Top Story – The Mirror

One Slice Pizza Review: Bazzi’s Pizza

March 23, 2025 by Pete Moore

On this week’s edition of “One Slice Pizza Reviews,” the editors headed over to Bazzi’s Pizza on Main Street to try out their signature cheese pizza.

Bazzi’s is one of the most popular pizza spots in town. Bazzi’s is open from 12-9 every day of the week, and they serve pizza along with appetizers such as wings and mozzarella sticks. A full-size cheese pizza costs $19.00, and one slice costs $3.00.

Bazzi’s is located right across the street from Generations and is a quick walk away from the Olympic Center to the right, and the rest of the town to the left.

Let’s see what Charles Pigeon thought of his slice:

Wow an 8.3! That’s a new high score! The bar is set high for Mr. Mikes, who will be next week!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story Tagged With: OneSlicePizza

Winter Carnival a Day of Fun and Competition

March 12, 2025 by Noah Moodey

For decades, Winter Carnival has been a staple favorite in the lives of Northwood students, and it is still as this year. March arrived, and with it came the festivities. With the draft completed and the events chosen, the various peaks were geared up for a day of action-packed excitement. Competitions included challenges of the arts, sports, and the mind. The balanced format allows all students to have a successful time in events suited to them, which sums up the culture of Northwood pretty well, making it a place for everyone to succeed.

Students pull a student in a plastic sled in the annual sled race. Photo provided.

The morning started off with the Dodgeball and Tug of War competitions, which were a huge success. The whole school population gathered in the indoor turf and gym to both compete and cheer. A gallon of face paint and a few sore shoulders later, the matches concluded, and each team captured a victory or two. The next events were those of Broomball and Curling, taking place in the USA and 1980 rinks. The teams were bussed to the arena and the clashes began. Although some teams certainly did better than others, everybody had a great time. The event was a community favorite as it gave students from other programs a view into the hockey program; the soccer players especially enjoyed it despite their abysmal performance. “It was a big switch up from the soccer pitch, but it was still a total blast. Sure, we may not have scored a goal, and we may have kicked the ball more than hit it, but it was great and I’m glad I got to try it out before I graduated,” said Nate Wright ‘25. The day’s events continued with dramatic performances in the talent show, art contests, and even a dog sled race until ending with the fan favorite obstacle course.

Although the games are fun, the meaning behind Winter Carnival is deeper than just fun and games. “The best part of winter carnival is that it really brings the community together, it allows people from different programs to see aspects of us normally only shown to our teammates,” said Trey Frantz ’25. Winter Carnival brings together students from different programs, forging unexpected friendships that might not have formed otherwise. The tradition is still sacred in Northwood culture because it ties the final knots in the bonds of the school before the end of the year.

Although the results have not yet been released, the final standings of winter carnival are sure to be divided by only a hair’s breadth and everyone will be on the edge of their seats for Monday’s school meeting.

At Monday’s school meeting, Ms. Riffle announced the winners of the 2025 Winter Carnival. Congratulations to this year’s champion, Gothics! Big Slide came in second and Wolfjaw followed in third. Skylight rounded out the field in fourth place.

Winter Carnival is and will remain to be the glue that holds Northwood together through the winters, and the events of this year only further reinforced that. The seniors will look back fondly upon their memories and the underclass students can only wait excitedly for next year’s carnival.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Husky Ski Jumpers Have Strong Results at Junior Nationals

March 5, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Jack Kroll ‘25 stands on top of the podium at U20 Ski Jumping Junior Nationals. Photo provided.

Last week, Husky Ski Jumpers Eli Larkin ‘27 and Jack Kroll ‘25 traveled to Park City, Utah, to compete in the 2025 Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Junior National Championships. After four days of jumping, the pair took home an impressive total of five medals.

Due to warm weather, open training sessions were canceled, meaning jumpers only had the three official training jumps to adjust to the new hill before competition. Kroll won two of the three official training rounds and had a jump of 69.5 meters, which would be the furthest on the hill for the week.

The first day of competition was the individual events. Kroll won an intense back-and-forth with Steamboat Springs athlete Arthur Tirone. After the first round, Jack was only ahead by two-tenths of a point. After the second round, it was announced that Arthur had won by just one point, but NYSEF coach Colin Delaney quickly realized an error in the scoring that put Jack ahead by three points, making him the 2025 U20 Junior National Ski Jumping Champion. The two athletes were left in shock after the error gave them devastation and false hope, but in the end, they shook hands and celebrated their accomplishments.

“I was really sad when they announced that Arthur had won,” Kroll said, “ and even started crying while in equipment control.” When he emerged from equipment control, his coach was waiting with the news of the error. “I was ecstatic. I felt that I had had my best jumps, and it was really fulfilling that my best was enough to take the win.”

In the afternoon, Jack competed in the Nordic Combined race, again dueling with Arthur Tirone. After a five-kilometer race, Arthur Tirone won over Jack, who took second.

Jack Kroll ‘25 on the Nordic Combined podium after finishing 2nd. Photo by Seth Rothchild Photography.

The second day of the competition was the team events. Eli and Jack were part of a four-man East Team One. Their team would place second in the team jumping event after two rounds of competition. In the afternoon, Jack competed in the Nordic Combined team event. The teams consisted of two people. Jack’s partner was fellow NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation) teammate Cadel Cox. They took home the win in the U20 team event, and Jack went back to back after he and his partner won it last year in Anchorage, Alaska.

Jack Kroll ‘25 and Eli Larkin ‘27 in second place for team Ski Jumping. Photo provided.

Jack Kroll ‘25 and partner Cadel Cox on top of the podium as the lead East Team in a East one three for the Nordic Combined team event. Photo provided.

Jack Kroll ‘25 at the start line of the team sprint. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Kuder Competing in U18 National Alpine Championships

March 3, 2025 by Natalie Gaeckle

Sydney Kuder ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Following a successful weekend in Sugarbush Mountain, Vermont, winning (and getting a personal best) in one giant slalom race and 2^nd U18 overall at the second, Sydney Kuder ’25 is in Aspen for the U18 National Alpine Championships. This is an event where only a certain number of athletes from each region qualify based on a point qualification system, so this achievement is a massive one in the competitive world of alpine skiing. I caught up with Sydney before she left for a brief interview.

Natalie Gaeckle ‘25: What are you most excited/worried about?

Sydney Kuder ‘25: I’m most excited to ski in Colorado again, in really nice, sunny weather, and for the snow conditions. I’m also excited to train before racing and then, of course, for the racing itself because I know it’s going to be really competitive and fun. I’m a little worried because I don’t know that many people out here, but I’m hoping I can make new friends, which is a little scary but new.

Is it your first time in Aspen? And do you think it’s going to be different from Copper?

It is my first time in Aspen. I don’t think it’s going to be that different from Copper, but I definitely think it’s going to be different in the sense that I’m here to race and not just to train. So, I’m going to be kind of in a different mindset the whole time. It’s also different because it’s almost March, and Copper is always like a preseason type of trip.

What is your goal for these races?

Honestly, I don’t really have much of a goal. I kind of just want to experience it. It’s my first time competing at the national level, and I’m just hoping to have a good time. And I don’t really have a set goal. I’m just going to try my best and see what I can do.

What is your pre-race routine or ritual?

I feel like I’ve really gotten good at my skiing routine, and that’s gotten different as seasons have gone on. It’s not too intense, but it’s structured. After I wake up, I like to have a good breakfast, and I always have a cup of coffee to wake myself up. Then I’ll do my warmup in the lodge, and after I’ll go out to inspect and then take one to two free runs. My number of runs depends on how long the chairlift is, how much time I have between the race runs, and how long the trail is in general. And then, once I’m done with that, I go back inside, and I eat a lot of candy because it helps me get quick sugar and energy, and it helps me feel better overall before my race. Then, when I go for my run, I like to have my air pods in to hone myself in and get locked in at the top. I’ll also visualize the course a lot after inspection and before I run. And then at the top, I do my like activation, like my previous warm up/stretches, have some good, positive self-talk, and finally I send it.

Was this a goal of yours this season?

This was definitely a goal of my season. I’m happy that I accomplished it and that I’m able to be in Aspen this year.

Filed Under: People, Sports, Top Story

Dorm Room Tour: Natalie Geackle’s Room

March 3, 2025 by Jenny Tran

Welcome to Natalie Gaeckle’s room. Natalie is a senior ski racer from New Jersey. This year is her first time living away from home and boarding at Northwood School. Natalie lives in a single room on Second West, where she has added many items and decorations to make it like home.

Photo: Jenny Tran ’25.

These are posters of the album, Blonde, by Frank Ocean, one of Natalie’s favorite artists. Last Christmas, the ski team held a Secret Santa gift exchange, and Natalie received these two posters from Leanne Aubut-Laurin as one of her gifts.

Photo: Jenny Tran ’25.

This is a poster of the sunset in Chile, where Natalie went with her ski team earlier in the year. Natalie’s dad has always made collages of her family’s adventures, and he has created this one from Chile using the sunset picture that Natalie had sent him.

Photo: Jenny Tran ’25.

Natalie’s favorite part of the room is her bed. She is proud of how comfortable it is; she thinks all her friends would also agree. She has two mattress toppers, many plushies, and big fuzzy blankets, making her bed perfectly cozy.

Photo: Jenny Tran ’25.

Natalie has had this stuffed animal since she was very young. She brings it everywhere, including the ski camps this year: Chile and Copper.

Photo: Jenny Tran ’25.

This is where Natalie puts her snacks. Her dad often sends her cookies and other snacks, even when she doesn’t ask for them. Natalie tries to keep this snack cupboard full in case she is hungry or has cravings.

Photo: Jenny Tran ’25.

This is the view from her room. Natalie gets to see the turf and the front of the school, which she enjoys. During the day, the natural light hits her room, so she always has her shades open to enjoy the sun.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story Tagged With: DormRoomTour

Students Excited for Winter Carnival

March 1, 2025 by Sasha Luhur

Winter Carnival is approaching once again, and the four teams—Big Slide, Wolfjaw, Gothics, and Skylight—are preparing for a full day of intense competition. Winter Carnival is a highly-anticipated day off from classes, giving students a chance to have fun throughout the day and take an academic breather. The carnival features a variety of events, ranging from geography bees and the talent show to dodgeball and tug-of-war. The teams divide themselves between events about two weeks before the actual day, and different groups will represent their peak throughout the day on Tuesday, March 4^th.

The Head’s Council directs the teams, drafting equally from each grade to create a mix of students from each sport and grade and helping them bond to achieve victory in the carnival. There are many opportunities to gain points this year, including the Northwood Winter Carnival classics: snow football, dodgeball, broomball, dog-sled racing, baking, tug-of-war, talent show, and obstacle course. The Perfection game is making its debut in the Winter Carnival this year, while the snow sculpture competition is being re-introduced.

New students have heard about Winter Carnival and are curious what the day will offer. First-year sophomore Penelope “Penny” St-Pierre ’27 says, “I’m excited because everyone will spend some time together and build our team chemistry. The competition will be high, and that’s how we make memories. Winter Carnival is the perfect day for everyone to talk to people they don’t know that well.” She’s most excited about the broomball competition.

We are yet to see what this year’s Winter Carnival has in store!

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Slide show of scenes from past Winter Carnivals

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Husky Ski Jumpers Make History at World Juniors

February 28, 2025 by Jack Kroll

During the February mini break, Northwood Ski Jumpers Henry Loher ‘26 and Mitchell Penning ‘25 competed in the Junior World Ski Jumping Championships in Lake Placid. World Juniors is the highest level of U20 competition, where each country is given 4 spots for their best junior athletes.

Henry Loher ’26 after his first-round jump. Photo by USA Ski Jumping.

Henry stood out in the field, ranking the second highest out of any athlete born in 2008. He was the United States’ third-highest finisher in the individual competition, securing an impressive 21st overall. Mitchell struggled in the individual competition, and Canada was unable to field a team in the team event due to injury. Mitchell said he is “sad that we weren’t able to field a team this year,” and he hopes “next year we are able to.”

Northwood alum Tate Frantz got second in the individual event, missing out on the top spot by only four-tenths of a point. This is America’s second year in a row taking home the silver medal.

In the team event, Henry was part of a four-man US team that also included Tate Frantz. The current and former Huskies helped propel the United States to their first-ever medal in a Junior World team Ski Jumping event. They finished 3rd.

World Juniors male team event. Austria first, Slovenia second, America third. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Sports, Top Story

Student-Created Clothing Brand Outfits School

February 25, 2025 by Pete Moore

Shane Tronoski ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

“It’s awesome. It’s great to see everyone supporting the brand. It feels so good to walk around the school and see people wearing merch that I designed. This year’s drop was a little bigger than last year’s, so it is great to have a brand that continues to grow. I never imagined that I would see my teachers wearing my merch around the school that I attend,” said Tronoski ‘25

Around 50 people, students, staff and coaches ordered from the drop. Most people bought sweatshirts or sweatpants, along with a beanie. Sweatshirts and pants retailed at $45 dollars, and beanies cost $15 dollars.

Shane started Sweats and Jawns in 2019 with an idea but created a physical product in 2024 during the school year. Shane has been taking Sweats and Jawns to the next level in the Peak Pathways program run by Ms. Prime. This year Shane redesigned the sweatshirt design with a colorful ballon letter design. The traditional yellow and navy logo was still used on the beanies.

Shane would like to continue the brand further than Northwood with the creation of an online shop. His motto of “Stay True” will be carried throughout the brand as long as it exists. Shane would like to sell to whoever he would like in the future, branching out to more than just people he knows.

This is a great example of how the peak pathways program at Northwood can take students’ visions to new heights.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Outdoor Rink a Hit

February 24, 2025 by Charles Pigeon

Students skate on the outdoor rink at night. Photo provided.

As the temperature got colder, students Kate Elbrecht ‘26 and Meghan Crowley ‘25 needed an idea for their Peak Pathway project. They had the brilliant idea of convincing Northwood to build an outdoor rink (ODR) right outside the Main Building on campus. They gave their plan to Northwood maintenance, and everything was taken care of. The outdoor rink is a 90 by 36 ft ice rink with 3ft boards. The rink is perfectly settled, it is right next to the big building so that it can light up the rink.

The biggest problem the girls faced was the snow. Lake Placid had about three huge snowstorms in two weeks, which made it way harder to make the ice since they always had to shovel. They must wash the ice once a week to ensure the ice’s quality is always in good shape. Northwood finally had their own ODR and the boy’s hockey team was so excited. All I could hear from them was, ‘’Let’s go play some three on three, we have an hour of free time.’’. The ice can be used at any time by anyone, as long as they shovel a bit and wear a helmet.

Students enjoying the outdoor rink. Photo provided.

I had a good talk with Nathaniel Poole ‘25, who had just finished skating on the ODR. “We just won a two out of three series; time flew so quickly; we were just having so much fun out there. The fact that my room is 50 steps away from the rink makes it so cool and special; whoever’s idea this was, we thank you so much.”

“The snow was crazy, but we were four guys, so after five minutes, everything was shoveled off. We just passed the puck around for a bit and then played a two two-on-two with boots as the nets. The boards were filled with snow, which was fun because every time someone was close to them, they would just get hammered into the snow. We were definitely cold, but it was worth every second. Memories like these are the ones I will always remember.” Henry Kress ‘26 mentioned after a little skate on the ice.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Huskies at the 2025 Lake Placid Ski Jumping World Cup

February 24, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Earlier this month, the Ski Jumping World Cup made its 3^rd annual stop in Lake Placid, New York. The World Cup is the highest level of competition in the sport, and Husky Ski Jumpers had the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the best in the world.

Jack Kroll ‘25 forerunner/forejumper credentials. Photo provided.

Four Northwood Jumpers were selected to be used as forerunners for the event. In Ski Jumping, a forerunner is a jumper that is not part of the competition whose job is to be a test jumper. Forerunners go before each round to test out the hill and help the jury determine the appropriate starting gate for the competitors. Forerunners are also used during any breaks in competition, after a hold for unsafe conditions, after crashes or any other delays. The four Northwood Jumpers selected were Eli Larkin ‘27, Henry Loher ‘26, Mitchell Penning ‘25, and Jack Kroll ‘25. They made up part of a twenty-member squad of forerunners which included several Europeans brought in for the event. The Huskies were able to outqualify several of the European forerunners, earning spots on the elite squad forerunning the men’s events.

Jack Kroll ‘25 forerunner/forejumper bib. Photo provided.

One of the unique benefits of forerunning is the chance to spend time with the competitors. On the first day, Henry Loher ‘26 was approached by Norwegian Ski Jumper and two-time World Cup overall winner Halvor Egner Granerud. Granerud asked Henry if he was “the tank” referring to his Instagram username “HanktheTank.” Granerud had seen a earlier post of Henry getting the hill record in Lake Placid and had followed him. Henry was “wondering if he would say anything to him this weekend.” Henry said he was “the tank” and had a short conversation with Granerud before his qualification jump.

To further the Granerud story, all of his bags did not show up in Lake Placid and he missed his flight. He arrived with just ten minutes to spare before qualification with no equipment. Luckily, the Ski Jumping community rallied and provided him with everything he needed. NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation” provided him with a helmet.

The signed helmet NYSEF let Granerud borrow. Photo Provided.

Later, Granerud shouted out his newfound friend Henry Loher on Instagram following the weekend. He posted a selfie of the two of them and then said, “Also, met the full send legend @henry_loher go check him out if you want to watch some far jumps.” Henry says he, “was shocked,” and has, “gained a ton of followers,” as a result. As former American Ski Jumper Nina Lussi pointed out in the comments this was Henry’s “welcome to the big leagues.”

Halvor Egner Graneruds Instagram post featuring Henry Loher ’26. Photo from @halvorgranerud on Instagram.

Halvor Egner Graneruds Instagram caption about Henry Loher ’26. Photo from @halvorgranerud on Instagram.

Additionally, the team had the chance to meet Daniel Tschofenig, an Austrian Ski Jumper and current World Cup overall leader. They were able to secure his “golden bib” which signifies he is the overall leader to keep in their jumproom.