It's Friday, and so ends the Songs as Poems edition. We decided to close with one of our favorite alternative indie rock bands, The New Pornographers. Their song "The End of Medicine" is aptly complex and full of very poetic lyrics. Look inside for a new and interesting take on the war and to enjoy the greatness of The New Pornographers.

With a full year left in his high school career, junior Malcolm Taylor already holds the school records in the 400 and 800, and he anchored the relay teams that hold the school-best times in the 4x800 and 4x400. Now he's looking to win medals at next week's state meet, where he can firmly establish himself as one of the state's elite runners. Jack Snyder spoke with Taylor earlier this week and came back with this interview.

Throughout the boys track season, senior Frankie McFarland has been throwing impressive distances in both the shot put and the discus. McFarland joined the team last season after the baseball program was canceled, and he quickly made an impact in field events. He now holds the school records in both throwing events. Jack Snyder talked with McFarland earlier this week as he prepared for sectionals. Learn more about the king of Uni field events.

[AUDIO included] For the third straight year, Alex Zhai is one of the top 12 scorers on the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad exam. The USAMO is the next-to-last step in the process of selecting the six U.S. team members for the International Math Olympiad, "the world's toughest math contest." The 12 USAMO winners will take a final test June 7 and 8 to determine who makes the six-member U.S. team that will compete in the 49th IMO, scheduled for July 10 to 22 in Madrid, Spain.

Senior Ruthie Welch ran the 11th-fastest time this morning in the 800-meter state prelims, qualifying her for Saturday's Class A championship race. Welch ran the two laps at O'Brien Stadium in 2 minutes, 21.81 seconds — faster than her winning time at last week's sectional meet but slower than her personal best, set at Monday's News-Gazette honor Roll Meet. The top 12 runners out of a field of 31 this morning advanced to the finals.

This afternoon, senior Ammar Rizwan and junior Richard Wang will represent Uni in the IHSA Urbana tennis sectional. Their appearance in the IHSA postseason culminates the first year of Uni's tennis club, sponsored by chemistry teacher David Bergandine. Sophomore Chris Yoder has been a club member from the start, and he offers a first-person look at this group of dedicated athletes.

"I have been dissatisfied with my body since the first snide remark about my round stomach was cruelly made to me in fifth grade, and I have a strong feeling that I am not alone," writes Anna Cangellaris. Oh no, you're probably thinking; not another rant about distorted body image. "Don’t sigh and close your browser window just yet," Anna continues. "I have a few variations and musings on this subject to divulge."

Today's a day to change your opinion about country music. Not all of it is bad, especially when you're listening to the Dixie Chicks. "Traveling Soldier" is definitely a song with poetic lyrics and an even more poetic story about love lost. Check inside for a truly exceptional song and the opportunity to change your mind about country music.

Playing through a constant downpour, No. 1 seed Williamsville shut out Uni 3-0 in a sectional semifinal game this afternoon. The No. 4 seed Illineks ended their season 11-6-2, a major improvement over last season's 7-8-2 mark, which in turn was dramatically better than their 2006 record of 4-15.

This afternoon the Illineks will travel to Williamsville, a few miles northeast of Springfield, to take on the host Bullets, the No. 1 seed in Uni's playoff bracket and the defending sectional champs. To get to this position, Uni first had to knock off Monticello on Tuesday. Check out this audio slideshow for a look back at the Illineks' memorable and satisfying win. Woo hoo!

For her 16th birthday, Laura Dripps' parents said she could get a pet. Eight months later, she's still looking. Somehow the whole turtle thing didn't work out, but some new prospects are on the horizon. Join Laura as she recounts her quest for a compatible creature companion.

[AUDIO included] Experience working with an independent and innovative faculty is considered the most important quality in a new director/principal of Uni High, according to a survey that more than 500 members of the Uni community took earlier this year. On April 23, the Parent-Faculty Organization held its Spring General Meeting, at which Director/Principal Steve Epperson interpreted the results of the online survey. Check inside for the highlights.

[AUDIO included] Building renovations, security improvements, even higher faculty salaries: These are some of the changes likely to result from Uni's postponement of its search for a new director/principal. Alex Zhai spoke to Associate Provost Keith Marshall at the April 23 PFO Spring General Meeting about these topics and came back with this update.

Indie rock not your style? Looking for intellectual and though-provoking music? Today's selection might just be your cup o' tea. Lupe Fiasco's a cool dude with even cooler lyrics and they are most certainly poetic in nature. Look inside to read the lyrics of "Theme Music to a Drive-by," they are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

Afraid of sending your date to the emergency room while trying to pin a simple floral arrangement on him or her? Avoid awkward moments and unnecessary blood loss with this simple how-to for prom.

Though selective mutism is an uncommon and complex disorder, and most of us do not have it, we can still relate to it in many ways. For those of us who don't have it, having selective mutism feels like every conversation is full of the same anxiety as giving a speech unprepared to a large audience. Imagine if you had butterflies in your stomach every time you tried to talk to someone. Check inside for an in-depth look at selective mutism and how it has affected one of our seniors.