Real World – The Mirror

Entrepreneurship Peak Pathway Leads to Business Formation

May 13, 2026 by Yosef Spear

Yosef Spear ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

My name is Yosef Spear, and I am a 4-year senior at Northwood. Last summer, my friend and I started a local landscaping business to earn some money and gain real-world experience running a business. Even though it is not quite what people would call “legit,” we still learned what it is like to be our own bosses and entrepreneurs. This year, I signed up for the Entrepreneurship Peak Pathway class to work on our business and learn more about entrepreneurship.

I started the year working on a website and finding ways to improve next summer, including running Facebook ads, creating social media accounts, setting up a review collection system, and more. The class offers more than working on what is already real. The somewhat hypothetical business I have been working on has been a rental business for landscaping tools. My vision is to scale our business in the future to the point where we can buy equipment and let people rent it instead of paying a company or someone else to do jobs around their house. I am solving the problem that many people want to work on their own, but they lack the right resources.

Spear’s business logo.

I have watched many videos, read articles, talked to people and entrepreneurs, done speed pitches, and done other research. Some of the crucial information I have found includes the target age, household income, machinery prices and rental rates, the industry’s value, etc.

At the end of the year, we work on creating a pitch that we record and edit to be professional and to leave viewers well-informed about our business vision. So far, I have recorded my video using a professional-grade camera and a green screen. As of now, I have been editing my video to include visuals, which should make the pitch better. Doing editing has been a big task, finding ways to do it without paying for a subscription. I have gotten help from my classmates who have more experience than I do in editing.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Real World

Catching up with Meghan Crowley ’25

May 13, 2026 by Rylie Griffiths

Photo: SLU Saints Hockey.

During her senior year at Northwood, Meghan “Meg” Crowley used her time to the fullest. She excelled in every priority in her life, including academics, athletics, and friendships that developed into family. Even though she was in her first year, she quickly became an exemplary student. Her quiet work ethic never went unnoticed. She graduated at the top of her class while committed to playing Division One hockey at St. Lawrence University. As a former teammate of Meg’s, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to work alongside. She would always give her absolute best on the ice and in the fitness center, day in and day out. Without complaint, she put her head down and worked. Admired by her teammates, she left a legacy of what Husky hockey looks like. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Meghan, hear about her first year of college, and reflect on her Northwood career.

“My favorite moment has probably been my first game at Appleton area. The energy and atmosphere there is so special, and to experience that for the first time was definitely one of my favorite times here so far.”

“The adjustment was pretty easy from Northwood. I would say the biggest thing is control over your own schedule, since you only have class once or twice a week and most of the work is done on your own time. So being able to prioritize work and fitting everything in with all of your commitments was probably the biggest adjustment.”

“Not only did my time at Northwood make the transition really easy in terms of time management, living away from home, and balancing hockey and school, but it also taught me what it’s like to live in a tight-knit community and build those connections. Those past connections and my new ones are valuable to me, and I will hold onto them forever, especially since SLU is a relatively small school and, in that sense, really similar. Being able to transfer those skills over has had the greatest impact on me.”

“I miss the people at Northwood the most. I think the people really make the place, and it’s always felt like home. I believe it’s largely due to all of the people there that made it so special. Arriving in September was nerve-wracking, but I quickly settled in thanks to the time I spent with my team. We ate, slept, studied, practiced, and played together twenty-four-seven, so naturally those bonds quickly formed.”

“When I think back, the springtime really sticks out as being some of the best times at Northwood. Going into town, the whole school at Northwood beach, spike ball on the turf, bonfires, those were some of my favorite moments there.”

“As of right now, after I graduate, I plan to get my Master’s in accounting and then at that point see where I’m at and hopefully get a job in that field. Due to my time at Northwood and SLU, I know I will be well prepared!

Filed Under: People, Real World, Sports

From the Hub to the Rink: A Student’s Creative Hockey Hack

May 5, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Charles Pigeon ’26 with a prototype of his puck-collecting innovation. Photo provided.

Today, we are going to take a look at senior Charles Pigeon’s STEM project ’26. He built a hockey tool meant to save time for coaches that helps with picking up pucks and putting them all into the spot that the coach wants. “After drills end, all the guys will go to the benches and grab water or just hang out while the coaches have to go grab the pucks from all of the rink,” said Charles. “I built this kind of shovel that makes it a lot easier to grab all of the pucks and move them to where they need to go.” The project was built at the Northwood Hub, using resources from the robotics team. Charles is proud to say that he built it all himself. The “shovel” opens and closes so that you can slide all of the pucks into the area, and then close the arms around the pucks so they don’t slide away. It has to be used manually, and I have to admit I was very surprised by how useful it would be.

The blue handles are used to open and close the arms on the “shovel”. In his demonstration during one of the practices, the design was very effective, especially with skates, which allowed him to move around the ice quickly and get the pucks. This project was very creative and is definitely useful. Great work by Charles!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Real World

Adulting 101: Why Most Young Adults Struggle with Money—and How to Avoid Struggling

May 4, 2026 by Mirror Staff

By Jett Jewett ’26

This article is part of Northwood School’s Peak Pathways Program—a year-long, student-driven independent study that empowers students to explore topics they are passionate about in depth. Through research, creativity, and real-world application, students take ownership of their learning and produce meaningful work that extends beyond the classroom.

Many Peak Pathways projects culminate during Publication Week, when students share their work with authentic audiences. By publishing in The Mirror, these students contribute to a broader conversation, offering original perspectives, insights, and creative expression to the Northwood community and beyond.

Photo: lifetreeplanner.com/

For most young adults, managing money is not difficult because it is complicated—it is difficult because no one really teaches it. Young people tend to graduate from high school or college with strong writing skills and the ability to solve equations, but without any knowledge of how to budget their money. This is why many young adults become adults unprepared for financial responsibility, having learned some hard lessons the hard way. Spending too much, getting into debt, and not saving money are not accidental things.

One of the main issues young adults face with finances is a lack of tracking their expenditures. Without a proper system, it appears funds are dispersed sporadically. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, individuals who track their expenses tend to adhere to budgetary guidelines and make informed decisions. This is important because individual purchases tend to accumulate faster than most people think. For instance, spending just $10 daily on food, coffee, or other minor purchases will cost an individual roughly $300 monthly and approximately $3,600 annually. Accumulating over several years, it would be a few thousand dollars that could be put to better use.

The other main problem is the absence of savings. It is commonly thought that young people should not be bothered with saving, as long as they do not earn well enough at their current jobs. However, evidence shows that such attitudes lead to many negative consequences. The Federal Reserve reported that 37% of Americans have difficulty finding the means to cover a $400 emergency expense. It means many people have no financial buffer to support themselves if anything unforeseen happens.

It is equally essential to start saving early because of the power of compounding. Compounding refers to the process whereby money earns interest, and that interest earns interest. In this case, time becomes the critical element as opposed to how much money you have at the start. For instance, investing $1,000 per year into an investment vehicle earning a 5% average return yields $1,649 after 10 years, even without any further contributions. It therefore pays to save and invest in your future sooner rather than later.

Also, spending habits significantly contribute to an individual’s financial success. Young adults struggle to distinguish between their needs and wants, leading them to spend more than they need to. The difference between the two terms lies in their definitions. While needs refer to necessities such as food, transport, shelter, and education, wants include entertainment and luxury items. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a considerable share of expenditure is spent on unnecessary items. Expenditure on the things one wants is necessary, but it should be done without compromising savings.

The area where such habits begin to create consequences is debt. One of the most widely used forms of financing among young people is credit cards. According to Experian’s report, credit card balances continue to increase. The risk in using credit cards arises from interest. Interest will be added to the balance if it is not completely paid. Thus, small amounts of money may lead to larger debts. For instance, an insignificant amount of money not repaid on time can grow significantly due to interest.

Financial planning and setting goals are other vital factors that must not be ignored. Most often, youth make decisions based on their current budget rather than their future budget. Some objectives can help with decision-making, such as saving for college, buying a car, or other future expenses. Once an objective is determined, it becomes easier to save without being extravagant.

Income is also related to financial management, but it cannot be considered the main contributor. Many people believe that earning more will resolve their issues, but without proper habits, income becomes the main driver of increased expenditure. Lifestyle inflation is one example of the same. It means that when an individual earns more money, his expenditure tends to rise as well. Budgeting and saving are necessary for such people, despite a higher income. Thus, one can conclude that habits play a more prominent role here.

The common factor among the above points is that financial failures never result from a single big mistake; rather, they result from consistent small mistakes. Overspending a little or failing to save money may not be taken seriously at first glance, but eventually these habits lead to financial failure. The opposite of it holds as well.

To be honest, no one is flawless in financial management. Consistency is all that really matters. You will make mistakes when you first start, and only those who take heed and build good habits will succeed. The earlier you build them, the easier it will be to manage your finances in the future.

Financial freedom is built on small successes every day. It is good to learn how to manage money while still young so you do not feel stressed, gain control over finances, and create more opportunities for yourself. Even if “adulting” becomes very difficult at times, you need to be financially literate.

Resources

“Budgeting.” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, www.consumerfinance.gov
“Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households.” Federal Reserve, www.federalreserve.gov
“Consumer Expenditures.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov
“Credit Card Statistics.” Experian, www.experian.com

Filed Under: Real World Tagged With: PathPathwayPub

The Northwood-Hong Kong Connection

April 30, 2026 by Josh Baker

Hong Kong is a lot more than just a random global city. Hong Kong is home to a surprising number of Northwood past and present students, creating a nice connection between a small school in Lake Placid and one of the most developed cities in the world. Jeremy Tsang ’23, Turner Jackson ’23, Noah Leddel ’23, Liam Doyle ’22, Leo Doyle ’25, Jett Jewett ’26, Mitchell Baker ’24, Hamish Ridell ’26, and James Martin ’26 are some of the names of people who have resided in Hong Kong before joining Northwood School.

Recently, I was lucky enough to fly back to Hong Kong and stay for a couple of days before traveling with the U20 Hong Kong National team for an overseas training camp. These few days in Hong Kong were very nostalgic for me. Having not visited Hong Kong in an exceedingly long time, this trip allowed me to see the stunning city while also reliving old memories. The breathtaking skyline, the culture, and the food all felt so personal to me and were honestly just wonderful.

Photos provided by Josh Baker ’28.

The overseas training camp was a highly professional environment with top players from all over the world. It was an honor to represent the national team, and it also reminded me how good the standard was. This explained why there are so many Northwood soccer players who grew up playing soccer in Hong Kong. Northwood Alumnus Jeremy Tsang is a fitting example of an exceptionally talented footballer from Hong Kong. He is now playing at the University of Vermont and has represented the Hong Kong National team many times. A major appearance he had was against the Manchester United Senior team, where he played against players like Bruno Fernandes and more. Similarly, Northwood’s former student, Leo Doyle, is joining UPenn next year; Hamish Ridell has committed to Bucknell University, and Mitchell Baker has been drafted to the MLS. All these stories highlight the impact these Hong Kong-raised Northwood Alumni have had.

Clockwise from top left: Jeremy Tsang ’23. Leo Doyle ’25, Hamish Riddell ’26, and Mitchell Baker ’24. Photos provided.

Besides Hong Kong’s soccer and relationship with Northwood School, Hong Kong itself is such a special place. There is world-class infrastructure, a unique culture, and incredible views. Hong Kong is a place for Northwood Students to consider visiting, as the culture and infrastructure would be unique to them, and it would allow them to witness the environment some of their classmates grew up in.

Looking back, the trip was a lot more than just a training camp. The trip acted as a reminder of how connected Hong Kong and Northwood School are. As I mentioned before, Hong Kong is a wonderful place for Northwood students to visit if they want to step out of their comfort zone and experience one of the world’s best cities.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Sports

Learning That Every Child Learns Differently: My Peak Pathways Journey in Elementary Education

April 30, 2026 by Owen MacLean

Owen MacLean ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Working with young children can be both challenging and deeply rewarding; a lesson I came to understand through my Peak Pathways placement at St. Agnes School. My interest in elementary education began last spring after volunteering at St. Agnes School and receiving positive feedback from teachers about my ability to connect with young children. Those experiences encouraged me to explore teaching further. Over this school year, I have volunteered as a teacher’s assistant in the kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms. I gained valuable insights into early childhood education and cognitive development, and developed my skills in patience and adaptability to support these young students.

My Peak Pathways research focused on the differences in cognitive ability between girls and boys of the same age, particularly in reading and spelling. This topic stood out to me early on, as I quickly noticed significant differences in students’ learning abilities. Some children were confident readers, while others struggled with basic words and letter sounds.

Students at St. Agnes School, Lake Placid NY, autumn 2022. Photo by Nancie Battaglia

One of my key observations aligned with existing research on this topic, which found that many girls in the classroom demonstrated stronger reading and writing skills than the boys. Girls often show greater comprehension and confidence with more challenging texts, while boys sometimes struggle with simpler material. Studies suggest this gap may be influenced by learning styles, behavioral expectations, and even neurological differences, and it tends to become more pronounced as students progress further in school. Seeing this pattern emerge as early as kindergarten made me realize just how important early intervention and inclusive teaching strategies are.

Beyond academic observations, the biggest lessons I learned were about teaching itself. Patience quickly became the most important skill I developed. Not every child learns the same way, at the same pace, or with the same supports. Some students required extra help with reading and spelling, while others needed behavioral or communication support. Adapting to these needs taught me that effective teaching is about meeting the child’s needs.

Communication was another major skill I improved on this year. For example, if a student needed my help while I was already assisting someone else, we worked on clearly communicating expectations. I learned how to reassure them that I would help them shortly while still supporting another student. These small interactions made a big difference in maintaining trust in the classroom.

I also gained experience supporting children who needed additional learning supports, whether that meant breaking tasks into smaller steps, reading one-on-one, or offering encouragement when frustration set in. I spent a large portion of my time helping students build confidence in their reading and spelling skills, which allowed me to watch their progress throughout the year.

As a result of my Peak Pathways project, I have applied to the Concurrent Education program at Queen’s University in Canada. I am proud to share that I was accepted into the Elementary French Immersion stream. This was not a post-secondary program that I had ever investigated before I had this opportunity to work in the classroom at St. Agnes School.

My Peak Pathways experience showed me that teaching is not just about getting through the curriculum; it’s about understanding students as individuals, adapting to their needs, and helping them believe in their own abilities from an early age.

Filed Under: Real World Tagged With: PathPathwayPub

Why Getting Your Real Estate License Can Be Beneficial

April 30, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Illustration: pngtree.com

This year, I’ve been working on getting my real estate license as part of my independent study project. Through this experience, I’ve been able to see what the process is really like and what it takes to succeed in the industry. What started as just an interest has turned into something more serious, and it’s helped me understand that real estate is more than just buying and selling houses.

For many students, figuring out a future career can be stressful. While some people go the typical route, others are starting to look at options that offer more independence and real-world experience. One of those options is getting a real estate license. It might not be the first thing people think of, but it comes with many benefits beyond just selling houses.

One big advantage of getting a real estate license is the skills you gain. Real estate agents learn how to communicate with different people, negotiate deals, and solve problems. They also learn about contracts, money, and how the housing market works. These are skills that can help in everyday life, not just in a real estate career. When it comes time to rent your first apartment or buy your first house, you will be leaps ahead of others.

Another benefit is flexibility. Real estate allows people to have more control over their schedules than a typical 9–5 job. This can be helpful for students or anyone who wants to balance work with other things. It can also be a full-time career or something you do on the side, which gives you more options. If you want to start purchasing houses and renting them out on the side of your main job, having market knowledge from getting your license will be very beneficial.

There’s also the chance to make good money. Real estate agents usually get paid based on the work they do, so the more effort you put in, the more you can earn. This can be motivating, especially for people interested in business or in working for themselves.

Before even starting the licensing process, one important step is choosing the right real estate course. There are different options, such as online self-paced programs or live classes, and each one suits different learning styles. Some courses are cheaper but require more self-discipline, while others cost more but offer more support and structure. Picking the right course is important because it can affect how well someone understands the material and how prepared they feel for the state exam.

Quick Facts: Why It’s Worth It

You can start with just a license and training — no college degree required
Many agents work flexible schedules or part-time
You learn real-world skills like negotiation and finance
It can turn into a side hustle or a full-time career
Helps you understand how to buy, sell, or invest in property
Your income can grow based on your effort and consistency (not as many corporate limitations)

Overall, getting a real estate license isn’t just about choosing a job — it’s about learning useful skills, gaining independence, and understanding how real estate works. For students who want something different and more hands-on, it’s worth considering.

Filed Under: Real World Tagged With: PathPathwayPub

Training Smarter: What WHOOP Taught Me About Performance and Recovery

April 30, 2026 by Anna Monette

The WHOOP band and phone interface. Photo: whoop.com.

I am a third-year senior here at Northwood, and I have been in the Peak Pathway for two years now. It has taught me many real-world lessons and given me a chance to earn credit for learning about topics and developing skills I truly care about. Last year, I helped the Lake Placid community by volunteering in a learn-to-skate program with little kids. This year, I took my focus in a different direction, focusing on the wearable technology WHOOP and how it can help me improve as an athlete.

At the start of this project, I was most interested in how data could be used to improve training and if the WHOOP was accurate. I did not realize at the time how detailed and impactful WHOOP’s data could be. Throughout the project, I collected and analyzed my WHOOP data, focusing on key metrics such as heart rate, variability, resting heart rate, sleep quality, and daily strain. One of the most important things I’ve learned is how closely these variables are connected. For example, when I slept poorly, my recovery score dropped, directly affecting how I performed the next day.

This graph shows the positive effect water had on my WHOOP recovery score.

Another thing I did throughout this project was to conduct many experiments, such as comparing working hard and overworking, how hydration affects you, the effects of Screen Time, the effects of morning light, the effects of naps during the day, and many more. I learned a lot about these topics and about myself through doing them. My favorite experiment was hydration; I did a week of drinking lots of water, and my WHOOP recovery showed how powerful the impact was for me.

Another experiment that taught me a lot was the difference between hard work and overwork. I looked at my data for a few days. I would work hard, not recover, and continue to over-push for the next few days, which ended up setting me back instead of improving, as shown by my WHOOP data and how I would wake up feeling. I also listened to many podcasts about this, which taught me it is OK to take days to recover.

Overall, this project changed the way I think about training and recovery. I now understand that performance is not just about working harder, but about finding the right balance between effort and recovery. This experience helped me build self-awareness around topics I am passionate about and gave me tools and knowledge that I can continue to use in the future.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World Tagged With: PathPathwayPub

The Tiny Airport That Connects Northwood to the World

April 29, 2026 by Josh Baker

Photo from inside a Cape Air flight from Saranac Lake to Boston by Josh Baker ’28.

Northwood has a large number of international students who take flights back and forth between the school and their homes. For these students, their journey starts or ends at one of the smallest airports they have experienced. Adirondack Regional Airport, near Saranac Lake, is small but important, as it offers flights to New York and Boston.

Cape Air operates the airport, which offers daily flights to Boston Logan International Airport and New York City’s JFK Airport. This allows students to travel conveniently during breaks, long weekends, or random trips. The Boston route runs twice a day, while the flight to New York happens once a day.

What makes the airport so unique is how different it is from the airports most students at Northwood have experienced. Most Northwood students fly from major airports with long security lines and crowded terminals. However, Adirondack Regional Airport makes travel quick and efficient. Students can arrive less than an hour before their flight and still comfortably make their flight.

The airport also has a nice cafe which serves delicious food. This cafe makes the airport feel like a community. This relates to Northwood as a community, being something special about it.

Recently, I took one of the flights from Saranac Lake to Boston. The experience was quite different from what I expected. There was only one pilot on board; the staff weighed all the bags, and we sat in specific spots to balance the aircraft.

I sat right behind the copilot’s seat, giving me a clear view of the cockpit. Throughout the plane ride, I could watch everything the pilot was doing. The whole flight was turbulent, and it felt like the plane was constantly shifting because of the wind. We landed safely as expected, but this was the scariest flight I’ve taken. The upside was that I got to see a beautiful view of the Adirondack Mountains and Boston.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Top Story

Northwood Welcomes Executive Coach for Leadership Seminar

April 29, 2026 by Yosef Spear

Marc Geuvermont. Photo: Marc Guevremont Inc./Facebook.

Executive Coach Marc Geuvermont came to Northwood on Thursday, March 19th, to lead a special seminar on Leadership. He is now a leadership coach for the Utah Mammoth hockey team and has a history of working with 5 different NHL teams.

He talked about four types of leadership styles: the “Driver” style fits people who take the lead quickly, and others listen to what they say. The “Influencer” style suits someone who does rather than talks; they lead by example. The “C Primary” fits people who follow a process and like to improve gradually, every day. People can be multiple types of leaders at the same time, but most are naturally 1 or 2.

Mr. Geuvermont spoke about discipline over default. He is referring to people needing to adapt and shift their leadership style (discipline) rather than sticking to a single style (default). He said, “When I was your age, I thought I had to be all things to all people.” He went into further detail, explaining that when his leadership style is not supportive, he shifts to support others. Then, he went on to say, “I will never quit on you; therefore, I will never fail.”

He gave students advice on how to have a successful business in any profession, because he himself has failed several times but is now running a successful business. Mr. Geuvermont said, “If anything, you are a product that is going to go into the marketplace to add value, whether you pursue sports, business, or anything of interest to you. You must solve a problem for your client that they cannot solve on their own. Make them make more money or save them more money. Make life easier for them.”

We students learned that you cannot go from a problem to an outcome. You must figure out the root cause, then develop the recipe to fix it. A team’s root cause can be that they do not know how to lead. If that is the case, you need to tell them what leadership skills they need, along with a specific recipe. If you understand and fix the root cause of the problem, the problem goes away. If you want to change the results, you must change the culture. The leader is the one who changes the culture.

Mr. Geuvermont ended the special seminar by telling the students what to do about failure and when life gets rough. He said, “An event will happen that is bad, and you will start to feel many emotions, from disappointment to being extremely angry. Everyone goes through this. You have no control over that event, but we carry the e options with us, as if we had decided to be unsuccessful. We have no control because the mistake was in the past. We live in the present. Emotion will be born out of the event, which is okay, but they are only supposed to alert you that something is not right. Your job is just to read your emotions and respond appropriately. You have full control of how you think and feel about it, as well as how you respond. You can respond positively and supportively to your team, or you can respond negatively and break your hockey stick and rage, but then that makes event number 2. The whole team will start to break apart if you respond negatively. Three steps to respond positively are: first, take three deep breaths; your brain needs oxygen, and when you are emotional, you breathe shorter, making your decision-making skills worse. Second, find what is important now. Third, respond with your strength. This is how a team responds quickly to the events that happen.”