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Inkspot

Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Lyra Townsend

Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor

Lyra Townsend is a senior at Community; this is her third year on the Inkspot staff.  She is an associate editor. 

My favorite movie is Jaws.

On the weekends I like to fly planes.

A book that impacted me was “Call Me By Your Name.”

All content by Lyra Townsend

[Video] Hauntcert performers on why this year’s show hits all the right notes [video]

In this Inkspot man-on-the-street video, orchestra members preview the Oct. 30 Halloween concert
Arwen Georgas, Senior Staff Reporter
Oct 29, 2025
In this Inkspot man-on-the-street video, orchestra members preview the Oct. 30 Hauntcert—featuring fan-favorite scores, Halloween flair and music inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.
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Friday Night Frames

Friday Night Frames

The Inkspot’s favorite photos from the Iron’s home games
Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Oct 27, 2025

With the Ironmen wrapping up the regular season, the Inkspot is looking back at some of photographer Lyra Townsend’s standout shots—capturing Community’s home-field energy. No play-by-play, no recap—just the Ironmen unde r the lights, one frame at a time.

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Supporters applaud as Community alumni Jolene Custer speaks in support of the educator.

Community backs teacher amid t-shirt controversy

Several members of the community spoke in teacher's support at October school board meeting [photo gallery]
Inkspot Staff and Lyra Townsend
Oct 24, 2025

Several community members spoke in support of a Normal Community teacher at the Oct. 15 McLean County Unit 5 School Board meeting at Normal West, after a photo of him wearing an “Abolish ICE” T-shirt drew criticism online. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—the federal immigration...

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Community running back Cole Kretsinger has 814 yards on 102 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns; the Iron will lean on the senior to power the ground game Friday.

[Photo] Ironmen face Peoria High with outright Big 12 title on the line

Brady Phelps and Andrew Naour
Oct 23, 2025

Community running back Cole Kretsinger has 814 yards on 102 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns; the Iron will lean on the senior to power the ground game Friday.

Postgame: Drengwitz on Community’s 56-6 win over Champaign Centennial; staying unbeaten in Big 12 [video]

Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Oct 20, 2025
Lyra Townsend talks with Community head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz after the Ironmen’s 56-6 win over Champaign Centennial. Community improves to 7-1 and stays perfect in Big 12 play. Watch the full interview and hear what’s next for the Ironmen.
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Community rallies past West 5–3, clinches Intercity, Big 12 titles

Community rallies past West 5–3, clinches Intercity, Big 12 titles

Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Oct 19, 2025

Community defeated the Normal West Wildcats 5–3 in a comeback victory Oct. 14, clinching the Intercity title and a share of the Big 12 Conference championship. The Ironmen opened the match aggressively, taking a 1–0 lead just 44 seconds in when a Cooper Lee free kick deflected off the Wildcat...

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The fall play cast talks about why ‘Anne Frank’ resonates

The fall play cast talks about why ‘Anne Frank’ resonates

Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Oct 10, 2025

The cast of “The Diary of Anne Frank” reflect on why the story still matters, pointing to the play’s urgency amid current events, the importance of free expression and the harm that follows when prejudice goes unchecked. 

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‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ brings intimate, immersive staging to Community theater

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ brings intimate, immersive staging to Community theater

Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Oct 8, 2025

Blending historical tragedy with a message of hope and empathy, Community’s fall play “The Diary of Anne Frank” reimagines the stage to bring audiences into Anne’s world. The production, directed by theater teacher Ms. Cassie Adelman, runs Oct. 9–12 in the Ms. Kevin Yale Vernon Auditorium,...

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One of 10 birdhouses stands in the retention basin in front of Community, part of a sociology class “Impact Project” aimed at restoring native habitat from the 2024-2025 school year.

Summer snapshot: Sociology students’ ‘Impact Project’ brings bluebirds, prairie grasses to campus

A look back at the stories, events that unfolded while the Inkspot staff was off for summer break
Inkspot Staff and Lyra Townsend
Sep 30, 2025

A student-led initiative aimed at restoring local ecosystems took root last spring as part of Community’s sociology curriculum. The idea for the environmental effort came from seniors Berit Rice and Liberty Lett, who developed the plan during Mr. Stefen Robinson’s sociology class's “Impact Project”...

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Marco Reynolds, now a member of the Eastern Illinois Track & Field program, took first at the IHSA 4A State meet in the shot put. 
Photo Courtesy of: Ironmen Athletics dept.

Summer snapshot: Reynolds captures state title in shot put

A look back at the stories, events that unfolded while the Inkspot staff was off for summer break
Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Sep 29, 2025

Class of 2025 graduate Marco Reynolds won the IHSA Class 3A State Championship in shot put last May, claiming the title with a finals throw of 42 feet, 9.5 inches. Reynolds advanced to the state meet in shot put for the third consecutive year after earning back-to-back indoor titles at the Illinois...

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The Ironmen celebrate with the IHSA Class 4A third-place plaque after defeating Brother Rice 7-2, capping a program-best 37-5 season.

Photo Courtesy of: Ironmen Athletics dept.

Summer snapshot: Ironmen cap historic 37-5 season with third-place state finish, first sectional title in 21 years

A look back at the stories, events that unfolded while the Inkspot staff was off for summer break
Inkspot Staff and Lyra Townsend
Sep 29, 2025

Ironmen baseball closed its 2025 campaign with a third-place finish at the IHSA Class 4A State Tournament and a program-best 37-5 record. Community’s historic run included a second straight Big 12 Conference title, a third consecutive regional championship and the program’s first sectional crown...

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Fall flicks: From cozy comforts to chilling thrills

Fall flicks: From cozy comforts to chilling thrills

Inkspot staffers share their go-to movies for sweater weather season
Sep 23, 2025

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...

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[Photo Illustration]

Trigger Words: “Kill Yourself”

The weight behind the words we don’t think twice about
Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Sep 19, 2025

Trigger Words is a perspective series examining the language we throw around without thinking—and the impact it can leave behind. In a culture where “jokes” blur with insults and memes replace meaning, this series unpacks the words we’ve normalized and asks: Who’s listening? And what are they...

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Illinois Press Foundation executive director Jeff Rogers presents the Journalism 2 students with a $5000 check to purchase a new telephoto camera lens.

[Photo] Inkspot awarded $6,500 to expand journalism opportunities

Inkspot Staff
Sep 17, 2025

Illinois Press Foundation executive director Jeff Rogers presents the Journalism 2 students with a $5000 check to purchase a new telephoto camera lens.

Head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz addresses the Ironmen after a dominant team effort, highlighted by touchdown catches from three different receivers and a pick-six in the lopsided win.

Ironmen open season with balanced offense, stifling defense in win over Richwoods [photo gallery]

Lyra Townsend, Associate Editor
Sep 3, 2025

Community opened the 2025 season with a 40-6 win over Richwoods on Aug. 29 at Dick Tharp Field, scoring touchdowns through the air, on the ground and on defense. The Ironmen held the Knights to just 33 passing yards and forced five turnovers in the Big 12 victory.

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