NCWHS podCATS

Host Joe Burgess interviews 3 members from the Normal West 2026 Fall Play titled "Trap." Don't miss this opportunity to find out what's in store for what always proves to be a watchable event!

Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz catch up with 2017 Graduate Gracie Ecker who works in Chicago in the data analytics field.

Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz catch up with Class of '17 alumn Glenn Kinley. Glenn is currently a sports broadcast/tv personality for WCIA in Champaign, Illinois. Don't miss this opportunity to see what Glenn has been up to.

Join us for a discussion about our parking lot and bathroom issues as well as talking with some of the major players in this Spring's Musical. Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz are joined by freshmen Amelia Holmes and Carley Lange where we discuss some of the issues of locked bathrooms and parking lot issues before and after school. Tim Franz and guest host Cullen Matthews talk with the head musical sponsor Hillary Hines-Holl and students Jo Brown and Gabby Streily about the Spring 2026 Musical Chicago (the teen edition).

PodCATS Season 4, Episode 1 - Behind the Stopwatch

Hosts - Joe Burgess, Tim Franz

Co-Hosts - Mathia Atchison, Cooper Franz

Topic - Are We Prepared for Life Beyond Normal West?

Game - Snake Draft for "Things we wish we taught in high school"

Guests:  Track Coaches Rici Brack and Greg Rogers

Check out this episode which discusses the Unit 5 Art Show hosted at Normal West. PodCATS Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz interview Art Teacher Kailey Peterson and Normal West students Jasper Thomason and Natalie Sokulski talk about the Unit 5 Art Show and what it entails. The show is at Normal West on Tuesday, April 15th from 5-8 - don't miss the opportunity to learn more about it and come in on the 15th to see these impressive artists. The Art Show will feature art work from K-12 students from Unit 5.

Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz are joined by Co-Hosts Benedicte Diamonika and Faithe Streily to talk about Spring Break, including what are plans are (were) for this Spring Break and what type of Spring Break destinations and activities make the most sense.

Host Joe Burgess interviews Laura Stephenson, Peg Modglin and Kristy Fairfield to talk about the Learning Resources department.  Topics include their backgrounds in education, the ever-changing regulations around special education, and the diversity in the Learning Resources department.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about a very important department that supports so many teachers and students.

Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz catch up with 2016 Normal West Grad Reganne Camp.  We discussed her time as a softball player for the Wildcats, which included a State Runner-Up finish and what teachers and coaches had a profound impact on her.  We also discussed her career at Amazon and what she is up to currently.  Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up with West grad Reganne Camp.

Hosts Joe Burgess and Tim Franz catch up with 2022 Normal West Grad Paige Lemenager. We discussed her time at Normal West, including her involvement with FFA and Livestock judging. Paige then talked about what Livestock judging is like at the collegiate level, and finished with talking about her favorites West food, teachers and memories. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about what 2022 Paige Lemenager is up to lately!