After being at school for almost two months since our last break, many students are looking forward to spring break, where they can enjoy nice weather and relax stress-free. Students will be on break for two and half weeks starting March 25. The Mirror caught up with some students about their plans:

“I’m looking forward to spring break to get a break of the hard work we’ve all been doing in school. Especially learning online this past month, it’s nice to get a break before we can finally be in person again. While I probably won’t travel for anything other than State Championships for hockey, it’ll be nice to get outside and do things during the day I couldn’t do because of classes.”  – Rachel Hinkley ‘21 (Photo provided)

“I’m excited for break because the soccer team is traveling to Dallas, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada during the time to play games. It nice to play so we can get down to business and I can make the most of my senior year while playing my best so I can find the best placement for college. I’m looking forward as well to spending the last weeks with my teammates before I graduate in warm weather at competitive soccer tournaments.”
– Calil Neme Filho ‘21 (Photo provided)

“I’m going to Canada for spring break with hopes that we can all come back and have graduation together.”
– Chloe Zhang ‘21 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

“My plans for spring break is to continue with my hockey training and getting better. I am also looking forward to going back home to Texas and spending most of my time at the lake house and on the water with my family.” – Madison Lawrence ‘23 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

“A friend of mine, Jazzy, is coming home with me so we plan on biking around town and going to the waterfront in Burlington and window shop. We also plan on going to the UVM track to work out every day.”
– Elise Loescher ‘21 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

“I am looking forward to going back home and eating some good food,”
– Eli Jean- Francois ‘21 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

I live in Watertown, NY, but am originally from the Midwest. This is my third year at Northwood and I’m a senior forward on the girl’s hockey team. Northwood has truly been an experience I will never forget and will forever be grateful for. It has given me great friendships, strong academics, and competitive athletics. The teachers and coaching staff are amazing and are part of the reason for where I am today. The experience here has changed me as a person and has taught me many things I will be keeping with me forever. Next year I plan to attend SUNY Oswego where I will major in wellness management while playing highly competitive hockey.  

As told to Rachel Hinkley ’21. Photo provided.

I am from Vernon, New Jersey, and I attended a small Catholic school before discovering Northwood. This is my second year at Northwood, and I absolutely love it here. This school has given me the opportunity to play great hockey with some great teammates and fantastic coaching. This school has taught me that hockey is more than just a sport, it is a family.  

Northwood has also given me the ability to thrive academically with lots of resources and understanding teachers that are willing to do anything to help someone succeed. This school has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and find my voice because I’m forced to speak up for myself and communicate with others if I need something to get done. This school has taught me so many valuable life lessons that I will carry for years to come. Northwood has helped prepare me for the future to attend a college majoring in biology and play club hockey on the side.  

As told to Rachel Hinkley ’21. Photo provided.

I’m from Vernon New Jersey and I’m a senior here at Northwood. From the dorms, going to town, student activities, and sports, I’ve had so much fun. This is my second year here and I’ve created so many memories.   

Northwood has given me the opportunity to play hockey at a competitive level while getting a great hands-on education. My teachers and coaches have given me all the resources I need to do my best both on the ice and in the classroom. When I’m not playing hockey, I like hanging with everyone at the turf and in the dorms.  

Northwood had taught me many lessons and I’ve created so many great friendships. Next year I will be playing junior hockey and taking online classes. I’m excited to see my future that Northwood has prepared me for. 

As told to Rachel Hinkley ‘21. Photo provided. 

 I am a senior from Quebec, Canada. I really love Northwood because in Quebec it is a much bigger school with bigger classes and when you are at school you have “school friends” then you go back home and kind of just forget about them where at Northwood you build friendships that will last forever. I really loved living in a dorm with the boys it was fun. I really loved my hockey experience at Northwood, what made it so great was having the opportunity to be coached by a great coach like Coach Chadd Cassidy. 

I am currently finishing school asynchronously and playing with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. Online school is hard, as it gets later into the week when I get busier with hockey practice and games it is hard to find times for my homework, but I try to use my off day and get my homework done. 

I was fortunate to represent Team Canada last year at the U17 World Championships in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and Medicine Hat Alberta. I met new friends and it was really fun even though the outcome was not what we wanted; it was still a great experience. 

As told to Marina Alvarez. Photo provided.

Because of the pandemic, I am taking online classes this year. Online classes are just as important as offline classes. I overcome the different time zone and try to join all the live classes. If a class is not available for me, I watch the recording of the class. Sometimes I will ask my teacher if it is possible switch the class to a better time for me. I spend a lot of time and vigor on my online classes. As we all know, online classes are difficult for students, especially for international students, because there are a lot of distractions that affect students’ concentration. However, I will keep working hard and pay attention to online class. 

As told to Zheqi Wang ’21. Photo provided.

I am a postgraduate from Medellin, Colombia. This is my second year at Northwood and I am a soccer player. Northwood has been a great experience for me. I’ve been able to meet interesting people and learn from many different cultures. At the same, time Northwood has allowed me to play and develop in the game that I love without dropping my academics, and that is something I value very much and will be forever grateful for.  

The current situation with COVID has impacted my university plans. Though truthfully it has helped me to stop thinking so much about the future and start focusing more on the present, doing and working as much as I can with the things that I can control, and I certainly think that this is the best thing I can do.  So, my plans are not very clear yet…maybe college in USA? Colombia? Seek a pro soccer career? Travel? I don’t know. I just want to enjoy the process and see what comes…but I’m sure wherever I end up, this Northwood experience is going to be in my heart. And I’ll be grateful forever. 

I am a senior from São Paulo, Brazil. This is my third year at Northwood, and I am goalkeeper on the soccer team. I’m also involved in the International Student Council as well as a member of the soccer program development committee. I came to Northwood School to have high-level academics while also playing soccer. My experience has been excellent as well as different. Getting to meet many different people from all over the world that have a variety of cultures and backgrounds is cool to experience. The plan for next year is to play college soccer while achieving a higher education.

As told to Mackenzie Hull ’21. Published on his 19th birthday. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.