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

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Lyra Townsend

Lyra Townsend, Staff Reporter

Lyra Townsend is a junior at NCHS and this is her second year working with the Inkspot.  She is a staff reporter.

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
Headlined by senior Cassius Sharp and a strong junior core, the boys soccer team had its deepest playoff run since the 2018 season.
Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Jeff Christopherson

Ironmen soccer season ends in Sectional Finals

Lyra Townsend, Staff Reporter Dec 11, 2024

The boys soccer team capped its 2024 season with a 16-7-5 record, finishing second in the Big 12 Conference at 7-1-2. The Ironmen’s postseason run ended with a 2-0 loss to Edwardsville in the IHSA 3A Sectional Final on Nov. 1, marking head coach Mr. Matt Chapman’s first sectional final appearance...

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Illinois Voters may still register in person at an early voting site or on election day at their polling place with two forms of ID, one including a home address.
Specimen Ballot Courtesy of: McLean County Election Commission

Community registers record number of students in voter drive

Lyra Townsend, Staff Reporter Oct 24, 2024

Over 50 students registered to vote in the upcoming Nov. 4 presidential election during a voter registration drive at Normal Community High School on Oct. 4. The event, organized by social studies teacher Ms. LaTisha Baker, marked the highest number of students registered since Baker began overseeing...

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The proceeds from the damaged vending machine, Stolfa said, also fund "rewards and incentives" for the SSP students like community outings.

[Photo] Vending machine vandalism hurts Student Support Program

Bryce Hickman and Carter Hull Oct 16, 2024

The proceeds from the damaged vending machine, Stolfa said, also fund "rewards and incentives" for the SSP students like community outings.

Top 5 must-have expansion packs for ‘The Sims 4’ Fans: From family drama to island escapes

Top 5 must-have expansion packs for ‘The Sims 4’ Fans: From family drama to island escapes

From family drama to Island escapes
Lyra Townsend, Staff Reporter Sep 18, 2024

It’s been a decade since “The Sims 4” hit the shelves in September 2014. Yet, the digital dollhouse remains a staple of the simulation video game genre.  At its core, “The Sims 4” distills the essence of daily life, cranked up to 11.  It is more than just a life-simulation game; it’s...

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Over the past decade, Community's journalism program has earned over $22500 in grants from organizations like the Illinois Press Foundation and Beyond the Books. 
Those funds have allowed the program to purchase, upgrade and maintain photo, video, audio and lighting equipment.

[Photo] Inkspot receives grant to boost multimedia skills

Inkspot Staff Sep 10, 2024

Over the past decade, Community's journalism program has earned over $22500 in grants from organizations like the Illinois Press Foundation and Beyond the Books. Those funds have allowed the program to purchase, upgrade and maintain photo, video, audio and lighting equipment.

Activities fair highlights diverse range of student involvement options [photo gallery]

Activities fair highlights diverse range of student involvement options [photo gallery]

Brayden Blackwell and Lyra Townsend Sep 3, 2024

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...

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Mrs. Kate Lawrence is one of two new department chairs, replacing Mrs. Amy Feeney who retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

[Photo] Foreign language, math departments welcome new leaders; Schnabel, Lawrence replace retirees

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief Aug 30, 2024

Mrs. Kate Lawrence is one of two new department chairs, replacing Mrs. Amy Feeney who retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

BN Lacrosse was outscored 147-56 in the regular season with opponents outshooting the co-op 391-225.

[Photo] Bloomington Normal Boys Lacrosse ends regular season winless; Seek 1st win in sectional showdown

Jeffery Woodard, Senior Staff Reporter May 14, 2024

BN Lacrosse was outscored 147-56 in the regular season with opponents outshooting the co-op 391-225.

The girls track and field team are looking for a second sectional title after they clinched a third straight conference title last weekend. 
Last season at sectionals, the Iron sent 11 athletes on to the state meet. 
Photo Courtesy: Mr. Jeff Christopherson

Girls track & field clinches 3rd straight Big 12 Conference title, head to sectionals

Bella Green and Lyra Townsend May 9, 2024

The girls track and field team claimed their third straight Big 12 Conference title on May 3, posting seven first-place finishes at Champaign’s Harold Jester Track. The Iron finished the night with 131 points, 39 ahead of their closest competitors–hosts Champaign Centennial. The Danville Vikings...

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Bird brained: The Inkspot puts Mr. Kevin Suess’ bird knowledge to the test [video]

Bird brained: The Inkspot puts Mr. Kevin Suess’ bird knowledge to the test [video]

Bryce Hickman and Carter Hull Apr 25, 2024

The Inkspot quizzed the Community's resident ornithologist, Mr. Kevin Suess, on all things avian in honor of April 26's National Audubon Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of birds and the importance of preserving their habitats. The holiday recognizes the work of John James Audubon, the...

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Abigail Ziemer is looking for a fourth trip to state in the 1600-meter relay, winning the event in 2021 and 2023, and finishing third in 2022.  

Photo Courtesy: Mr. Jeff Christopherson

Girls track & field eye state podium return

After a historic 2023 season, the Iron look for better results in 2024
Lyra Townsend and Aki Griffin Apr 24, 2024

The girls’ track and field team is looking to replicate last season’s success as it enters the final stretch of the season.  That will be no easy feat, as the 2023 season was historic for the Iron–the program had a top-ten team finish at the IHSA 3A State Track & Field meet, won a first-ever...

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Students will complete the PSAT and SAT using the Bluebook app which, according to the College Board, "makes test day easier and faster for students and proctors."

Screen Capture: College Board

Community transitions to digital SAT, end of pencil-and-paper testing era

Students, staff address shift to College Board's digital testing platform
Bryce Hickman, Carter Hull and Lyra Townsend Apr 15, 2024

For nearly a century, students have tackled the SAT armed with a pencil., taking the college entrance exam on paper.  On April 17, Community's juniors take the SAT digitally for the first time.  The College Board began piloting the digital SAT last spring before fully implementing the digital...

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The Up-Beat – Ep. 1 – Spotify discoveries, a daily dose of Dr. Zbrozek, Pizza Olympics & bowling balls

The Up-Beat – Ep. 1 – Spotify discoveries, a daily dose of Dr. Zbrozek, Pizza Olympics & bowling balls

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. B.J. Dumas, Lyra Townsend, Terrion Darnell and Bayli Ferris share what is making them happy this week.  

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[Video] On the Spot – Teachers tested on 2023’s hottest words [video]

Lyra Townsend, Staff Reporter Jan 10, 2024

Check out this edition of On the Spot, where the Inkspot tests teachers' knowledge on 2023's top terms, quizzing teachers on "rizz," asking them to share their thoughts on "situationship" and more.  Want to know more about the 2023 Word of the Year? Read the article here.

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 Merriam-Webster included “rizz” on its list of the year’s top words but gave first place to “authentic.” 
Rizz topped Oxford's list for 2023.
Stock Photo // Envato

Rizz rules: Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2023

Lyra Townsend, Staff Reporter Jan 10, 2024

It’s that time of year again.  Spotify Wrapped. YouTube Recap. Duolingo Year in Review.      Every online platform wants to tell users the artists, videos and creators that they engaged with the most in 2023—including your online dictionary.  As 2023 wound down, platforms like Merriam-Webster...

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"The Dining Room" is a series of vignettes—some funny, some touching, —which, when combined, creates a picture of the vanishing upper-middle-class White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

The play, director Ms. Kevin Vernon said, goes to "great lengths" to "educate" audiences about "WASP culture."
"I want them understand who it is they're looking at," Vernon said. "I want them to laugh."

Digital Illustration // Mr. Brad Bovenkerk

Curtain call: Vernon restages ‘The Dining Room’ as final production

Diverse cast, decades of laughter in 'The Dining Room' culminate Mrs. Kevin Yale Vernon's two-decade theatrical career
Lyra Townsend, Aki Griffin and Kevon Ramsey Nov 29, 2023

February's production of "The Dining Room" marks the final show of theater director Mrs. Kevin Yale Vernon's two-decade career. Vernon's final show caps a career that spans almost 21 years and brought over 75 productions to the stage. Revisiting a play from earlier in her career, Vernon said, is...

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One of Community's orchestra classes performed a sneak preview of the Hauntcert for staff members during Oct. 18's half day.
Photo Courtesy of: Brad Bovenkerk

Hauntcert 2023 brings silver screen classics to life

Inkspot Staff and Lyra Townsend Oct 25, 2023

The Hauntcert, Community’s annual October orchestra concert, takes center stage with a cinematic theme, ‘Villains On Strike’ on Thursday, Oct. 26. While the Hauntcert isn’t exactly a Halloween-themed performance, Orchestra director Mrs. Melissa Siebenthal said, the show takes place at the...

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News Briefs for Sept. 22

News Briefs for Sept. 22

Inkspot Staff Sep 25, 2023
Want to know what's going on at Community? Check out this week's Spot shorts, as the Inkspot's Journalism I students publish their first news briefs.
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[Video] Ink ‘Spotlight’: A weekly rundown of Normal Community news

Marielsie Iglesias, Senior Staff Reporter Sep 8, 2023

This week, Carter Hull and Lyra Townsend shine the light on five stories around NCHS.

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Boys soccer takes second in 2023 Intercity tournament after narrow loss to U-High

Boys soccer takes second in 2023 Intercity tournament after narrow loss to U-High

The boys soccer team finished second in the 2023 Intercity tournament, their lone loss coming in the tournament’s opening round to eventual Intercity champions U-High. Community fell 1-0 to the Pioneers in Aug. 30’s match at U-High. Despite the Ironmen recording a 10-9 advantage in shots on...

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