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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

Unit 5 returns to remote learning

Unit 5 returns to remote learning

Eli Schneider, Senior Staff Reporter Nov 15, 2020

Unit 5 Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle announced Friday, Nov. 13, that the district would return to remote learning effective Wednesday, Nov. 18. Students will not be in attendance Wednesday to allow teachers and staff time to prepare for change. The “adaptive pause” to hybrid learning is tentatively...

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Governor J.B. Pritzker reacts to the IHSAs decision to go forward with high school basketball seasons in a press conference on October 28.

IHSA opposes Pritzker’s plan to start high school basketball in Illinois; No Unit 5 decision yet

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Nov 9, 2020

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is moving ahead with plans for both a boys and girls high school basketball season, a decision that goes against the guidance of Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Health and Services (IDPH). Pritzker announced on October 27 that the basketball...

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The Normal Community girls cross country team finished in 3rd place at the IHSA Sectional -- the best 3A team finish in school history.
Freshmen Ali Ince was the Sectional champion with a time of 17:46.61.

Crossing finish lines, crushing records

Lady Iron cross country finishes 3rd at Sectionals
Olivia Plangger and Eli Schneider Nov 9, 2020

The Lady Iron cross country team concluded their history-making season by finishing third at IHSA Sectionals on Saturday, October 31. Running their home course, Maxwell Park, with an undefeated record, the team’s goal “was to really just get in front of as many teams as possible,” Lauren...

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Seniors’ ab-‘normal’ fall athletic seasons

Seniors’ ab-‘normal’ fall athletic seasons

Olivia Plangger, Co-Editor-in-Chief Nov 4, 2020
With last year’s cancelation of the IHSA spring sports season, the 20-21 athletic seasons were uncertain. For athletes like Ironmen pitcher Andrew Briggs, this season was one they had been looking forward to for years. “Growing up,” Briggs said, “I dreamed about being able to suit up my senior year for the Ironmen.” That dream was one that at times looked like it might not come true, or at least not in the way he once imagined. 
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With the NHLs longest season in history ending with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup, here is a look at some of the stars of the improbable post-season.

NHL Abnormal Accolades

5 key players throughout challenging playoffs
Eli Schneider, Senior Staff Reporter Nov 2, 2020

The longest season in NHL history ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning hoisting the Stanley Cup on September 28, after defeating the Dallas Stars 2-0. After COVID-19 forced the NHL to suspend the 2019-2020 season on March 12, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman ensured the season would somehow be completed. It...

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In It for the Long Run

In It for the Long Run

Freshman Ali Ince leads Lady Iron towards victorious season
Charlotte Calmes, Editor-in-Chief Oct 30, 2020
Her first 5K was when she was six. Her first State title was in seventh grade. So was her record-setting second. But the former junior high track and cross country standout is in uncharted territory, as the IHSA 3A Granite City Regional race marks a new level of competition for the freshman cross country runner.
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NCHS returns to in-person learning with new protocols, procedures

NCHS returns to in-person learning with new protocols, procedures

Inkspot Staff Oct 19, 2020

NCHS students return to in-person learning, starting with 9th graders on Monday, Oct. 19, and 10-12th graders on Oct. 26. Unit 5 will be staggering the students’ return over the two weeks to “adjust processes, as needed, with fewer students in the buildings,” Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle...

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While the 2020 Lady Iron Golf team concludes their season together, Alyvia Burr individually moves forward to Sectionals.

Burr heads to IHSA Girls Golf Sectionals after tying for second at Regionals

Olivia Plangger, Co-Editor-in-Chief Oct 13, 2020

Senior Alyvia Burr advanced to today’s IHSA Girls Golf Sectionals after tying for second place at Regionals on Wednesday, Oct., 7. While the Normal Community varsity golf team placed fourth with a team score of 377, Burr’s score of 81 secured her a spot in Sectional play.  During Burr’s...

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The 2020 Lady Iron Swimming and Diving team looks to move to the next level of competition.

After loss to West, 8-1 Lady Iron swimming & diving face U-High in Senior Day meet

Olivia Plangger, Co-Editor-in-Chief Oct 6, 2020

The previously undefeated Lady Iron varsity swimming and diving team look to bounce back after rivals Normal West delivered their first loss of the season Saturday. “Many of our meets have not been as competitive,” Coach Heather Budak said, “so it was a fun way to move to the next level of competition.” Despite...

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Ali Ince speaks to Channel 25 News about her performance and experience winning  the Randy Sharer Intercity cross country meet. The meet held at Maxwell Park Tues, Sept. 22 was renamed to honor the longtime Pantagraph reporter who covered cross country and track before his retirement.

Lady Iron cross country: season of firsts

Eli Schneider, Senior Staff Reporter Oct 2, 2020

The Lady Iron cross country team heads into Saturday's Peoria Notre Dame Invitational amidst a historic season. A Normal Community girls cross country team, since 1979 when the IHSA records began, has never finished the season among the state's Top Ten teams. A feat which rivals -- the U-High Pioneers...

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The proposed new mascot for the University of Illinois, the Belted Kingfisher, was endorsed in a landslide vote Sept. 21.

U of I Academic Senate endorses new mascot

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Sep 28, 2020

The University of Illinois Academic Senate is urging school officials to adopt a new official mascot, passing a resolution endorsing the Belted Kingfisher -- a blue and orange bird native to Illinois -- 105-2 on September 21. After Monday’s vote, U of I spokeswoman Robin Kaler said there was “no...

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New Faces of Normal

New Faces of Normal

The New Faces of Normal Combine large, bold images with the beautifully crafted words of your story.

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The 2020 Lady Iron varsity tennis team heads into Senior Night play with a team record of 7-1.

Lady Iron tennis ‘set’ for Senior Night success

Eli Schneider and Olivia Plangger Sep 17, 2020

The Lady Iron varsity tennis team heads into Senior Night confidently, with a 7-1 record, facing the Richwoods Knights today at home. The 4:30 p.m. match recognizes seniors Varsha Naraharasetty and Lexie Wells, who stress the importance of keeping a "good attitude during every situation," Meg Moser...

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The Unit 5 District Office was closed Monday, August 31 for a deep cleaning before reopening on Tuesday.

Unit 5 Executive Cabinet member tests positive for COVID-19; District officials quarantined

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle and members of her Executive Cabinet working remotely through Sept. 10
Charlotte Calmes, Editor-in-Chief Sep 1, 2020

A member of the Unit 5 Superintendent's Executive Cabinet tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, August 29, according to Director of Communications and Community Relations Dayna Brown. In response to the positive test, multiple Unit 5 Cabinet members -- including Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle...

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Dwayne The Rock Johnson raises XFL from rock bottom; Why it can succeed against the NFL

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson raises XFL from rock bottom; Why it can succeed against the NFL

Eli Schneider and Inkspot Staff Aug 4, 2020

Before COVID-19 indefinitely shut down professional and amateur sports alike, a bright spot emerged in the ordinarily dark time after the Super Bowl. The NFL season concluded on February 2 with the Kansas City Chiefs being crowned league champions. In years past, the days and months after the NFL...

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