BR
ISSUE 6 MAR/APR 2025
NORTHWOOD
(240) - 740 - 6950
EDITORS IN CHIEF
Lou Phillips-Anderson
Madison Riggs
STAFF WRITERS/DESIGNERS
Declan Ritchotte
Emily Gonzalez Reyes
Gabriella Rivas
Giovanni Deluca
Joshua Chhoeun
Kelin Santos Castellanos
Kevin Perez Gonzalez
Lou Phillips-Anderson
Madison Riggs
Maxwell Eaton
Porter Wooden
FACULTY ADVISOR
Brett Harwood
byDeclanRitchotte
GRADE INFLATION GRADE INFLATION WhyDoesItMatter?
Op-ed: Grade inflation has been an increasing problem in Montgomery County. While grades and graduation rates are going up, which is good, SAT and ACT scores are practically the same. Students are graduating, which is excellent, however they are not yet prepared for college.
Grade Inflation, sometimes known as grade leniency, is awarding higher grades for the same levels of work, which in turn devalues the grades received and misrepresents the true measure of student achievement. The consequences can be quite severe, specifically for students looking to apply to colleges and jobs. The grades received do not show the true academic ability of a student.
The causes of this are pooled from many different areas. Rules like the 50% rule and unlimited retakes on assignments, as well as the focus on graduation rates, are a big cause of grade inflation. If admins and board members were to focus on the success of students in the future they wouldn't put so much effort into graduation rates.
In Montgomery County Public Schools, grade inflation is becoming increasingly significant. In 2024, MCPS saw a 91.8% four-year graduation rate, a 2.2% increase since 2023, and 4.3% above the state average says data from MCPS. However, the SAT average has gone down 161 points since 2021.
So, while graduation rates are increasing, the evidence of learning (EOL) is decreasing. This is also shown in the class of 2023 EOL from 11th grade. In literacy, 71.7% of students met standards, and only 46.7% met the math standards. At the same time, SAT scores were also poor, with only 65.8% scoring over 480 in reading and writing and 45.8% scoring over 530 in mathematics the MCPS Data Dashboard reports
This problem is quite prevalent at Northwood. Our SAT scores are down 152 points since 2021 while our graduation rate is up 8.2%. The students graduating are seemingly less prepared for college. Students shouldn't be graduating without the proper preparations to succeed at the next level, whether it be college or a job.
Rather than passing or failing students, MCPS needs to begin to do a better job at preparing students. A solution must be found to stop grade inflation and begin to provide opportunities for students to find success in their future plans.
SPRINGING INTO SPORTS
WRITTEN BY PORTER W
AS THE WINTER SEASON ENDED, THERE WAS MUCH EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE SPRING, INCLUDING BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, LACROSSE, TENNIS, TRACK AND FIELD, BOYS VOLLEYBALL, AND COED VOLLEYBALL.
THE SPRING TRYOUTS STARTED ON MARCH 1ST OF THIS YEAR, AND MOST TEAMS WILL END TRYOUTS BY THE END OF APRIL OR THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY.
AS MANY KNOW, THIS IS OUR FIRST SPRING SEASON HERE AT WOODWARD INSTEAD OF HOME. THIS YEAR, SOME PLAYERS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS; SOME PLAYERS DON'T LIKE BEING AWAY FROM THE OLD FIELDS BUT STILL PREFER HAVING A FIELD. “I WISH WE STILL HAD OUR OLD SCHOOL'S FIELDS. BUT I’D RATHER HAVE TERRIBLE FIELDS THAN NONE,” EXPLAINED HENRY REES, A JUNIOR ON THE BASEBALL TEAM. EVEN KNOWING THAT THE TEAMS HAVE TO SHARE FIELDS WITH DIFFERENT TEAMS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS OR PROGRAMS. “IT’S NOT THE BEST; IT’S VERY INCONVENIENT WE GO TO THE MLK FIELD OUR PRACTICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE TILL 5:00 PM” EXPLAINED CHARLOTTE CASE, A SENIOR ON THE GIRL'S LACROSSE TEAM.
THE BUSES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT IT IS ESPECIALLY RELEVANT THIS SPORTS SEASON: " THE BUSES ARE ALWAYS LATE, AND THEN WE ARRIVE LATE, SO WE CAN’T DO PRACTICE. SINCE WE HAVE TO SHARE THE FIELDS WITH OTHER KIDS, SOMETIMES WE DON’T EVEN GET TWO HOURS OF PRACTICE LIKE WE’RE SUPPOSED TO,” EXCLAIMED CASE. EVEN AFTER PRACTICES, BUSSES HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP LATE PREVENTING OUR SPORTS TEAMS FROM ARRIVING ON TIME AND UTILIZING THE FIELDS LIKE HOW IT WAS.
SPRINGING INTO SPORTS
EVEN WITH THE MIXED FEELINGS MOSTLY BEING NEGATIVE, THERE ARE STILL SOME POSITIVE OUTLOOKS FOR THIS SITUATION NORTHWOOD ATHLETES ARE IN. “IT'S STILL NICE WE HAVE THE NEW STUFF, BUT IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE HOME,” EXPLAINED JULIAN BOSE, A JUNIOR ON THE BASEBALL TEAM. MANY SPORTS HAVE TO SHARE FIELDS WITH OTHER SCHOOLS AND EVEN OTHER SPORTS FROM DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. BUT AGAIN SOME STUDENTS DON'T FEEL LIKE WOODWARD IS NORTHWOOD.
EVEN SO, THIS YEAR, THE FIELDS AND SPORTS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. SOME COACHES DO NOT LIKE THIS, AS IT COMPLICATES THEIR USUAL SCHEDULE. “WE HAVE TO SHARE FIELDS, THERE ARE BARELY ANY BASEBALL FIELDS, AND WE EVEN HAVE LIMITED SPACE AND TIME, " VARSITY BASEBALL COACH, MR. STEIN, EXPLAINED IN SHORT TERMS. “IT'S BEEN MORE CHAOTIC THIS YEAR AS WELL, OUR OLD FIELDS ARE WHAT WE ARE USED TO, AND UNFORTUNATELY THIS WON'T WORK WITH ME LONG-TERM,” COACH STEIN EXPLAINS AGAIN. THE FIELDS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY OF OUR SPORTS THOUGH SOME SPORTS LOCATIONS DON'T CHANGE.
THE PLAYERS AND COACHES DISLIKE OUR NEW FIELD OPTIONS AT WOODWARD WHILE SOME TRY TO LOOK AT THE POSITIVE SIDE OF OUR SITUATION. THEIR THOUGHTS AREN'T EXACTLY POSITIVE, AS MANY EXPRESS CONCERNS AND HESITATIONS ABOUT THE CHANGE. TO MOST OF OUR PLAYERS, THIS DOESN'T FEEL LIKE NORTHWOOD. TO SOME, THEY APPRECIATE THE NEW STUFF BUT YET AGAIN MANY HAVE EXPRESSED THE DIFFICULTIES WITH HAVING NORMAL PRACTICES LIKE AT THE OLD NORTHWOOD BUILDING. IT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE HOME.
HEART FAILURE
by Gabriella E. Rivas
Heart failure is the leading cause of death.
Heart failure can happen at any time. Any age. Can even happen right now, right this second.
Even with a completely healthy body, heart failure can occur.
Why suppose that is?
The most common ways to a heart failure are, smoking or doing drugs, drinking heavily or lack of physical health can bring up the possibility.
Healthy or not, heart failure can occur if the heart muscle isn't pumping enough blood, causing the body to stop functioning, and shut down. Everybody can expericence differently. For Whitney Henderson it was hereditary.
“It can be hereditary. I found out when I was pregnant with my second child. The doctors ran a “just in case” test, and it came back positive for cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy directly translates as heart muscle disease.”
What's a LVAD?
LVAD stands for Left Ventricular Assist Device. Which is surgically implanted into the chest, also known as Open Heart Surgery. The LVAD is operated by a controller and batteries (which are on the outside) to help the heart pump blood all throughout the body.
Are there any ways of preventing heart failure?
Yes and no, breaking the cycle of smoking, working out for 30 to 60 minutes a day, eating healthier, and keeping up maintaining the ideal healthy lifestyle can help lower the chances of heart failure. Even though Whitney had a healthy lifestyle, she had to get surgery for a LVAD.
“Getting used to the LVAD has been an adjustment. A lot of things have changed, For example, I had to quit my job, can’t swim, I am literally powder by battery. Can’t be in sunlight for too long.“- Whitney Henderson
Whitney Henderson X-rays taken by herself
Heart failure can happen at any time. Any age. Can even happen right now, right this second.
The Operation
A huge incision is made on the chest, big enough for the doctor to move the LVAD in. The doctor then pull apart the rib cage, having a much easier access to the organs. After that, the cords are connected making the main cord placed on the tip of the heart, to help pump the blood. After the hard work is done, they close the incison from before, create a new incision for the cord to come out of the body to connect to the batteries. This whole description is called Open Heart Surgey. Keep in mind, the LVAD is inside the heart, the outside that is called the Controller. As shown in the picture.
Possible risk from this surgery can be, blood clogging up causing blood flow to stop circulating, Irrgular heartbeats, damage to tissues, infections, fever, and swelling. Whitney Henderson's risk was her blood circulation cutting off around her feet, “If we have a black out there is no way to charge my batteries. If you don’t anchor it properly you can literally pull the drive line causing damage. Because it is a pump, you need blood thinners so that the pump doesn’t get clogged. Have to get an INR check every week. INR stands for International Normalized Ratio. Your controller can stop working.”
Infections can be a main cause. The main infection is not cleaning properly. The cords are on the outside of the body, and if the incision for the cord isn’t cleaned correctly or not cleaned everyday, the cord will collect germs causing infection.
picture by Whitney Henderson
Picture by Whitney Henderson
picture by Whitney Henderson
HHIAS IAS AADJINGBARUK DJINGBARUK
J: What is your name, where do you go, and when did you graduate?
J: What sport did you play, and what position?
J: Did you have a favorite teacher, or coach?
My name is Mathias Adjingbaruk. I graduated (from) Northwood in 2021. I went to Towson University then later on (transferred) to FIU to play football I played football (as a lineman), lacrosse (as a goaltender) and I also wrestled My favorite teacher was Alex Medor and my favorite coach was Coach Hull :
J: What was your favorite memory with Northwood sports?
Going undefeated in wrestling during the regular season
J: What are you doing now?
I am still at FIU playing football and I do MMA during the off-season
J: Do you have any advice for current student-athletes?
J; If you could go back, would you do anything differently in your high school sports career?
Stay (focused) and always try to get connections that will help you in college I would probably spend more time in the weight room and also focus a little bit more during my senior year in classes
J: What’s one message you would like to share with the world?
Kindness and understanding are powerful forces. In a world full of noise and division, taking a moment to listen and show empathy can make all the difference
(Lauren Castellana / Towson University)
JJensen ensen
J: What is your name, and when did you graduate?
Bob Jensen, Graduated in 1963
J: What sport(s) did you play, and what position?
My primary sport was football although I also played baseball. In my sophomore year, I kicked the first field goal ever kicked at Northwood to beat Sherwood HS.
J: What was your favorite moment in Northwood sports?
Also in my sophomore year, I was named Maryland Player of the Week by the Washington Post for punts of 76, 69, 54, and 45 yards in a win against Gaithersburg. The 45yard kick went out of bounds on the 6-inch line.
J: How has going to Northwood impacted who you are today?
My education at Northwood gave me a great start when I entered engineering school in college. I’m retired from IT and management careers with IBM and LabCorp.
J: If you could go back, would you do anything differently in your high school sports career?
I don’t look back and say what if. I have always made decisions based on the information available at that time. The decisions were not always right, but I’d make the same decision if I had it to do over again, and the situation was the same
CCharlie harlie
KKretkowski retkowski
J: What is your name, where do you go, and what year did you graduate from Northwood?
Charlie Kretkowski. Penn State '24, Northwood '20
J: What sport(s) did you play, and what position?
Football, every line position, LB, TE, wingback, LS, everywhere on special teams. Was captain of the team at some point
Wrestling, 220lb, 195lb. Was captain of team
Baseball, Catcher, third base
Did you have a favorite teacher, or coach?
He no longer teaches at Northwood but Coach Medor. He could be really goofy at times but that man had some wisdom in him.
How has going to Northwood impacted who you are today?
I was hoping someone one day would ask me this question. Well going to pre renovation Northwood, it programs you to be an optimist. I love the school, but it's not the best. People don't realize the benefits of being exposed to a bad situation, yes it's hard to keep your head up when you're playing on a football team that goes 0-10 every year. What people don't tell you is how rewarded you feel when you win something in that situation. Going to Northwood, no disrespect, will prepare you for the worst of adulthood.
J: What are you doing now?
I'm currently unemployed!!! But seriously I'm in an inconsistent job market for my career. I have a bachelor's in film production so I bounce between a bunch of different movie projects
J: Do you have any advice for current student-athletes?
Attention all Northwood student athletes. Never quit. Play more sports. Stay active. Stop smoking weed. Support your other teams. Beat Blair.
J: If you could go back, would you do anything differently in your high school sports career?
Realistically I would have taken better care of my body, however I understand God has a plan and if I need to be injured for him to show me a new path forward then I will take it.
J: What was your favorite moment in Northwood sports?
My senior year in wrestling I had a decent record. I couldn't get my girlfriend at the time to come to any matches, but she came to my match vs Rockville and Murphy's law, I lost it. About a month later we (saw) Rockville again at the South Hagerstown tournament. I put on a career showing on my first day, pinning one of the scariest private school kids in only 11 seconds.
At the end of the day, the guy from Rockville came up to me and asked me about that match. I told him it was a fluke ordeal (trying to stay humble).
(The) Rockville guy proceeds to say "well it looks like we have Northwood tomorrow, that will be an easy win." It wasn't until he walked away that I realized what he had said. The next day, I changed my strategy to play defensive. I knew he was gonna come out (aggressive) for an "easy win." I ended up pinning him in front of 10 different teams in Hagerstown. It's not often you get the opportunity for a revenge match, but when you get said revenge, it feels euphoric. (Photo Below)
Easter and Passover
byMadisonRiggs
Holidaystendtooftenbeadefiningeventformanyseasons.Inwinter schoolsgetabreakfortheholidays.Infall,whiletheydon’tgetadayoff, Halloweenseasonisoftenapresentexcitementthroughoutschools.Many peopletellstoriesoffireworks,burgersandhotdogsinthesummerinhonor ofthe4thofJuly,andinSpringstudentsgetabreakinhonorofEasterand Passover.SowithNorthwood’sSpringbreakquicklyapproaching,we’regoing tolookintotheoriginofboth,andhowsometraditionsdeveloped.
First:Aquickreligiousoriginoftheseholidays:“GoodFriday”The FridaybeforeEasterishonoredasthedayJesuswascrucified.The holidayofEasteritselfcelebrateshisresurrectionthreedayslater. PassovercelebratestheHebrews’liberationfromslaveryinEgypt. Thesetwoholidaysareconnected,asthe“LastSupper”(thedinner Jesushadbeforehewascrucified)wasaPassovermeal.
Lent:TheperiodbeforeEasteriscalled Lent.Itlastsfor40days,startingonAsh WednesdayandendingonPalmSunday (AdaywhichcommemoratesJesus' arrivalinJerusalem.)Therearemany waysonecanhonorlent,buttraditional methodsincludefasting,givingsomething upforlent,andprayerservices.
EasterEgg:Itisbelievedincertainpagan traditionsthateggsrepresentedfertility. ThismayexplaintheoriginofEastereggs, asEasterandspringbothtendto representfertilityandnewlife.Common traditionswitheastereggsnowinclude coloringthem,easteregghunts,oreven eastereggrolls.
TheEasterBunny:Theexactoriginofthe EasterBunnyisunknownhowevermany speculatethatthesymbolofabunny stemsfrombunniesnaturalfertility, anotherhomagetotheideaofnewlife.
MostwidelycelebratedJewish Holiday
ThemaintraditionofPassover:Seder, atraditionalJewishmealeaten duringthisholiday. TraditionallyaSederwouldbeheld eachnightofPassover,butmany Jewishfamilieselecttohaveitonthe firstnightonly
Thereare15stepstoaSeder,laidout intheHaggadah,afoundational Jewishtext
The15stepsinvolvedfoodandwine, eatenandhonoredinaccordanceto theHaggadah
TheSederplateistheplatethat containsthetraditional,symbolic foods.
Alsoplacedonthetableduring Seder:Threematzot,Saltwater,and bitterherbs
Heal Yourself With Nature
In a time where everyone is glued to their electronic devices, most Americans are exposed to screens for around 10 hours per day and rarely spend time outside. The constant exposure to phones, computers, TVs, and consoles can harm people's mental health. A recent study at Yale that analyzed screen media activity in over 5,100 participants found that youth who spent the most time on technology have higher levels of depression, anxiety, social anxiety, aggression and defiance. Another study by Yale showed that high users of screens aged 14-17 are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety treated by a mental health professional and take medication for psychological or behavioral issues.
Both studies show that the brain is being physically changed by an excessive amount of screen time. The good thing is there is a completely free way to improve your mental health and that’s nature. Just a little time outside like walking through a city park or taking a hike in the forest can improve the state of your mental health. Exposure to nature has been shown to correspond with improved attention, lower stress, better mood, lower risk of psychiatric disorders and a rise in empathy and cooperation. Children who live in neighborhoods with a large amount of naturally green colors have a reduced risk of psychiatric disorders in their future such as depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and substance use disorder, while children who grew up in areas with little to no naturally green colors have a 55% higher risk of having psychiatric disorders when they grow older.
“There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human well-being,” said Lisa Nisbeta, a psychologist with a PhD at Trent University. For example, spending time in nature may improve your sleep because exposure to natural light helps to regulate your sleep, living near parks or green spaces contributes to a longer lifespan, and breathing fresh air can lower your risk of getting respiratory issues. In a study by Gregory Bratman, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, he found that contact with nature is associated with an increase in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life. The more time you spend in nature, the more happy you will be.
In addition to improving your mental health, being in nature can also improve your physical health. When you are in nature you are more likely to walk, bike, hike, jog or engage in any other form of exercise. Studies also have shown that being in nature reduces muscle tension and your risk of getting heart disease. Being outside also increases your Vitamin D levels which helps your immune system.
Many people nowadays spend all their time on a screen and it slowly drains their mental health. Getting outside and spending time in nature is a great way to relax and repair your mind, and happiness, so give it a try and you'll see there are many benefits, and you will thank yourself for doing so.
Image from : iStock
Spring It On!
Students and staff across MCPS are scrambling to get ready for spring, the warmer weather, and of course, spring and summer break.
by Lou Phillips-Anderson
The long stretch of school before spring break appears to be taking some people off guard. After a winter full of snow days and holiday closures the almost complete lack of days off in the third quarter can feel shocking.
“The third quarter feels like a never ending circle,” junior Dalia Canadas-Ortiz said in describing this particular time of year. Many teachers are instituting occasional ‘makeup’ days to help students catch up on work in lieu of days off to do so.
Many students are simply turning to their mobile phones to escape from the long and boring stretch of school. Some school clubs are hosting celebrations to welcome the coming of spring, such as a Purim party in the Jewish Culture Club. Students, staff, and teachers are also just hoping that the air conditioning will work correctly as it gets warmer. Those in hotter parts of the building are bringing fans into the classroom to help beat the heat themselves.
But the lights -- and, in an age where computers are necessary school supplies, the internet that keeps them connected -- seem to continue working despite some rocky temperature changes in the new building.
When a computerized system detects that it has gotten too warm in the building, it automatically triggers the air conditioning system to turn on, according to the MCPS Division of Maintenance and Operations.
There is no heating or air conditioning currently functioning in the media center, said librarian Roseann Saah.
“MCPS has sent people to come in and work on it,” Saah said. “We have not been given a clear timeline for when we can expect it to be working again.”
Movies&Shows Giovanni DeLuca
by
As always, Superbowl LIX brought excitement, controversy, and best of all, movie trailers. From Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*” to “Jurassic World Rebirth”, here’s everything you need to know about upcoming movies in 2025 as well as movies (and shows!) that have already been released this year.
Superhero movies and shows can be some of the biggest events of the year, and 2025 certainly has no shortage of them. Both Marvel and DC are releasing blockbusters in the summer, with the highly anticipated reboots giving legendary characters a time to finally shine in DC’s “Superman” releasing July 11, and Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” Releasing July 25th. These films mark a new age for those beloved characters, as the last purely superman-focused movie, Zach Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” released back in 2013, and the last Fantastic Four movie released to less-than-amazing reviews back in 2015.
Summer isn’t the only time Superheroes have to shine this year, however. February and March marked the release of the third season of “Invincible,” a mature, bleak, and violent story about a young man dealing with the responsibility of protecting the people he cares about. Also in February, Marvel released their fourth “Captain America” film, “Captain America: Brave New World,” starring Anthony Mackie as the titular new Captain America. Marvel is also releasing “Thunderbolts*” In May, where a ragtag group of marvel characters fight a growing threat. With three projects from Marvel, the return of the iconic Superman, And other popular projects like “Invincible,” 2025 has and will continue to be an amazing year for not only fans of Superheroes, but for fans of good stories as well.
2025 also brings a lot of blockbusters besides superhero films. “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” a continuation of the popular “Jurrasic World” series of movies, releases this July. Additionally, “A Minecraft Movie,” an adaptation of the best-selling video game of all time (“Minecraft,” In case you didn’t know,) released on April 4th to mixed reviews from fans of the game. However, movies aren’t the only things people care about. Plenty of popular TV shows both have and will release this year. Season two of “Severance,” an extremely critically-acclaimed show, released in early 2025, as well as the previously-mentioned “Invincible.” March also saw the release of “Mickey 17,” a comedy sci-fi movie starring Robert Pattinson, most known for his role as Batman and, of course, Edward Cullen in “Twilight.”
