People – The Mirror

Humans of Northwood: Reid Fesette ‘24

May 13, 2024 by Ivan Favreau

“I am 18 years old and from Plattsburgh, New York. I go to Northwood for Hockey and am the Varsity Hockey team’s captain.

“Most people don’t know this about me, but I want to pursue becoming a commercial pilot. I want to fly for a commercial airline like Southwest or United Airlines.

“My motivation for this is from my father, who told me he would pursue becoming a commercial pilot if he could be where I am right now. This is because my dad sees his friend is working as a commercial pilot, and it seems like the best career to him.

“I found passion in this and am on my way to earning my wings, which symbolize the ability and license to fly an airplane.”

As told to Ivan Favreau ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Sentimental Sunrise Hike Makes Lifelong Memories

May 12, 2024 by Mitchell Baker

Every year at Northwood, seniors take part in a traditional skip day. This skip day allows seniors to skip class and enjoy their final moments living in Lake Placid. Seniors are not forced to skip classes, however. With multiple exams coming up, it is common for seniors to participate in a few key classes. Seniors do a variety of activities. Some go to Northwood Beach, tan on the turf, and participate in a sentimental senior sunrise. This year, I decided to wake up at 4:45 a.m. on a Monday to enjoy a sunrise hike with fellow seniors Sachiel Ming, Leon Brody, and Elm Pentinat.

Photos provided.

Sachiel Ming encouraged us to do the hike as it would be one last moment to watch the sunrise on the place that changed our lives. “I was pretty disappointed when I heard the boys weren’t going to come,” said Sachiel. “I knew it would be worth it, so I woke up 15 minutes early to wake them up.” I was woken up by Sachiel and instantly told him to go by himself. After 5 minutes of motivational talk, I got up, and we embarked on our journey. On the hike up the mountain we reflected on our Northwood lives and on some of our best experiences together.

“I enjoyed the talks we had in the past the most,” said Elm. “We talked about our trip to Vegas, our different haircuts we had, and we recalled some of the bad decisions we had made.” The walk up the mountain had already made the hike for me.

When we arrived at the top, we united with the rest of the senior class brave enough to wake up early. We sat down and waited for the sun to rise. After a while, we decided to break off from the group and go to a spot our team had gone to at the start of the year. It was just us four and nature.

“It was a great decision to go to that spot,” said Leon Brody. “The view was better, and we could engage with Lake Placid in a more peaceful setting.” Unfortunately, the weather was terrible, and we couldn’t witness the sunrise, but that didn’t bother us. We sat in the fog and rain and continued to reflect. We discussed our future and how Northwood will forever be in our hearts. After a while, we decided to head back down.

The sunrise hike was an experience I will never forget. It was a great way to start senior skip day and a great way to say goodbye to Lake Placid. Only one week to go until we say goodbye to Northwood!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Humans of Northwood: Elise Fraser ‘24

May 12, 2024 by Jordan Shullenberger

“I grew up in a small town in Northern Sweden. I live with my mother and father, and I have an older brother, but he’s in college. I came to Northwood for the athletic and academic opportunities. My coach back home knew Mr. Gilligan, so he set me up with the connection, and here I am.

“Two things I’m passionate about besides hockey are going for walks and playing golf. I like walking because it helps me relax. It’s very nice that the Lake Placid area is so beautiful because I can look at the scenery when I walk. I like playing golf for similar reasons because it’s a fun sport. I get to walk, and the scenery is beautiful too.

“Something that I’d like people to know about me is that I don’t like sushi. I don’t get the hype. I feel like everyone likes it, but I don’t.”

As told to Jordan Shullenberger ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Dorm Tour: Sophia Miller ‘24

May 12, 2024 by Avery Novia

Sophia Miller is a Senior from Sun Valley, Idaho. This is her first year at Northwood and her first time at a boarding school far away from home. She lives in a basic single room on Second West. Here is a little tour!

Photo by Avery Novia ’24.

Sophia loves music. Her record wall is full of old vinyl, which was given to her by her dad. Every time she walks into her room, it reminds her of home. Her favorite one is The New England Express album.

Photo by Avery Novia ’24.

On this wall is the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Poster that Sophia got when she saw her live in Seattle. Below the poster is a dream catcher she has had since she was younger; it has been in every room she has lived in. Her pink Squish Mellow was a gift from her best friend, Mia, back at home. The bouquet of dried flowers was a gift from Mia’s mom, and they serve as a token of remembrance from their Eras Tour trip.

Photo by Avery Novia ’24.

Sophia bought this tapestry from a small shop in Idaho. This little decoration fills up the empty space in her room and makes it feel cozier. Below are more record sleeves, also given to her by her dad. Also pictured is her beloved Airpod Max, which she never leaves without. They come with her to every class, every gym session, and every travel, no matter what.

Sophia’s room is filled with love, whether from her parents or friends. It is a welcoming and unique space for her. She loves to have visitors at any hour of the day. Her room is the spot to be.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People Tagged With: DormRoomTour

Dorm Room Tour: Jenny Tran’ 25

May 12, 2024 by Avery Novia

Jenny Tran is a Junior from Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam. This is her second year at Northwood and studying in the States. Jenny lives in a basic single room on First West. Here is a quick tour of her room!

Photo: Avery Novia ’24.

Jenny’s snack shelf is always brimming with her favorite, Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup that reminds her of home. She buys different things every week, not just for herself, but to share with her friends, who love to raid her collection whenever possible.

Photo: Avery Novia ’24.

Her memory wall lives right above her bed. She started collecting pictures, letters, tickets, and other small sentimental things at the beginning of this school year. Her favorite things in her collection are her plane tickets because they remind her of her travels. She also likes the pictures of her and her friends from back home. They live so far away, and looking up is always a friendly reminder of their presence in her life.

Photo: Avery Novia ’24.

Jenny gets ready every morning and puts her jewelry in the mirror. Above it are posters that remind her to stay positive and motivated throughout the day. She loves jewelry, and last year, in her art class, she made her own dish to hold all her rings.

Photo: Avery Novia ’24.

On the left are all of Jenny’s pieces created before she came to Northwood. She used to draw and paint a lot growing up. On the right side of the wall are a couple of posters she bought as souvenirs in South Korea. She also has other pieces found at thrift stores and art galleries.

As you can see, Jenny has LED lights and a sunset lamp that are always on, creating a nice ambiance for studying and relaxing. The things Jenny has collected and how she has set up her room are tokens of who she is. It is a welcoming space that is unique to her.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People Tagged With: DormRoomTour

Senior Spends Spring Break with BCHL Junior Team

May 12, 2024 by Maegan Byrne

Sam Lyne ’24. Photo: Instagram/samlyne_

Sam Lyne ‘24 spent his spring break playing for a British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) team in Cranbrook, British Columbia. The Prep team power forward was there for three weeks and had a great experience.

Sam is widely known at Northwood and beyond for his fitness account, where he posts fitness plans people can purchase and follow during hockey season and the off-season. He uses Instagram to share content and influence people to try his program.

During spring break, he spent a lot of his downtime working on that Instagram content, filming videos, and editing. He spent the rest of his free time going to the gym and playing basketball with the team. But most of his time was spent playing hockey.

He enjoyed the fast pace and skill level in the BCHL. “It was faster, more competitive, and much more skillful,” he said, “but a lot of fun.” Sam is going to play for Cranbrook Bucks next year before heading off to Colgate. He’s excited to be living out West and playing in a good league. Sam played in four games with the Bucks, tallying one goal and two assists for three points.

Filed Under: People, Sports

Three Recommendations from Machai Davis ‘25

May 12, 2024 by Hamish Riddell

Machai Davis ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Everyone has different views and opinions on certain movies, and people’s opinions can influence others. Getting insights into what others are interested in is a very important yet interesting task. Today, we will get an insight from junior soccer player and The Northwood Mirror staff writer Machai Davis. Machai Davis is from Bermuda and has been at Northwood for two years and is coming back for this third. He will recommend a song, movie, and experience in life to achieve. Let’s go get an insight into his recommendations.

“Paper Loving” by Christopher Martin

For his song, Machai Davis chose “Paper Loving” by Christopher Martin. This song holds a special place in his heart. “It’s just a song that I grew up with. Back home in Bermuda, we would listen to that song a lot and it’s just part of our culture. It might be a little different to what Americans over here at Northwood would listen to but it is a song that I find great and I enjoy it a lot. You should give it a listen.”

Avengers: Endgame

“I know it is already pretty famous, but I cannot miss out on an Avengers Endgame. This movie is so great, anyone who has not watched it has got to watch it. Back in Bermuda, I used to watch it with my cousins before we moved away from each other so this movie holds a little sentimental value. It’s about superheroes but in the real world. Honestly, it’s just great, and you have to give it a try.”

Vist Bermuda

For the last recommendation from Machai, it is a simple, short, and sweet trip to Bermuda, his homeland. “I know this is not something extravagant, and it’s just my home, but the place I live is excellent. Bermuda is a place that does not seem real. You have crystal clear blue waters and great weather. The food is unique and the people too. To take a trip to Bermuda is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am so happy to be there. So yeah, if I had to recommend one experience, it would be to go and see Bermuda.”

We thanked Machai for his time and his recommendations. If you want to look at any of his recommendations, you can see the links posted with each recommendation.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Real World Tagged With: ThreeRecommendations

Soccer Team Adds Two DIII Commits

May 12, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

Northwood’s soccer program has added two more commits to their list of successful college players. Those two new commits are Sam Knauff and Liam Burke. This article is a dive into why they chose to commit to their respective schools and what they will miss about Northwood.

Sam Knauf ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Sam Knauff ‘24, the PG out of Lake George, is headed to Washington College. The liberal arts school in Maryland offers Sam good-quality soccer and an ideal academic setup for Sam because, as it is a liberal arts school, he will be able to figure out what his area of study will be and not have to go into his first-year knowing exactly what he will want to study. He explained this to me during our conversation: “I plan to go and find my way. I have ideas of what I excel in in school, but I’m just gonna take everything as it comes. Because, you know, it’s a journey.” Regarding the soccer side of college, Sam is excited about getting going with his new team. “My tipping point in deciding I wanted to commit to George Washington was spending a few days with the soccer team. It’s just so diverse. The coaches are great. It feels like they have a great culture, and I will fit right in.” Sam also wanted to mention something he will miss dearly. “What I will miss most is the Clam Chowder soup.”

Liam Burk ’24. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

German Liam Burk ‘24 is headed to one of his dream schools: RPI. As a tech-minded and tech-savvy person, RPI aligns perfectly with his academic interests. During our conversation, he expressed delight and excitement about furthering his academic and athletic journeys at RPI. “I chose RPI because it represented the perfect fit for me. I’m interested in studying computer science and game design, so this school perfectly fits my interests. RPI aligns in many ways, not solely academically. One of my other things was that I wanted to go to a middle-sized school in terms of population, which is the case at RPI. It is also not too remote location-wise, another important factor for me. The tipping point in my decision to go to RPI was when I first contacted the coach. The school was always on my radar because of what I discussed regarding academic alignment, population, and location. So, when they told me they were interested in me, it made me conclude that this is where I want to be. What will I miss about Northwood? If I had to pick one thing, I would say my friends,” Burk added.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Dorm Room Tour: Maegan Byrne ‘24

May 11, 2024 by Halle Mules

Welcome to Maegan Bryne’s dorm room tour. Meghan is a senior from Saratoga Springs, NY, and lives in a single on ground west!

Maegan chose a pink color theme for her room because it is one of her favorite colors.

Maegan got the inspiration for her room from Pinterest. She wanted to add pictures over her bed to make it cozier.

Maegan also put up a poster of Elon where she will be attending next year.

Photos by Halle Mules ’24.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People Tagged With: DormRoomTour

Gunnar Gleasman’s ’26 Pre-Game Ritual

May 11, 2024 by Gavin Kruger

This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.

Gunnar Gleasman ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“When we’re playing in the afternoon or a night game,” said Gunnar Gleasman, a sophomore hockey player from Colorado, “I like to wake up, and the first thing I do is go for a walk. While I’m on my walk, I’ll listen to some country music. Then, I’ll call my parents during my walk. Once I’m back, I’ll Normatec for a little bit. I like to eat two and a half hours before we head to the rink. Usually, I eat lots of fruits and other natural sugars. I also like to get in an English muffin and sometimes a few eggs. That said, I don’t like to fill up on protein at the beginning of the day. I also will bring some sweet potatoes for the rink too; I’ll eat those exactly one hour before the game. After warmups, I’ll read a few lines from a book I love: Make Your Bed. I’ll read a few lines from a part of the book I’ve been relating to recently. Then, 10 minutes before the game, I’ll go into the hall to meditate and take deep breaths.

“I found out about Northwood because of my uncle. He played at Northwood and then went on to Harvard. My mom’s side of the family has all been hockey players, so that’s also where I found hockey. My dad’s side of the family didn’t know much about hockey, so it was from my mom’s side and my uncle. As a kid, I watched a few hockey games and began to love the sport through watching. I remember my first game was a New York Rangers game. So that’s why I’m a Rangers fan.

“Advice I’d give to a student-athlete? First, I think you have to constantly communicate with your teachers to ensure you’re ahead of the game and doing well in your classes. Then, in my case, though, what I will say applies to any athlete: you have to be confident. You have to be willing to make plays and put your body on the line. Also, preparation is key. You gotta be prepared for everything. Take everything seriously: your warmup, eating healthy, and taking care of your body is a big one.”

As told to Gavin Kruger ’26.