Northwood Life – The Mirror

Students Honored with Underclass Awards

May 15, 2023 by Mirror Staff

The Underclass Award Ceremony was on Monday, May 15. Students from the junior class won several awards. There were also several college scholarships given out to students who have been excelling the classroom. It was great to see so many Northwood students get so many fantastic awards.

The winners of the awards are listed below. Northwood congratulates the students who won these prestigious awards and encourages those who didn’t win an award to work hard in their studies and win an award in the future.

Dartmouth Book Award

The Dartmouth Alumni Book Award Program has two goals: to recognize and reward high school juniors who have excelled both academically and in their extracurricular activities; and to encourage these talented students to consider attending Dartmouth. The winner is: KRISTEN KIGGEN ‘24

Williams Book Award

The Williams College Book Award encourages intellectual excellence and recognizes student achievement. A book is awarded to the student who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and made significant contribution to the extracurricular life of their school. The winner is: ASHLEY GUEVARA ‘24

Brown Book Award

Brown University honors the junior who best combines academic excellence with clarity in written and spoken expression. Language is the highest expression of our humanity; it defines what we are and what we aspire to be. Those who use words effectively will be the leaders in the generation. In them we invest our hope; to them we accord our respect. With this award, we salute their potential. The winner is: SOPHIA SCHUPP ‘24

Bowdoin Book Award

This award recognizes a high school junior who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the common good and an unusual passion for inquiry, discovery, and innovative thinking. The winner is: PARKER ASBRIDGE ‘24

University of Notre Dame Book Award

The Notre Dame Book Award recognizes a junior who is a creative, compassionate individual; who is curious, excels academically; and who seeks social justice and a way to make a difference. The recipient is: BRIAN BRADY ‘24

University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award

A merit scholarship for a minimum of $5,000 per year to the University of Rochester is given to one junior with outstanding academic achievement in the field of science and math. This year’s recipient is: COLIN KIS ‘24

Rensselaer Medal

This award is given annually by the Alumni Association of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to the student in the Junior Class who ranks highest in math & science and has the greatest interest in a science-related career. This merit scholarship is for up to $120,000 over four years. The winner is: TEAGAN WENTZEL ‘24

Clarkson Awards

The Clarkson University High School Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership qualities and academic promise. This award carries a $100,000 scholarship over four years. Northwood’s nominee is: BELLA NORRIS ‘24

The Clarkson University High School Achievement Award carries a $80,000 scholarship over four years. SHAYNA DEUTSCH ‘24

Augsbury/North Country Scholarship at St. Lawrence University

The Augsbury/North Country Scholarship was established in 1974 and serves to recognize academic and co-curricular leadership among designated North Country and Canadian high school students. The four-year scholarship, worth up to $140,000, is awarded to three nominated students. Northwood School’s nominees are: ELIZABETH CREIGHTON ‘24, OLIVIA LEVESQUE ‘24, and OWEN FLYNN ‘24

The University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award

UVM recognizes exemplary students with this award for demonstrating active citizenship and service to their communities as well as outstanding scholarship. Putting knowledge into action for the betterment of humanity is at the foundation of a UVM education. This year’s award goes to: LEON BRODY ‘24

Saint Michael’s College Book Award

The Saint Michael’s Book Award recognizes a pair of juniors who exhibit the characteristics of an ideal Saint Michael’s student. Awardees are candidates for the Cum Laude Society and demonstrate Social Conscience: they show a sustained and sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others. This year’s winners, who will receive a scholarship to Saint Michael’s College of at least $17,000 per year up to full tuition, are: KATIE DEMERS ‘24 and SAM RUDY ‘24

St. Bonaventure BONNIE Scholarships

At St. Bonaventure, Franciscan values of community and service are cornerstones of their identity, mission, and culture. The Bonnie Scholarships, $80,000 over 4 years of study, reward students based on qualities that reflect the core values of the university, including academic excellence, community, integrity, wisdom, leadership, social responsibility, compassion, and an appreciation for diversity. SACHIEL MING ‘24 and NICOLAS CEDENO ‘24

Elmira College Key

Sponsored by the Elmira College Alumni Association, the Elmira Key has been awarded since 1935. This merit award is bestowed upon an outstanding student in their junior year of high school. The Elmira Key holds a monetary scholarship of $80,000 over four years upon enrolling at Elmira. This year’s winners are: MORGAN SMITH ‘24

Alfred University Scholars Award

Alfred University offers a wide variety of scholarships to acknowledge the special abilities of new first year, transfer and international students. One current junior from each high school will be eligible for this award. Based on chosen major, the selected recipient will receive up to $30,000 per year until graduating from Alfred University. This year the award goes to: BENJAMIN PLUCINSKI ‘24

The University at Albany Multicultural High School Achievers Award

The University at Albany Multicultural High School Achievers Award Program honors the accomplishments of high school achievers from upstate New York and beyond. Now proudly celebrating its 35^th year, this program provides the University at Albany with the opportunity to recognize juniors who have distinguished high school academic records and who are involved in numerous school and community activities. This year’s winner is: SAM KNAUF ‘24

Department Awards

English Prize

The English prize goes to a student for whom literature is a passport to all lands and ages for whom writing is an opportunity to convey worthy ideas with passion and grace. The winner this year is: KRISTEN KIGGEN ‘24

World Language Prize

The Language Prize is awarded to the student who passionately pursues skill in the speaking, reading, and writing of a foreign language. The winners this year are:

For French – LEON BRODY ‘24

For Spanish – SOPHIA SCHUPP ‘24

Mathematics Prize

The Mathematics prize is given to a student who combines talent with hard work, and whose curiosity and creative thinking provide a lively model for maximizing learning in mathematics. The winner this year is: DREW DONATELLO ‘24

Science Prize

The Science prize is given to a student who has demonstrated both

interest and achievement in the field of science. This student has a strong desire to understand scientific concepts and has an inquisitive mind. In addition, this student thinks about the topics beyond the scope of the classroom and completes every assignment with diligence and effort. The winner this year is: COLIN KIS ‘24

Social Science Prize

The Social Science Prize is presented for excellence in the appreciation and understanding of issues in the Social Sciences. The winner is: OWEN FLYNN ‘24

Visual and Performing Arts Prizes

Creativity, passion, energy, and a zest for artistic excellence are qualities that describe the recipients of these awards.

FOR VISUAL ARTS: SAM KNAUF ‘24

FOR PERFORMING ARTS: MAX SCHWARTZ ‘24

English Learner Prize

The English Learner Prize is given to a junior who has, through engagement in the Northwood Community, demonstrated an increased mastery of the English language. The winner is: ELISABETH CREIGHTON ‘24

Innovation, Engineering, and Entrepreneurial Prize

The IEE Prize is given to a student whose curiosity, creative problem-solving, and teamwork helped advance the development and growth of the Innovation, Engineering, and Entrepreneurial Studies program. The winner is: PIPER TEIG ‘24

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Humans of Northwood: Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalo ’23

May 14, 2023 by Cedric Lemaire

“I want to let people know that doing a favor for someone, although you don’t get a reward for it, is sometimes the most fulfilling thing in life and that if you are my friend, I will always be there for you.

“I grew up in a town in Madrid, 20 minutes from the city. As a kid, I lived various experiences, but the ones that stuck with me the most were all the differences with my friends because, you know, being a skier from Spain is a little bit weird. It’s not that we don’t have snow—of course, we do—but it’s not the most common sport to be into because people don’t do the sport as much as soccer, and you have to go every day to the mountain which is not close to my house, and it only snows in the mountains.

“Anyways, the point is that I was so committed to the sport at such a young age that traveling a lot and skipping a lot of school was weird for my friends and me. I remember fighting a lot with my parents to skip races so I could hang out with my friends, but they showed me that if I wanted something, I would have to prioritize it and sacrifice some of the other things I wanted to do. So, ultimately, I learned to be independent when I traveled away from home, and when I came back, I had to solve all the school-related problems with the teachers. It also showed me to appreciate the short time we spend with our friends and family and that you must squeeze the juice of those moments.

“My biggest passion is Alpine skiing, but in general, I’m really into outdoor-related activities, especially anything that has to do with mountains and cold, such as rock climbing, ice climbing, alpinism, etc. Although I am from Spain, soccer has always been a part of my life as other sports such as basketball and tennis. Outside of sports, I also love to program Arduino and 3D modeling, and sometimes I try to replicate engineering projects that I find on YouTube channels.”

As Told to Cedric Lemaire ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Cole Bauman ‘23

May 11, 2023 by Cedric Lemaire

“I am a second-year senior from Fort Myers, Florida, and I grew up in Ontario, Canada.

“I came to Northwood because I wanted the opportunity to play hockey at the highest level and achieve academic success. After touring the school and seeing the amazing environment, it was a no-brainer to come here.

“One of my favorite experiences this year at school was Mountain Day. Although it was quite challenging and we faced some adversity, it was an amazing experience climbing one of the largest mountains and seeing the amazing views with my best friends.

“When not traveling for hockey or in school, I enjoy lifting weights, playing golf, or going to the beach on campus with my teammates and friends.

“After Northwood, I plan on playing hockey at Nazareth College, where I have committed for the 2023-24 season. Will study Pre-Law to start my journey to becoming an attorney.”

As told to Cedric Lemaire ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Celebrating Nurse Appreciation Day!

May 10, 2023 by Maisie Crane

Margaret (Marge) Maher (left) and Jody Borzilleri in the health center (photo: Maisie Crane ’23).

At Northwood, we love our nurses, Jody, Marge, and health center assistant Caroline Roy!

Every day, they help us with meds or assess how we are feeling, and they are great to just talk to. They have helped our school overcome mass illnesses like covid or the flu and offer snacks when you’re feeling hungry.

Their office is in the back of the dining hall and is a hub for many students during off periods, in-between classes, and during mealtimes. My friends and I often find ourselves talking about our problems with one of our nurses after lunch.

“I really appreciate all the hard work put forth by our nurses. Whenever I was feeling down Jody would hit me with the aroma therapy. Thank you!” Wyatt Wardlaw ‘24 said.

“I love to visit the nurse’s office with friends,” Sophia Schupp ‘24 said, “and love when Caroline gives us cookies!”

Thank you to our fantastic nursing staff, who dedicate so much to keeping our school healthy!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Junyeop Lee ‘23

May 10, 2023 by Anayo Etumnu Jnr

“Hello, I am Junyeop Lee from South Korea, and I am in 12th grade. Before Northwood, I used to play soccer in Korea competitively. Then, I quit soccer two years before I joined Northwood. I then joined Northwood, where I originally was an independent but then I found the Black Rock Football Club and joined the soccer team, where I started playing again.

I have my mom, dad, older sister, and brother in my family. My dad is now retired while my mom owns a restaurant. Other than soccer, my hobbies include working out and reading literature. I’m reading a book about finance related to my Independent Study, which is about investment and money; this is also an alley I want to pursue in the future. So far, my favorite course at Northwood is the Independent Study, where I can study what I want to learn.”

As told to AJ Etunmu ‘25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

U19s Win Soccer Showcase; U17s Take 3rd

May 9, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

The U19 Team won the showcase. Photo provided.

Northwood recently hosted the Black Rock Spring Soccer Showcase. Teams from all over North America came to Northwood School to showcase their talent in front of top colleges. Several coaches left the showcase happy because of the high-standard games and the well-run program. The U19 and U17 Northwood teams competed hard and played in 4 intense games. The U19 team sought to defend its title on home turf after triumphantly winning the previous Northwood Invitational. The U17s were determined to avenge their previous effort to win the Northwood Invitational, where they, unfortunately, lost in the final in penalties. Northwood faculty and students were eager to support both teams and did so passionately.

The U19s started the weekend with a 1-0 victory against Pro Stars Fc. Sachiel Ming ’24 scored a beautiful left-footed goal in the first 10 minutes of the game. The hockey boys showed superb support and celebrated with the players after the potent goal. The game slowed after the first goal, and the U19 held on and won 1-0. The U19s then took on Riberio Moojen SPU for their day’s final match. The support decreased from the Northwood community due to the inclement weather, but that did not affect the team. The boys won 1-0 with a classy finish from Andreas Viteri ’23.

Sachiel Ming expressed, “The first day of the showcase was heaven. We were determined to put on a show in front of our fans, and we did. Playing in front of fans gives you that extra boost to work harder. The Northwood community was like a 12^th man with its support.”

The team dominated the last day of the showcase, winning its first game against Western Reserve 1-0 and its second 3-0 against Burlington Football Club. Cedric Lemaire proclaimed, “The team was excellent on our home turf. We entered a flow state as a team and were unstoppable.” The U19s defended its title, going undefeated without conceding a goal. They excelled in the previous Northwood Invitational and continued their impressive home form.

The U17 team started the weekend extremely slow, losing 2-0 against St. Anthony Futuro SC. The team started the game off lethargically, and the score line reflected it. Lohkoah Paye ’25, Co-Captain stated, “We started off terribly. We weren’t playing like us, and the team morale was low. St Anthony took advantage of that and capitalized early to put the game to bed. We picked our form up later in the game, but it was just too late.” The second game started much better for the U17s, as they took the lead early, with Mitchell Baker ’25 scoring off a Jace Donowa ’25 cross. They, however, didn’t hold the lead as the game continued and drew 1-1. Sam Rudy, a skier who watched the game, said, “The 17s played a lot better in the second game. They came out stronger and scored a nice goal. Unfortunately, the other team scored a banger which was almost impossible to save, but the 17s looked a lot better than I expected.” The U17 team was disappointed with their results after the first day because it put them in the 3^rd and 4^th playoff, not the final. They played the semifinal for the 3^rd and 4^th playoff against Immaculate Heart School (IHC), a familiar rival. It was IHC who won the previous Northwood Invitational. The U17 team was out for revenge and took this game personally.

Coach Martinez analyzed IHC’s game plan and changed the team’s formation and press. Coach Martinez deserves much credit for this tactical change because the team won the game. The team came out strong pressing hard. IHC didn’t know what to do, and the boys finally broke through with 10 minutes left. Diego Green ’25 scored off a Jace Donowa cross. Diego celebrated passionately, and the lads were experiencing pure joy. Later in the game, Baker scored a cheeky goal chipping the goalkeeper off a Hamish Riddle ’26 through ball. The game ended 2-0, and the team got their revenge.

The win secured a start in the playoffs for 3^rd place against Pro Stars FC. The game was immensely scrappy due to tired legs and heavy rain. Both teams were exhausted but battled hard but couldn’t find the back of the net. The team was preparing for a penalty shootout, but with 3 seconds to go, Baker scored a header from an AJ Etumnu ’25 corner. The team went crazy and stormed the pitch, celebrating the victory. The U17s weren’t happy with 3^rd place but were pleased with their performance on the second day.

Both teams competed hard over the weekend and entertained a passionate crowd. Northwood School held another successful event and would like to thank all teams and coaches who made the trip to compete over the weekend. The community loves hosting games for the teams and looks forward to many more successful showcases.

The U17 team took 3rd place in the showcase. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Symposium Highlights Research and Independent Study

May 9, 2023 by Mirror Staff

Northwood School expects a large turnout of students, faculty, parents, and members of the Tri-Lakes community to the annual Student Symposium on Thursday, May 11, from 4:00 – 6:30 pm at the Innovation Hub on Main Street.

The Symposium features academic work completed this school year by students in Northwood’s Honors Independent Studies, Advanced STEM Research, and Advanced Humanities Research programs.

The advanced, honors-level academic offerings allow students to explore their passions and interests through independent research, often partnered with a mentor in the field. Students work closely with faculty advisors to develop a research question, design a research project, and collect and analyze data. The Symposium, held shortly before Commencement, serves as the culminating event for students in these programs, giving them a chance to present their research to a broader audience.

The Symposium will showcase the culmination of Northwood’s Seniors’ research into subjects including designing and engineering a 3D-printed prosthetic forearm with auditory control, using Drosophila to explore how a ketogenic diet can reduce mortality rates after concussions, and exploring the career of sports medicine.

Northwood supports its students’ academic and personal growth by providing a challenging and supportive learning environment to explore their academic interests. Such independent work prepares its students for success in college and beyond, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and other emerging technologies.

Article gleaned from a school press release.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Paddlers Hit the Whitewater

May 8, 2023 by Aidan Lasky

During the spring at Northwood, most students are tasked with choosing a separate co-curricular from their fall/winter sport. One of the unique offerings here at Northwood is a complete course in whitewater kayaking. I have had the pleasure of joining this course for the past two years, so I can provide some insight into how incredible this offering is.

The whitewater kayaking course is a subdivision of the recently re-launched Northwood Outing Club (NOC), led by Bobby O’Connor and Matt Roy. With these two leading, you get a combination of Mr. Roy’s years of experience and Bobby’s mastery of teaching students the disciplines of the outdoors.

This course starts very mildly, and Bobby does a great job of starting from a clean slate so that pretty much anyone can join, regardless of skill level. Bobby likes to joke about how cool it is to see how the group whittles down over the first few days. It tends to scare some students off between the cold water and the surprising amount of technique required to keep the boat going where you want it to. If you happen to be one of these students though, both Mr. Roy and Bobby encourage you to stick with it because those hardships are worth going through when the techniques finally click.

Alex Randall ’25 (Photo: Mr. Bobby O’Connor)

When first starting the course, we had a flatwater day out on Mirror Lake so Bobby could show the group all the basics of what it takes to succeed on moving water. We went over basic forward strokes to harder draw strokes that will help us dodge obstacles on the river. After that, we take a step up from that and go down to Saranac Lake Dam. There is a very mild amount of moving water there, and it is excellent for putting the skills learned on the first day to use in moving water. This is the day when most students realize if they want to continue because even though there is a small amount of moving water, it isn’t hard for beginners to tip the boat over accidentally. After the group gets a bit smaller, we make our way to the next level, which is a short stretch of faster-moving water again, so students aren’t taken from 0-60. After that, the students made their way to take on a 5-mile stretch of the Ausable East Branch. In this one Alex Randall ended up taking a swim so we got a great demonstration of what a river rescue is like. Anytime we are able to Bobby and Mr. Roy promote safety first when on the river. The very next day we went from the Wilmington dam to further down the Ausable West Branch. Through all these runs we have learned to identify river features and how to navigate certain obstacles when we are quite literally thrown into them. It has been a fantastic experience so far, and I know the others in the group would say they have had nothing but fun despite taking a few swims.

It is great to participate in such an amazing outdoor discipline, and in doing so, you get to connect with other students you might not usually talk with. I have nothing but great things to say about it, and I want to thank Bobby and Mr. Roy for being such great teachers to the group because we really appreciate the time and effort put into this. This is what has been happening so far in the Whitewater coco and we are excited to see what water the “Northwood Swim Team,” as Bobby likes to call us, takes on in the final weeks of the school year.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Spring Mountain Day a Hit

May 8, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

Scene from Spring Mountain Day 2023. Photo: Provided.

On the 28^th of April, Northwood held its annual Mountain Day, which had been postponed from the usual start of the year due to horrendous weather. Students were disappointed about the event’s postponement but were thrilled to get the opportunity to participate.

Mountain Day has been an annual event at Northwood for over 45 years. Retired teacher and outing club director Don Mellor, an expert in outdoor activities, started Mountain Day and is responsible for this remarkable event. The event allows the Northwood community to engage in the Adirondack experience as students climb and hike through the beautiful mountain range surrounding the school.

Bobby O’Connor is the current head of the Northwood Outing Club (NOC) at Northwood and was in charge of Mountain Day this year. “This year’s Mountain Day was a modified version. It involved smaller mountains because of the timing. The trail conditions in the spring limited us to peaks below 500 feet. All in all, it was a really good day, and all the kids were able to get out and enjoy the peaks,” O’Connor said.

Mountain Day was also a good opportunity for kids to experience the NOC program. NOC is growing at Northwood and has been embraced by many students over the years. “Mountain Day is definitely one of the staples of the NOC program and is something we look forward to every year. It originated with Don Mellor, who is now retired from the school, but had such a strong presence here and his influence has really made Mountain Day huge for us. It is like the Super Bowl for the NOC program,” O’Connor said.

Several students were impressed with the experience and are looking to join the NOC program post-Mountain Day. Cedric Lemaire ’24 remarked, “It is hard to participate in NOC activities because of the rigorous soccer season, but now that the season is coming to an end, I am looking forward to potentially participating in NOC.”

Mountain Day is a great opportunity to experience the Adirondacks and a unique opportunity to get to know different people. It is usually at the start of the year, so it helps new kids settle in. A criticism of Northwood is different teams don’t often mix with each other, and it is a real problem. The athletic diversity in friendship groups is poor, as most athletes hang out with teammates from their own sport, which doesn’t create a family vibe within the school. On Mountain Day, the groups are randomized so people from all backgrounds and sports are forced to talk to each other. This was apparent this year.

“I usually don’t talk to many of the soccer kids on the U17 team, but I was in a group with two players on Mountain Day and I loved it,” Sam Rudy ’23 said. “I got to learn more about the hockey program and the people in it. I enjoyed the mixed groups and look forward to next year’s event,” Hamish Riddel ’26 said.

Mountain Day was a huge success this year. It is important to recognize all the hard work Bobby O’Connor and the other staff members put into the organization of the day. The Northwood community loved it and can’t wait for the next one!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Luxurious Prom Planned for May 18

May 8, 2023 by Maegan Byrne

The 2023 Northwood Prom will be held on Thursday, May 18th. The theme for this year’s Prom is “Masked in Luxury.” The Northwood Prom committee wanted a luxurious Prom with black, gold, and pearl decorations. The idea behind this theme was to have it look like a gala from the 1920s. It will be held under a tent on campus on the upper field.

There will be a photo booth for picture opportunities, food, and dancing. The menu for this year’s Prom will have a burrito station as well as a pasta station. The pasta station will have salad, pasta, and rolls. A playlist of students’ recommended songs will be played throughout the evening, along with Adam Stewart taking requests for song choices.

The Prom will start at 6 pm and end at 10:30 pm. Tickets are $60 per person. Day students will not be able to drive to or from the prom. This year’s Prom will be a fun evening and a great way to wrap up the year.