A Northwood High School Publication
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Volume XXI, Issue I: August 22, 2019
4515 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620
Team USA twirler Ben Zietz A&E 2
Advice for each class Accent 2
Student athletes feature Sports 3
Mitul Kalra The Northwood Howler
BRIGHT FACES: Link Crew leads students through play ful competitions and campus tours at the Freshman Kick-Off followed by a mini club fair.
Timberwolves, welcome back to a delightful new den By Gabriel Dimaandal Staff Writer
New minds bring new ideas. Leaders of many of Northwood’s programs have been planning improvements to different aspects of their activities this year, from restructuring to adding more content. Over in the NTV studio, the layout of the shows is expected to change from previous years in order to connect more with the student audience. A single set of anchors will
be used throughout the school year instead of having hosts switch every week. The show also hopes to include more student voices throughout the segments, including filming scenes during school events such as sports games to get live student reactions. “We really want to show not just NTV’s perspectives, but also the audience’s perspective so it can be more of an outlet where people can share their opinions,” NTV Show Producer senior Yukako Fujimori said. Walking off the screen and
onto the stage, Northwood’s Theatre program is expected to make a large change in their normal events. Instead of a normal play during the fall, a drama showcase with faculty that features scenes and skits performed by all four drama classes and a preview of the spring play “Romeo and Juliet” will be presented. “Despite the changes being made this fall, we’re still excited to begin work on our spring play and musical,” Advanced Drama senior Matthew Cheung said. “Rehears-
als for ‘Romeo and Juliet’ will start next week and auditions for ‘Mamma Mia!’ will begin in September.” Even with all the changes happening throughout the school, many of ASB’s events will remain the same with few significant changes. Events such as the Back to School Dance will be held on Aug. 30, with the theme planned to be revealed soon. The first Pep Rally of the school year will also be held on the same day, led by new Pep Rally Commissioners seniors Michael Huang and Aaron Firth.
“I hope everyone’s as stoked as we are for the rallies this year,” Firth said. “We are ready to bring the hype and honor our amazing programs at our school.” Ending the previous season with eight wins and four losses, Varsity Football hopes to continue their success this season. While many of football’s home games will be held near the end of the season in October, Northwood will have one home game tomorrow against Portola at Irvine High School starting at 7 p.m.
Into the Howler-Verse with your new EiCs By Sarika Rau and Michael Shi Editors-in-Chief
High school really does fly by. This age-old cliché could not resonate more than it does now as we enter our senior year here at Northwood. And reflecting back upon the past three years, one thing is clear: a lot changes in high school—your friendships, interests and even personalities are likely to shift and develop. This might sound obvious, but if you really think about the myriad decisions you will make and the pathways that stem from each, it can feel exciting yet overwhelming at the same time. Let’s take a step back and break it all down. A few weeks ago, the two of us spent a couple of hours watching “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” for the first time in a last-ditch attempt to avoid doing our (still unfinished!) summer homework. Yes, we know what you’re thinking: for a couple of students whose jobs are
to stay up-to-date with current news and trends, we’re shockingly late to the party. Better late than never, right? Watching “Into the SpiderVerse” helped us come to the realization that this upcoming year, like the many facets of the multiverse, holds vast and extensive possibilities. Regardless of whether you’re an incoming freshman or a ready-tobecome-a-freshman-all-over-again senior, there will always be chances to change your story at Northwood by discovering a new hobby or making a new friend (fun fact: we’ve known each other for five years but only recently became close friends). Even if it seems as though it might be too late, take some (calculated) risks and explore—you will never know what lies behind that portal of opportunity. This applies to you most of all, incoming Timberpups! As your older peers are narrowing down their interests and envisioning the careers they’ll pursue for the rest of their
lives (policeman? supervillain? graffiti artist?), the incredible wealth of knowledge and resources that Northwood has to offer are yours for the taking. This isn’t to say that sophomores, juniors and seniors can’t benefit from the same opportunities—in fact, if you only take one thing away from this, we want it to be that the only way to make the most of your meager four years of high school is by exploring various clubs and classes, embracing the changes that these experiences bring you and staying informed about activities at Northwood. And guess what? Picking up this paper is one step towards just that. The remainder of your four years will swing by. And as you weave your way through the twists and turns of high school, The Howler will continue to be here, keeping you informed and well equipped to have the experiences, make the memories and create the change that makes your time here at Northwood truly special.
Mitul Kalra The Northwood Howler
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD EDITORS: Seniors Sarika Rau and Michael Shi swing in with plenty of ideas to improve The Howler.
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ACCENT/A&E
August 22, 2019
The Northwood Howler
The Howler’s Survival Guide: tips and tricks to start the school year right
Rachel Kang The Northwood Howler
STUDY BUDDIES: Seniors Megan Lui and Allison Huang tackle physics practice problems together.
As students pull out dusty backpacks from their closet and struggle to get their sleep schedules back in order for the first day of school, it’s not uncommon to be a little nervous about what’s in store for the new school year. The four-year journey through high school can be tough and a little unpredictable at times, so here are some of The Howler’s favorite words of wisdom to make the transition a little bit easier. Freshmen: Get involved! Northwood’s multitudes of clubs, electives and
student government positions provide bountiful opportunities for students to find their own niche.The transition to high school might seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t hurt to dabble around a bit and find one or two areas of interest. Who knows? You might end up discovering an activity you love or finding lifelong friends and a place to call home for your four years at Northwood. Don’t be afraid to get out there a little: join the cast or crew of the theatre program’s productions, get excited at pep rallies or try your hand at public speaking in Model United Nations. All in all, freshman year is a time to explore all that Northwood has to offer.
We
rock
By Ally Chao Staff Writer
will
By Mei Ono Staff Writer
Starting out as a small group on the streets of London, Queen is now remembered as the face of ‘70s rock and one of the most acclaimed bands of all time. Queen made their worldwide debut with their second album, “Queen II.” It is best known as Queen’s most megalomaniacal album and has overdubs upon overdubs of dark, depressive lyrics about medieval times. Following the album’s release, the band embarked on their first tour in America where the album reached 49th on the US Billboard 200 as well as fifth on the UK Albums Chart. However, Queen’s biggest breakthrough was the release of their 1975 album “A Night at the Opera,” featuring one of their most wellknown songs, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The mock-operatic structure and unique feel of the song led to a nine week streak at number one in England, breaking any previous records set by other bands. Although the other songs in “A Night at the Opera” are not nearly as bizarre or bombastic, they allow for a deeper dive into the band’s classics. Queen was at the height of their popularity coming into the 1980s
Sophomores: Take advantage of all the resources around you. Your teachers are there to help you, so ask them any questions you have (even non-academic questions!). Get valuable help from your teachers during tutorial or try group study sessions. Chances are questions that may arise while studying outside of the classroom can be answered by your peers or independent research on the internet. If you can’t focus at home, try going to the library or a nearby café for a change in scenery. Even outside of regular class time, Northwood offers a tutoring center after school where you can get help from your peers.
Juniors: Know your limits. Junior year is notorious for having some of the most difficult classes and tight schedules, so you have to learn to balance your time and be realistic with how many rigorous classes you can handle at the cost of sleep. It’s important to still take care of yourself despite the stress, so stop and take a deep breath when necessary. If a class isn’t working out for you, don’t hesitate to drop it—you’ll thank yourself later. Keep in mind that obstacles are not the end of the world. Submitting a late assignment is better than not submitting it at all, and a little perseverance and dedication can go a long way. Seniors: It can be tempting to fall into the abyss of procrastination and senioritis, but the last year of high school is arguably the most important one. It can be helpful to take some time to sort out your priorities as time and energy are some of your most precious resources, and you want to make sure it’s go-
ing where it can benefit you the most. Set yourself some strict deadlines for what you want to accomplish and keep track of important dates because the last thing you want to do is end
up missing the due date for financial aid or college applications. Keep up the hard work and finish strong! We believe in you!
Daniel Dai The Northwood Howler
you Benjamin Zietz, team USA twirler
with the release of their most diverse album, “The Game.” As Queen’s music began to radically steer away from hard rock and embrace pop, the band’s popularity peaked in the U.S. with their first number one single in America, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and another disco-filled hit, “Another One Bites the Dust.” The band’s avant-garde approach to music in general—such as integrating the audience participation into their performance in songs like “We Will Rock You”—ultimately allowed for them to influence generations of artists. Even after the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, Queen has proven to be influential in modern music and continues to impact people today. Pop stars including Katy Perry have admitted that Mercury is their biggest influence, and Lady Gaga attributes her stage name to Queen’s song “Radio Gaga.” This coming fall, Northwood’s Marching Band and Color Guard will feature songs by Queen during the football halftime show. The performance will include the classic uptempo “Bicycle Race,” followed by “We are the Champions,” a percussion feature on “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and close with Queen’s signature song, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Anna Ma The Northwood Howler
By Gabriel Dimaandal Staff Writer
While most of us were on vacation or grinding away at months of summer homework, senior Benjamin Zietz spent his summer preparing for the USA National Baton Twirling Championships, where he won second place and qualified for a spot on Team USA for the 2020 World Championships. Zietz began baton twirling the summer before his sophomore year, after watching Northwood’s former baton twirler perform at a pep rally during his freshman year. He was inspired to take up the sport despite starting at such a late age. “Most baton twirlers start when they’re four or five years old, so I had to catch up. Luckily, prior to starting, I had a lot of dance experience, which really helped me catch up,” Zietz said. Almost immediately after picking up the sport, Zietz began performing as the feature twirler for Marching Band as well as performing competitively. “There aren’t many performance opportunities for baton twirlers besides competing and performing at school events. Most people don’t know that baton twirling is a very competitive and demanding sport, and it requires a lot of athletic ability,” Zietz said. Soon after picking up the sport, Zietz began competing in local competitions, practicing, and preparing for larger events such as the California State Championships, All West Regional Championships, and the USA National Championships. On the last week of July, Zietz traveled to the USA National Championships, which were held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. This year, nationals acted as a qualifier for the World Championships, which is held every three years. The World Championships, which is
Photo provided by Benjamin Zietz
TWIRL-OFF: Zietz at South Bend, Indiana for the National Championships. hosted by the World Federation of National Baton Twirling Associations (WFNBTA), will be held in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and features a competition format similar to that of the Olympics. Twirlers from around the world will be competing, including athletes from the United States, France, Norway, England, Canada, Russia and many other countries. In order to qualify for Team USA, Zietz needed to place in the top three in the advanced division. “I will be representing Team USA at the World Championships for two baton, which is my favorite and strongest event,” Zietz said. As the name suggests, the two baton category consists of the performer using two batons, which must be moving simultaneously throughout the entire routine. Zietz’s coach, Liane Aramaki, choreographed the routines that he performed at nationals. With her help, Zietz trained during the school year and the summer, practicing his routines for six to eight hours a day. With the support of his family, coach and friends, Zietz
achieved a total score of 153.8 points. Zietz also competed this summer at the International Baton Twirling Federation’s Grand Prix in early August, which was held in Limoges, France. He will attend the state competition in November and regionals in March before he attends the World Championships in April. “Representing the United States is a great honor, and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity,” Zietz said. “There’s pressure placed on the Team USA athletes competing at the World Championships, but I’m more excited than nervous.” The World Championships will be held next April. Until then, Zietz can be seen performing and practicing with the Northwood Marching Band for their 2019 show “Queen.” Reflecting on his upcoming final season as the marching band’s feature twirler, he is grateful for the many opportunities baton twirling has given him, including the chance to share the sport he loves with Northwood when he performs under the Friday night lights.
VIEWPOINT/SPORTS
The Northwood Howler
August 22, 2019
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Summer breaking news: violence and tension By Mei Ono Staff Writer
Unlike high school students, the world doesn’t get a break for summer. For those that tried to escape the horrible world outside and used friends’ Instagram stories as their only source for news, here is a recap of a few world events from over the summer. Mass shootings and the push for gun control: Mass shootings in Gilroy, California, El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio occurred within the span of a week, leaving 34 people dead and dozens more mourning. President Donald Trump has publicly entertained possible stricter gun control, leaving Congress under the pressure of legislative proposals pushing for stronger background checks, bans on assault weapons and “red flag” laws that would prevent those threatening to harm others from possessing firearms. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) shows no signs of calling back the Senate from their August recess for an emergency session to discuss gun control. Lack of immediate response could result in decreasing momentum for action from Congress and eventual failure to pass any legislation at all, as was the case with previous mass shootings such as the one in Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 and Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Both Trump and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have claimed to be in favor of “red flag” laws, but no action has been taken yet on behalf of their voiced support. Democratic primary presidential debates: 23 Democrats and two Repub-
licans including President Donald Trump have entered the race for the presidential election to be held on Nov. 3, 2020. Two rounds out of 12 Democratic primary presidential debates were held on the nights of June 26-27 and July 30-31. During the first round, the candidates discussed the pressing issues of healthcare, border crossing, treatment of undocumented immigrants, racism and more. One of the most stand-out moments was Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) calling out former Vice President Joe Biden for his work with two segregationist senators decades ago, while bringing up her own experiences being bused to school in California. The second round featured topics of socialism, climate change, gun control and tax cuts as well as many of the previously listed issues. Moderate and progressive Democrats clashed with one another more noticeably than before as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) came under attack for their support for Medicare for all. Aside from disagreements on policies and possible reforms, candidates in the debate slammed Trump and appeared to be united in terms of their disapproval for the current president. There are even higher candidate qualification requirements for the next round of debates in Houston, Texas on Sept. 12-13. Senate fails to override veto of bill to end Saudi Arabia weapons sale: On July 26, the U.S. Senate failed to override Trump’s veto for a bill that would have prevented the sale of $8.1 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia. Congress’s bill was originally intended to avoid civilian casualties in the Saudi Arabian war in Yemen
apimages.com
NEVER AGAIN (AND AGAIN): People mourn for the El Paso shooting victims at a makeshift memorial. and pressure Arabia into improving its human rights. This decision was partially influenced by growing skepticism towards the Saudi Arabian government after the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi last year. The Trump administration dodged a congressional review back in May before going ahead with the sales. Trump claimed the weapons were necessary precautions as the threat of Iran became dire, and that the resolution would “weaken America’s global competitiveness”. Both chambers of Congress fell short of the two-thirds vote needed to override the president’s veto as weapons trade with Saudi Arabia persists. Hong Kong citizens protest against an extradition bill: Protests against Hong Kong’s
extradition bill have entered their eleventh week, with violent demonstrations becoming more frequent as police were seen throwing tear gas during demonstrations. Initial protests were in opposition to an extradition bill that would have allowed for Hong Kong residents to be sent to trial in mainland China’s criminal courts. Due to being under British jurisdiction for over 150 years before being returned to Chinese rule in 1997, Hong Kong’s British-influenced legal system includes rights that mainland China lacks, including freedom of the press and speech. Thousands took to the streets in disapproval of the extradition bill out of fear that it would be a violation of their civil rights and threaten their rule of law. A video of riot police beating protesters with batons was
captured on film, along with dozens of others that were posted of civilian injuries from by police fire. According to authorities, the police also suffered several casualties from petrol bombs and bricks hurled at them. However, the majority of the civilian demonstrations are peaceful, and many employ creative defense tactics in order to stay safe under the massive police crackdown. Wearing makeshift armor made from biking gear and wielding suitcase covers as shields, protesters are coming up with new ways to prevent being tracked, like using lasers and spray paint to obscure surveillance cameras. What had started as a protest against the bill has escalated into massive backlash against the Hong Kong government as demands for democracy and police accountability become fiercer than ever.
Reflecting on a memorable high school career Breathtaking places to hike By Zarina Yunis
By Nawal Abdul
Several Northwood athletes are gearing up for a new year of athletics, training for games, matches, meets and tournaments. From winning close games to jamming out on the bus rides to away games and tournaments, Northwood’s athletic programs provide a wide array of experiences and memories that have left and continue to leave a lasting impact on student athletes to reflect on several years after their high school careers have ended.
While the start of a new school year can be exciting, it also means getting back into the rhythm of (what seems like) never-ending piles of classwork, homework, and tests. But a new school year also means new goals. Stay stressfree by visiting these three beautiful places to decompress when you feel just a little overwhelmed.
Staff Writer
Sports Editor
Senior Amanda Endres (Varsity Girls Basketball): Zarina Yunis: What is your favorite part of your overall athletic experience at Northwood thus far? Amanda Endres: My favorite part is the bonds that form within the team when we practice together. There is nothing more empowering than to work hard alongside your teammates and improve together. ZY: What is your fondest memory of Northwood athletics? AE: My fondest memory is the first day of summer camp my freshman year. It was our coach’s first year of coaching at Northwood. It was a fresh start for both of us and I remember us talking about what Northwood Girls Basketball would look like four years from now, and now it is finally here. ZY: What are your goals
Grant Dickerson The Northwood Howler
PLAY SOME BALL: Three athletes enjoy a hot summer day outdoors. for
this
year
of
athletics?
AE: My goals this year are to learn how to better lead the team in such a way that would allow us to work together more, to find the specific role I need to fulfill on the team and perfect it, to make my performance in each game more dependable and consistent and to maintain poise and composure during games in order to defeat my opponent mentally. Junior Jacob Rice (Varsity Wrestling and Boys Track): Zarina Yunis: What is your favorite part of your overall athletic experience at Northwood thus far? Jacob Rice: My favorite part would have to be the social aspect of athletics. It’s a bit of a cliché, but I really enjoyed meeting many new people who shared the same interests and goals as me and were willing to work
hard together to reach those goals. Being on a sports team is both humbling and gratifying for me, and the character building that athletics often entailsreally brings out the best in people. ZY: What is your fondest memory of Northwood athletics? JR: Some of my fondest memories either come from the bus rides to and from meets or those nights when a meet runs late. The energy I get from spending quality time with my team is quite therapeutic, and definitely consider them some of my fondest memories. for
Jeffrey Open Space Trail: Most of us are familiar with this trail from our Instagram feeds during Winter Formal time, but that only speaks to just how beautiful the scenery really is. While it makes a fantastic background for a photo shoot, it’s an even better view during your morning run. “I ran there almost every weekend this summer, and it’s easily one of the most relaxing places in the city,” senior Isabella Sanders said. As one of the largest trails in Irvine, it offers much more than just a good place to get exercise.
Orchard Hills Trail: Winding through the backside of the city, you will find the Orchard Hills Trail. Due to its secluded location, the trail is often silent apart from nature, making it one of the most popular hiking spaces in town. At times, school can become stressful, and wanting a break is entirely natural. If you find yourself in a rut, the Orchard Hills Trail is the perfect place to clear your head and connect with the just as important (and often forgotten about) parts of life. “It’s great to go in a group because you can spend hours hanging out with friends and not even notice,” senior Lauren Heard said. Turtle Rock Nature Center: If you are not an athletic person but you still want to enjoy nature, the Turtle Rock Nature Center is perfect. There is still a trail if you would like to take a walk or run, but its Nature Centers and community parks also offer the chance to enjoy Irvine’s wildlife. With a scenic route and guides along the way, it’s the perfect place to relax for a day.
ZY: What are your goals this year of athletics?
JR: I would say my goals for this year are pretty universal. I want to set new personal records, be a better athlete both physically and mentally and be a good role model for my team.
Sondos Elbershawi The Northwood Howler
TAKE A HIKE: Sophomores Elyse Tran and Chloe Mumolo bask in Irvine’s beauty.
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August 22, 2019
CYNICAL CEBOLLAS
The Northwood Howler
Showing school spirit: wear purple to the first pep rally By Ally Chao Staff Writer
In an attempt to usher in a new era of districtwide harmony and kinship, Northwood students are encouraged to wear purple spirit wear at the first pep rally of the school year on Aug. 30. Other acceptable attire includes anything with Bulldogs, “PHS,” or simply the letter “P.” The theme, dubbed “Purple for Portola,” is the beginning of a movement to celebrate the induction of Portola as a real high school upon the entrance of their first ever senior class. In past years, ASB has hosted numerous dress-up days at Northwood, pajama day, twin day and other themed events to promote events like the Back to School Dance and Clash of the Classes. Purple for Portola is a theme that Northwood students have never seen before, so they will undoubtedly jump at this unique chance to show support for their bulldog compatriots.
Michael Huang The Northwood Howler
TRUE COLORS: Senior Dylan Yee shows off school pride for friendly local Portola High School. This is not, in fact, a scheme to infiltrate Portola High School and sabotage the Portola Pilot or
kidnap ex-Northwood teachers John Olivares and Wind Ralston, to name a few. Actually, the camaraderie
between Northwood and Portola is so strong that it’s even difficult to differentiate between the two.
“You know what, I never realized that Portola was an actual high school,” senior Megan Lui said. “Since we’re located on Portola Parkway, I always assumed that Portola High School was just another way to refer to Northwood.” Students can easily attain purple clothes by soaking navy blue Northwood spirit wear in red dye (after all, red and blue make purple-it’s elementary art class knowledge). Another option to further show support for Portola is to buy merchandise off of their web store, which stocks fashionable purple shirts and hoodies that will undoubtedly attract stares as students walk around campus-stares of awe and envy, of course. In fact, selected students who go above and beyond in demonstrating their support will be sent over to Portola High School (perhaps permanently) in a special student exchange program. Go Bull— (this article was not completed due to the departure of the author to Portola.)
Anna Ma The Northwood Howler
Northwood High’s Pocketbook Insider Guide From clueless freshmen to even more clueless seniors, students have all faced the horrors of not knowing what’s going on in school (I blame the newspaper for the lack of awareness). To keep you sharp and in the loop, here’s an updated dictionary of Northwood’s top insider knowledge and jokes. Anchors: If anchors sink your grade, capstones will utterly capsize it, so good luck to incoming freshmen and sophomores! Bathrooms: Placed too far away for lazy people to walk, but too close for other lazy people to escape class. Bengo: Bingo parlors are not just for grannies, as Northwood’s very own instrumental department was once captivated by a bingo craze that was centered around the face of instrumental music
were found director Ben Case. Students everywhere the day of ses phra ticking off each of his iconic catch to win. d know that the proper JAJAJA: Spanish students woul ish is “jajaja.” In any Span to translation of “hahaha” in English ful. You must laugh spect disre be don’t , given Spanish classroom re with a Spanish-speakin the Spanish language. Next time you’ ” jaja. ing friend, be sure to laugh out as “jaja has been erased by Portola, our opinion of: [This comment Portola High School Administration] lly proven White, silver, navy blue: These are statistica alma mater. the only words students know from the
to be
Anna Lim The Northwood Howler