Over 200 members of the sophomore class gathered in the auditorium Feb. 24 as Mock Trial presented “People of the State of Illinois v. Peyton Reed,” a criminal case, to English II students. The event, a collaboration between the Mock Trial team and sophomore English teachers, aimed to provide students...

Students in Mrs. Sydney Batty’s 6th-hour Molecular and Structural Biology class dissected lamb kidneys on Feb. 19 as part of their unit on the urinary system. The hands-on lab allowed students to explore kidney structures up close, reinforcing concepts studied in class. “In Biology,” Batty said,...

From basement shows to booking sets at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen, Harrison Gordon has put in the work to earn their place in the Midwest indie rock scene. Now, the band is bringing their signature sound back to Bloomington-Normal, headlining The Castle Theatre on Feb. 28—and if you haven’t seen them...

For Beatrix Alvarez, the process was “ exciting. It's so interesting, just like looking at the different parts of [the kidney].”

The dissection, Paige Roser thought, was “really cool. It's ... similar to the real life models that we looked at.”

For Lauren Michaels, the experience was “kind of gross." Still, "it's cool to see what the kidney actually looks like.”

The Theatre department is bringing a modernized version of “Little Women” to the Kevin Yale Vernon Auditorium stage in February, offering audiences a fresh take on the beloved classic.  While Kate Hamill’s 2019 stage adaptation remains faithful to the novel, Community theatre director Ms. Cassie...

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...

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...

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

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.  

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.

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...

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...

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...

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

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...