at the 2024 Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament Girls Championship game. Nico Cedeno ’24 is on the left, with the drum. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Nicolas Cedeno ‘24, who brings positive energy into the community, brought the same energy to the games at the tournament, along with what appeared to be the whole school. “It is important to support the other teams on campus,” Cedeno said. “I know what it’s like to be in a game and feel the energy from the fans, and I want to give that same energy to the hockey players,” he added.

The fans not only showed up to watch, but they brought instruments. Nico was on the drums, which caught much attention, including from parents with opposing teams. “When we were at the girls’ game, a lady from the other team was upset because we were loud and we were doing chants against her daughter’s team, but that is what it’s all about, and we love that.”

The girls’ championship game was the highlight of the tournament. “When the girls had their championship game, we were so hyped that we brought many more instruments instead of just the drums. It looked like the whole school was there, so it was exciting when we were all dancing and cheering. When they won, we all went to the ice and took pictures, and it was special because we were all family at the end of the day,” Cedeno said.

Nico summed up his goal for that game’s cheering section: “If you were not with us, you would want to be with us.”

The back-to-back Northwood Invitational Champions Girls’ Hockey Team. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Players and spectators together created a ton of new memories. Assistant captain Katie Demers ‘24 has competed in three Northwood Tournaments. She made it to the finals every time and helped her team to win the last two. She has created many memories in those years but says none compared to their championship game. “I have been here for three years and have never seen a crowd that size. We took our victory lap and carried the trophy to the corner where everyone was; it looked like the entire school was there,” Demers said.

The student section moved throughout the rink, and many people remember them being behind the players’ bench. “It felt like a mosh pit behind our bench; I couldn’t hear myself talking, and the glass was trembling,” Gracie Hurlbut ’25 said.

A cheer you should know to become a Husky Fanatic:

Nico’s favorite cheer is “Northwood’s on fire.” We usually do it after someone scores. For example, when Brac scores, we would chant:

“Brac is on fire!
Your defense is terrified!”