In response to Thursday's shootings at Northern Illinois University, Katherine Allen writes: "It’s happened again, and nobody can really say anything new on the topic — but I’ll say something anyway. People shouldn’t have to worry about getting shot at school. Yet, it happens. So why, after all this pain, are guns still so easy to access? Don’t you think that people would’ve learned by now?"

For the second straight year, Jessi Sullivan has made it to the state prelims as one of the top shooters in the IHSA Three-Point Showdown. Sullivan, a junior, finished in the top four of Thursday's competition at Bloomington Central Catholic. Eight players competed in the showdown; only the top four would advance to next week's state prelims.

Sophomore Rachel Harmon is one of the organizers of two movie nights and a luncheon celebrating Black History Month. She writes: "When there isn't the promise of free food or missing a class, how many students are actually willing to go to something for the purpose of learning about a culture that isn't necessarily theirs?"

Decatur Christian won the East Central Illinois Conference title tonight by defeating Uni High 58-38. The Illineks came into tonight's contest having won 11 consecutive games and three straight conference championships. The loss drops Uni to 20-6 overall and 9-2 in the ECIC with one game left to play in the regular season. The Illineks are back in action Friday night as they visit conference opponent Judah Christian.