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Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Unit 5 Art Show to showcase student talent
Unit 5 Art Show to showcase student talent
Terrion Darnell, Staff Writer • Apr 29, 2024

The Unit 5 Art Show will showcase an array of artwork from students across the district on April 30 at Normal Community from 6 p.m. to 8. The event features student work from all four middle schools and both high schools in a range of mediums, including ceramics, sculpture, graphic design, photography, drawings and paintings. Community’s...

Community made up over 100 of the 1300 FBLA members who attended the State Leadership Conference April 5–6.
Standing on business: FBLA makes history at State Leadership Conference
Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief • Apr 29, 2024

FBLA secured 17 first-place finishes and qualified 55 members for Nationals across 37 events at the State Leadership Conference April 5–6: the chapter’s best finish in history. Aswini Kake (’25), who will represent Illinois FBLA’s Central Area as one of seven State Vice Presidents next year, said excitement for Nationals...

Athletic department launches mobile app for enhanced fan experience
Athletic department launches mobile app for enhanced fan experience
Leonor Rivas, Staff Writer • Apr 24, 2024

 The NCHS Ironmen athletics app launched in February, allowing Community sports fans to access Ironmen athletics information on mobile devices.  The app is a new feature from Snap! Mobile Inc., the company the athletic department uses to manage it's website, Athletic Director Mr. Nic Kearfott said. The NCHS Ironmen...

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Jonah Roper has been a standout on a senior-heavy pitching rotation this season. The junior is second on the team in innings-pitched and strikeouts. 
Photo Courtesy: Mr. Jeff Christopherson
Ironmen look to set all-time season win record, go undefeated in Big 12
Brody Roberts, Staff Writer • May 15, 2024

With a record of 29-3, the Ironmen are a win away from tying the baseball program’s all-time season win record. The 1995 Iron went 30-2, establishing the program's best nearly three decades ago.   It’s been twenty years since the Iron last tallied 29 victories, hitting the benchmark in back-to-back seasons in 2003 and...

BN Lacrosse was outscored 147-56 in the regular season with opponents outshooting the co-op 391-225.
Bloomington Normal Boys Lacrosse ends regular season winless; Seek 1st win in sectional showdown
Jeffery Woodard, Senior Staff Reporter • May 14, 2024

The Bloomington Normal Boys Lacrosse team ended the regular season 0-12 after suffering a 13-11 loss to Plainfield North (2-12) during May 8’s Senior Night match-up. BN came within two quarters of breaking their winless streak in the regular season finale, taking a 7-4 lead into halftime. But Plainfield...

The girls track and field team are looking for a second sectional title after they clinched a third straight conference title last weekend. 
Last season at sectionals, the Iron sent 11 athletes on to the state meet. 
Photo Courtesy: Mr. Jeff Christopherson
Girls track & field clinches 3rd straight Big 12 Conference title, head to sectionals
Bella Green and Lyra Townsend May 9, 2024

The girls track and field team claimed their third straight Big 12 Conference title on May 3, posting seven first-place finishes at Champaign’s Harold Jester Track. The Iron finished the night with 131 points, 39 ahead of their closest competitors–hosts Champaign Centennial. The Danville Vikings took third with 80.   Ali...

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Connections: May 18
Connections: May 18
The perfect Mother’s Day gift: Insights from Community’s staff moms
The perfect Mother’s Day gift: Insights from Community’s staff moms
Ali Ince, Staff Writer • May 11, 2024

The second Sunday in May, a day circled in bright red ink on the calendar–Mother's Day: a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating mothers. While Mother’s Day is a heartwarming occasion, it can also be a source of stress for sons, daughters and partners as they hunt for the perfect gift. Roses or tulips? Lindt or...

Fishing, Niekamp says, is about 25% luck, 75% skill. That skill Niekamp has worked to hone fishing a lake near his grandpas home in Wisconsin each summer. 
Photo Courtesy: Dexter Niekamp
Niekamp’s big catch
Lucas Drengwitz, Staff Writer • May 9, 2024

Dexter Niekamp squints against the glare of the lights, a towering figure with a focused gaze. The senior’s eyes are filled with determination and anticipation as he waits to strike.  There is the snap, the jerk of the line... His movements—fluid and precise.  This is another chance for the future Division...

Bird brained: The Inkspot puts Mr. Kevin Suess’ bird knowledge to the test [video]
Bird brained: The Inkspot puts Mr. Kevin Suess’ bird knowledge to the test [video]
Bryce Hickman and Carter Hull Apr 25, 2024

The Inkspot quizzed the Community's resident ornithologist, Mr. Kevin Suess, on all things avian in honor of April 26's National Audubon Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of birds and the importance of preserving their habitats. The holiday recognizes the work of John James Audubon, the American ornithologist,...

Digital Daze: The phone distraction gripping students
Digital Daze: The phone distraction gripping students
Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief • Apr 2, 2024

Instagram before the bell. TikTok at lunch. YouTube at 2 a.m.  The scene is all too familiar. The constant cycle of consuming digital content, endlessly scrolling through feeds. We try charging our phones in another room, setting app timers and turning on “Do Not Disturb.”  But does it work?  You tell me—odds...

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Comfort viewing: 3 reasons I love ‘The Good Place’
Comfort viewing: 3 reasons I love ‘The Good Place’
Leonor Rivas, Staff Writer • Mar 15, 2024

A lot of television sitcoms have us wishing we could erase the memory of ever watching them, wishing to forget we ever saw a single episode of the show.  “The Good Place” is one of them.  You’ll wish the plot could be wiped from your memory just so you can watch and love it again and again, revisiting it for all...

Oscars under the lens: McWhorter, Krogmeier offer Academy Award predictions, perspectives
Oscars under the lens: McWhorter, Krogmeier offer Academy Award predictions, perspectives
Comfort Viewing: 3 reasons Pranathi Ganti loves ‘One Tree Hill’
Comfort Viewing: 3 reasons Pranathi Ganti loves ‘One Tree Hill’
Pranathi Ganti, Staff Writer • Feb 21, 2024

I was heartbroken when Tristan Dugray, Chilton Prep’s quintessential swoon-worthy bad boy, got the boot from “Gilmore Girls”; crushed when the character was sent to military school during the show’s second season. But somebody at the WB, the network behind the hit show, must have seen what I saw: that actor Chad...

Writing music and inspiring people is my passion, its what I love to do, Benson Boone said in October 2023. 
Two years ago, the TikTok star turned American Idol drop out wasnt so sure.
Photo Courtesy: WB Music
Benson Boone: ‘American Idol’ exit to excellent EP ‘PULSE’ [review]
Inkspot Staff Feb 14, 2024

It was Valentine’s Day 2021 when Katy Perry fell in love with Benson Boone during the 18-year-old’s audition for the nineteenth season of “American Idol.” Boone would punch his ticket to Hollywood, with judge Perry predicting to the up-coming singer, “I see you winning American Idol if you want.” And then,...

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Top 5: Godzilla films
Top 5: Godzilla films
Bryce Hickman, Staff Writer • Apr 11, 2024

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of the King of Monsters. Since first laying waste to Tokyo in 1954, the grandfather of kaiju has been featured in 38 films, with the latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” hitting theaters on April 12.  But Godzilla...

Mascot Madness: Round one
Mascot Madness: Round one
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter • Mar 21, 2024

Welcome to the wild world of March Madness, where the energy is unrivaled, brackets are broken and upsets are the stuff of legend. As fans gear up for the thrilling 68-team NCAA championship tournament, we're reminded that victory demands more than just skill on the court—it requires grit, resilience, and above all, spirit. So...

Photo Illustration: Mr. Brad Bovenkerk
Top 5: Fast food fails
Carter Hull, Staff Writer • Mar 1, 2024

My fellow fast food aficionados know that for every McRib and every Pumpkin Spice Latte, every delectable and delicious “limited-time-only” menu item, fast food chains have an untold number of culinary calamities.   In a world where innovation meets indulgence, there’s bound to be a few slip-ups along the greasy path...

Photo Illustration // Mr. Brad Bovenkerk
Top 5: Iconic teen films
Bayli Ferris, Staff Writer • Feb 28, 2024

There is a reason that page-to-screen adaptations of book’s like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and modernized, musicified reimaginings of “Mean Girls” are all the rage in Hollywood. There is no question why: adolescent angst, first loves and unforgettable coming-of-age moments make for good entertainment....

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