President Donald Trump’s proposed elimination of the Department of Education—echoing Republican efforts that date back to when the department was established in 1979—raises questions about how federal funding would be redistributed, how student protections would be maintained and what responsibilities...

Lily Mavros’ love for music began with an impromptu fourth-grade performance, but her journey didn’t stop there. From local productions to starring roles, the Community senior has worked tirelessly to hone her craft. In this episode, we explore how she balances AP classes, voice lessons and performances—while...

The boys cross country team earned a second-place finish at the Big 12 Conference Championship meet at Peoria’s Detweiller Park on Oct. 19, finishing nine points behind Peoria Notre Dame. In a tightly contested race, Community and Notre Dame were tied at eight points after each team’s first two...

Students in Mr. Sam Wurster’s Advanced Metals & Woods class presented hand-crafted American flags to military veterans, active-duty service members and law enforcement personnel on Oct. 2. Thirteen flags, stained in red, white and blue with 50 stars precisely routed, were delivered to service...

After the first five meets of the 2024 boys cross country season, junior A.J. Ince and senior Joey Yaros are proving to be some of each other’s best competition. The pair have consistently paced Community, pushing the Ironmen to three first-place finishes to open the season and a second-place finish...

When the Ironmen bathed head football coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz in Gatorade after Sept. 14’s shutout victory over the Urbana Tigers, he had no idea why.  “I had no clue that it was my 50th win,” Drengwitz said after the game. “I don’t keep track of that.” But someone on Community’s...

Community’s 2024 Homecoming festivities will feature several notable changes to boost school spirit and student involvement. Those changes include adding a parade, reformatting the annual assembly and organizing new activities during Sept. 9’s week-long celebration. The modifications result...

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...

Welcome to "The Up-Beat," where each week a group of Inkspot reporters take a break from breaking news to share what's been making them smile this week. Abigail Ziemer, Brayden Blackwell, Anysia Russell and Lucas Drengwitz share what is making them happy this week.  

Three members of the boys wrestling team return to the IHSA 3A State Wrestling competition in Champaign on Feb. 15, looking to build on last season's results, after earning top-three finishes in last weekend’s Quincy Sectional. Cooper Caraway will make his third consecutive appearance at the State...

Advancing six wrestlers to sectional competition is just one of the wrestling program’s many accomplishments this season under head coach Mr. Trevor Kaufman. The team won a second-consecutive Big 12 Conference title and second-straight Intercity championship. They went 18-2 as a team at dual meets,...

Three-time IHSA State cross country qualifier Ali Ince (’24) and Joey Yaros (’25) closed out the season with appearances at the 3A State Finals in Peoria Nov. 4.  Ince finished her senior State race in 19:16.00, less than five seconds off her pace the year prior (19:10.62). Battling an illness...

Ali Ince and Joey Yaros advance to Saturday’s IHSA 3A State Cross Country meet at Peoria’s Detweiller Park after historic Sectional performances on Oct. 28. Joey Yaros advances to his first State meet after a recorded setting performance at IHSA 3A Granite City Sectional. Yaros posted a time...

Girls swim claimed second in the Big 12 Conference Oct. 21, scoring 210 points between its two second-place relays and seven individual top three finishes.  The team trailed Champaign Central by 93 points and finished 14 points ahead of Normal West thanks to junior Kenna Malinowski’s two first-place...

When the Theatre department’s fall production of “The Diviners” premieres this weekend, a new generation of performers will take center stage.  Set in a rural Indiana town during the Great Depression, the story revolves around the intertwining lives of the townspeople as they grapple with faith,...

$55 an hour?  Without having to leave the comfort of your couch?  That summer job could be yours courtesy of Finance Buzz, a website that provides financial tips, advice and recommendations. With May 19’s release of “Fast X,” the newest installment in the blockbuster Fast and Furious...

Sophia Feeney was announced as a 2023 Holiday Classic Scholarship award recipient on May 4. The scholarship, which recognizes seniors who participated in the 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, awards Feeney $1,500 towards her college tuition next year.  The tournament, Feeney...

Community’s boys and girls track and field teams can both boast the title “Intercity champs” after winning the annual crosstown competition at Bloomington High School on April 25.   Girls Track & Field The girls team, led by Ali Ince, defended their title for the third consecutive...

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...

The Asian American Pacific Islander Culture Club (AAPI) hosted its first official event celebrating Diwali on Oct. 28.  Each month, Pranavi Chaganti, the club’s board chair, said, the organization plans to recognize, celebrate and teach about Asian cultures. The AAPI's purpose, Chaganti said,...

For the second straight year, Community’s boys and girls varsity cross country teams finished 2nd at the Intercity meet at Maxwell Park, Thursday, Sep. 22.   Girls Varsity  Normal West won the girl’s race, with the Wildcats finishing 7 points ahead of Community. Four Community runners...