Inkspot

The proposed new mascot for the University of Illinois, the Belted Kingfisher, was endorsed in a landslide vote Sept. 21.

U of I Academic Senate endorses new mascot

September 28, 2020

The University of Illinois Academic Senate is urging school officials to adopt a new official mascot, passing a resolution endorsing the Belted Kingfisher -- a blue and orange bird native to Illinois -- 105-2 on September 21. After Monday’s vote, U of I spokeswoman Robin Kaler said there was “no process in place to choose a new mascot.” But...

New Faces of Normal

September 17, 2020

The New Faces of Normal Combine large, bold images with the beautifully crafted words of your story.

The Unit 5 District Office was closed Monday, August 31 for a deep cleaning before reopening on Tuesday.

Unit 5 Executive Cabinet member tests positive for COVID-19; District officials quarantined

September 1, 2020

A member of the Unit 5 Superintendent's Executive Cabinet tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, August 29, according to Director of Communications and Community Relations Dayna Brown. In response to the positive test, multiple Unit 5 Cabinet members -- including Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle -- are quarantining; the next School Board meeting...

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson raises XFL from rock bottom; Why it can succeed against the NFL

August 4, 2020

Before COVID-19 indefinitely shut down professional and amateur sports alike, a bright spot emerged in the ordinarily dark time after the Super Bowl. The NFL season concluded on February 2 with the Kansas City Chiefs being crowned league champions. In years past, the days and months after the NFL playoffs were continually counted down by football...

Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’: new sound adds to artist’s lore [review]

July 28, 2020

To say that Taylor Swift has made a name for herself within the music industry would be an understatement. Swift has practically dominated the genres of pop, country, and rock, and fans like me have grown to love her ever-evolving style. But when the artist abruptly announced on July 23 via social media that she would be dropping an alternative album...

The Social Buddies practice social distancing as they record the seventh episode of their podcast featuring Mr. Chris Belt.

Social Buddies: Episode Seven – A lot of cognitive dissonance [podcast]

July 28, 2020

In this episode of Social Buddies, the Buddies, with special guest Mr. Chris Belt, discuss what has been happening this summer and the possibility of returning to in-person school amidst an ongoing global pandemic.

Unit 5 announces Return to School plan

July 21, 2020

Unit 5 released the Return to School plan for the 2020-2021 school year Monday afternoon which will be voted on during the July 22 School Board meeting at Normal West. An email sent to Unit 5 families included the Return to School plan and video explaining the available schooling options to ensure a safe learning environment for all students and staff. The video, released by incoming Superintendent ...

Adding a closet into the MIX: ISU alum on radio hosting during COVID

MIX host Chris Petlak on air from his wife's closet during the Illinois Stay at Home order

Olivia Plangger and Mantra Dave

July 15, 2020

Shifting from a spacious radio studio to a close-quarters closet did not faze Chris Petlak, host of Chicago's 101.9 THE MIX's evening radio programming when the Stay at Home order was issued in March. Although the circumstances looked unusual, Petlak's wife's closet's sound quality was the best his home could offer: "It's the quietest room in the house,...

Senior Showcase Galleries

May 26, 2020

The Class of 2020 was showcased on the Inkspot Instagram account, taking advantage of the opportunity to share their high school achievements, favorite memories, and their future plans.

Crave Chronicles: Episode Two – Wing Stop v. Buffalo Wild Wings [video]

May 21, 2020

In the second episode of Crave Chronicles, Jessalyn Baer, Jaxon Creasey, and Olivia Plangger compare wings from Wing Stop and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Senior Awards Night 2020

May 12, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic's school closures, the annual Normal Community High School Senior Awards Night honors the Class of 2020 virtually.

Bloomington Area Career Center Culinary Arts students gathered together before they began their Regional events.

BACC culinary students roast the competition at SkillsUSA regional; COVID simmers State competition hopes

April 25, 2020

Four Bloomington Area Career Center Culinary Arts students -- Emma Feit ('21), Madelyn Burton ('21), Kennedy Coe ('21), and Gavin Regnier ('20) -- qualified for the SkillsUSA State competition after participating in the Regional culinary competitions at Southwestern Illinois College in Granite City on February 21. The four were first-time competitors ...

COVID-19 Update: In-person schooling suspended in Illinois through end of year

April 17, 2020

Governor J.B. Pritzker suspended in-person learning in Illinois schools for the remainder of the school year during his daily coronavirus press briefing Friday afternoon. The suspension of in-class learning comes as a result of the 27,575 reported cases of coronavirus in Illinois and 1,072 total deaths across the state. 1,842 new cases of the virus...

Q & A: Seniors Speak Up

April 8, 2020

School closures due to COVID-19 present unique challenges for all students. However, for seniors in their last semester at Normal Community, the experence is on a different level. Possibly missing out on a variety of senior memories, and having to transition to E-learning has led to seniors running the gamut of emotions. This is the first installment in a series of articles where seniors detail their experiences through the COVID-19 crisis, featuring Sabrina Chang who spoke to the Inkspot during Spring Break.

Feeney; Christopherson on championship appearance [video]

April 2, 2020

After 5 rounds of the first-ever Inkspot March Madness Teacher Tournament, only two teachers remain. Mr. Dave Feeney of the English department and Mr. Jeff Christopherson addressed the media going into the final day of fan voting. Cast your vote for NCHS’s favorite teacher from the core four departments by clicking the link and entering your email address. Voting for the final round closes Friday, April 3 at 5...