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The Paw Print
News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
Leah Smolen

Leah Smolen, Co-Editor in Chief

Leah Smolen is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a senior  here at Normal Community West High School. Throughout her time at West, Leah was the Student Director for the past fall play, “Radium Girls” and worked as Backstage Manager for “Too much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.” Leah was also the Student Life Reporter for West’s Yearbook during the 2021-2022 school year. Outside of school, Leah enjoys reading novels, writing her own short stories, listening to music, spending time with her siblings, and volunteering on the Student Advisory Board at the Youth Prevention Resource Center. Leah is very excited about her first year working on The Paw Print and looks forward to seeing what adventures it holds. 

All content by Leah Smolen
After receiving the Youth to Washington award, Maxwell Nord (12) and Isabelle Phillips (11) stand together with their certificates. The two will travel together, along with several other NCWHS students, to Washington D.C. over the summer of 2024.

Two West students to visit D.C. after a surprise award was presented

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
April 24, 2024
With the release of her 11th studio album which includes a secret 15-song album, Taylor Swift continues to blow the minds of Swifties from all over the world. Normal West is home to a few Swifties, themselves, and they share their thoughts on the newest album in this fun feature.

The resident Swifties of Normal West react to Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’

Natalie Spath, Rachel Evans, Katie Lopez, Leah Smolen, and Anna Klaire Hawkins
April 19, 2024
Senior Editor-in-Chief, Leah Smolen is here to take readers through some of the top releases in the music industry this past April and March.

Best Recent Releases – March-April 2024

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
April 18, 2024
Seniors Leah Smolen and Anna Klaire Hawkins are gearing up for the latest Taylor Swift album titled, The Tortured Poets Department, which drops on Friday, April 19.

Taylor Swift set to release 11th studio album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ on April 19

Leah Smolen and Anna Klaire Hawkins
April 15, 2024
Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors will all take the PSAT/SAT tomorrow, Wednesday April 10 during an all-school testing day.

PSAT/SAT ‘testing day’ set for Wednesday

Leah Smolen and Joshua Stearns
April 9, 2024
During 7th hour art class, Mr Akyuz (or Mr. A. as many students call him), takes the time to converse with his students about their artistic mediums. Mr. A. is one of many beloved teachers here at West!

The Power of Art: A Mr. Akyuz Feature

Joshua Stearns and Leah Smolen
March 27, 2024
Apart of their meetings, the Drama Club hosts fun exercises to act together. Throughout their scenes, members are able to learn more about eachother and become better friends.

Club Spotlight: Normal West Drama Club

Leah Smolen and Joshua Stearns
March 8, 2024
Bring Your Tractor to School Day hosted by the NCWHS FFA on Tuesday, Feb 27. The event was apart of spirit days held for National FFA Week.

Normal West celebrates FFA Week with multiple activities

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
March 7, 2024
Leah Smolen shares her latest album review: SOS by SZA.

SOS by SZA an improvement from the already great debut album, CTRL

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
March 4, 2024
Leah Smolen returns with another review for Desire, I Want To Turn Into You: Everasking Edition Review

‘Desire, I Want to Turn Into You: Everasking’ Edition Review

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
February 28, 2024
Above, the West Chess team poses after a successful season.

Normal West Chess team places 26th out of 164 teams at IHSA State Tournament

Joshua Stearns and Leah Smolen
February 26, 2024
Ever wonder why there are so many young girls shopping for makeup in places like Sephora and Ulta? You can blame social media and influencers for inspiring these trends.

The issue with Sephora and young girls

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
February 16, 2024
Don’t Forget Me: A review of Lana Del Rey’s Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?

Don’t Forget Me: A review of Lana Del Rey’s “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?”

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
February 15, 2024
Senior Editor-in-Chief, Leah Smolen recently reviewed Radiohead’s The Bends: Collectors Edition.

Blast from the past: The Bends by Radiohead Review

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
January 29, 2024
Many students know Dr. Bierbaum for his superior teaching skills; however, he is a man of many talents. Here, Dr. Bierbuam is seen playing the didgeridoo, a very unique instrument.

Dr. Bierbaum: A Man of Many Talents

Leah Smolen and Joshua Stearns
January 25, 2024
When Mr. Kerr, a beloved English teacher at West, left mid-year, the Normal West English Department recently hired Mr. Jeffrey Kroesch to take over the reigns. Kroesch comes from District 87 and is thrilled to join the Normal West family. Welcome, Mr. Kroesch!

Jeffrey Kroesch: a new face to Normal West’s English Department

Joshua Stearns and Leah Smolen
January 21, 2024
Senior Editor-in-Chief, Leah Smolen recently reviewed Renee Rapps album Snow Angel.

Back from Broadway: Snow Angel (Deluxe) by Renee Rapp Review

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
January 17, 2024
Ryan Kerr, a beloved English teacher, will be leaving the profession and heading Ann Arbor, Michigan to take a new position as a Coordinator of Culturally Responsive Curriculum.

The end of an era – English teacher and Theatre director to leave west

Leah Smolen and Joshua Stearns
December 8, 2023
The Normal West Chess Team is currently sitting with a 7-1 record and hopes to continue their success through the rest of this season.

Self Study Success: Normal West Chess Team 7-1

Joshua Stearns and Leah Smolen
November 28, 2023
Ready or not: the holiday shopping and shipping season is here. USPS has shared information on their shipping plans to alleviate some of that holiday gift-giving stress.

USPS prepares for Holiday season with new shipping plans

Joshua Stearns, Jo Brown, Ricky Lesney, and Leah Smolen
November 21, 2023
Members of the NCWHS FFA Leadership Team.

West FFA students head to Indianapolis for National Convention

Joshua Stearns and Leah Smolen
November 10, 2023

Model United Nations students attend simulated summit

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
November 2, 2023
The Normal Marching Band had yet another historic season, earning their second consecutive State Championship in the 6A Illinois High School Associations Marching Band State Championships. Their routine this season was entitled The Game.

Normal Marching Band wins ‘The Game’

Joshua Stearns and Leah Smolen
October 30, 2023
Senior Sienna Hagler wrapped up her NCWHS tennis career on October 14. Although none of the teammates qualified for the state competition, the girls were happy with their overall season performances.

Girls Tennis season ends after a fun fall season

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
October 18, 2023
Piepenbrink completed his first Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin this past September.

A Test of Strength: Mr. Piepenbrink completes an Ironman

Leah Smolen and Joshua Stearns
October 13, 2023
Above, Normal Marching Band performs their 2023 routine titled The Game at the 11th Annual Invitational.

11th Annual Marching Band Invitational was a success

Leah Smolen, Editor-in-Chief
October 6, 2023
Students from left to right: Gabby Streilly, Marsden Nance, Brooke Bankston, Isabelle Carlson, Faithe Streilly, Ariah Lee, Alex McFadden, Tyler Charlett, Rhyan Harden

[Photo] Clue to be Kerr’s last production at West

October 6, 2023
The 2023-2024 Paw Print staff was recently awarded a $1500 grant from the Illinois Press Association and Illinois Farm Bureau. This funding will be used to aid in the rebirth of the newspaper. The first purchase that the class will be making is a new camera! Above, the class accepted the check from representatives from both the Illinois Press Association and Illinois Farm Bureau.

A note from the Editors: The Paw Print is back!

Voltaire Grant, Leah Smolen, and Jessica Hibbens
September 14, 2023
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