Ten music students gathered in the choir room before school on April 24 for an interactive presentation introducing music therapy, a growing field that blends music and healthcare. Led by Madison Larson, a graduate student in Illinois State University’s music therapy program, the session featured...

Buckets of ice water are back this spring—but this time, they’re promoting mental health awareness. Students at the University of South Carolina launched the #SpeakYourMIND campaign on March 31, reviving the format of the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to spark conversations about mental illness. The...

America’s national parks and forests, long viewed as a national treasure, are far more than havens for bird watching, hiking, mountain climbing and sightseeing—they are critical to climate regulation and biodiversity. The U.S. national park system now spans more than 273 million acres, including 433...

Senior Bryce Hickman made history at the IHSA State Journalism Finals on April 25, becoming just the second Ironman to win a Journalism state championship. Hickman earned first place in Review Writing at the event, held at Heartland Community College, following in the footsteps of 2018 graduate Katie...

In celebration of Earth Month and in partnership with the Ecology Action Center, Community’s FFA chapter surpassed its fundraising goal this spring, collecting $615—enough to plant 123 trees across Bloomington-Normal. The drive, held March 31 through April 4 at a booth in the atrium, supports...

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...

When Illinois high school juniors sit for their required state assessment this year, the test will look different. Beginning with the 2024–25 school year, Illinois will replace the SAT with the ACT as the state-mandated assessment for high school juniors. The shift follows the expiration of the state’s...

Five students from Community were selected to participate in Illinois Wesleyan University’s second annual Honor Jazz Band, joining approximately 30 of the state’s top high school musicians for a two-day clinic and concert event hosted by IWU’s School of Music. Sophomores Jake Piotrowski, Joe...

Community’s student musicians brought live performances to the atrium ahead of spring break, as part of an annual lunchtime concert series celebrating Music In Our Schools Month, a music education awareness event now in its 40th year nationwide. Jazz Ensemble, Voicemale and Key of She rotated performances...

Community’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter was named the top chapter in Illinois, earning the Outstanding Chapter Award at the annual State Leadership Conference in March. At the two-day event, the school set a program record with 65 students qualifying for this summer’s National...

Community’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter set multiple school records at the State Leadership Conference held March 20-22 in Springfield, including the chapter’s highest number of state officer candidates and International Leadership Conference qualifiers. Three Community...

Seven Inkspot staff members qualified for the IHSA State Journalism Finals, set for April 25 at Heartland Community College. At the April 5 Sectional competition, Bryce Hickman, Carter Hull, Arwen Georgas, Beatrix Alvarez and the team of Bella Green, Leon Castaneda and Audra Wolf earned top-three...

A 1% school facilities sales tax will take effect in McLean County on July 1, after voters approved the April 1 ballot measure 17,415 to 15,427—earning just over 53% support, according to election results. Voter turnout reached 28% across Bloomington and McLean County—an eight-point jump from typical...