Tick-tack-tick-tack-tick-tack-tick-tack. The hot concrete of Comlara park sparked with each strike of Armoni Conner’s make-shift clothesline rope, surrounded by the giggles of seniors as they skipped. When Conner heard the “picnic” in Senior Picnic, she knew what she was going to bring—her...

Eight juniors were named to the 2025 Prom Court, nominated by their peers ahead of Saturday’s dance at the Marriott in Uptown Normal. This year’s event—set to a “Great Gatsby” theme—will culminate with the crowning of Prom Royalty, a term NCHS adopted in 2021 to replace traditional gendered...

Millions of people rallied across all 50 states, U.S. territories and more than a dozen cities worldwide, on April 5 as part of the “Hands Off” movement—a coordinated pushback against what organizers describe as a growing threat to democracy, fueled by the influence of President Donald Trump and...

Members of the Unit Five Education Association teachers union gathered in the fishbowl atrium on March 19 as part of a nationwide “Walk-In” demonstration to advocate for public education funding. Wearing red and carrying signs, UFEA members joined thousands of educators nationwide in the National...

Community recognized student accomplishments across athletics, academics and the arts during the Spring Walk of Champions on Friday, March 14, a tradition that began during the 2023-24 school year.  

San Diego’s Marine Band took the Kevin Yale Vernon stage on March 6, performing a rock-heavy setlist for Community music students. Choir, band and orchestra members were excused from their eighth-hour classes to watch “America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization”...

Community’s dance team closed out its season with the annual Guy/Girl routine, performing during halftime of the boys basketball team’s regular-season finale against Normal West on Feb. 21. The performance served as a farewell for the Iron Dance seniors, marking the end of their seasons. Iron...

Community clinched its second consecutive Big 12 Conference title Friday, Feb. 21, marking just the third time in program history the Ironmen have won back-to-back championships. The title is Community’s eighth since joining the Big 12 in 1983—all earned since 2011. But this championship stands...

Students in Mrs. Sydney Batty’s 6th-hour Molecular and Structural Biology class dissected lamb kidneys on Feb. 19 as part of their unit on the urinary system. The hands-on lab allowed students to explore kidney structures up close, reinforcing concepts studied in class. “In Biology,” Batty said,...

The Iron’s co-ed cheer team made its first IHSA State Final appearance since 2019 on Friday, Feb. 7, finishing 24th in the preliminary round with a score of 82.90, ahead of Glenbrook North in the 25-team field. Community qualified for State with a third-place, no-deduction routine at the Mascoutah...

Iron volleyball took a break from practice on Oct. 17 to focus on team bonding, holding a pumpkin painting competition in the senior cafeteria. The 16-player roster's competitive spirit was on display as the athletes spent nearly two hours perfecting their creations. That was time well spent,...

The 41st annual Sugar Creek Arts Festival, hosted by the McLean County Arts Center, brought artists from around the Midwest to Uptown Normal the weekend of Oct. 5-6. The annual event is just one way the Arts Center promotes its mission: to “encourage and promote” art appreciation. 2024’s...

The Freshman Mentoring Program hosted its annual activities fair on Aug. 27. Over 35 student organizations and clubs were on-hand to showcase the school’s wide range of extracurriculars during lunch hours in the multi-purpose room. The event, FMP coordinator, Mrs. Tara Pendleton said, aims to help...

The 21st annual Madrigals holiday performance returned live on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4. With COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting food service, tickets for the Chamber Choir and Madrigal singers’ Christmas concert were $5, their lowest price in years.