NORMAL – At their regularly scheduled session Monday night in Council Chambers in Uptown Station, Normal Town Council, Mayor Chris Koos was pleased to introduce the winner of Normal Water Department’s Second Annual Water Cover Art Contest. The theme for this year’s contest was “Everyone Needs Water; There’s Life In Every Drop.”

“Tonight, it is my honor to recognize Adityaram Dhandapani, a student in Ms. Haerr’s fourth grade class at Colene Hoose Elementary School.” Grade schoolers in Unit 5 School District entered a contest to submit a cover for the Town’s Annual Water Quality Report.

Adityaram was one of 445 grade school submissions received by the Town Water Department for the contest. Adityaram’s winning entry will grace the cover of Normal’s annual water quality report. As the contest winner, Adityaram will have his drawing grace the cover of the Town’s Annual Water Quality Report, receive a framed copy of the report cover, and a $100 gift card as the contest winner.

Adityaram’s was one of 445 submissions the Town received to the contest. After a community-wide voting process, Council members selected the winning entry.

Harris Exits Council After Two Terms: Council Member Chemberly Harris’ journey as a Normal Town Council member ended as she said a public goodbye after serving two terms at Monday’s session She said she wouldn’t know how much she would experience during that time when she was first elected in 2017.

“I didn’t realize how much my life would change and the impact the journey would have on me,” Harris began her farewell, as she reflected back on it. “I started the journey wanting to change the family portrait of Normal, and help us have a greater vision for our community,” Harris began her farewell with. “I aspired to be a servant leader that people could believe in and know I had their back.”

“I was dedicated to making things better for everyone, and ensuring a satisfying quality of life for all,” Harris said. “I wanted to fulfill my life’s mission of finding people, places, and things better than I found them, and putting the word human back in humanity.

Harris continued, “I was excited for the journey, but I knew it would not be easy. While there were many who embraced me and took hold of my vision for this journey,” Harris said, “There were also those who could not see what I saw. I understood not everyone wanted a Normal for all residents. A place where everyone could feel welcomed, safe, and belong.”

Harris continued: “Often times, the idea of a ‘I must give up something for someone else to have their basic needs met’ is the greatest stumbling block of a community.

Harris continued: “That fear that falsely perceived realized danger becomes the impediment to growth and development because the least of these are being left behind. Despite these obstacles, I continued my journey. I did things differently. I did not stay in the box I was told to stay in. I was criticized for not assimilating instead of being who I am.

Harris continued: “I was not well received for my agility because what was wanted was my adaptability. I have always blazed my own trail. I engage far beyond what was ever expected of me as a Council member. I tried to meet each person with humility, compassion, empathy, and genuine concern for their well-being.

“I hope anyone who has ever decided to encounter me felt seen, heard, and valued,” Harris said. “I was the first Council member since Sonja Reece to not only attend an OC conference but to actively engage in the Boards and Councils. I have served with women in municipal government, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Racial Equity and Leadership Councils, Youth, Family, and Education Councils, University Community Councils, the Federal Advocacy Committee For Community and Economic Development, and many focus groups that help shape changes that impacted not only our community but for the betterment of communities across this country

“I would like to thank the CEO Clarence Anthony, for his many conversations and words of encouragement,” Harris added. Anthony heads the National League of Cities. “Thank you to my mentor and NOC mother, Victoria Woodard. “You caused the fighter in me and taught me how to put it to good use.

She added one of her proudest associations was with Youth On A Mission. Harris said “While many of my colleagues never understood its value and its impact, I hope the youth who engaged received the ultimate gift of leadership courage, self-discipline, and civic engagement.

Harris thanked Normal’s Town staff “for always making all my crazy ideas work” although didn’t elaborate. “You believe in the vision and love this community as much as I do.”

“To Pam Reece, I cannot thank you enough for helping every crazy idea come together. Thank you for engaging in the opportunity I would bring back. Thank you for letting me bug you to make sure I was prepared at all times to have crucial conversations with legislators, and other leaders at the State and Federal level.

Harris said she has been a mentor to young women who she said she hoped to have given hope for being able to “be your greatest selves. Now it is up to you to be change makers.”

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of April 7 , 2025.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of April 16, 2024.

• A resolution authorizing assignment of redevelopment agreements for the Flats 1 and Flats 3 developments.

• A resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District for wastewater treatment.

• A resolution authorizing filing of the Town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and annual action plan for program year 2925.

• A motion to reject all bids for the paving package and electrical package for the Sculpture Park project.

BLOOMINGTON – A total of 20 high school students from throughout the county, who were named Citizenship Award Winners, were honored with a luncheon at a Sons of the American Revolution luncheon held at Bloomington Country Club on Thursday, April 10. heard a keynote speech given by Dr. Sheahon J. Zenger, Ph.D., President of Illinois Wesleyan University on the subject of “Leadership In This Generation.” The annual event was held April 10 at Bloomington Country Club.

Dr. Zenger joked he had managed to hold his IWU Commencement address to around seven minutes but that this speech could be a little longer as he shared thoughts with the attendees. It was a comment that brought chuckles from the audience.

He explained his grandfather married a woman whose parents came to America on the Santa Maria, on of the ships that left England to discover the new land they would call America. “If that’s not American, I don’t know what is,” Dr. Zenger said.

Dr. Zenger said speaking before educator are people he kiddingly refers to as “his people” and added he feels he grew up having a “great life because of the educational system” he grew up in. He added that system is “a little bit under assault right now” but added IWU is not political.” He said his role “is neither left nor right. We are here to teach young people how to think, what not to think.” It was a line that drew applause from the roughly 120 parents and students who were present for the ceremony.

He explained his parents co-authored eight books on education, adding “they really were a unique couple and it resulted in my father becoming the distinguished faculty member of his University.

“He had the work ethic and my mom had the brains and he wasn’t afraid to share that,” Dr. Zenger said. He told luncheon attendees that, in him, he understood the Civil War better than the Revolutionary War. To know where his hometown in Kansas is, all they need to do is see the movie, “Dances With Wolves.” “That’s my hometown,” Dr. Zenger said.

Living in Connecticut, he said there is a sign that reads, “Mounted 1690.” To him, from living there, he said, “We have a little more history than just the American West,” he explained. He went on to explain he is the father of three adults ages 28, 26, and 24. One is in law school, one in college. He added that once parents become empty nestors, “the children do come back – a lot,” he said.

He suggested to mothers in the audience not to fret because he said, “They’ll be back – over and over and over again.” His touching line brought a few chuckles from audience members.

Dr. Zenger even suggested to the students, “Don’t be afraid to go back. That’s part of what makes families so strong.” But he also joked his parents gave him a set of luggage when he graduated high school. That produced laughs from audience members.

Dr. Zenger then quoted radio commentator Paul Harvey who was quoted as saying, “We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I’d like better. I’d really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would. I’d like them to know humility by being humiliated. And that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

Dr. Zenger continued quoting Harvey by saying, “I hope no one gives you a brand new car when you’re 16. And at least once, you see puppies born, and your old dog put to sleep, or to get a black eye for something you believe in. Or to have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And when he wants to crawl under the covers because he’s scared, I hope you let him.

Dr. Zenger continued quoting Harvey by saying, “When you want to go to the movies and your little sister wants to tag along, I hope you let her.”

“Forty years in this business, and here’s what I’ve learned,” Dr. Zenger said now addressing the students. “It’s not just the obstacles and the hurtles. We, your parents have told you be careful way too much.

“Car seats, the bike helmets, the stranger danger, you get my point,” Dr. Zenger said. “It’s all justified that you are having to come out of all that without fear. And hopefully, that’s the message today.”

NORMAL – At their meeting April 16, Unit 5 officials explained Unit 5 will be spending roughly $9.5 million over the next 12 months on capital projects while they used general obligation school bond money. The decision to do that was approved by Board members unanimously at their monthly meeting in the auditorium at Normal Community West High school Wednesday. The resolution the Board passed allows Unit 5 to ask for up to $15.45 million in bonds. Voters approving passage of a 1 percent School Facility Occupation Tax earlier this month gave District officials the OK for the district to have the chance for asking for a smaller amount, which would be closer to $10 million.

Hudson Elementary STEM Club “Good News”: The Hudson Elementary School’s STEM Club, led by IMC Specialist Kim Stille, saw two of its student members, Austin Wagner and Annabelle Davis, give a presentation on what the STEM Club has been doing and giving that presentation before Unit 5 Foundation members. STEM Club members meet monthly during the noon hour and is overseen by Kim Still. A total of 41 4th and 5th graders are members of the STEM Club. Each STEM session includes activities which attempt to get students to be involved by doing so creatively and critically. Written by School Principal Julia Knepler, she explained each STEM session has 41 students and meets monthly and meets for engaging activities that challenge students to think both critically and creatively.

Hudson Elementary also shared that Ceceila Potts, a student at Hudson Elementary will be Miss Bloomington-Normal during the Little Miss Illinois Contest this summer. Stille explained to Board members that as part of her role, Potts has been doing some community service projects which have included a food drive at Hudson Elementary School. As a result of starting it, Hudson Elementary had a food drive which raised which included 400 cereal boxes collected as well as 300 non-perishable food items which were given to Home Swet Home Ministries.

But Potts wasn’t finished as she went to hospitals in the area and delivered treats to nurses at hospitals on holidays as a means of thanking nurses for giving up their holidays. Potts will go on to compete for the title of Little Miss Illinois this summer.

Northpoint Elementary “Good News”: Northpoint Elementary School’s Chess Club had a successful year, explained Principal Matt Harr in a memo to Unit 5 Board members. During this year, the Chess Club students have received plenty of training and instruction from Logan Jaynes who has been coaching the team for the past three years. The team has also gotten coaching from Gavin Borne who has been coaching the team for the last three years, as well. Aarush Pathuri, a former Northpoint student, has also aided in instructing Chess Club members on how to skillfully play the game to successful victories. Also coaching youngsters at the game are John Shoemaker, Elliot Smith, and Vik Chatrathi who have all been coaching students on how to think about thinking out strategies when engaged in playing chess.

Parkside Elementary’s “Good News”: Parkside Elementary School passed along to Board members information concerning six after-school clubs that have begun at the school. They are: Kindness Club, Craft Club, Gaming Club, Soccer Club, Basketball Club, and Pawns & Penguins Club, a chess club. The chess club is in its first year and on April 12, Parkside Elementary hosted Glenn Elementary for its very first chess matches. A total of 39 students took part in the tournament. Staff members Mr. Collins, Mr. Falk, Mr. Childs, and Ms. Cannon worked together to put the event together.

Evans Junior High’s “Good News”: One “Good News” item came from George L. Evans Junior High School as the school celebrated its wrestling team’s success this season. Under Head Coach Rob Harris this season, six wrestling team members qualified for Illinois Elementary School Association State meet with five of them placing in the IESA State Tohaurnament. Gabe Eads placed 3rd in the tournament, the highest of the six to finish this season. The other finishers and their finishes are: Caleb Bevers, Colton Bevers, Beau Purcell, and A.J. Alese who all came away with 6th place finishes and State qualifier Oliver Rinkenberger who didn’t place at the end of competition.

It wasn’t just mental strategy students were successful at, but also physical as the school’s wrestling team was able to succeed at with six EJHS students enjoying success under the direction of Head Coach Rob Harris. Under Harris’ direction, six students qualified for Illinois Elementary School Association Meet with five of the six placing in the tournament.

The five students who placed were: Gabe Eads finished third; Caleb Bevers who finished in 3rd place; and Colton Bevers, Beau Purcell, Beau Purcell, and A.J. Alase who all finished in 6th place; and State Qualifier Oliver Rinkenberger who didn’t participate.

Normal West High’s “Good News”: Normal Community West High School’s Mock Trial team, under the direction of John Bierbaum and assisted by Bob White, at State Competition at Lincoln Land Community College, placed 3rd Statewide at this latest tournament. This is significant because Normal West’s program is just one of three downstate high school programs ever to have made the final round in State competition twice in the last three years. Head Coach John Bierbaum is not just the coach for the team but also has the distinct honor of also participating in this competition when he himself was in high school at Normal West.

Normal West continued its good news by announcing the school’s music director, Ryan Budzinski, has been selected as the State’s nomination for this State’s National Federation of State High School Outstanding Music Director. A Music Education major from Illinois Wesleyan University, Budzinski has been selected as our State’s nominee for NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award. Budzinski received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Illinois State University in 2006 and currently conducts Normal West High’s Wind Ensemble.

NORMAL – Local high school baseball fans who know about or cheer for the Town’s three high schools and any specific players will be watching to see what takes place as the playoffs approach. Unit 5’s two high schools and Illinois State’s Laboratory High School have made watching the teams and the standings in their individual conferences interesting as the season has progressed and playoff team approaches.

Normal Community High School: At first, it looked like Normal Community High School’s Baseball team was in a funk to have to start the season on. But under Head Coach Ryan Short, the Ironmen have managed to get themselves corrected and now find themselves in the midst of a four-game winning streak having discarded four of their last opponents, three of which are Big 12 opponents.

The Ironmen won their season opener but then lost three of their next games until a win over Peoria Notre Dame on March 31 put them back on the right course. Since then, Short’s team has won four straight, beating Peoria Notre Dame, Bartlett, and twice perplexing Danville with double-digit shutouts.

Games upcoming for NCHS include a 10a.m. road game at Peoria Richwoods on Saturday. On April 15, the Ironmen will be home for a non-conference tilt against Mt. Zion at 4:30p.m. April 17, NCHS will be on the road to take on Champaign Centennial. On April 19, Short’s team will play two games against Champaign Central with games at 10a.m. and 12 Noon. On Tuesday, April 22, NCHS will take on Peoria Notre Dame at 4:30p.m. April 23, NCHS will be at Metamora for a 4:30p.m. game, followed by a game April 24 at 4:30p.m. hosting Urbana.

Normal Community West High School: If you aren’t a Normal Community West High School baseball fan, you may have missed some high scores as Head Coach Chris Hawkins’ troops have been hard to take on while on the diamond lately. Hawkins’ charges have been busy this season racking up victories so to have a 9-3 overall record including a 3-1 Big 12 Conference mark. Hawkins’ team outscored Big 12 Conference rival Urbana in two games winning both by scores of 19-1 and 18-0.

On Wednesday, they will have taken on Bloomington High and followed that up with games against Dunlap and home and away games against Champaign Central. Games against in-town rival NCHS will take place at Normal West on April 23 and at NCHS on April 25 with both games starting at 4:30p.m. each day.

University High School: Pioneers Head Baseball Coach Chris Hawkins’ team for University High School Baseball finds itself on top of its Central State Eight Conference with a 10-3 overall mark but is in the middle of a three-way tie. The difference is, the Pioneers have 10 wins while Chatham Glenwood is at 9-3 overall and Rochester is at 7-3. The overall stats are the only item that keeps the teams apart. But the CSE win-loss records of those teams is what fans are likely to pay attention to in order to see if any jockeying or changes take place as the season gets toward State Playoff time.

NORMAL – The high school softball season has started in areas where the weather is not as questionable in the months of March and April and where team members get a slight taste of independence with some supervision by coaches. While that all sounds positive, team members bring their books along to help continue studies when not on the diamond.

Normal Community High School: Ironmen Head Softball Coach Steve Hassel’s team has begun their 2025 season struggling as they try to put wins on their record after starting their season at 0-8. While they are still playing teams non associated with the Big 12 Conference, not notching any victories yet has proved to be challenging for the Lady Iron away both home and away. Of the eight games NCHS has played so far, the Lady Iron have lost by just one run. Hassel’s troops have only had one blowout loss, a 12-4 defeat at the hands of Minooka March 25.

NCHS will play a 10a.m. game Saturday at Peoria Richwoods and return home to face non-Conference foe Mt. Zion April 15 at 4:30p.m. On April 17, NCHS will travel to Champaign Centennial for a 4:30p.m. game.

Normal Community West High School: Wildcats Head Softball Coach April Schermann’s charges have started their season with some close calls right off the bat to begin their season, currently at 3-4. Starting their season losing a 17-16 slugfest to Bloomington Central Catholic might have seemed tough to overcome to start the season but Schermann’s troops appear undaunted by their opponents before even seeing a Big 12 Conference opponent.

The Wildcats started the season fighting and scrapping with Bloomington Central Catholic only to lose in a 17-16 contest on March 17 and losing at Munster, Ind. nine days later before picking up their first win over Mountain Home, Ark.’s high school team on the same day they lost to the Indiana team in a tournament.

Their skid continued for four more games, losing to Evansville Reitz High School and to a high school from Floyd’s Knob, Ind. before taking out their season’s frustrations out on a team from Thompson’s Station, Tenn. with a 20-0 blowout. The games they have played may have been frustrating at times, but the names of both their opponents and their locales have kept Normal West fans’ hopes up as the season gets started.

In the coming week, Normal West will be at Mahomet-Seymour for a 5p.m. game and follow that up with a Saturday morning doubleheader at Rochester with games at 10a.m. and 12 Noon. On April 14, Normal West will host Normal University High for a 4:30pm. Contest.

University High School: While the Lady Iron and Lady Wildcats appear to be moving forward with good records to start the season, University High appears to be struggling as the new season begins. Head Coach Al Tolliver’s charges are just 1-4 to begin the season, there only win coming on the road at Williamsville March 31. Tuesday, U-High hosted Central State Eight foe Decatur MacArthur.

The coming week will see Toliver’s team take on Springfield on the road, host Central State Eight foe Rochester April 8 before visiting Springfield April 9, and Rochester April 11, both for 4:30p.m. first pitches.