When the “Stranger Things” series finale dropped four months ago, it didn’t just close the door on Hawkins. It shut the lights off on a world that feels almost impossible now: no location sharing, no doomscrolling, no group chats keeping tabs on every move. Once it was over (sorry, no secret...

Girls soccer dropped its first two matches of the 2026 season, falling 6-0 to Morton on Wednesday, March 18, and 6-3 to Chatham Glenwood on Thursday, March 19, but the Ironmen still enter the spring with experience, returning scoring power and the goal of competing for a sixth straight regional title. Last...

Senior Oceane Mvita-Ilebo and juniors Colton Leonard and Pranika Kuella were recognized with Why I See You (YICU) Service Awards on Nov. 9 for their leadership and volunteer work in the community. The YICU award opens a space for “like-minded individuals” to come together and realize they are...

Piper Lowder is headed back to the IHSA State Swimming & Diving Finals—but for the first time she’ll go alone, racing only individual events in Friday’s prelims at FMC Natatorium. The senior punched her ticket to Westmont winning the 50-yard freestyle in 24.08 seconds and finishing second...

Mrs. Jayne Runyon still remembered the phone call. She was 20 when her cousin Frank died by suicide—the first of four losses she endured. Decades later, the questions lingered—the guilt, the “what ifs,” the shock. For Runyon, suicide is not a distant issue but a lived reality that...

Preparing for homecoming is supposed to be exciting—not stressful.  The tradition is an undeniable aspect of the high school experience—but it comes with a price tag. A set of acrylics—$70. Hair? Call it a wildcard—hair type, the style, DIY or salon—all variables that set the price. Spray...

As the September slips away, summer fades—along with sunburns, sandals and the scent of sunscreen. In its place: hoodie weather, falling leaves and the unmistakable aroma of bonfires and pumpkin spice. With fall comes a shift in more than just the weather. Our watchlists change too—ditching summer...

Principal Dr. Adam Zbrozek returned to campus Aug. 25 after missing the first week of school to celebrate the birth of his first grandchild. Zbrozek traveled to Texas the first week of school to support his son and daughter-in-law, whose daughter, Oaklynn Ray, was born after a planned induction. “We...

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...

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...

Just as Andy had to leave Buzz and Woody behind, maybe someday we’ll have to say goodbye to our favorite animated movies, too. But today is not that day—because it’s March Madness, and instead of filling out brackets with basketball teams we barely know, we’re diving headfirst into a tournament...

They move through Yellowstone, the wind ruffling their thick fur as they stalk through the underbrush. Their paws make no sound against the damp earth. Ears pricked, eyes scanning for movement, nose twitching at the faintest scent of mule deer. They are the alpha. They are the hunter. They are…...

For over a decade, elementary school girls have invaded the cafeteria for a few hours each February, dressed to the nines, twisting and twirling with their dates as Taylor Swift blares through the speakers. For those few hours on a Saturday afternoon, Mr. Matt Schweinberg isn’t a social studies...

With the American Red Cross facing a critical blood shortage due to severe winter weather and the California wildfires, Student Council and Red Cross club are partnering to host a blood drive on Friday, Feb. 21. The drive, held in the school’s multipurpose room from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., aims to surpass...

The Mock Trial team opened its season with a 7th-place finish at the Wheeling Wildcat Warm-Up Tournament on Jan. 25. The Ironmen earned a trophy in its first appearance at the event, finishing among the top-eight teams from the field of 20 competitors. Mr. Ricky King, one of the team’s coaches,...

The Ironmen defeated the Champaign Centennial Chargers 49-6 on the road last Friday. The win earned Community its 700th program victory, with the Ironmen becoming the 10th team in IHSA history to reach the milestone. Community took charge early, leading 28-0 at the end of the first quarter, and never...