BucketList – The Mirror

Bucket List Activity: Watching a Movie at the Palace Theatre

May 10, 2024 by Mitchell Baker

As the school year comes to an end, my time here at Northwood will soon be done. There are only a couple of items left on my bucket list, and with the travel season over for soccer, I will hopefully be able to tick them all! Over the weekend, I could tick off an item that I have wanted to tick off for ages. I went to the Palace Theatre in town with Jace Donowa’25 to watch the famous Kung Fu Panda 4. Going to the theatre is one of the many things students at Northwood do on free weekends. It is the only theatre in Lake Placid, which makes it very prestigious.

Mitchell (left) and Jace at the Palace Theater. Photo by Mitchell Baker ’24.

This was also Jace’s first time going to the theatre. He expressed, “I was looking forward to it. I was interested in comparing it to the theatres back home. I also love Kung Fu Panda and popcorn, so when Mitch asked, I quickly said yes.” Jace came to Northwood as a freshman and is a rising senior. He is a Lake Placid guru at this point.

We endured a long, cold walk to town, full of excitement to watch the movie. As we entered the theatre, we noticed a warm, casual feel that was very different from the theatres we had been to. We only had to pay 10 dollars for the movie, which was a good start. The snack options were diverse; there was a variety of candies, popcorn and drinks. Jace got popcorn, a Pepsi, and some chocolate. After purchasing our snacks, we went off to watch the movie. We entered a pretty empty cinema, which we were happy about. There were no seats allocated, which allowed us to pick the best spot.

We were both slightly disappointed with the movie. We didn’t like the storyline. However, the accommodation of the theatre was excellent. Jace added, “I thought it was pretty good. The snacks and tickets were cheap, and everything else about the theatre was top-notch. I will be going here again.”

Overall, we thought the theatre was pretty good; it was very casual, which made us feel comfortable there. The low costs make it very affordable for high school students, so I would recommend going.

One of the last items on my bucket list is going to the new arcade in town. Hopefully, I can go soon and enjoy my experience like I did at the theatre.

This article is part of a “Bucket List” series cataloging things you need to do before you graduate.

Filed Under: Northwood Life Tagged With: BucketList

Bucket List Activity: ECAC Championships

March 30, 2024 by Maegan Byrne

Each year, Lake Placid holds the ECAC Men’s Hockey Championship. There were two semi-final games on Friday and the championship game on Saturday. This is a must-attend event for Husky hockey fans.

The first semi-final game featured Quinnipiac University against Saint Lawrence University, and the second featured Ivy League rivals Dartmouth College against Cornell University. The winners of those games (Cornell and SLU) faced off on Saturday for the championship.

Former faculty member Kelly Carter (left) visited with (left or right) Audrey Bartlett ’23, Nora Fitzsimmons ’24, and Maegan Byrne ’24 at the ECAC Championships. Photo: Maegan Byrne ’24/

These games are a great activity to attend, even for non-hockey players. This was my first year attending these games. I brought Nora Fitzsimmons ’24, Teegan Wardlaw ’23, and a Northwood alumni Audrey Bartlett ‘23. The games were fast-paced and fun to watch. The ambiance in the arena also made the game fun. There were lots of people cheering along with marching bands, cheerleaders, announcers asking attendees questions, and music.

Many of the Northwood students sat together and hung around town in between games. “I had a lot of fun at the games because I was sitting in the Northwood section,” said Wardlaw. “It was nice to be around my friends in a non-school environment,” she added.

“This weekend was so fun,” Fitzsimmons said. “I was on the edge about going to the games, but I’m glad I went and got to spend time with my friends. The energy was great, and it was cool to experience college hockey.”

“It was an exciting game, and awesome to see Cornell win again,” Bartlett added.

This article is part of a “Bucket List” series cataloging things you need to do before you graduate.

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Bucket List: Big Mountain Deli and Creperie

February 29, 2024 by Mitchell Baker

Cara Dempsey ’25 and Julianne Brochu ’25 at Big Mountain Deli and Creperie. Photo by Mitch Baker ’24.

The Big Mountain Deli and Creperie is arguably the most prestigious restaurant in Lake Placid. The restaurant is famous for its 46 sandwiches, named after the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, and the delicious crepes. Recently I decided to tick this item off my Lake Placid Bucket list. I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by some of Northwood’s best skiers. Julianne Brochu ‘25 and Cara Dempsey ‘25 are two skiers who have excelled in their sport and are passionate about food. Julianne and Cara had never been to the Big Mountain Deli and were excited to indulge in the Lake Placid Cuisine.

The Big Mountain Deli is near the heart of Main Street. The central location allowed us to walk across the lake and experience the beauty of Lake Placid. As we entered the store, the first thing we noticed was exceptional customer service. The energy from the staff was electric and welcoming, which enhanced our overall experience. As we looked at the menu, we couldn’t help but notice the endless options. There was a sweet or savory crepes option, and the sandwich options were very diverse. The skiers decided to order a Nutella and Strawberry crepe, which was highly recommended by the person working at the counter. One thing we weren’t very happy about was the price of the food. In my opinion, it was quite pricey for a high school student.

The food arrived very quickly and looked great. As we all began eating, the skiers almost instantly looked up as if they had swallowed gold. Cara said, “After a long morning of skiing in the cold, the warm Nutella crepe was unreal. The crispy but soft crepe mixed with the sweetness of the Nutella and strawberries was fantastic.” Julianne added, “I would 100 percent come back here. I love the food and the atmosphere.” As we sat down and demolished the crepe, I got a better understanding of what a student athlete’s life is like as a skier. I learned about all the different events and the schedules they followed. That is one thing I really enjoy about this series is being able to get to know students I wouldn’t usually talk to. The girls really enjoyed the meal, and both rated their overall experience a solid 8 out of 10.

I think The Big Mountain Deli is definitely an experience that you must have before you graduate from Northwood. As I enter my final 4 months here at Northwood, I will begin ticking off more items from my bucket list. A ski day seems like the most crucial thing to try next. Stay tuned!

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Northwood Bucket List: Ice Skating on the Oval

January 30, 2024 by Mitchell Baker

This is the latest in the “Northwood Bucket List” series by editor Mitch Baker ’24. Read more stories from this series here.

On a recent Friday night a diverse group of U19 and U17 Northwood soccer players stepped out of their comfort zone to skate at the prestigious Olympic Speed Skating Oval. Many of the student-athletes, including myself, had never been skating before, some athletes had never even seen a skating oval before coming to Northwood. The soccer team at Northwood has always been extremely diverse; students from all over the world come to Northwood to further their academic and soccer abilities. Students from Bermuda, Venezuela, Ecuador, Portugal, Spain, and many more came together to skate for the first time.

Some of the students who crossed “Skating on the Oval” off their “Northwood Bucket List” recently. Photo provided.

Lake Placid is known for the famous 1980 and 1932 Olympic games. The facilities students can access are truly unbelievable. Skating is a must-do activity for Northwood students before they graduate. The feeling of gliding around the oval with the lights shining bright and the music playing loud is a feeling that you will remember for life. “It was so fun skating with all the boys,” said Nicolas Cedeno ‘24. “At the start, it was funny watching everyone fall, and towards the end, it became peaceful. We were all able to skate well and enjoyed the night. Skating is something I would have never done in Ecuador, so I am glad I did it here in Lake Placid,” he added.

Cedeno wasn’t the only new skater, Sachiel Ming ‘24 from sunny Bermuda added, “Skating. A Bermudian man skating! A Bermudian skating is like a Jamaican bobsledding, it is a once in a lifetime sight. I would have never had the opportunity to do this back home. I don’t think the majority of the island has ever even seen an oval.” Sachiel learned quickly and ended up racing me towards the end. We both raced like it was the World Cup Final. Sachiel unfortunately fell early in the race, making it an uneven contest. Regardless of the outcome, it was an experience to remember.

It wasn’t only an amazing experience for first-timers. “I have skated a lot back home, but I think last Friday was my best experience,” Lohkoah Paye ’25 expressed. “Seeing all the guys learn whilst being far better than them is very funny. The facility in town is unreal. Seeing all the flags and the famous hockey rinks really adds to the experience,” he added.

The prep hockey team made a guest appearance, watching us new learners skate. Obviously, they found it funny, but they encouraged and helped us learn. Another positive thing about skating is it unites people. I was skating not only with soccer players but also with skiers and other athletes. Some of us were in the same boat, which forced us to try to learn from each other. We were able to laugh and help each other, which made the overall experience far better. I believe I am personally a lot closer with students outside of the soccer team because of skating.

Overall, I think skating is one of the most important things to cross off your “Northwood bucket list.” Everything about it is special to Lake Placid. The soccer boys had a blast and would like to thank Mrs. Fagan for all the help teaching us how to skate. As we hit the peak of winter, more winter sports may be ticked off the bucket list. Stay tuned!

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

Uruguayan Student Watches His First-Every Hockey Game at the Olympic Center: Bucket List Location

November 1, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

This story is part of Editor-in-Chief Mitchell Baker’s ’25 series he’s calling “Bucket List Locations,” where he joins a student doing something or going someplace for the first time that every student should do or visit before graduating. Read other stories in the series here.

Camilo Pereda ‘25, from Uruguay, at his first hockey game. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25.

I took Camilo Pereda ‘25, a Uruguayan on the U19 soccer team, to watch his first hockey game at the famous Olympic Center. Every Northwood student needs to cheer on the Huskies at a home hockey game.

Lake Placid, the host city of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, has global recognition as a hockey town. Miracle is a famous movie that contributed to the global recognition and the history of hockey in this special town. I felt as if it was only right to take Camilo to watch the Prep team play in the Olympic Center.

The hockey game was played over Family Weekend, so several families and all sports teams were there to cheer the boys on. The buses to the game were packed, and several chants were led as students were excited to see the team play.

“I have never seen a hockey game, and I don’t understand the rules, but I am excited to learn more,” Pereda said. “In Uruguay, Ice hockey is almost unheard of. I knew it was a sport, but I have never seen anyone play or watch it.”

Camilo comes from a very soccer-focused background. In Uruguay, soccer is life. Everyone lives to watch or play soccer, no matter who you are. Camilo was surprised to learn about the cultural differences in the U.S. Hockey in Lake Placid is like soccer in Uruguay.

The student section at a recent Prep game vs. Stanstead College. The Huskies won 5-0. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25

Hockey will always play a special role in uniting this school and this town. People from all over the world come together to enjoy a physical game whilst supporting their team with immense amounts of passion.

“I was shocked to see how it united all the different sports teams at Northwood,” Camilo said. “Most of us had no idea what was going on, but we screamed for every play like our life depended on it.”

This year’s school theme is Unity, which has been something Northwood has struggled to pride itself on in a while. The constant travel for the variety of teams makes it difficult to create that school unity. All the activities that force unity benefit the community but ultimately are nowhere near as unifying as the hockey games. Sport brings people together in unthinkable ways. The unification experienced at a hockey game is what makes the event so special.

“My experience was unbelievable. I celebrated goals with people I would normally not talk to. For moments, I really felt like the school was united, which is an experience that money can’t buy,” Camilo added.

The Prep team won the game 5-0 against Stanstead and were ecstatic after the win. Camilo concluded the evening by saying, “I am grateful that I was able to experience this form of unity and sport. It is something I would never have experienced back in Uruguay, so I am very grateful.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People Tagged With: BucketList

Bucket List Location: Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery

October 12, 2023 by Mitchell Baker

This year, The Mirror is launching a new series called “Bucket List Locations.” A bucket list location is a place or an event every student should visit or do before they graduate to take advantage of Northwood and the Lake Placid region. A member of The Mirror Staff and I will be taking a new student to a Bucket List Location almost every week for the rest of the school year.

Elise Frasher ’25 ordering at Emma’s. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25.

Elise Frasher ’25 with her cone outside of Emma’s. Photo: Mitchell Baker ’25.

Through the series, we hope to share the extraordinary activities we can experience in Lake Placid with the greater Northwood community. Our goal is to encourage other students to step out of their comfort zone and maximize their Northwood experience before they graduate.

Machai Davis ‘25 and I took Elise Fraser ‘25 to the famous “go-to ice cream spot,” Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery this week. Emma’s is famous for its large portions and delicious options. Elise’s first reaction when we told her she would be going to Emma’s was surprising, she said, “Emma’s? What is that?” Elise is a new student from Sweden. She arrived in Lake Placid only a month ago, meaning she hasn’t ticked off a single Bucket List Item. We knew she would be a great candidate for the inaugural Bucket List article.

The trip to town was short but allowed us to learn more about Elise and Swedish culture. Elise came to Northwood to progress her academic and athletic career to a level that would allow her to attend college in the United States. “I’m not really sure what my dream school is, but I love the Ivy League schools,” Elise shared.

Another thing we learned is that the Swedish love ice cream. According to Elise, Sweden is the world’s biggest sweet eater and Europe’s biggest ice cream consumer. “Ice cream and sweets are very popular back home, which means I am picky about ice cream. I don’t like ice cream that isn’t top quality because of what I’m used to in Sweden.”

After the short walk, we enjoyed some long-awaited Emma’s ice cream. Elise’s favorite flavor is cookie dough, so she ordered two scoops on a waffle cone. Machai and I were nervous that she wouldn’t like the ice cream because of the high standards of Swedish ice cream. We made Emma’s sound like ice cream heaven, which it is to most of us, but would it be ice cream heaven for her?

“The ice cream was great. I really enjoyed the texture and the large portion. I also liked the service and the shop. It felt like home almost!” Elise loved it even more than anticipated.

Elise concluded the trip by saying, “I will definitely visit Emma’s again, and this is something that I feel like all students must experience. I had no idea about Emma’s. Now, I am a huge fan. This experience makes me wonder about the other hidden activities in Lake Placid.”

This was the first destination on the Bucket List and was immensely successful. We encourage all students to take a relaxing walk down to town and enjoy some delicious ice cream at Emma’s.

Next time around we will be taking a new student to experience a more nature-themed activity, stay tuned!

Filed Under: Northwood Life Tagged With: BucketList

The Bucket List: 8 Things to do Before You Graduate

November 12, 2021 by Jacob Shain

Our most cherished moments we’ll remember from Northwood won’t be the ones where we aced that test in math — well maybe if you are failing the class. It’ll be when we couldn’t stop laughing with our best friends to the point where our stomachs were hurting . Our friends and the community around us are what add meaning to your high school experience, and the moments we create within it are the ones that make it an unforgettable memory we’ll be thinking of long after we graduate.

So, with the end of trimester 1 on the horizon, the time where some of us will have to say a heartbreaking goodbye to Northwood is slowly approaching. With that in mind, it’s not such a bad idea to create and fulfill a bucket list while you are still a Northwood Student.

Here is a suggested list of things you should definitely do during your time at Northwood, ranging from climbing the 46 Adirondack peaks to having a favorite sandwich order at the local deli.

#1 Attend all sporting events at least once

Northwood is well known not only for its prestigious academics but also for its prominent athletic history. That being, attending a sports event will be an exciting experience as you’ll undergo the competitiveness atmosphere and school spirit. Attending a soccer match, hockey game, and skiing event is a must.

“It was nice watching a my first ever hockey game, they moved so fast gliding across the ice, it was majestic,” said Suhaib Ali ’22. “Hopefully I can attend my first skiing event this winter as well,” he added.

Fans take in the action at hockey games at the Olympic Center in recent years. (Photos: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

Next time you can catch a hockey game is November 13th where the Prep Boys take on South Kent Selects and the Girls Hockey team take on Hockey Training Institute. For the Boys Soccer, each team has three games this weekend on the new turf field providing numerous opportunities to see the huskies in action.

#2 Take advantage of Northwood’s academic opportunities

With all the academic opportunities Northwood offers, exploring your passions and interests is possible. For example, an independent study allows students to create their own curriculum and program for any area of discipline they desire. Furthermore, the STEM Research Program offers students interested in science a course to dive deep into a topic they are passionate about.

“The STEM Research Program and Independent Study Program has allowed me to explore my interest outside of the traditional high school class.” Kara Wentzel ’22 stated.

Students in the 2021-22 Advanced STEM Research Class. (Photo: Ms. Jill Walker).

In addition, the numerous electives range from music, dance, innovation classes, to rock climbing. Take a class outside your comfort zone. If you are scared of heights take a rock climbing class. If you despise dancing because your body just can’t dance, let loose and join the dance class.

#3 Get on Stage

Conquer your fears! Before you leave Northwood you should definitely perform on stage. This could range from being just a simple school meeting announcement or performing a lovely song with Mr. Stewart in front of the school.

Ashley Guevara ’24 performing at the Open Mic at the Innovation Hub on Main Street on October 1, 2021 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

“I was relatively afraid to be in front of the whole school preforming, but doing it with your friend makes it easier and exciting,” as said by Kendin Basden ’22 who was a cast member of the play “Anonymous” in 2019.

#4 Hike High Peak

From the summit of Hurricane Mountain on Mountain Day, September 21, 2021 (Photo: Ms. Vanessa Pillen).

Being surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains is a benefit the Northwood community has. There are 46 peaks that are up to 4,000 feet in elevation. With all those mountains, you should certainly set a goal to climb at least one. Furthermore, this comes along with having a favorite sandwich named after the 46 peaks at the famous Big Mountain Deli on Main Street, a Lake Placid favorite.

#5 See an event at one of the Olympic Venues

Lake Placid, also known as the Olympic Village, has hosted two Winter Olympics hence giving the town its nickname. As a Northwood student, you should watch an actual event at one of the Olympic venues. For example, world class competitions in speed skating, ski jumping, luge, bobsledding , cross country skiing, and alpine skiing. It is not your every ordinary school that has all these facilities nearby. In addition, Northwood has two Olympians working here, Mr. Biesemeyer (alpine skiing) and Mr. Roy (bobsledding).

Lake Placid often hosts major events like this World Cup Luge competition (Photo: Lakeplacid.com)

#6 Hike Cobble

Enjoying the view on Cobble (Photo: Northwood/Facebook)

Cobble Hill is right in Northwood’s backyard. It is about a mile hike from the school’s campus and is a well-known hike for many locals, tourists. For many children, Cobble is their first-ever hike. This beautiful trail takes you to a small peak with gorgeous views that overlook the village and the school’s campus. For Northwood students, some may get the opportunity to hike it as a class trip, if not, many students will make the climb themselves mostly to watch the sunset or sunrise. Cobble is a delightful hike you should experience.

Now, for the more mischievous side of the list, here are a few of Northwood’s student traditions that everyone should experience.

#7 Midnight Soccer Game

Any soccer game is enjoyable; how about enjoying one in the middle of the night, with your friends, on the new turf, and just running around freely? One night a year, the Northwood students gather to play a game at midnight not only for the purpose of having fun but perhaps causing a little trouble.

This tradition has waned during the pandemic, but it is due to make a comeback. An attempted interview occurred amongst a few students and they claimed “it was one of the best nights of the school year,” but, they would rather keep their identities anonymous.

#8 Senior Prank

The very words “senior prank” can stir up some pretty heavy-duty fears for teachers but some mischievous ideas for the students. Although it may cause some chaos, it is surely worth completing. This could be any creative idea you think of, but just make sure it’s not destructive.

We are not advocating for students to get kicked out of school, but a good natured prank will definitely give you a good laugh and not cause too much trouble.

* * *

With the opportunities Northwood and the community around us have to offer, you should try to cross all of these off your list. Make your experience at Northwood memorable.

What other experiences should be added to the Northwood bucket list? Add your choices in a comment below.

Ed. Note: Check out Mitchell Baker’s ’24 series on the “Northwood Bucket List.”