Top Story – The Mirror

Two Northwood Alumni Named to Olympic Teams

January 26, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Photo by US Ski Team.

On Thursday, January 22, the US Ski Team announced its team for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. US Ski Jumper and Lake Placid Local and former Northwood student Tate Frantz was among those named to the team. And on January 26, Team Canada announced that ski cross athlete Kevin Drury ’06 would represent Canada in his third Olympics.

Frantz started jumping at the age of 9, but his Olympic dreams stretch back much further. “Since my first time on skis at the age of two, I’ve dreamt of having the honor to take part in the holy grail of sports,” said Frantz on his Instagram when he announced his naming to the team.

“I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet, but when I take a second to think, or look at my post or all the messages, I realize how freaking cool it is. I’m so beyond excited and proud of the work and years behind it.”

Frantz attended Northwood for a year in 2020-21. He then took the leap, moving to Norway to hone his skills. Then, 2 years later, he returned to Lake Placid in 2023 to make his World Cup debut.

Since then, Frantz has established himself on the World Cup circuit, racking up three Top 10s and a 14th-place finish at the World Championships in 2025. He also took home three medals in the 2025 Junior World Championships here in Lake Placid.

Kevin Drury ’06 (File/Getty Images)

At 37, Drury is set to compete in his third Olympic Winter Games. He narrowly missed the podium at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, finishing fourth in the big final. After several injury-affected seasons, Drury returned to top form last year, earning five World Cup podium finishes following a nearly three-year drought. In December, he captured his first World Cup victory since February 2020, marking his 19th career podium. Drury previously claimed the Crystal Globe in the 2019–20 season, one year after winning bronze at the FIS World Championships.

“I’m incredibly honored to represent Canada in a third Olympics,” Drury said in a statement released by Team Canada. “Really excited to finish my career with the opportunity to win a medal. For first-time Olympians, my advice is to take it all in, have fun, and enjoy the experience. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, though I guess in my case it’s three in a lifetime, which I still can’t believe. “

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Northwood Robotics Team Prepares for New Season

January 25, 2026 by Jacob Slagel

Northwood’s Robotics Team has begun preparing for the 2026 season with a new competition that combines familiar challenges with updated rules and game elements. Early in the season, the team focused on planning and building a practice setup to better understand the field before committing to a final robot design.

Robotics teacher Mr. Jeffrey Martin said this year’s competition is unique because it brings together elements from past games under an archaeology-themed challenge. “First Robotics is focusing on an archeological theme,” Martin said. “So, they’ve actually pulled all of the old game elements together into one game.”

Orrin Tracy-Deuss ’27 in the robotic lab at the Innovation Hub on Main Street. Photo: Jacob Slagel ’26.

One of the main scoring tasks involves collecting “fuel,” which Martin described as hard foam balls about six inches in diameter. Robots must pick them up and shoot them into a hexagonal funnel target that stands about 6 feet high. While the concept is similar to past challenges, Martin said differences in size and weight mean the robot will require new programming and mechanical adjustments.

The game also includes a human player role. According to Martin, a student can score fuel by throwing it into the funnel during matches. This adds another strategic layer and requires coordination between the robot and the human player.

Field obstacles will play a significant role in robot design this year. Martin said the drive train must be engineered to handle changes in angle, speed, and power to navigate the course effectively. “Obstacles are challenging, so we have to engineer our drive train so that it gets the right angles and the right speed and the right power,” he said.

The most demanding element of the competition may be the endgame climb. Teams must climb a three-level ladder, which Martin described as the most complicated challenge. He said the team is considering a ratcheting system and has already begun discussing design ideas. Despite the difficulty, Martin said he has been impressed with the group so far and believes they are up for the challenge.

Students said the new competition feels more complex than last year’s. Orrin Tracy Deuss ’27 said the game includes more parts and rules, even though there are fewer overall goals. “I think compared to last year, it’s got a lot more parts to it and a lot more rules to think about during the game,” Tracy Deuss said.

Instead of immediately building robot components, the team has prioritized constructing a practice field. Tracy Deuss said this step is important for understanding dimensions and objective placement before completing the robot’s specifications. “We’ve been really focusing on constructing a practice field for when we have a robot to test around on,” he said.

Flo Richard ’26 said the new season has encouraged more collaboration among students. “Since it’s a different project than the last one in the fall, we have a lot of problem-solving to do, and I think that’s a good thing,” Richard said. “It makes it exciting and makes us want to collaborate more in class.”

Other students described the season in simpler terms. Will Wong ’27 said the new competition is “exciting” and said he is looking forward to seeing how the season develops.

As the team moves from planning to building and testing, the coming weeks will focus on turning ideas into working mechanisms, especially for fuel intake, shooting accuracy, and the three-level climb. Martin said he is encouraged by how the team has started the season and is confident in their ability to compete.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Ordinary Places, Extraordinary Birds

January 16, 2026 by Jacob Slagel

Photography rewards those who pay attention. In this series, Jacob Slagel ’26 turns his lens toward birds—watching, waiting, and capturing moments that often pass unnoticed. Whether mid-flight, grooming, or nesting, each image reflects a quiet exchange between photographer and subject, revealing the beauty and character of wildlife in ordinary places.

European Starling perched on barbed wire.

The house finch perched on a light strand.

A close-up of a Canadian Goose Grooming itself.

The American Wigeon flying over water.

A Gadwall diving into water.

A Canadian Goose gosling walking in the waves on Lake Washington.

A blue jay perched on a branch with twigs in its mouth for building a nest. Cobble Trail.

American Crow perched on a roof whilst cawing and blinking.

Great Blue Heron.

Common Loon in Mirror Lake.

Anna’s Hummingbird resting on a metal wire.

California Scrub Jay perched on a light strand.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Top Story

Northwood Invitational Preview

January 15, 2026 by Andrew Sherland

There is a special buzz on campus this week because the 46^th Annual Northwood Invitational is set to take place from Friday to Monday, January 17 – 19. The Northwood Tournament is always considered a special time of year because it is a rare occasion when all the hockey teams play at home and can support each other. All four Northwood teams will compete in their own division: Girls, Prep, Varsity, and U16.

Girls’ Division

The back-to-back Northwood Invitational Champions Girls’ Hockey Team in 2024. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

The Girls’ team is looking for a 4-peat after beating Appleby College last year in OT in the championship. The Girls’ pool consists of Northwood School, Nichols School, Appleby College, and Academie Ste-Cecile. The Huskies will play Ste-Cecile on Saturday at 7:15 am in the 1932 Rink. Later that day, they will face off against Nichols School in their “senior night” game at 2:15 pm in the 1980 Rink. Their last pool-play game will be on Sunday at 9:00 am against Appleby College in the 1932 Rink. The playoffs will be determined by the results of pool play.

“This tournament means the world to us. It is one of, if not the most important, weekends of the year,” said returner Autumn Kelly ’26. “We have won three times in a row, and we are looking to extend the streak. It is also not just about hockey but about honoring the seniors and everything they have done for the program. We are super excited for this weekend, and the expectation is nothing but the trophy,” added Kelly, who recently committed to Long Island University (LIU) to play NCAA Division I hockey.

Click here for Girls’ Division schedule and results.

Prep Division (PHC)

The Prep team celebrates their championship win at the 2025 Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament. The Girls’ team also won the championship. Photo provided.

The Prep team is doing things a little differently this year. Instead of competing for a trophy, Northwood is hosting a Prep Hockey Conference (PHC) Crossover. This idea was discussed frequently among the hockey players last year, and the Northwood community is extremely excited about this opportunity. The PHC division of the Northwood Invitational is comprised of Northwood School, South Kent School, Mount St. Charles Academy, Shattuck St. Mary’s School, Culver Academies, and St. Andrew’s College. Northwood enters this weekend 3-4 in PHC play, second in the East Division behind South Kent School, and 5^th overall in the PHC. The Huskies will kick off their weekend against Shattuck St. Mary’s School on Saturday at 4:00 pm in the 1932 Rink and look to avenge an 8-1 loss to Shattuck earlier in the season. On Sunday, Northwood faces Culver Academies in their “senior night” game at 1:30 pm in the 1932 Rink. Culver has been a force to be reckoned with, as they have outscored the Huskies 13-5 in their two matchups so far this season, including a 7-3 win over Northwood last weekend in the Gamesheet Prep Cup semi-finals, and Culver would go on to win the tournament. Just this week, Culver jumped Shattuck for the #1 ranking in the country for 18U. Lastly, Northwood faces St. Andrew’s College on Monday at 11:30 am in the 1932 Rink. The rivalry between Northwood and St. Andrew’s runs deep, but Northwood got the upper hand in the last game with a 5-2 win at St. Andrew’s in the previous PHC Crossover. Being the third game of a long and draining weekend, this game is sure to be a battle.

“This weekend truly means everything to me, and it is something that everyone looks forward to,” said three-year returner and Prep captain Parker Thompson ’26. “The vibe and energy always send a chill down my spine. With this being my third and last year, I am going to soak it all in, especially with the PHC Crossover and playing arguably the three best teams from all prep hockey at home in front of everyone and our families. I expect it to be a loud and energetic weekend for everyone, and I am pumped,” added Thompson.

Click here for PHC schedule and results.

Varsity Division

The 2025-26 Varsity Hockey team at the Olympic Center in September 2025. Photo by Jacob Slagel ’25.

The Varsity team is looking to continue a strong second half of the season, coming off a 4-0 weekend against Culver Academies, South Kent School, and Ontario Hockey Academy (OHA). After losing to Nichols School 3-1 in the semi-finals last year, the Varsity team is hungry for the championship. The Varsity pool consists of Northwood School, Philadelphia Little Flyers, Blyth-Deerview Prep, Atlantic Coast Academy, Bridgton Academy, Somang Hockey Club, St. Francis Prep, and St. Michael’s College Prep. Northwood starts its weekend on Saturday against Bridgton Academy at 12:30 pm in the 1980 Rink. Bridgton is a postgraduate (PG) school in Bridgton, Maine, that usually plays a challenging, physical game. Next, the Huskies face off against Blyth on Sunday at 7:15 am in the 1932 Rink. Sunday night, Northwood wraps up pool play with its senior night against St. Francis Prep at 6:30 pm in the 1932 Rink. The results of pool play will determine the playoffs.

“I have never won the Northwood tournament, so I am excited for my last chance at it,” said three-year returner Drew Tulloch ’26. “We have been preparing for this weekend, and I believe we are ready. We have to rely on our systems and trust one another. This past weekend was huge for our confidence and morale, and we must carry that swagger over to the tournament,” added Tulloch.

Click here for the Varsity Division schedule and results.

U16 Division

William French ’27. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Wrapping it up is the U16 team. In their inaugural season, the 16s have had many ups and downs. However, they have recently found their stride and are coming off a 2-1 weekend in league play in the new year. The U16 division consists of Northwood School, Atlantic Coast Academy, Kuper Academy, Philadelphia Little Flyers, Nichols School, Bishops College, Troy Albany Titans, Lovell Academy, Selwyn House School, and Blyth-Deerview Prep. Northwood kicks off its weekend against Lovell Academy at 9:00 am in the 1980 Rink on Saturday. Later that day, the Huskies play the Philadelphia Little Flyers at 6:30 pm in the 1932 Rink. On Sunday, Northwood wraps up pool play against Bishops College at 10:45 am in the 1980 Rink. The results of pool play will determine the playoffs. This weekend will be a test for the 16s.

“We are coming off a strong league weekend, and we are ready for a strong weekend of hockey!” said returner Will French ’27. “I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time, and I am hyped to play in front of everyone!” added French.

Click here for the U16 Division schedule and results.

This weekend will be a massive test for all Northwood teams, and every team expects to win. It is shaping up to be a lot of fun for the players and the families planning to come and cheer Northwood on!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Former Northwood Faculty Member and Current NYSEF Coach Inducted to Lake Placid Hall of Fame

January 8, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Flyer for the 2025 Lake Placid Hall of Fame induction. Source: Olympic Regional Development Authority.

On Wednesday, November 5^th, Larry Stone, a former Northwood faculty member, Olympian, and current NYSEF ski jumping coach, was inducted into the Lake Placid Hall of Fame, which “seeks to honor the leaders and visionaries in our community who made the Games, the venues, and other keys to our legacy.” Larry is one such individual who has been a key to preserving the legacy of the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid through sport.

Larry is currently a Ski Jumping coach for the New York Ski Education Foundation’s (NYSEF) junior program. He fostered the athletes that now compete at the highest levels for Northwood School, starting to work with some of them as young as six. Larry was also a faculty member at Northwood from 1966 to 1968, teaching History and English while also coaching the ski jumping program. Not only was he coaching the team, but he was also still competing as a jumper. Two of his Northwood athletes, Jay Rand and Canadian Ulf Kvendbo, both Northwood Students, would compete at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics.

Larry Stone with some of his current junior jumpers. Photo by Eastern Ski Jumping.

After 1968, Larry moved back to his hometown of Salisbury, Connecticut to work as a coach for the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWASA). It was here that he began his junior coaching career. “You get little bubbles of kids that are really talented and push each other just like you guys,” Larry said.

Additionally, he used his emerging passion for coaching to enhance his own jumping career. “One way I could support myself and get SWASA to help me with training costs was coaching. But when you coach ski jumping, and I presume other activities like that, you start seeing things a little differently, and it kind of opens you up to approach the sport in a little different way. It’s more organic and all of a sudden you find that what you are working on with the kids becomes what you are working on as an athlete, and it’s clearer than before.”

For the last few years of Larry’s jumping career, 1972-1974, he moved to Woodstock, New York, where he could pursue his passion as a singer-songwriter as well as his ski jumping career. In 1974, at 29, Larry retired as a competitive ski jumper. He then returned to Salisbury, where he continued to work with the junior program. He encountered one such “bubble of kids” and coached them all the way to the “big hills,” which at the time were 60-70 meters.

Then, in 1980, he volunteered at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. “I was there working as a volunteer, and my job was to measure heel blocks up at the start because people were trying to get away with having too much. The night before the big hill event, the people running the program fired the US coaches. You develop really close bonds with your coaches, so the athletes were noticeably destroyed when they showed up the next morning. A couple of days later, Rex Bell and I were hired to be the ski team coaches for the rest of the year. Rex went to Europe, and I took over the domestic circuit.”

Larry was then instrumental in putting in place a regional system of coaches that still governs American ski jumping today. He was the regional coach for the Eastern Division. “My Salisbury kids started really coming around, so I focused on them for a couple of years. Then all of a sudden in ’88, I got a call about taking over the NYSEF program in Lake Placid. I did that for a few years, and then I went back to the US Ski team for 5 years. At the time, I still coached NYSEF, and I got help from Matt Cook, Casey Colby, and a few other coaches with that.”

Larry and Molly Stone in Salisbury, Connecticut, in 1998. Photo by USA Ski Jumping.

Larry moved to Park City in 1994 and stayed until 1996. There, he met Lindsey Van, a young American jumper. “I was really impressed with her possibilities, so I started taking her abroad. There was no women’s circuit at that point, but we started to put one together in Germany and Austria, and I started taking a group of US women over there, including my daughter Molly, Lindsey, and a few others. I officially took over the women’s program when Casey Colby stepped away. I hired a Norwegian guy, and we worked together toward the 2009 World Championships. There were several unofficial world championship events that the women went to, but 2009 became the first year that we had an official Women’s World Championship, and that year Lindsey won it.”

At this point, Larry decided, “That’s good enough. I think I’ll retire here.” Larry stepped away for a few years, living in the Adirondacks, running his farm, and playing music. Larry, however, couldn’t stay away from ski jumping and, in 2011, returned to NYSEF as head coach until 2016, when he moved back to his passion for the small hills. It was at this time that the current Northwood ski jumping team got its start in the sport. “I took my first jump ever with him back in 2016, and now, 9-10 years later, he’s still coaching me. It shows his dedication to the sport and his passion for his athletes sticking around and working with us. He embodies the spirit of the Lake Placid Hall of Fame,” said Jack Kroll ‘25.

Larry Stone coached current Northwood ski jumper Henry Loher ‘26 when he started out. Photo by Nancie Battaglia.

“My priorities were elsewhere. I really liked soccer and mountain biking, but Larry talked to my family and me and said I had a natural technique and encouraged me to really focus on ski jumping. Looking back on it, that may be the best decision ever,” said Henry Loher ‘26.

Larry is “grateful for the induction” and, in his speech, thanked all the parents and coaches who supported him over the years, adding that it is the parents’ willingness to let their kids do this crazy sport and their support that makes his job possible.

From the Staff of The Mirror and the Northwood Ski Team, we would like to express our gratitude for everything Larry has done and will continue to do for the sport of ski jumping, not only in Lake Placid but also across the country. Thank you, Larry!

Filed Under: People, Sports, Top Story

Adirondack Science Class Learns About (and Prevents) Road Salt Enviromnmental Damage

January 8, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

As winter settles into the Adirondack High Peaks, few things are as reliable as the steady crunch of road salt underfoot. But in Lake Placid, that familiar winter staple has become a growing environmental concern. Mirror Lake — the village’s centerpiece, both scenic and symbolic — is showing clear signs of stress from decades of heavy salt use, raising questions about how communities can balance safety with sustainability.

Students in Ms. Fagan’s Adirondack Science class shovel pathways to reduce road salt usage on campus. Photo provided.

Each winter, local and state highway crews apply thousands of tons of sodium chloride to roads and sidewalks to combat icy conditions. When temperatures rise or snow melts, that salt washes into nearby streams and storm drains, funneling directly into Mirror Lake. Because the lake sits at the bottom of a steep, developed watershed, it is one of the most salt-vulnerable bodies of water in the Adirondack Park.

Scientists and local nonprofits, including the Ausable River Association, have been tracking the lake’s chemistry for years. Their findings show a steady rise in chloride levels — now high enough to disrupt the lake’s natural mixing. Mirror Lake typically turns over twice a year, in spring and fall, a process that circulates oxygen to deeper waters. Elevated salt concentrations can prevent turnover. In fact, researchers documented a complete mixing failure in several recent years, meaning deep waters went without oxygen for extended periods.

This lack of oxygen has real ecological consequences. Fish species such as lake trout, which rely on cold, oxygen-rich water, face increasing stress. Aquatic insects, plants, and microorganisms that help maintain water quality are also affected. The lake’s overall resilience weakens as its chemical balance drifts further from natural conditions.

Yet the issue is not simply scientific — it’s deeply intertwined with the village’s identity. Mirror Lake is a hub for recreation, from Ironman training swims to summer paddling and winter dog sled rides. Its shoreline anchors Lake Placid’s tourism economy. As chloride levels climb, residents worry about long-term impacts on both the environment and the local lifestyle.

What are we doing to help Northwood?

Our very own Adirondack Science class, taught by Ms. Marcy Fagan, has been helping the maintenance crew shovel before the snow turns to ice. This is very important for reducing salt use at Northwood. Last winter, we achieved a 75% reduction in salt use with this new shoveling team.

Efforts to address the problem are already underway. The Village of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba have begun reducing salt use by calibrating equipment, improving plow efficiency, and experimenting with brine mixtures that use far less sodium chloride. Some sidewalks in the business district now use alternative traction materials instead of traditional rock salt. Public education campaigns also encourage homeowners and businesses to limit their salt use.

While progress has been noticeable, experts emphasize that recovery will be slow. Chloride can remain in the water and surrounding soils for years. Still, many see Lake Placid as a potential model for how northern communities can rethink winter maintenance while protecting freshwater resources.

For now, Mirror Lake remains clear, beautiful, and central to village life, but its future depends on choices being made each winter. As one local scientist put it, “What happens on our roads doesn’t stay on our roads. It ends up in our water.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Top Story

First Semester Honor Rolls Released

January 6, 2026 by Mirror Staff

January 6, 2026 — Ms. Noel Carmichael, Northwood School’s Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, today announced the Honor Rolls for the first semester of the 2025-26 school year, which concluded on December 17, 2025.

Ed. note: originally published on January 6, 2026. Updated on January 7, 2025.

DEAN’S LIST
Upperclassmen (Gr. 11 & 12): Minimum weighted GPA of 4.00 with no grade below B+
Underclassmen (Gr. 9 & 10): Minimum weighted GPA of 3.70 with no grade below B+
Tessa Barton ’27
Kevin Betsch ’26
Marie-Jeanne Cazes ’26
Grant Chan ’28
Brackett-Anne Clark ’26
Alexander Darby ’26
George DeSantis ’28
Katherine Elbrecht ’26
Lola Ferrillo ’27
William German ’27
Kenna Gillis ’27
Rylie Griffiths ’26
Meghan Holmes ’28
Jason Iglesias ’28
Jett Jewett ’27
Zackary Klaich ’26
Azuolas Klangauskas ’28
Gavin Kruger ’26
Sasha Luhur ’27
Owen MacLean ’26
Jackson Marchione ’27
James Martin ’26
Sara Martin ’26
Patrick McCormick ’26
Anna Monette ’26
Maxwell Notley ’27
Treyton Noyce ’28
Lucy Orringer ’29
Dominica Sarandeva ’26
Kalina Sarandeva ’28
Asa Schwartzberg ’27
Andrew Sherland ’26
Devin Smith ’26
Marley Tracy-Deuss ’27
Orrin Tracy-Deuss ’27
Benjamin White ’26

HIGH HONOR ROLL
Upperclassmen (Gr. 11 & 12): Minimum weighted GPA of 3.70 with no grade below B
Underclassmen (Gr. 9 & 10): Minimum weighted GPA of 3.30 with no grade below B
Adit Agarwal ’27
Mohamed Ahmed ’26
Lexie Alves ’29
Maïka Beaudoin ’27
Max Beemsterboer ’27
Cody Betsch ’26
Clara Boutelle ’26
Eleanor Boutelle ’28
Reese Combe ’26
Victoria Fortier ’27
Charles Fox ’28
Theodore Ghanimé ’26
Emma Hagens ’28
Carter Jackson ’26
Philippe Joly ’29
Savva Kalinin ’28
Aidan Kress ’27
Henry Kress ’26
Jack Kroll ’26
Edouard Laberge ’26
Georgianna Larkin ’28
Cora Major ’27
Hudson Marshall ’27
Michael Mezzetti ’26
Luke Monaco ’27
Vincent Montreuil ’28
Tziyon Morris ’26
Maxwell Mortimer ’29
Elliott Murch ’27
Charles Pigeon ’26
Juan Sebastian Poleo Reyes ’29
Rafaël Poulin ’28
Lily Pratt ’26
Florence Richard ’26
Anja Robertson ’26
Conner Sestak ’28
Adam Sherman ’26
Jacob Slagel ’26
Ashton Turcotte ’27
Lucas Wardlaw ’28
Kaidence Wright ’27
Tianche Yu ’26
Tendo Zikusoka ’28
Annette Zuck ’27

HONOR ROLL
Upperclassmen (Gr. 11 & 12): Minimum GPA of 3.30 with no grade below B-
Underclassmen (Gr. 9 & 10): Minimum GPA of 3.00 with no grade below B-
Nathaniel Benjamin ’26
Parker Borden ’27
Henry Bridges ’26
Andres Castro ’27
Thiago Cesar ’26
Lorie Clement ’27
Brooke Connors ’27
Matias Cruz Alban ’28
Sophie Cunniff ’28
Ryan Demers ’27
Terrell Ferreira ’27
Aston Ferrillo ’26
Jack Foisy ’27
Rafaelle Fondacaro ’26
Luca Giugno ’27
Luke Hurlbut ’26
John Ide ’26
Autumn Kelly ’26
Matthew Kernan ’27
Ashton Khory ’26
William Koster ’28
Perry L’Esperance ’26
Reese L’Esperance ’27
Loélie Lachapelle ’26
Uma Laguna-Curtis ’26
Luke Lalonde ’26
Henry Loher ’26
Jackson Magnus ’27
Zachary Matopodzi ’27
William McGahay ’27
Noah Moodey ’26
Ethan Nau ’26
Joachim Neverdal ’26
Louisa Parsons ’27
Jack Pitts ’27
Cooper Plotts ’26
Hamish Riddell ’26
Aona Shida ’28
Jindrich Simanek ’27
Yosef Spear ’26
Max Stracar ’26
Oceanne Thiffault Michel ’26
Jett Travis ’27
Miles Van Mullen ’27
Duncan Van Dorn ’27
Harry Vant ’26
Riley Ward ’27
Pierce Williams ’27
Wang Lun Wong ’27
Jingxi Zhao ’26

EFFORT HONOR ROLL
Attained at least three “excellent” grades, with no effort grades below “good.”
Lexie Alves ’29
Russell Astuto ’28
Léanne Aubut-Laurin ’26
Tessa Barton ’27
Maïka Beaudoin ’27
Max Beemsterboer ’27
Cody Betsch ’26
Kevin Betsch ’26
Parker Borden ’27
Clara Boutelle ’26
Eleanor Boutelle ’28
Andres Castro ’27
Marie-Jeanne Cazes ’26
Thiago Cesar ’26
Brackett-Anne Clark ’26
Reese Combe ’26
Sophie Cunniff ’28
Alexander Darby ’26
Katherine Elbrecht ’26
Terrell Ferreira ’27
Aston Ferrillo ’26
Lola Ferrillo ’27
Rafaelle Fondacaro ’26
Victoria Fortier ’27
William German ’27
Theodore Ghanimé ’26
Kenna Gillis ’27
Luca Giugno ’27
Rylie Griffiths ’26
Brynn Haran ’28
Jason Iglesias ’28
Jett Jewett ’27
Philippe Joly ’29
Autumn Kelly ’26
Ashton Khory ’26
Zackary Klaich ’26
Azuolas Klangauskas ’28
Aidan Kress ’27
Henry Kress ’26
Jack Kroll ’26
Gavin Kruger ’26
Edouard Laberge ’26
Loélie Lachapelle ’26
Paul Lahaie-Boivin ’29
Luke Lalonde ’26
Sasha Luhur ’27
Owen MacLean ’26
Summer MacLean ’28
Cora Major ’27
Jackson Marchione ’27
Everett Marin ’28
Hudson Marshall ’27
James Martin ’26
Sara Martin ’26
Patrick McCormick ’26
Michael Mezzetti ’26
Luke Monaco ’27
Anna Monette ’26
Noah Moodey ’26
Elliott Murch ’27
Maxwell Notley ’27
Treyton Noyce ’28
Lucy Orringer ’29
Charles Pigeon ’26
Juan Sebastian Poleo Reyes ’29
Rafaël Poulin ’28
Lily Pratt ’26
Florence Richard ’26
Anja Robertson ’26
Dominica Sarandeva ’26
Kalina Sarandeva ’28
Asa Schwartzberg ’27
Andrew Sherland ’26
Aona Shida ’28
Jacob Slagel ’26
Devin Smith ’26
Yosef Spear ’26
Max Stracar ’26
Oceanne Thiffault Michel ’26
Marley Tracy-Deuss ’27
Orrin Tracy-Deuss ’27
Ashton Turcotte ’27
Duncan Van Dorn ’27
Riley Ward ’27
Benjamin White ’26
Wang Lun Wong ’27
Kaidence Wright ’27
Jingxi Zhao ’26
Annette Zuck ’27

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

The Work of Our Hands

December 10, 2025 by Jacob Slagel

Everyday moments often go unnoticed—the way a door opens, a pencil moves, a chord forms. In this photo essay, Jacob Slagel ’26 turns the ordinary into art, focusing on hands as symbols of effort, creativity, and care within the Northwood community.

Marley Tracy-Deuss ’27 picks an acoustic guitar in the music room, starting a song one note at a time.

Marley Tracy-Deuss ’27’s hand finds the next chord on the neck of a guitar during practice.

Mr. Emery works through a page of math problems, pen on paper and calculator nearby.

Mr. LeBlanc’s hand pushes open the school door, one of hundreds of times it will open and close in a day.

Liam McGahay ’27’s hands move across the piano keys in the auditorium, filling a quiet room with sound.

Cadel Cox ’27’s hands work at a laptop, the watch on his wrist quietly tracking the time.

Orrin Tracy-Deuss ’27 holds a wristwatch in his palm, a small reminder of how fast time goes by.

Paul Ellworth’s raised hand hangs in the air, caught in the middle of explaining a point.

In the kitchen, Jim pours a box of ingredients into the machine, getting the next round of drinks ready for students.

All photos by Jacob Slagel ’26.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Exploring Meaning in Photography

November 14, 2025 by Jacob Slagel

Photos do more than show a scene. They ask us to feel something and to decide what matters. As students and faculty discussed the meaning of a photo, their answers converged on the same idea. Images hold emotion, and that emotion helps us remember, connect, and sometimes change.

Dr. Scott Campbell, a faculty member, highlighted how the mind processes pictures over time. He noted that younger people tend to hold onto negative images longer than older people. “There is a difference in how we remember images,” he said, adding that some researchers think it is adaptive. Young people may be more alert to risk, while older people may not process the same images in the same way. His point set a tone for the rest of the conversation. A photo is more than pixels. It lands in a person with a history, a mood, and a body.

Campbell also brought up accuracy. “Memory is not ever an accurate recall,” he said. We rebuild moments with bias and feeling. A picture can act like evidence because it freezes details that our minds might change. At the same time, a photo is not neutral. Choices about light, timing, and framing shape what we see. That tension makes images powerful. They can preserve what happened, and they can guide how we feel about it.

Students kept coming back to emotion. For Aidan De Hartog ’27, the strongest meaning is the chance to relive a moment that would otherwise pass. “Sometimes in the moment of certain situations, a photo is a way to relive that moment,” he said. He talked about sports and the way a single frame allows an athlete to return to an action that is gone the moment it ends. Aidan also thinks photos surprise us. You expect to feel one thing, but when you see the image, a different feeling arrives. “Photos can bring different emotions to people,” he said. That surprise is part of the meaning.

Max Mortimer ’29 focused on perspective. He sees meaning working on two levels. There is a personal meaning that ties to your own life, and there can be a broader meaning that sits above any one person. Max thinks our beliefs and experiences shape what we notice. “Everyone has a different perspective,” he said. One person might read a photo as happy, another might read it as sad. He also believes that some images can still convey emotion even without a backstory. You can look, guess what the photo is trying to show, and feel something honest.

Will Wong ’27 connected photos to memory in a simple way. He takes pictures to remember what is beautiful and what matters to him. Family gatherings and travel opportunities arose immediately. He described seeing a view that exists only in one place and wanting to record it so he can carry it with him. That idea is not complicated, but it is the root of why many people point a camera at anything they see. A photo keeps a moment close.

Across all the interviews, a pattern emerged. People respond to photos that resemble them, and they also react to photos that do not. Campbell put it this way. We gravitate towards what we recognize, and we are also drawn to what is new. That mix gives a photo room to teach. Images can confirm what we believe, and they can shift our worldview when they show us something we have not encountered before.

There was also an honest question about presence: Does taking a photo pull you out of the moment? Dr. Campbell said it can be hard to be present from behind the camera. At the same time, paying close attention can almost feel like a form of meditation. Many student photographers know that balance. Sometimes, the act of making the image is how you notice more. Other times, you need to put the camera down.

If there is a single lesson to be learned from these conversations, it is that meaning lives on both sides of the lens. The photographer chooses what to honor with attention. The viewer brings a self to the picture. The meeting point is where the action is. That is why the same image can comfort one person and unsettle another. It is also why some photos last. They carry enough open space for different viewers to find a way in.

What, then, makes a photo important? The answers here suggest a few tests. It holds a feeling that stays. It helps you relive a moment you care about. It preserves details your memory might blur. It allows you to see a person or a place more clearly, or to see yourself more clearly. None of that requires a famous subject or a perfect composition. It does require attention, though, from both the photographer and the viewer.

A photo cannot reveal the complete truth, and memory cannot either. Together, they get us closer to it. That might be the work of photography in our lives. We carry images so we can carry meaning, and we return to them when we need to remember who we are, what we value, and where we hope to go next.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Opinion, Top Story

Moodey and Morris Named Soccer All-Americans

November 12, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

To be a high school all-American is to be one of the best high school soccer players in the country. Of the tens of thousands of athletes, 41 players are selected for the All-American game. According to search engines, there are upwards of 50 thousand “high-level” performers in the country – meaning to be an all-American is to be in the top 0.1% of all athletes in the United States.

Illustration: Black Rock FC/Instagram.

Noah Moodey and Tziyon Morris are the latest to join that top 0.1% – joining a list which includes some of the elite players to play for Northwood – the likes of Sachiel Ming, Mitch Baker, and Liam Doyle.

Their accomplishment is a huge personal milestone, but also a huge celebration for the program as a whole. “Noah was the first player I got to know when I got to Northwood, and I’ve had the chance to coach him and Tz for more than three years and two USL2 seasons,” head Coach Joe Coss said. “Happy to have been part of their journey and excited for what’s to come,” Coss added.

Northwood’s all-Americans will compete in the 15th annual All-American Game in early December, held in South Carolina. It is an opportunity for these top players to showcase their talent and be seen by coaches, both collegiate and club. The game will be broadcast publicly for all to see.

“I think it definitely feels rewarding in a way, but also like there’s more work to do” Moodey said. “That being said, to have everything I’ve worked for up until this point in my life to kind of come to fruition with this honor feels amazing; it really kind of gives hope and fuel to my dream of playing professionally one day, and I hope I can channel this and continue with my growth,” Moodey added.

Unfortunately for Morris, he won’t have the opportunity to actually play in the game due to injury. “It feels great having an honor such as an All-American, which shows me what my work has gotten me,” Morris said. “I know that a lot of people don’t get this award, so I’m very grateful. Not being able to play has obviously got me feeling a little down, but injuries happen, and it’s important that I keep a positive mindset throughout this time,” Morris added.

Lastly, as a teammate of theirs, I would like to take this opportunity to express my excitement and joy for their accomplishment. Neither is flashy, but what makes them such good players and valuable to our team is their grit and willingness to put their bodies on the line every time they’re on the pitch. Usually, the credit and spotlight go to the goal scorers and attackers, rather than the defensive-minded players, whose abilities often go under the radar; so, it’s great to see them receive this type of recognition.