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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

After five years in America, and Unit 5, Anna Fukomoto (second from the left) returned to Japan in January. She returned with more than her belongings, but a sense of belonging, something her time as a member of the cross country and track teams helped her discover.

Finding Fukomoto

How studying in America helped Anna Fukomoto find herself
Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
Feb 21, 2024

A new class of jittery sixth graders funneled into Chiddix Junior High, anxious to enter a foreign world: lockers and their dreaded combinations, too-short passing periods in crowded hallways and an eight-class, recess-less schedule.  Entering junior high: a nerve-wracking experience for every 11-year-old...

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The cast, crew of ‘The Dining Room’ on why audiences should see the winter play [video]

Inkspot Staff
Jan 31, 2024
Hear why the cast, crew of "The Dining Room" think audience's will enjoy the show.
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In an effort to end the stigma around mental health, Community alum Mackenzie Nelson launched the brand Stay Another Day, a clothing brand that donates a portion of its proceeds to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Photo Courtesy of: Stay Another Day, LLC

From personal struggle to mental health awareness brand

Community alum Mackenzie Nelson's 'Stay Another Day' journey

“Another day,” she told herself, pulling into the Community parking lot every morning.  “Another day,” she thought, sitting alone at the back of the classroom.  “Another day,” she said, crying in her bedroom after softball practice.  Stay another day, just one more day. The phrase...

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Mrs. Mary Esther Baldwin says ‘adios’ after over 25 years as Spanish teacher [video]

Marielsie Iglesias, Senior Staff Reporter
Jan 9, 2024
Mrs. Mary Esther Baldwin talks about the path that lead her to education; the veteran Spanish teacher's coworkers and former students discuss her legacy.
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Digital Illustration // Brad Bovenkerk
Acorn Image // College Board

Florida’s threats to AP Psychology should scare you—but don’t let them psych you out

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
Nov 14, 2023

Ever wonder what high school courses Wednesday Addams or Miles Morales would take?  That’s the premise behind College Board’s new social media campaign. Amidst posts on financial aid and SAT practice problems, fictional characters are now the subject of an inquiry: What Advanced Placement...

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Para-normal activity

Are Normal's halls haunted?
Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief
Oct 26, 2023
Moaning Myrtle. Peeves the poltergeist. Nearly Headless Nick. While Community lacks the thousand year legacy of Hogwarts, the school has had its fair share of rumored spirit sightings. The Inkspot’s team of amateur ghost hunters set out to find the paranormal at Normal Community that, according to Gallup, 32% of Americans believe exist.
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Tell me how to get to Sesame Street

Tell me how to get to Sesame Street

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
Sep 18, 2023

There’s an alternate universe where Community alum Paul Rudolph still spends his days surrounded by high school music students.  A universe where Rudolph (’84) conducts a classroom in Central Illinois, teaching teenagers to sight read, to play scales and chords, to march in formation.  That...

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A Q&A with Community teachers on their extra-curricular interests

A Q&A with Community teachers on their extra-curricular interests

Anna Dunne, Senior Staff Reporter
Sep 18, 2023

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New Faces of Normal

New Faces of Normal

A Q & A with 2023's new instructional, administrative and support staff members

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At the 2023 Speech banquet, Ms. Jackie Zeman sat surrounded by the teams graduating seniors and the incoming head coach.
Photo Courtesy of:

Mic Drop!

Speech coach Ms. Jackie Zeman steps down
Abby Ruebush and Anna Dunne
Aug 17, 2023

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Gabe Martinez (left) runs his cello through effects run by Charles Faulkner (seated).

Avant-garde musical group, The Experimental Ensemble, empowers musicians creatively

The Experimental Ensemble, an avante-garde musical group, offers Community’s musicians a unique outlet for creative expression.  After launching in 2022, the Ensemble wrapped their sophomore season with April 15’s performance at the McLean County Museum of History and the release of “Budget...

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Three children stand amid garbage at the Kutupaong refugee camp in Bangladesh.

A State of Crisis

Across two continents, students work to educate Rohingya children, refugees forced to flee their homes in Myanmar
Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
May 18, 2023

Three. Three children pictured amid a garbage-strewn field, wading in mud past their knees. Their hair, their skin, their clothes are covered in it. The picture, taken at a Bangladesh refugee camp on Sept. 29, 2022, provides only a snapshot of the issue. 773,000. The number of Rohingya—members...

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A reproduction of “Water Lilies” by French Impressionist Claude Monet, one of Gollapudi’s inspirations

A Portrait of Isha Gollapudi: Artist

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
May 18, 2023

The passage of time marked with penciled lines on the wall. Lines, drawn above children’s heads, climbing higher and higher with each passing year, with each growth spurt. Lines traced with a parent’s careful hand as a toddler, an elementary schooler, a teen waits. Lines etched with pencils, with...

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After piloting select exams digitally, the College Board is moving to all-digital testing by 2024. The digital exams, students said are easier to take, educators believe are Easier to administer.

Digital exams bring student-friendly changes to test experience

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
May 15, 2023

Community students from three Advanced Placement courses—English Literature, English Language and Computer Science Principles—took their AP exams digitally for the first time this May. The College Board offered digital exams for seven of its 38 AP subjects this year ahead of offering shorter,...

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