The Paw Print

‘Ben’s Vision’ of 2025 NFL Draft:
Ben Stackhouse, Contributing Writer | April 25, 2025
Serving the community and putting smiles on faces
Jack Hanks, Contributing Writer | April 25, 2025
Coach Hawkins gets historic 600th win as head coach of Wildcat baseball
Hunter Reid, Contributing Writer | April 23, 2025
Special education teacher nominated for National Life Groups Life Changer of the Year award
Abby Jackson, Contributing Writer | April 23, 2025
Normal West theater debuts ‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ this weekend
Makinzee Boyer, Editor-in-Chief | April 22, 2025
Students get real life experience fishing on half day
Owen Voorheis, Contributing Writer | April 22, 2025
Senior brick tradition continues to bring color to Normal West hallways
Raya Radoslavova, Editor | April 21, 2025
E-sports continues success, looks forward to sectionals and state finals
Jo Brown, Editor-in-Chief | April 17, 2025
Normal West Mock Trial ends the year making history for 2nd time in 3 years
Owen Voorheis, Contributing Writer | April 17, 2025
For first time ever, the Paw Print staff sends 4 journalists to the IHSA state competition
Paw Print Staff | April 17, 2025

Prom 2025

Bring that Wildcat energy to the dance floor!

News

Mr. Anthony Berardi has been at Normal West since the school opened its doors, and one of his major impacts on the school is his organization of a student-favorite: West Fest. West Fest is a student carnival put in place to celebrate another school year. This year, West Fest will take place on Friday, May 2. Above, Mr. Berardi poses with the map and raffle ticket box from last year's celebration.

West Fest 2025 set for Friday, May 2

Jenna Washington, Contributing Writer • April 28, 2025

For those of you new to Normal West, you may be wondering, "what is West Fest?" West Fest is essentially a carnival that Normal West provides for all students and staff...

Normal West's National English Honor Society have taken their volunteer requirements to the next level. At their latest volunteer opportunity on Saturday, April 12, they worked another Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

Serving the community and putting smiles on faces

Jack Hanks, Contributing Writer • April 25, 2025

Mrs. Kristy Fairfield has been a special education teacher at Normal West since the doors opened in 1995. Fairfield continues to make an impact on all of her students and was recently nominated for the LifeChanger award.

Special education teacher nominated for National Life Groups Life Changer of the Year award

Abby Jackson, Contributing Writer • April 23, 2025

Many of the ensemble crew stopped their set build to smear black paint on their worker costumes to appear like coal workers. Hadestown: Teen Edition will hit the stage this weekend with various shows.

Normal West theater debuts ‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ this weekend

Makinzee Boyer, Editor-in-Chief • April 22, 2025

Since the 1998-1999 school year, Normal West has allowed seniors to paint a brick to leave a lasting legacy as they head out into the real world. Mr. Tim Franz, current business teacher, was a key part of getting this West favorite started.

Feature

Senior brick tradition continues to bring color to Normal West hallways

Raya Radoslavova, Editor • April 21, 2025

The Unit 5 E-sports team has quickly made a name for themselves, and the above team is one of the reasons. This crew was the state champions in Fortnite.

Feature

E-sports continues success, looks forward to sectionals and state finals

Jo Brown, Editor-in-Chief • April 17, 2025

Under the guidance of Dr. John Bierbaum and Seniors Benedicte Diamonika, Bailey Vaux, Belle Phillips, Austin Miller, Lena Ganschow, and Isabella Gilbert, the Normal West Mock Trial team had another stellar season, making history for a downstate mock trial team. They placed 3rd at the state competition.

Feature

Normal West Mock Trial ends the year making history for 2nd time in 3 years

Owen Voorheis, Contributing Writer • April 17, 2025

Sports

‘Ben’s Vision’ of 2025 NFL Draft:

Ben Stackhouse, Contributing Writer • April 25, 2025

The no.1 overall pick for the Tennessee Titans was QB Cam Ward, a 22-year-old quarterback who played at the University of Miami last year. He was fourth in Heisman voting...