Top Story – The Mirror

Prep Hockey Hopes to Win First PHC Championship

February 25, 2022 by Jack Kent

Early yesterday morning, coaches and players alike on the boys Prep Hockey team boarded a charter bus and left campus for remote Faribault, Minnesota with the goal of winning the first-ever Prep Hockey Conference (PHC) League Championship. The PHC, which is in its first year, is comprised of six different North American prep schools including Mount Saint Charles Academy, South Kent School, Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, St, Andrew’s College, Culver Academies, and of course, Northwood School, all of which will be attending the playoffs to compete to be the champions of the league. The league’s top seed, Shattuck St. Mary’s is hosting the tournament.

Assistant Coach Steve Mallaro is optimistic about the upcoming weekend. “I think it will be a good weekend for us. It’s been a long season so hopefully we can put together a good effort this weekend,” Mallaro said.

Northwood and Shattuck-St. Mary’s players in the handshake line after a Northwood Invitational game in 2017 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge).

This weekend marks the first time this season the Prep team has traveled by plane for a hockey-related outing. Having finished second in the East division, the team will need to face off against Culver at 2:30 PM CST today to ensure their spot in the semifinals against Shattuck-St Mary’s, whose regular season record earned them a bye in the first round. If the Huskies can defeat Shattuck, they will play in the finals on Sunday at 11:30 AM CST.

The tournament seedings were determined by the outcome of designated league games. Each team ended up playing eleven league games this season.

“It’s a big weekend for our school as a whole,” said Mallaro. “We’re going out there to represent Northwood and who we are.”

Every game this weekend will be streamed live on HockeyTV. Standings, stats, and the schedule for the weekend can all be found on the official PHC website.

Filed Under: Sports, Top Story

Composting Program Improves School’s Sustainability

February 11, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

A student puts compostable waste into the Blue Line Compost bucket (photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

Northwood’s Environmental Club is working to advance sustainability at Northwood by diverting our food waste from the landfill through a new composting initiative. Northwood is partnering with Blue Line Compost, a local small business, to help manage the collection process and turn our food waste into great compost.

Northwood generates a significant amount of food waste in the form of pre-consumer and post-consumer waste every day. The food waste that we throw into the trash goes to the landfill and creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Food waste also takes up valuable space in the landfill. By sending our food waste to Blue Line Compost we will significantly reduce our carbon footprint as a school and will also benefit the community by creating amazing soil that can be used by the people who grow our food.

Composting is an easy thing that can substantially benefit the community.

According to the Blue Line Compost web site the company “is committed to rebuilding soils, helping our local agricultural community, and working within our local economy.”

What can we compost at Northwood?

Anything that is edible, sauces, soups, bread, bones, meat, fish, citrus, egg shells, shellfish, coffee grounds, coffee filters, napkins, paper towels, paper towel rolls, parchment paper, wooden stirrers, shredded office paper, brown paper bags, and compostable paper take-out containers.

What can’t we compost at our school?

Metal, glass, plastic, ashes, compostable plastic, gum, wax, brines or cures, bulk salt, pet food, pet waste, baby wipes, dryer sheets, lint, junk mail, or receipts.

The composting program began shortly before February break and will continue through the end of the year and hopefully beyond.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Top Story

Formal Dinner Performance Showcases Music Program

February 11, 2022 by Mitchell Baker

It has been a difficult winter, with sports teams hit by COVID outbreaks and the freezing cold weather has made it difficult to stay motivated. As the Trimester comes to an end, students look forward to the formal dinner. On Wednesday, Northwood hosted an exhilarating formal dinner.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Formal dinners occur about once per month. It’s an occasion that allows students to dress up and socialize after a long exhausting term. After a scrumptious dinner there was a potent music performance produced by music teacher Mr. Adam Stewart and his students.

“What music will be played after the formal dinner?” Mr Stewart asked in an interview a few days before the show. “We’re doing a nice variety of music that our students have chosen. It is mostly music from movies or the radio, so hopefully our audience will recognize it and enjoy!”

Some of the songs included “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana and “Yesterday” by the Beatles. Students are excited to hear their peers perform these songs.

“We are always trying to do something special to make the formal dinner memorable,” Stewart said. “This time around the formal dinner lined up with the end of the trimester, so my classes have plenty of music to perform. I believe performing is a quintessential part of music learning. This opportunity to perform in front of the community is a chance to benefit our performers and listeners,” Stewart added.

Stewart hopes the music performance after the formal dinner will inspire more students to join the superb music program here at Northwood. “Our program took a brief hiatus prior to my arrival, so in many ways it feels like we’re waking up from a long winter’s nap. Many students are eager to pick up where we left off, while others have their own musical priorities. This gives us the opportunity to re-evaluate what we want out of this program while still prioritizing individual goals. Hopefully I’m doing a good job establishing a safe space to take risks as a performer here at Northwood so that students of all ability levels feel comfortable trying new things.”

The future of the music program is bright, many young talented students here at Northwood are eager to step into the music world and learn new things. Stewart is optimistic about the future of the program. “My plan is to prioritize supporting any music-based student initiatives. This means that if you want to learn an instrument, learn to sing, start a band, or learn to compose music, I’m here to support your goals.”

So far Stewart’s efforts have led to the formation of a Jazz Band and Acapella ensembles as well as monthly Open Mics at The Hub.

“I want each student at Northwood to feel supported exploring their musical curiosity, whether that involves studying to audition for All State, creating content for social media, or even mixing beats to support your freestyling. If you are willing to try, I’m here to support you!”

The formal dinner was a fantastic where students got to dress up, eat some fancy food and listen to some awesome tunes.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Art Teacher Goes Back to School for MFA

February 4, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

Northwood’s art teacher Ms. Van Slyke is going attending graduate school at the Savannah college for Art and Design to get her Master in Fine Arts (MFA) in painting. She is pursuing this ambitious goal while she is still teaching her art classes at Northwood.

Staff writer Conrad Katzander ‘22, and artist himself, spoke to Van Slyke about her experience.

Katzander: Why did you decide to go back to art school?

Van Slyke: I’ve been a professional artist for many, many years, but I always wanted a deeper understanding of why I do the art that I do. I also believe that no matter what your age, you should never stop learning and growing as an artist.

How has grad school changed your art?

My art has changed a lot because I am now working much larger and working with one cohesive body of work.

Do you like being a student and a teacher?

Yes, because the best way to learn something is to teach it as well.

What types of things are you learning at school?

Every semester I take a painting class. I’ve also taken graduate drawing, art history, art criticism, and MFA self-promotion. Next year I will start working towards my thesis. I have also had two internships.

Ms. Ingrid Van Slyke working on a painting. (Photo provided)

What things have you learned in your school that you have been applying to the classes that you teach?

In painting specifically, it is that as painters you need to have a plan before you start your painting. Having drawings and sketches as well as color studies and then developing it on the canvas is very useful.

As I student, I have learned how valuable it is when teachers make expectations clear for their students. I’ve learned from seeing how other art teachers teach differently.

How far along are you with your MFA and how do you take your classes?

Its online schooling. I’m four years in and I have one more year to go. I take one course at a time during the schoolyear and two classes in the summer.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

The Mirror Receives National Honor

January 31, 2022 by Mitchell Baker

Northwood’s student-led newspaper has earned national recognition from one of the oldest and most prestigious student journalism organizations.

The Mirror is a silver medalist in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s College/Scholastic Digital News category. The Mirror received a thorough evaluation of the paper according to sound journalistic standards. The CSPA has been evaluating student-produced newspapers and magazines since 1925 and it is the most prestigious scholastic press association. The evaluation looks at 70 distinct areas of operation in three general categories: Essentials, Verbal, and Visual.

Mr. John Spear is Northwood’s journalism teacher and The Mirror’s adviser. He said he is encouraged by the award, especially after the difficulty of the past two years.

“It has been a challenging two and a half school years,” said Spear. “In the spring of 2020, after students were abruptly sent home, The Mirror staff worked hard to chronicle life at Northwood during that tumultuous time. Last school year, we took a hiatus for the first trimester and struggled for the rest of the year to find a balance so that every article wasn’t about the pandemic,” Spear added.

Spear said he hopes this honor results in renewed interest in The Mirror. “This year, we have the smallest staff since the paper relaunched in 2015. The students are writing excellent articles, but I worry we’re missing important stories because we are understaffed. I am hopeful that this recognition from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association will result in more students taking journalism and writing for the paper,” he said.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Art Room a Sanctuary for Creative Students

January 31, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

Kami O’Brien ’22 in the art studio (Photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

Students at Northwood come down to the art room everyday on their own time to create, paint, and draw but the art room isn’t just a space where people go to create art, it’s more than that.

Learn more about the importance of the art room at Northwood from the students that spend the most time there. I asked the following questions to several of those students and here are their responses:

Kate Broderick ’22

What does the art room mean to you?

The art room offers art classes but, I also like to think of the art room as a fun space; I’ve always enjoyed art whether I’m good at it or not, and being able to have a free space open to students is great. I’ve taken a trimester painting course both this year and last year and really enjoyed it. But, I also like to think of the art room as a fun space; I’ve always enjoyed art whether I’m good at it or not, and being able to have a free space open to students is great.

What types of projects are you working on for class?

Right now we are working on a neon sign painting project on black canvas. I chose to do a red and blue sign from a local bar and so far it’s been more difficult than I expected.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I haven’t had much time recently to do projects in my free time, but during the summer or other school breaks I sometimes do smaller paintings. This year I haven’t been able to spend much time in the art room outside of class, but in the past I’ve gone during some study halls or weekends to work on class projects or get caught up.

What’s your favorite form of art?

My favorite form of art is most likely painting. I’m not sure why I like it more, but it kind’ve always has been.

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

Getting absorbed in a project for me is when I notice that my work is starting to come together or it’s turning out better/worse than I expected. If it’s taking a long time to get the details right or I don’t like a certain color I used it can be frustrating, but the best feeling is noticing that it’s working and looking like I hoped.

Conrad Katzander ’22

Conrad Katzander ’22 in the art room. Photo provided.

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

I’m working on a neon robot painting for my painting II class and I’ve been doing some abstract doodles in my free time.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I try to come down to the art room at least a couple times a week during my free time, like during my free periods.

When do you usually come down to the art room?

I usually come to the Art room during study hall when my work is finished to work on painting.

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

The art room is usually a quiet place where I can be creative and learn to solve problems by figuring out that making mistakes while painting or drawing are okay and can be worked with.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

I tend to paint with acrylic on pretty much any canvas. I also like using paint markers and paint mops.

Julia Turner ’22

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

I get focused, determined and I get into the zone when I get absorbed in one of my projects.

What does the art room mean to you?

A really nice space where you can go and be you and put your thoughts out on something that is not really readable.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I usually come during free periods after study hall and weekends pretty regularly.

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

I’m working on a 16X20 still life of bones in charcoal for drawing class. I did the Series of paintings finished hanging as you enter the dining room also the sketches in the lecture hall.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

Acrylic paint, ink, watercolor, and graphite.

Caroline Harrison ’22

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

I’m working on an independent study painting from the styles of the Canadian group of 7.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I spend 10-12 hours a week in the art room painting.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

I use water soluble paints and oil paints for painting landscapes.

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

Its definitely easy to get absorbed in painting and its also easy to obsess about a painting. It’s a happy quiet place of freedom.

Airika Penney ’22

What types of projects are you working on for class?

For class I’m working on a Neon themed piece of a pawn shop that means something to me back home.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I usually come during the last hour of study hall after my works done. And I work with acrylic paint. When I get absorbed in one of my projects everything else disappears

Ella Procyk ’24 in the art room (Photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

Tam Nguyen ‘ 22

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

In my free time I’m always working on something new. I’m working on an acrylic painting for fun but definitely enjoying all the pieces I’m working on!

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

The art room is a place where I can let my creativity flow. It’s great to play to work and play music and just have fun down there because it’s usually empty.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

Anything available I will use acrylic and oil painting etc. pastels are locked at night so I use whatever I can get my hands on.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I come down at least 1 once a day to either the art room or music room during my free period/ free time.

Last painting picture.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Opinion: Australia Was Right to Deny Djokovic

January 23, 2022 by Mitchell Baker

Djokovic with the 2011 Australian open trophy. (Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Novak_%C4%90okovi%C4%87#/media/File:Novak_Djokovic_AO_win_2011.jpg

On January 9th, my home country and city started hosting the infamous Australian Open, the prestigious tournament that dates to 1905. Despite the optimistic Melbournians (City Where the tournament is hosted) who are enthusiastic about finally being out of a year of harsh lockdown, there has been major controversy over the reigning champion Novak Djokovic’s visa application.

Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star currently ranked number one in the world, had his entry visa denied by the Australian government. He appealed, won the appeal and was allowed to enter but authorities then revoked his visa again and he was prohibited from entering the country and winning the tournament for a tenth time.

A few of my mates from home who are of Serbian descent have posted photos on social media protesting Djokovic’s absence. I spoke to some of them, and they all seemed agitated about the decisions. I asked my friend Luka Jevtic what his thoughts were on the decision. “Extremely frustrated and unfair, we were going to go watch him play,” Jevtic said. I sympathized for my mates back home because this is such an important event for my city and not having the world’s best player here is a huge loss. He is such a huge role model to the people in Australia and it is devastating for many young athletes, like my little cousin who idolized Djokovic. I feel bad for tennis fans back home.

After speaking to some people back home, I wasn’t sure whether my country was doing the right thing. As an Australian, I have concluded that my country did the right thing. Djokovic shouldn’t be at this year’s tournament because he is anti-vaccination and broke several covid rules during a critical time. He was spotted in public shortly after testing positive, which is extremely unethical and infuriating.

Many people are saying, “he was recently positive, which makes him immune for the next three months. He should be allowed to play.” I understand their argument, but in this scenario it’s not about him being immune or not. It is about his attitude towards the virus and his behaviour. His past decisions were appalling, which makes the visa decision fair: he shouldn’t be playing in this tournament.

Hopefully, Djokovic will learn his lesson and develop as a human and come back next year. On the bright side, Australia’s fan favourite Nick Kyrgios has more chance of winning now that Djokovic isn’t here.

C’mon Australia!!

Filed Under: Opinion, Real World, Sports, Top Story

Hockey Tournament Is On, Despite COVID

January 15, 2022 by Mitchell Baker

A scene from the 2019 Northwood Invitational (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge).

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered Northwood’s Winter Weekend somewhat, but the annual tournament is still on. The Northwood Invitational Tournament and Winter Weekend are important events for the staff and students to relax from work and enjoy activities. It is also an opportunity for parents and alumni to return to Lake Placid. All non-tournament activities are canceled.

According to athletic director Mr. Trevor Gilligan, this year marks the 43rd annual Northwood hockey tournament. Athletes compete from Saturday through to Monday to try win the prestigious trophies.

Traditionally, Northwood uses this weekend as a “Winter Weekend” where parents and alumni come and visit the school and Lake Placid to enjoy the tournament, pond hockey, receptions and other activities, but non-tournament activities have been canceled out of concern for the health and safety of the participants.

Gilligan faced extreme difficulties organising the tournament due to Covid-19. Three teams from Quebec have cancelled their plans on playing in the tournament due to Covid-19. As Covid-19 cases rise locally there is a worry this homecoming weekend could potentially spread the virus severely, but Northwood are testing students and staff with symptoms regularly and are optimistic about this year’s Homecoming weekend. Several students have travelled back home for the weekend due to Covid-19, but many are still excited about the Hockey tournament. Mr Gilligan said, “Our hockey team is in pretty good shape for this weekend.” He also said “Covid has had an impact regarding scheduling and travelling but for the most part the Winter Weekend will be great.”

NORTHWOOD GAME SCHEDULE

Saturday
1932 Rink	8:45 AM	Northwood School Girls	Shadyside
USA Rink	8:45 AM	Northwood School HS	Nichols 16’s
1932 Rink	10:30 AM	Northwood School Prep	Gilmour 18’s
1932 Rink	2:00 PM	Northwood Varsity	Gilmour 16’s
1932 Rink	3:45 PM	Northwood School Girls	Gilmour Academy
1932 Rink	5:30 PM	Northwood School Prep	Ridley

Sunday
1932 Rink	7:00 AM	Northwood School HS	South Kent 15’s
1932 Rink	8:45 AM	Northwood Varsity	Nichols 16’s
1932 Rink	10:30 AM	Northwood School Girls	A-21
1932 Rink	12:15 PM	Northwood School Prep	Bridgton
USA Rink	2:00 PM	Northwood School HS	Gilmour 16’s
1932 Rink	3:45 PM	Northwood Varsity	South Kent 15’s

Monday

Monday’s games TBD: Check the Northwood Community Team or social media channels for times

12:15 PM Championship (1932 Rink) (Girls Division)
12:15 PM Championship (USA Rink) (HS/Varsity Division)
2:00 PM Championship (1932 Rink) (Prep Division)

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Students Reflect on Media Bias on Anniversary of January 6 Riots

January 10, 2022 by Mitchell Baker

On January 6th last year, nearly 2,000 supporters of then-President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building, infuriated by the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. A joint session of Congress was inside the Capitol and certifying the election, and the protesters outside hoped to overturn that result.

Photo “2021 Storming of the United States Capitol” by Tyler Merbler. CC https://www.flickr.com/photos/37527185@N05/50812356151/

January 6th2020 may not be in our textbooks yet, but it has become a particularly important day in American history. On that day, the Northwood campus was quiet. Students were still at home following an extended winter break and were attending remote classes. Like so many others, the Northwood community learned about this tragic incident via social media.

Ms. Noel Carmichael is Northwood Dean of Academic Affairs and co-teacher of integrated humanities teacher. Carmicheal marked the one-year anniversary by teaching her class about the January 6th incident and exploring various news sources reported the incident.

“In our humanities class on January 6th we will be comparing and contrasting how different media sources are covering the event, including an analysis of what terminology is used by each source,” she said before the lesson.

Carmichael was leading her ninth-grade integrated humanities class when the riots began January 6. “We were actually in class at the time it happened. It was 1:30 in the afternoon, I think. Our class was virtual, so I was at my kitchen table with all our students on the screen,” Carmichael said. When a student blurted out something about riots at the Capitol during class, she was suspicious. “Honestly, at first, I didn’t believe him. I thought he was exaggerating.”

Dean of Academic Affairs Ms. Noel Carmichael (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

Carmichael saw the incident as a teachable moment. “We spent a lot of time the rest of that week trying to understand what exactly happened and how it had been able to happen. We also did an exercise looking at what have now become iconic pictures and writing our responses as a way of beginning to process the events.”

Incorporating the event into her class wasn’t easy for Carmichael. “Honestly, in a classroom with a wide variety of opinions and political leanings and during a time of heightened emotion, it was difficult to feel like we could have productive conversation,” she said, “More time needed to pass before we could do that.”

This year, on the anniversary of the riots, Carmichael open class by asking, “Who knows what happened on January 6th?” A majority of the class appeared confused until she mentioned what happened and sounds of recognition filled the room. Students then proceeded to talk about the riot: where they were when they learned about it, why they think it happened and more.

Media bias was the focus of the lesson, the class learned about how different media sources portray different stories. Ms. Carmichael also discussed how the January 6th riot will be written in history and asked students “How would this history be written?”. Lots of students shared their beliefs and opinions, which were all listened to respectfully by the class.

It was a great class taught by Ms Carmichael that helped her students think about January 6th and learn about media bias.

Ed Note: the author is a student in Ms. Carmichael’s Integrated Humanities class described in this article.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Top Story

Art Courses an Outlet for Student Creativity

December 4, 2021 by Conrad Katzander

At the furthest end of the main building there is a space full of creativity, color and new ideas. Students gather here for classes and during their free time to explore their passion for making things and advance their skills in the world of art.

Northwood offers a variety of art classes including Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture where students can learn how to work with different mediums. Student artists work with pastels, acrylic paint, water color, paint markers, oil paint, clay, a variety of different types of paper, found objects, charcoal.

In the beginning of the trimester in Painting I students were taught a variety of skills such as, the basics of color by using frosting mixed with food coloring. We then mixed the frosting to make all the colors and painted vanilla cookies with it. It was a simple, hands-on exercise that was informative, fun and delicious!

Artist: Conrad Katzander ’22

Artist: Julia Turner ’23

Caroline Harrison’s Color Palette

Artist: Caroline Harrison ’22

Color assignment in Painting I

Painting I students spent more time in in the fall figuring out ways water can affect the canvas depending on how much water is used when working with watercolor. They also learned how to bring shapes of our choice off of the page by layering the shapes on top of each other after putting down a base coat and carefully painting certain areas.

The culminating project in Painting I is “The Chair Project.” Ms. Van Slyke spent the summer collecting chairs so her students could choose an artist of their choice and then transform the chair into a version of a piece inspired by that artist. Students picked famous artists like Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Keith Haring, Lee Krasner and others. The finished chairs are currently displayed in Northwood’s dining room and pictured below.