Category: Features

Be a Hero Day, started by The Heroes Embracing Autistic Lives (H.E.A.L) Foundation was held on April 6, 2019 at the Illinois State University Alumni Center.

Photo Gallery: H.E.A.L Foundation Be a Hero Day

April 10, 2019

NCHS graduate Jon Miskulin worked to spread the idea of accepting and celebrating individual's differences throughout Central Illinois.

Power to marvel at: Student’s legacy lives on after passing

April 7, 2019

Standing in front of an elementary class, Jon Miskulin could be heard saying “You know everyone has a superpower and mine is music” before asking students “what is yours?” Miskulin believed that “everyone has unique qualities and special abilities” just like the superheroes he grew up loving. He used this love of superheroes as the backbone of...

New York, New York

“New York really opened my eyes to the world, and I learned so much from that trip.” - Miya Edwards (12) (Photo courtesy of Katey Parry).

Abby Kimball, Staff Reporter

March 22, 2019

Through the music programs at NCHS, students have been given the opportunity to experience a wider world of music. The beginning of summer started with a 14-hour bus ride for choir and orchestra students; every other year, the programs combine and take a trip at the end of the school year to perform and practice their crafts in different location...

On the way to Isla Mujeres, stop to admire the breathtaking underwater museum

How to: Vacation in Cancun

March 21, 2019

With an airport in town and three other major airports in a three-hour radius, with temperatures hitting -40, with round-trip flights for under $250 Cancun, Mexico is a popular vacation destination for residents of central Illinois. Cancun is filled with culture and beauty. And warmth. And sun. And sand. The city stands at the southern tip of Mexico,...

Students share favorite albums of 2018

March 1, 2019

The 300 word series is inspired by Brady Dennis's St. Petersburg Times column.

300 Words: Anticipation

February 19, 2019

July 2, 2018. A scream sounded from underneath the bathroom door, echoing out in a silent presence. She shook with happiness. With disbelief. Joy. But Mrs. Kristina Chase didn’t know how excited she could truly be about her pregnancy. Only her best friend and husband knew that first day. It would stay quiet. Chase for years dealt with ...

300 Words: Mackenzie Kraft’s passion for raising her own livestock

February 19, 2019

When most students go home to take care of their dogs and cats, Mackenzie Kraft goes home to take care of her goats and chickens, her horse and cow. For the senior, this is just her everyday life. Six years ago, Kraft discovered her passion for raising livestock. After proving herself responsible to her parents, they let Kraft care for a few goats....

Cooper Smith, class of 2017, performs in Iron's Got Talent during his senior year.

NCHS grad making original music, finds Spotify success

February 12, 2019

Cooper Smith has been hard at work since walking across the stage at Grossinger Arena, receiving his diploma in the spring of 2017. Since leaving Normal, Smith has set his sights on other stages - as he pursues his college degree and works to get his start in the music industry. Smith attends Lincoln Christian University, where he is studying worship min...

InkSpotify Playlist: Mr. Kelly Keogh’s top 8 Springsteen songs

February 1, 2019

In the February Inkspot print edition, we profiled Mr. Kelly Keogh's love of Bruce Springsteen. Take a listen to Chapman's top 15 Pearl Jam songs.

Mrs. Cathe Carter reviews a problem on the SmartBoard in her 3rd hour Honors Geometry class during her last semester teaching at NCHS.

Negative times negative = positive

February 1, 2019

The teacher stands in front of the class. The students in their desks. The teacher explains a proof on the similarities of triangles. It’s a typical Monday morning. The walls of the classroom are decorated with student tessellation projects and PI day tissue boxes. Most math classes at NCHS are the same. The same formulas. The same rules. The same...

Mrs. Cheryl Koth of the Foreign Language department teaches a French class the grammatical rules of the language. Koth’s time in front of the classroom is winding down as she is set to retire from a 22 year teaching career at the end of the semester.

Language of life

February 1, 2019

As she strolled through the streets of Paris, she could feel her time there growing shorter, coming to an end. The months changing to weeks, weeks changing to days. The sounds of a foreign language, its soft syllables, filled her ears. The view of the Eiffel Tower captivated her eyes. Now, the halls of Normal Community High School replace the...

InkSpotify Playlist: Mr. Matt Chapman’s top 15 Pearl Jam songs

January 30, 2019

In the February Inkspot print edition, we profiled Mr. Matt Chapman's love of Pearl Jam. Take a listen to Chapman's top 15 Pearl Jam songs. ...

300 Words: ‘Na wè pita’

January 8, 2019

Sweat streams down her face. The humidity so extreme that the only outfit she owns is glued to her body. She cringes as she steps with bare feet on a sharp rock. She stands in front of a stick hut that looks as if it would collapse at the slightest breeze. Her son grasps her hand; holding on for dear life. She smiles ever so slightly, her lip quivering...

Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey on stage in Chicago at the United Center as they discuss Obama’s new memoir.

Obama’s ‘Becoming’ book tour

January 8, 2019

Positivity. Encouragement. Empowerment. These were the emotions in the air as a once in a lifetime event at the United Center was about to begin. Audience anticipation was high as former First Lady Michelle Obama and cultural icon Oprah Winfrey were about to take the stage at the sold-out Chicago leg of the Becoming book tour on November 13, the...

Ways to make winter fun

December 21, 2018

The Inkspot staff has put together some ways to make winter break enjoyable. If this doesn't help check out our winter dessert recipes and photo gallery walkthrough.