The Northfield Counseling department is excited for this year’s course selection process! Mid February we will begin presentations to all grade levels regarding course selection. Every year we work to make this process as supportive and accessible as possible. One big shift we are excited to share is that we will be focusing our presentations on helping students to better understand our course offerings and graduation requirements. Our priorities are for students to choose courses that not only keep them on track to graduate, but that also connect with their college/career goals and help them explore their interests. We know, when students get to take courses they are interested in, they will be more engaged and more successful. One of the best parts about being a Nighthawk is that at Northfield we have robust course offerings, including 4 different CTE Pathways and 40+ courses to gain college credit in high school, including AP, CE and of course our extensive IB offerings. With all of these amazing options, there is a lot to choose from and many moving parts. Your Northfield Counseling team appreciates the support of our Nighthawk Nation as we enter this busy time! More details will be emailed out, and materials, including our new interactive course catalogue, will be uploaded to the website for students and their families to review prior to the course request window opening.
Shelby Clark
9th Grade Gold House Counselor
Mental Health Team Specialist and Counseling Department Chair
Getting to Know Sgt. Henderson
Since joining the Northfield community, Staff Sgt. Henderson has become a cornerstone of our JROTC program. He currently leads our Archery and Color Guard/Drill teams, bringing a wealth of experience that spans back to 1999.
Before moving to Colorado from Chicago, Staff Sgt. Henderson spent four years as a JROTC instructor and previously served as a military recruiter. His long-standing history of presenting in classrooms—ranging from PE to math and band—has given him a unique ability to connect with students from all walks of life.
Why He Inspires Us
For Staff Sgt. Henderson, the classroom and the drill floor are places of mutual growth.
“Being able to coach, teach, train, and mentor students is amazing,” he says. “I have the opportunity to inspire students and make a difference in their lives as well as my own.”
His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Staff Sgt. Henderson’s commitment to his students is truly inspiring. He is a peak example of a teaching professional, and I am honored to serve alongside him as my battle buddy,” Capt. Jonathan Newey
Service & Family: He served 24 years in the Illinois and Indiana Army National Guard. When he isn’t mentoring our cadets, he spends time with his wife and three children.
A Musical Goal: Staff Sgt. Henderson played the trumpet in high school and, after a 30-year hiatus, is looking forward to picking the instrument back up!
It is already time to look ahead to next school year! Our counseling team is dedicated to ensuring every Nighthawk is on the right path toward graduation and their post-secondary goals.
Next week, counselors will visit Social Studies and Advisory classes to provide vital guidance on graduation requirements, new course offerings, and the selection process.
Why it matters: Course selection is completed via a Google Form that only students can access. It is critical that students submit their choices during this window. Those who miss the deadline will be scheduled based on remaining availability and may not receive their preferred classes.
Counselors will be available at the following times to answer questions and help students navigate their options:
Please encourage your student to review the course catalog and come prepared with questions next week!
The momentum here at Northfield is undeniable! We are thrilled to share that Azaliza (AJ) Statovoy has reached a major milestone in her academic journey: she has been officially named a finalist for the prestigious Daniels Fund Scholarship.
The Daniels Scholarship Program is one of the most comprehensive and competitive college scholarships in the United States. Each year, thousands of students across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming apply, but only a small percentage are selected as finalists.
This isn’t just about a high GPA—the program looks for the “total package.” Bill Daniels, the founder, wanted to support students who are the next generation of leaders: those with elite academic promise, a “lead-the-way” energy, and a rock-solid character.
Daniel’s Fund Scholarship finalists demonstrate high academic achievement as well as strong leadership and outstanding character. AJ’s recognition as a finalist is a direct reflection of her hard work and dedication to her education, and we could not be more proud of her,” said Suzie Zamora, AJ’s counselor.
As a finalist, AJ will move on to the personal interview stage this month. The official Class of 2026 Daniels Scholars will be announced in late March.
If selected as a Daniels Scholar, the impact is life-changing. Benefits include:
For our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors: it is never too early to start thinking about your “leadership story.” The Daniels Fund looks for students who serve their communities and lead with integrity. Keep pushing in your classes, but also look for ways to make an impact outside of them!
Please join us in congratulating AJ on this incredible achievement! We are so proud to have you representing our school.
At Northfield, our Innovation Plan includes a unique compensation philosophy: we believe that if staff members contribute to our community through clubs, extra academic opportunities, or extra duty planning, they should be fairly compensated.
The traditional district model does not guarantee extra-duty pay for many student club sponsors or additional hours worked. Our plan ensures our staff is compensated for the extra-curricular opportunities that make Northfield a vibrant community.
How it works:
Our Goal:
To ensure that staff members are recognized and rewarded for the work that makes our school culture thrive.
There is some serious innovation happening in the Business hallway! This semester, Entrepreneurship class students are stepping into the role of founders as they transition from “big ideas” to “big business.”
These students aren’t just brainstorming—they are practicing the high-level inquiry and critical thinking. They have identified real-world problems and are currently in the laboratory phase, developing MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) to solve them.
The range of creativity this year is next-level. Keep an eye out for these upcoming ventures:
The Grand Finale: In May, the “boardroom” opens! Students will face a panel of judges in a high-stakes pitch competition. They won’t just be showing off cool gadgets; they’ll be presenting full-scale business models, including deep dives into target market demographics and financial forecasting.
Whether these students are on the IB Diploma path or simply exploring their business interests, they are gaining the “CEO skills” of analysis, communication, and resilience. We can’t wait to see who walks away with the “investment” this spring!
We are looking for five Nighthawks who have shown resilience and a commitment to our community to receive a $3,000 scholarship toward their next chapter—whether that’s a 2-year college, a 4-year university, or a professional/vocational certification program.
CLICK HERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION ON GOING MERRY
Shoutout to all of our winter athletes as we approach the final stretch of the regular season! It’s an exciting time to be a Nighthawk, with several programs hitting their stride just as championship season begins.
Girls Swim & Dive: Chasing History
The Nighthawk Girls Swim & Dive team is heading into its most thrilling stretch yet. Following a strong performance at league preliminaries this past Thursday, the team is back in action for the Championship Meet this Saturday at Manual High School.
This has been a standout year for the Nighthawks, highlighted by seven new school records already shattered. The team’s hard work and discipline are paying off as they prepare for the 5A State Championships on February 17 and 18.
State Qualifiers (So Far!)
The Nighthawks are already bringing a powerhouse squad to State, with several more athletes hoping to qualify this weekend:
Our very own Northfield Poms are taking the national stage this weekend! They will be competing at the National Team Dance Championship (NTDC) this Saturday, February 7th.
Let’s cheer them on as they represent our school and showcase months of hard work and dedication!
Competition Schedule (Saturday, Feb 7)
Watch Live!
Can’t make it to the arena? You can catch every turn, leap, and routine live online. Use the link below to access the livestream:
👉 Watch the NTDC Nationals Live Stream
Stay up to date: Check the full schedule of Nighthawk games here
Tickets: Purchase online or in person via GoFan.
Can’t attend? Most games are available to watch through a HUDL subscription: https://www2.hudl.com/
NOTE: Starting this Spring season the district will be switching over to a new platform for fans to stay connected with real time updates to our sports schedules for all teams. https://www.arbiterlive.com/School/42928
Let’s show up, show out, and cheer on our Nighthawks!
Ready to get back on the field? Registration for the Spring sports season is officially live. Make sure you have everything squared away before tryouts begin on February 23rd.
To ensure you are eligible to play, please complete the following two steps:
Important: Both steps must be finished before the first day of tryouts on February 23rd. No physical, no play!
If you have questions about the process or need assistance with your forms, please stop by the Athletics Office to see Mr. Ocansey or Ms. Shea.
Attention Nighthawk Soccer players! Mark your calendars for the upcoming tryouts. Please ensure you have completed your registration requirements before arriving at the field.
To perform your best and stay safe, please come prepared with:
Per school policy, you will not be allowed to step onto the field until you are “cleared to play.” Ensure the following are completed on Arbiter Sports:
We are excited to partner with Montbello Career Technical (MCT) for the Far-Northeast Prom Attire Exchange! This wonderful community event ensures that every student in our neighborhood has the opportunity to find the perfect outfit for their milestone celebrations.
We are looking for donations of gently used formal and semi-formal wear for both young men and young women. This includes:
Drop-Off Location: Bldg 2 with Mrs. Quezada; bins will be in the lobby outside her office.
Dates: Now through February 28th
Students are invited to attend the exchange to find a “new to them” outfit at no cost. You can participate by bringing an item to exchange or by making a small donation ($5 minimum) to support MCT’s Senior Fund and student leadership activities.
Any remaining items will be donated to organizations supporting victims of sex trafficking and programs for homeless youth. Thank you for helping our Far-Northeast students shine this prom season!
Last Week: More than 62% of respondents guessed correctly, John Glenn wanted Katherine Johnson to calculate the flight path by hand because, “The new computers suffered from glitches and power surges.”
This week: Every Olympic host city creates a unique mascot—some are cute (like the Phryges from Paris 2024), and some are… well, a bit weird (looking at you, Izzy from Atlanta ’96).
This year’s mascots are two stoats (small, weasel-like animals found in the Alps) named Tina (Cortina) and Milo (Milano).
The Challenge: If your family was a host city, what would your mascot be? It has to represent your family’s “culture.”
Example: A caffeinated squirrel if you’re always on the go, or a very athletic couch potato if you’re masters of movie night.