News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
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The BSU winter assembly brings culture and fun to Normal West

February 20, 2026
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Jo Brown
The annual Normal West Black Student Union winter assembly was another success! With a "name that song" game, special guests, teacher shout-outs, and performances from the Chorus, jazz band, and the color guard, the assembly brought plenty of energy to the gym!
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COMBINATION: An Art Exhibition is a student-driven art display where students from the Ceramics and Sculpture 2 class use abandoned lockers to bring a theme to life. Mr. Ali Akyuz, an art teacher at Normal West, has been orchestrating the project for his students since 2018.
West artists transform abandoned lockers in 'Combi-nation: an Art Exhibit'
The 2025 Homecoming Wall of Fame Dinner featured 4 new inductees: Former Wildcat staff members Lisa Tomlin, Tracy Freeman, and April Schermann, as well as Wildcat Alum, Julie Edmunds-Mendez. Honored at a dinner on Thursday, Sept. 11, these four Wildcats will also appear on the wall outside of the main office as four distinguished former members of the Wildcat family.
West honors 1 alum and 3 former staff members in 2025 Wall of Fame Dinner [PHOTO GALLERY]
The infamous homecoming powderpuff game is always a fan favorite, and this year was no different. The competition was very back-and-forth, ending in a 30-30 tie between the junior and senior teams. The seniors relied heavily on Addyson Hammond, who had two touchdowns on the night. The juniors had Journey Johnson who also had two touchdowns. With only 4o seconds left in regulation, the seniors looked to be on their to taking a win; however the juniors marched down the field, scoring with no time left on the clock. A missed field goal left the 2025 homecoming game tied.
West's 2025 powderpuff game ends in tie [PHOTO GALLERY]
West Fest is always a favorite amongst students and staff, and the 2025 version was no different! Between good food, fun activities, and camaraderie amongst all Wildcats, West Fest 2025 will go down as a huge success!
West Fest 2025 full of food and fun
With a halfday of attendance and West Fest to follow, the spring assembly was full of that #wildcatenergy!
Spring Assembly brings the 'Wildcat energy'
Math teacher, Mr. Tim Sennett, took a group of students fishing at the lake by the highway on Thursday April 17th, on Normal West's half day. It was a great experience for many students who had never gone fishing, or even touched a fish.
Students get real life experience fishing on half day
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The Normal West baseball team has certainly battled many challenges this season, but these challenges have also allowed many underclassmen to step up. The boys will take on Mt. Zion on May 21 at 6 p.m.
Wildcat baseball riding rollercoaster season into the postseason
The Normal West MMA Club, led by Mr. Jim Rumps, is a small but might club that meets before school. Rumps leads the students in a Muay Bouk style of fighting.
Normal West MMA Club teaches lessons beyond the ring
On April 17, Bloomington-Normal was hit with an EF-1 tornado that did significant damage across town. Class of 2018 West graduate, Ben Young witnessed the damage and took this picture as proof.
The Bloomington-Normal 'tornado bubble' has burst: historic midwest weather puts Illinois on edge
The McLean County Penguin Project provides an opportunity for students with mental or physical disabilities to participate in a production. Last year, the crew produced and performed "Newsies," but this year, they will tackle "The Addams Family." No matter what the performance, the Penguin Project quickly becomes a local favorite.
Penguin Project performs ‘The Addams Family Musical JR'
Senior Avery Feltes was forced to spend her senior season on the sidelines after a season-ending knee injury. Although Feltes will continue her career at Virginia Tech University in the fall, the adjustments she had to make in missing her senior season will make it memorable in a different way.
The season they waited for that also never came: class of 2026 athletes forced to the sidelines
Longtime Normal West secretary, Linda Bach, will be retiring from the district at the conclusion of the school year. Bach, who started at West 10 years ago as a substitute, has been the attendance secretary for the past two years.
Longtime Normal West front office secretary to retire after school year
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