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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

35 potential employers attended the College and Career Centers career fair on May 3, highlighting some of the employment opportunities available to students post-high school.

College and Career Center’s career fair showcases over 30 employment paths

BJ Dumas and Zachary Knox-Doyle
May 11, 2023

The College and Career Center hosted over 30 potential employers during May 3’s half-day. The event, organized by CCC counselor Mrs. Karrin Hawkins, showcased a variety of career paths available to students. Representatives from 35 organizations–local businesses, trades, military branches and...

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Peter Metivier receives historic recognition from Illinois FFA

Peter Metivier receives historic recognition from Illinois FFA

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief
May 8, 2023

Illinois FFA named Peter Metivier as one of ten State Officer candidates, selecting him to compete for the organization’s five highest student leadership positions during its State Convention. Metivier, who currently serves as FFA’s Section 9 President, said to be nominated was an honor. “I'm...

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Nina Osborne received the Dual Language recognition award for standout performance in two AP-level language classes.

Foreign Language Awards Night recognizes excellence in language learning

Two seniors receive special recognition
Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2023

Two standout seniors were among the over 140 students recognized at the annual Foreign Language Awards Ceremony on April 22. Each year, the event honors the Foreign Language Honor Society’s new inductees and celebrates students’ accomplishments within the foreign language department’s 15 courses. Kara...

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The event’s organizers–Avani Rai, Pritha Chatterjee, Lilly McClelland and Karthika Nair– presented a poster stating “349,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since 1999. 6000 children and teens injured or killed in 2022.”

Students join National Walkout, demand stricter gun safety laws

Over 200 Community students took a stand against gun legislation on April 5, walking out of their 5th-hour classes and gathering in the school’s bus lane at noon. The demonstration was part of a national campaign organized by Students Demand Action, calling for stricter gun safety laws. A week...

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The district will go forward with the implementation of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program at both high schools, a program that offers low-cost nutritious, balanced meals at both high schools. 
The program offers the district a funding source through the government.

Unit 5 School Board reverses majority of budget cuts for 2023-24

BJ Dumas and Zachary Knox-Doyle
May 1, 2023

The McLean County Unit 5 School Board unanimously reversed the majority of cuts set to take effect in the 2023-24 school year at a special board meeting April 11.  The district will continue implementing several budget measures approved at the Jan. 31 board meeting, including limiting the number...

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Several Community seniors were eligible to vote for the first time in Aprils election, helping pass  the Unit 5 tax referendum.

Community seniors turn out in support of Unit 5 tax referendum

Libby Price and Brayden Blackwell
May 1, 2023

The Unit 5 tax referendum drew several Community seniors to the polls on April 4, the second time the issue was on the ballot. More than 53% of voters rejected the referendum in November’s midterm elections when the majority of the Class of 2023 was ineligible to vote. In April, the referendum...

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During the FFAs 3rd annual tree drive, paper leaves with the names of donators hung outside the main office.

FFA’s tree drive takes root at Community

Anna Dunne, Senior Staff Reporter
Apr 21, 2023

The Normal FFA’s third annual tree drive raised $465, allowing the organization to plant 93 trees across Mclean County as part of the Ecology Action Center’s 10,000 tree-planting initiative. After planting 662 trees in Bloomington Normal over the last two years, FFA sponsor Mrs. Liz Harris said,...

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Ali Ince lead the field during the first lap of the 800 meter race at the Arcadia Invite with a split of 1:00.396. 
MacKenzie Browne ultimately would edge Ince out for first-place at the elite high school meet.

Ali Ince reaches half-mile milestone in Arcadia

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 20, 2023

Ali Ince bested her personal record in the 800 meter at the Arcadia Invite on Apr. 8, shaving .81 seconds off of her previous PR.  The meet is one of the nation’s most competitive high school track and field competitions, hosting elite athletes from across the country.  Over the last 56 years,...

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Gibson Smith (23), Leslie Burton (23) and Killian Boyd (23) star as the shows leads, playing Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood.

Musical ‘The Lightning Thief’ brings striking theatrical elements to Community’s stage

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 20, 2023

“The Lightning Thief” opens its run on Community’s stage Thursday, April 20, packed with striking theatrical elements—fight scenes, an onstage rock band and otherworldly LED lighting. Based on the first book in Rick Riordan’s best-selling “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series,...

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Following Holi traditions, attendees arrived to the celebrations in white attire.

South Asian Performing Arts’ ‘Holi Moli’ celebrates community, inclusion

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 17, 2023

Karthika Nair has lived in the United States her entire life. Yet, there are very few days, the senior said, she “truly feel[s] at home” in Bloomington Normal. That feeling of home, that sense of acceptance, Nair said, comes when she can celebrate her culture with the community. For two...

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Five members of the journalism program qualified to compete in the 2023 IHSA Journalism State Finals. Journalism II students Avani Rai (left) and Abby Ruebush (right) return to State for the second straight year. Marielsie Iglesias (second from left) failed to advance past Sectionals last season. Journalism III student Dylan Wehmeyer (second from right) qualified for State in two events in his first Sectional Competition. [Not Pictured: Kellie Chen]

Inkspot staff sends five to IHSA Journalism State Finals

Inkspot Staff
Apr 7, 2023

When five Inkspot staff members competed in the IHSA Journalism Sectionals April 1, the student journalists went from reporting the news to making it themselves. Each of Community's five individual competitors boasted a top-three finish to secure a spot in the IHSA State Final, where they will compete...

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Junior Mary Baker places her hand into a fistulated cow, a  cow surgically fitted with a cannula. The  cannula acts as a porthole-like device that allows access to the rumen of a cow, to perform research and analysis of the digestive system.

Teachers: Field trip funding cuts reduces essential aspect of student learning experience

Libby Price and Kate Johnson
Apr 4, 2023

Unit 5 announced the district would no longer fund field trips beginning next school year in an effort to reduce the district’s budget deficit.  Field trips, several Community teachers said, are an essential part of the student learning experience.  Field trips are “invaluable” to the...

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JV girls basketball coach Mr. Mike Goodwin addresses Community during a December game against Urbana. 
While Community may be able to increase the number of athletes on a JV roster, varsity girls basketball coach Dave Feeney said, “That means theres more kids and less adult supervision, less instruction, less coaching,”

Community coaches express concerns over athletic program cuts

To reduce the district’s multi-million-dollar budget deficit, the School Board voted to eliminate junior high and freshman athletics and reduce the number of competitors attending out-of-town contests. Those cuts, several veteran Community coaches believe, are detrimental. While the cuts will...

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At the 82nd IHSA Speech Individual Events State Finals, Avani Rai earned 6th place.

Speech boasts best State showing in two decades, Avani Rai places sixth

Anna Dunne, Senior Staff Reporter
Mar 24, 2023

Six members of the Community speech team competed at the IHSA State Speech Tournament on February 18, the program's largest number of State Qualifiers in a single season in over two decades. Senior Avani Rai became the school's first female competitor in 17 years to place in the State Speech finals,...

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Black Student Union organizes Black History Month celebration in organization’s first year

Black Student Union organizes Black History Month celebration in organization’s first year

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief
Mar 13, 2023

The Black Student Union, in its inaugural year, organized Community’s most comprehensive celebration of Black History Month in recent years. February’s recognition of Black Americans’ accomplishments, culture and history was the BSU’s first large-scale opportunity to address the organization’s...

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