Wildcat Chronicle

07/10/2025

“One of the most amazing experiences I’ve had academically and journalistically.”

Earlier this summer, Ruby Guerrero and Gabriella Castro represented the Wildcat Chronicle at Eastern Illinois University’s Summer Journalism Camp. Over three days, they explored photography, writing, broadcast, and digital storytelling - collaborating with students from across the state.

“I learned so many cool and great things about journalism and I met so many incredible people - it’s something I would 100% do all over again,” Ruby said.

We’re proud of our Chronicle staffers for taking the initiative to grow their skills, and for showing that journalism at WEGO doesn’t stop when the school year ends!

📷 Photos taken by Gabriella Castro

“Una de las experiencias más increíbles que he tenido a nivel académico y periodístico.”

A principios de este verano, Ruby Guerrero y Gabriella Castro representaron al Wildcat Chronicle en el campamento de periodismo de verano de Eastern Illinois University. Durante tres días, exploraron fotografía, redacción, transmisión y narración digital, colaborando con estudiantes de todo el estado.

“Aprendí muchísimas cosas geniales sobre el periodismo y conocí a personas increíbles. Es algo que sin duda haría de nuevo,” dijo Ruby.

Estamos orgullosos de nuestras estudiantes por su dedicación y por demostrar que el periodismo en WEGO no se detiene cuando termina el año escolar.

📷 Fotos tomadas por Gabriella Castro

06/18/2025

📵 “The best way to reset isn’t vacation—it’s putting your phone down.”

In this Best of SNO-winning opinion piece, senior Sami Moesch dives into the pressure, addiction, and anxiety caused by social media—and why a digital detox might be the most powerful reset of all.

With insights from WEGO students, staff, and national research, this thoughtful article challenges readers to rethink what rest really means.

🔗 Read the full piece (in English):
https://wildcatchronicle.org/29872/columns/opinion-the-best-way-to-reset-isnt-vacation-its-putting-your-phone-down/

📵 “La mejor manera de reiniciarse no es con vacaciones—es dejando el teléfono a un lado.”

Este artículo de opinión, galardonado por Best of SNO, fue escrito por la estudiante Sami Moesch. Explora cómo las redes sociales afectan la salud mental y por qué desconectarse podría ser la forma más poderosa de descansar.

📝 Nota: el artículo completo está disponible solo en inglés.

A typical morning starts with a phone in hand. Notifications flood in before a foot even touches the ground. During school, more time is spent on TikTok than paying attention to lectures. After school, Instagram Reels take priority, while parents are ignored as they urge their kids to go outside. By...

06/14/2025

🧠 Do we all have brainrot? Or are we just online too much?

This student-created multimedia package explores the rise of “brainrot”—a term used to describe the mental fog and detachment caused by too much screen time and hyper-digital content.

Through features, graphics, interviews, and reflections, the Wildcat Chronicle breaks down what brainrot means, where it comes from, and whether it’s just a meme—or something deeper.

🔗 Check out the full package here:
https://chronicle18.wixsite.com/brainrot

🧠 ¿Todos tenemos “brainrot”? ¿O simplemente pasamos demasiado tiempo conectados?

Este proyecto multimedia, creado por estudiantes, explora el fenómeno cultural del “brainrot”: una palabra popular que describe la confusión mental causada por el exceso de tiempo frente a pantallas y contenido digital extremo.

A través de entrevistas, gráficos, artículos y reflexiones, el Wildcat Chronicle analiza qué significa realmente este término, cómo surgió y si es solo una broma en línea... o algo más serio.

📝 Nota: el contenido completo está disponible solo en inglés.

06/10/2025

“Mental health matters—and we’re not afraid to say it.”
WEGO students took the plunge this spring in the USC Mind Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for su***de prevention and self-care.

Watch the moment 💥👇

🔗 Read the full story:
https://wildcatchronicle.org/29837/features/speak-your-mind-how-an-ice-bucket-challenge-is-putting-mental-health-back-in-the-spotlight/

“La salud mental importa—y no tenemos miedo de decirlo.”
Estudiantes de WEGO participaron en el Ice Bucket Challenge para concienciar sobre la salud mental.

📝 Nota: el artículo completo está disponible solo en inglés.

06/09/2025

“Survival meant an opportunity to make something out of my life.”

Meet Nicholas Roskilly, our latest Humans of WEGO feature—a Chronicle alum whose story spans athletics, music, creativity, and resilience.

🔗 Read Nicholas’s story:
https://wildcatchronicle.org/30382/humans-of-wego/humans-of-wego-from-trials-and-tribulations-to-turning-points-and-triumphs/

“Sobrevivir significó una oportunidad para hacer algo con mi vida.”

Conozcan a Nicholas Roskilly, nuestro perfil más reciente de Humans of WEGO: un exalumno de Chronicle cuya historia abarca atletismo, música, creatividad y fortaleza.
📝 Nota: el artículo completo está disponible solo en inglés.

Way back in elementary school, Nicholas Roskilly did not know he would one day be a track record holder or a section leader in band. All he knew was that he really liked jumping. During gym class with Mr. Tilk, his teacher set up a challenge that involved leaping over obstacles – and Roskilly was....

06/07/2025

🎉 Honoring Romeo Alfaro: IJEA All-State Journalist + WCCHS Journalist of the Year

We’re thrilled to recognize Romeo Alfaro, who was named to the 2025 Illinois All-State Journalism Team by the Illinois Journalism Education Association (Illinois Journalism Education Association). He was honored today at a statewide luncheon alongside 18 other students recognized for their excellence in scholastic journalism.

Romeo has been a key part of the Wildcat Chronicle’s success this year: producing stories across formats, from music reviews to multimedia packages, and co-hosting the “What’s the Word? WEGO” podcast. His thoughtful storytelling, leadership, and growth behind the scenes made him a standout.

Earlier this spring, Romeo was also named Wildcat Chronicle’s 2024–25 Journalist of the Year, joining the G.O.A.T. wall in recognition of his lasting contributions to our newsroom.

We’re incredibly proud of Romeo and can’t wait to see what he does next!

📸 Swipe to see highlights from the All-State luncheon and awards season

06/06/2025

📣 We’re back!

After a quiet stretch on Facebook, the Wildcat Chronicle is excited to reconnect with our community. As the student news publication of West Chicago Community High School, we cover the moments that matter: from student perspectives on national issues to sports highlights, special events, and powerful personal stories.

This page will now serve as a hub for parents, alumni, and local supporters who want to stay connected to our award-winning program. We’ll be sharing standout articles, community highlights, and behind-the-scenes updates throughout the summer and into the school year.

📸 We couldn’t get everyone together for one photo this year, so we stitched a few images together to show off our full team. These are the students behind the Wildcat Chronicle!

🔗 While summer break slows our publishing schedule, we’re still writing - and we’ll be featuring some of our favorite stories of the year in the coming weeks. We hope you’ll follow along and celebrate the amazing work our student journalists are doing at wildcatchronicle.org!

04/12/2022

All-State actor Kai Herrera is this week's highlighted performer!

Senior Mikail Herrera recounts the stories his grandma used to tell him, and how those tales inspired him to become a character (or several!) through acting.

04/12/2022

Karidja Monjolo discusses what is like to be a Black student at WEGO, and why non-Black people should not say the N-word.

Stop using the N-word in West Chicago Community High School’s hallways: it is not okay.

03/16/2022

Alex Carranza reviews Bumper 2 Burger, a fast food restaurant in Aurora.

Aurora’s Bumper 2 Burger offers a pleasant but run-of-the-mill experience.