Inkspot

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ review

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Apr 17, 2015

Normal Community’s spring musical is the dark and humorous horror rock comedy, Little Shop of Horrors, with music written by Alan Menken and lyrics written by Howard Ashman. The musical itself is based off of the cult-classic 1960 film directed by Roger Corman. The musical incorporates more than a...

Putting tests to the test

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Mar 20, 2015

Over the past decade in the United States after the No Child Left Behind act of 2001 was passed, there has been a perceived shift public education's' priorities. This has led to some schools to lean away from teaching critical thinking skills and real world application and towards teaching to the test....

Speech team to State

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Mar 13, 2015

After months of hard work, early Saturday mornings, and many tournaments, three members of the NCHS Speech Team qualified for the IHSA State Final Tournament. These three members, Zack Moravec, Melvin Campbell, and Callie VanAntwerp traveled to Peoria on Friday and Saturday, February 20th and 21st, to...

Iron’s Got Talent

Each year, the Junior Class sponsors Iron's Got Talent, an event in which an array of students showcase their unique talents. Performances range from singing to dancing and even puppetry.

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Mar 4, 2015

Facts you didn’t know about BIGBANG

Many Western music listeners haven't ever even heard of South Korea's wildly popular, BIGBANG. However, the 5 member group has sold out concerts across the world and their fans, called VIPs, have religiously followed them since their debut with YG Entertainment in 2006. With multiple awards under their belt, including MTV Europe Music Award for Best Worldwide Act, BIGBANG is taking their talent to a whole new level. Their songs are catchy and unique, followed by music videos that are creative and edgy, with genius concepts and effects. When BIGBANG hits the mainstream Western scene, there will be no stopping them.

Ashley Kennnedy
Feb 3, 2015

Awaiting adoption

I was able to visit the Humane Society of Central Illinois in Normal to visit some of the animals awaiting adoption there. I wanted to get some candid shots of the animals living their daily lives at the shelter.

Jan 30, 2015

Biking in BloNo

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Nov 10, 2014

With the recent addition of bike lanes to Jersey Avenue in Normal and Front Street in Bloomington, the Bike Boulevard on Blair, and sharrows (street markings that identify shared lanes) placed around town, bike culture and safety are being recognized more prevalently in the Twin Cities. With commuting...

Seniors plunge into bathroom party prank

Brandi Zimmerman and Ashley Kennedy
May 27, 2014

After senior pranks that seemed to fall a little flat (students parking in the staff lots or protesting in the atrium by not going to class) the senior class of 2014 was going to make sure that they were not forgotten. In the boys' bathroom located in the connecting hallway between the junior and...

Peek into the life of an English teacher

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Apr 17, 2014

Katelyn Hoegger is an English teacher at NCHS who is funny, outgoing, and has a great sense of style. Despite being only in her second year at NCHS, she is cherished by many of the students who have had her as a teacher. Q: What was life like for you in high school? A:...

Top 9 endangered languages

With over 9,000 unique languages in the world, 90% of these languages are spoken by less than 100,000 people. Languages are frequently dying, this article displays nine of thousands that are on the cusp of disappearing.

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Apr 8, 2014

Nomlaki - a Native American language with one speaker left (as of 2011) in Northern California. Khomani - a language spoken by four people (as of 2008) in South Africa. Uses “clicking” tones. Ainu - spoken in Hokkaido (Japan), though there are no living speakers of it left- there are scholars...

Succeeding in Speaking

For many students, high school is tough. There is classwork, sports, clubs, and extra curriculars. However, junior Neharika Pentmetcha, does it all- and succeeds in doing them. Recently, she qualified for the IHSA Sectional Speech tournament in Charleston, Illinois.

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Apr 8, 2014

Most typical Saturdays are spent hanging out with friends, going out and taking a break from the daily grind. However, for Speech Team members, Saturdays are spent getting up at early hours and driving to Speech Tournaments held at schools across the states which are filled with hundreds of students...

Kelly Keogh: 29 years worth of teaching, politics, and understanding the way the world works

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Apr 8, 2014

1 - Mr. Kelly Keogh, social studies teacher, has been teaching for 29 years, becoming National Board Certified in 2006. When asked his favorite thing about teaching, Keogh stated that his students give him the most satisfaction. Mr. Keogh also works within the Watson International Institute at Brown...

Head 2 Head: Studio Ghibli vs Disney

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Mar 7, 2014

Growing up, I watched movies that left permanent impacts on my life, teaching me valuable lessons about life, love, family, and chasing after your dreams. Many of these movies were created by two superpowers in animation- Disney Animation Studios and Studio Ghibli. Even as a teenager, rewatching my...

Speech team members stand out on stage

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter
Jan 29, 2014

For juniors, Zack Moravec and Mel Campbell, performing in front of others is something they’re quite accustomed to. As members of the NCHS Speech Team, they speak publicly for fun. Both Moravec and Campbell are competitors in the Original Comedy Speech event in which a person writes an original script...

Holiday lights in Uptown Normal

With the holiday season beginning, Uptown Normal shows it's cheer with decorations around the area.

Brandi Zimmerman and Ashley Kennedy
Jan 12, 2014

The holiday season brings about some of the most festive decor around town. Families drive around to witness the spectacle of lights and flashing decorations in people's yards, on their homes, and around the city. Uptown Normal is celebrating the holiday season by displaying lights throughout the...