News Briefs: Week of March 7

School Board cuts middle school foreign language

The Unit 5 School Board voted to eliminate the 8th-grade foreign language program — the result of a nearly $14 million budget deficit — on Wednesday, March 9.

The Board removed the district’s 5th-grade instrumental music program from the list of proposed budget reductions for the 2022-2023 school year.

The Board approved Normal West serving as the host school for the Associate’s degree in Computer Science Cohort due to the school’s proximity to Heartland Community College.

Speech team members advance to Nationals

Avani Rai (’23) qualified for the National Speech & Debate Association’s National tournament after placing among the top two finishers in U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking at the District Qualifying Tournament March 4 – 5.

As a result of Rai’s finish, Riya Prasade (’23) will compete in a supplemental event when the two attend June’s Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

6 NCHS students’ artwork accepted into 95th Amateur Art Competition

The 95th Annual McLean County Amateur Art Exhibition will showcase the artwork of six Community artists.

Pieces by Anisha Amaravadi (’22), Elly Carrel (’22), Reese Dalton (’24), Caroline Johnson (’23), Rebecca Kelly (’22) and Aiden Vinson (’25) will be on display at the McLean County Art Center through April 9.

Music program finishes 5th at IHSA Solo & Ensemble

Normal Community finished 5th in the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Music Contest sweepstakes — 312 points behind the victor and host school Washington High School.

Community’s orchestra took 1st place in the 2A strings category of the IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest Saturday, March 5, in Washington, Illinois.

In the choral competition, Community placed 3rd, helping the music program earn a 5th-place overall finish.

Of the 90 events in which Community participated, four students were recognized as “Best of the Day”, juniors Matt Beigie, Leslie Burton and Krishiv Sreejith, and freshman Lily Mavros.

Mavros competed in one of four events in which Community earned a perfect score: with judges awarding top scores to violin soloists Sophia Boyer (’25) and Audrie Schuller (’22), and the piano ensemble of Schuller and fellow seniors Lily Kreun, Andrew Short, and Karen Xiong.

FFA, girls basketball greet Grove students

A Grove Elementary parent group organized a welcome party for Grove students the morning of March 8, with members of Community’s FFA board, girls basketball team and Officer Jeremy Flood greeting the Gators as they arrived at school.

Mock Trial competes in ISBA State competition

The Mock Trial team competes in the virtual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) State Competition Friday and Saturday.

Editor’s note: Avani Rai and Matt Beigie are members of the Inkspot staff.

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About the Contributors

Laynee Scheck, Print Editor

Laynee Scheck is a senior at Normal Community High School and is a co-founder of the NCHS Mental Health Club. This is her third year working with the Inkspot, and she is a Senior Staff Reporter. If I won a million dollars I would use the money to pay for college and then travel the world. What inspires me are people that stand up for what they believe in. On the weekend, I enjoy exploring new places with my friends.

Nayonika Banerjee, Senior Staff Reporter

Nayonika Banerjee is a senior at Normal Community High School and is involved in Speech Team, FBLA, and Lady Iron Soccer. This is their second year of working with the Inkspot. My favorite film is "Booksmart" (2019) directed by Olivia Wilde. A random fact about me is I am deathly afraid of sharks, but they also happen to be my all time favorite animal. A slogan to live by is “YOLO” which may be cringe, but honestly it’s pretty good advice.

Victoria Wilson, Senior Staff Reporter

Victoria Wilson is a senior at Normal Community High School. This is her second year with the Inkspot; she is a staff reporter. In my free time, I like to read and dance. My best advice is to picture every day as a fresh start.