Wildcat Chronicle

Wildcat Chronicle The student-led newspaper of West Chicago Community High School Read our work at wildcatchronicle.org

The Wildcat Chronicle is the student-run news publication of West Chicago Community High School, serving the communities of West Chicago, Winfield, and Carol Stream. Our staff of student journalists works year-round to cover the stories that matter - on campus and beyond. We publish news, features, opinions, sports, photo essays, and multimedia packages with the goal of informing, inspiring, and a

mplifying student voices. The Chronicle is a member of NSPA and IJEA, and has earned multiple state and national awards for excellence in scholastic journalism.

West Chicago Community High School teacher Kurt Johnson has built far more than cabinets, guitars, and amps — he’s built...
11/05/2025

West Chicago Community High School teacher Kurt Johnson has built far more than cabinets, guitars, and amps — he’s built a classroom culture rooted in persistence, creativity, and curiosity.

From crafting guitar pedals for local musicians to guiding students through drafting and machine shop, Johnson’s hands-on approach teaches lessons that reach well beyond the workshop.

Read the full story at https://wildcatchronicle.org/33910/humans-of-wego/humans-of-wego-kurt-johnson-crafts-his-path-in-life/

Article by Antos Wilk Kumar
Photos by Andrea Vazquez

El maestro de Tecnología Industrial Kurt Johnson ha creado mucho más que gabinetes, guitarras y amplificadores: ha formado una cultura en el aula basada en la perseverancia, la creatividad y la curiosidad.

Desde fabricar pedales de guitarra para músicos locales hasta guiar a sus estudiantes en diseño técnico y taller de máquinas, el enfoque práctico de Johnson enseña lecciones que trascienden el aula.

Lea la historia completa en wildcatchronicle.org (disponible solo en inglés): https://wildcatchronicle.org/33910/humans-of-wego/humans-of-wego-kurt-johnson-crafts-his-path-in-life/

Artículo por Antos Wilk Kumar
Fotos por Andrea Vázquez

Wildcats close their season with heart.The West Chicago Community High School Wildcats fell to Schaumburg in the section...
11/04/2025

Wildcats close their season with heart.
The West Chicago Community High School Wildcats fell to Schaumburg in the sectional championship last Thursday, but not without a fight. The team capped off an impressive season marked by determination, growth, and community support.

Read the full story at https://wildcatchronicle.org/34187/sports/a-wildcat-defeat-saxons-take-the-sectional-championship/

Article by Miley Pegg. Photos by Miley Pegg and Caleb Salzman.

Los Wildcats cerraron su temporada con corazón.
Los West Chicago Wildcats cayeron ante Schaumburg en el campeonato seccional el jueves pasado, pero no sin luchar hasta el final. El equipo concluyó una temporada impresionante, llena de esfuerzo, crecimiento y apoyo de la comunidad.

Lea el artículo completo en wildcatchronicle.org (disponible solo en inglés): https://wildcatchronicle.org/34187/sports/a-wildcat-defeat-saxons-take-the-sectional-championship/

Mango Express West Chicago celebrated its grand opening last month, adding a splash of color — and convenience — to town...
11/04/2025

Mango Express West Chicago celebrated its grand opening last month, adding a splash of color — and convenience — to town. The new business offers everything from a touchless wash to premium detailing, giving drivers more options to keep their cars spotless.

Director of Operations Carlos Garcia, who manages the location at just 22 years old, shared how the role has challenged and inspired him as a young professional.

Read the full story at https://wildcatchronicle.org/34214/news/from-soap-to-success-mango-express-car-wash-brings-variety-to-west-chicago/

Article and photos by Leonel Villegas, Jr.

🚙 ¡Un nuevo brillo para West Chicago!
Mango Express Car Wash celebró su gran inauguración el mes pasado, agregando un toque de color y conveniencia a la ciudad. El nuevo negocio ofrece desde lavado sin contacto hasta limpieza premium, brindando a los conductores más opciones para mantener sus autos impecables.

El director de operaciones, Carlos Garcia, quien administra la sucursal con solo 22 años, compartió cómo el puesto lo ha desafiado e inspirado como joven profesional.

Lea el artículo completo en wildcatchronicle.org (disponible solo en inglés): https://wildcatchronicle.org/34214/news/from-soap-to-success-mango-express-car-wash-brings-variety-to-west-chicago/

11/01/2025

Halloween at the Chronicle...and why you should take journalism and JPro next year!

A new mural has brought the West Chicago City Museum to life!The West Chicago City Museum unveiled its latest art instal...
10/25/2025

A new mural has brought the West Chicago City Museum to life!

The West Chicago City Museum unveiled its latest art installation last weekend — a colorful mural celebrating the city’s rich history and diversity.

Created by artist Matt Buko, the piece features symbols of West Chicago’s past, from its railroad roots to immigrant heritage. Museum Director Sara Phalen and Mayor Daniel Bovey joined community members for the unveiling on Saturday afternoon.

Read the full story at https://wildcatchronicle.org/33831/news/west-chicago-museum-brought-to-life-by-mural/

Article and photos by Ja’Nyah Villa.

¡Un nuevo mural ha dado vida al Museo de la Ciudad de West Chicago!

El Chicago City Museum presentó su más reciente instalación artística el fin de semana pasado: un colorido mural que celebra la historia y diversidad de la ciudad.

Creado por el artista Matt Buko, el mural incluye símbolos del pasado de West Chicago, desde sus raíces ferroviarias hasta su herencia inmigrante. La directora del museo, Sara Phalen, y el alcalde Daniel Bovey acompañaron a la comunidad durante la inauguración el sábado por la tarde.

Lea el artículo completo en wildcatchronicle.org (disponible solo en inglés): https://wildcatchronicle.org/33831/news/west-chicago-museum-brought-to-life-by-mural/

Artículo y fotos por Ja’Nyah Villa.


Friends of the West Chicago City Museum

🎃 The Spooky Trail returns to Reed-Keppler Park! 👻The Chicago Park District brought back its annual Halloween tradition...
10/25/2025

🎃 The Spooky Trail returns to Reed-Keppler Park! 👻
The Chicago Park District brought back its annual Halloween tradition last weekend, complete with scare zones, fog, and plenty of community spirit.

Volunteers helped transform the forest into the Zombie Graveyard, Asylum, Kill Camp, and more — while families with younger children enjoyed the Not-So-Spooky Trail.

Read the full story at https://wildcatchronicle.org/33789/news/frightening-all-who-enter-west-chicagos-yearly-spooky-trail/
Article by Magdalena Schave and Allison Komaniecki; photos by Magdalena Schave.

El Chicago Park District trajo de vuelta su tradicional evento de Halloween el fin de semana pasado, con zonas de terror, niebla y mucho espíritu comunitario.

Voluntarios ayudaron a transformar el bosque en el Cementerio de Zombis, Manicomio, Campamento del Terror y más, mientras que las familias con niños pequeños disfrutaron del Not-So-Spooky Trail, una versión más ligera del recorrido.

Lea el artículo completo en wildcatchronicle.org (disponible solo en inglés): https://wildcatchronicle.org/33789/news/frightening-all-who-enter-west-chicagos-yearly-spooky-trail/
Artículo y fotos por Magdalena Schave y Allison Komaniecki; fotos por Magdalena Schave

West Chicago Community High School joined schools across the country this week in recognizing America’s Safe Schools Wee...
10/23/2025

West Chicago Community High School joined schools across the country this week in recognizing America’s Safe Schools Week — promoting awareness, preparedness, and safety of all kinds.

From fire drills to the “see something, say something” initiative, WEGO students and staff are taking steps to keep the building safe and ready for any situation.

Read Co-Editor-in-Chief Ja’Nyah Villa’s full story on the Wildcat Chronicle: https://wildcatchronicle.org/33708/news/see-something-say-something-wego-gears-up-for-safety-week/

La escuela secundaria West Chicago Community High School se unió esta semana a escuelas de todo el país para reconocer la Semana Nacional de Escuelas Seguras — promoviendo la conciencia, la preparación y la seguridad en todas sus formas.

Desde simulacros de incendio hasta la iniciativa de “si ves algo, di algo”, los estudiantes y el personal de WEGO están tomando medidas para mantener el edificio seguro y preparado para cualquier situación.

Lee la historia completa (solo disponible en inglés) escrita por la coeditora en jefe Ja’Nyah Villa en el Wildcat Chronicle: https://wildcatchronicle.org/33708/news/see-something-say-something-wego-gears-up-for-safety-week/

10/23/2025

The first traffic safety campaign for this new grant begins this weekend. From October 24th through November 3rd, you can expect to see an increase of officers cracking down on impaired driving and other violations.

Drive safely West Chicago!

********************

La primera campaña de seguridad vial de esta nueva iniciativa comienza este fin de semana. Desde el 24 de octubre hasta el 3 de noviembre, se espera un aumento de los controles policiales para detectar conductores ebrios y otras infracciones.

¡conduzcan con precaución West Chicago!

10/23/2025

At the City Council meeting on Monday, October 20, Kelley Cappell was honored as the "People's Choice" recipient of the City of West Chicago's 2025 Art Banner Exhibit. Mayor Daniel Bovey and the City Council recognized Kelley for her winning piece, Protect Our Oceans, a work that took her two years....

10/23/2025

Boys Soccer beat Proviso West in the regional semi final tonight! They play in the regional final on Friday at 5:30 at Elk Grove! See you there⚽️

The West Chicago Community High School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams wrapped up their season at Elmwood Park High...
10/20/2025

The West Chicago Community High School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams wrapped up their season at Elmwood Park High School on Oct. 18 for the Upstate Eight Conference meet.

From personal records to final races, runners showed grit and determination throughout the course — finishing strong and looking ahead to next season.

Read Sports Writer Miley Pegg’s full story on the Wildcat Chronicle: https://wildcatchronicle.org/33647/sports/defending-the-pack/

Los equipos masculino y femenino de campo traviesa de la escuela secundaria West Chicago Community High School concluyeron su temporada el 18 de octubre en Elmwood Park High School durante la competencia de la Upstate Eight Conference.

Desde récords personales hasta las últimas carreras, los corredores demostraron esfuerzo y determinación a lo largo del recorrido — terminando con fuerza y mirando hacia la próxima temporada.

Lee la historia completa (solo disponible en inglés) escrita por la reportera deportiva Miley Pegg en el Wildcat Chronicle: https://wildcatchronicle.org/33647/sports/defending-the-pack/

Photos by Miley Pegg

‘No Kings’ protest marches its way into historyMillions across the nation — and around the world — took to the streets o...
10/20/2025

‘No Kings’ protest marches its way into history

Millions across the nation — and around the world — took to the streets on Oct. 18 for the second “No Kings” protest, one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history.

From Chicago’s Grant Park to suburban streets in West Chicago, Geneva, and Naperville, participants gathered in response to the administration’s recent Midway Blitz operation. Many wore yellow to symbolize unity and support for those affected by recent detainments.

Read Wildcat Chronicle reporters Ruby Guerrero and Audrey Rostowsky’s coverage of the event, featuring original photos from Grant Park and Geneva Road: https://wildcatchronicle.org/33667/news/no-kings-protest-marches-its-way-into-history/

Millones de personas en todo el país — y en todo el mundo — salieron a las calles el 18 de octubre para participar en la segunda protesta “No Kings”, una de las manifestaciones de un solo día más grandes en la historia de Estados Unidos.

Desde Grant Park en Chicago hasta las calles suburbanas de West Chicago, Geneva y Naperville, los manifestantes se reunieron en respuesta a la reciente operación del gobierno llamada Midway Blitz. Muchos vistieron de amarillo para simbolizar la unidad y el apoyo a las familias afectadas por las recientes detenciones.

Lee la cobertura completa (solo en inglés) escrita por las reporteras del Wildcat Chronicle Ruby Guerrero y Audrey Rostowsky, con fotografías originales desde Grant Park y Geneva Road: https://wildcatchronicle.org/33667/news/no-kings-protest-marches-its-way-into-history/

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