Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper.

Central Times
Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper.

Central Times
Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper.

Central Times
News
Central revamps Winter Week, introduces new events
Central revamps Winter Week, introduces new events
Charvi Alavala, Opinions Editor • February 6, 2026
Theatre Central Coffee House performers psoe for a photo on Jan. 24 in the Black Box Theatre. Theatre Central will continue Coffee House as an annual tradition after it was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo credit: @nchstheatrecentral via Instagram)
Theatre Central revives Coffee House talent show as annual tradition
Emma Lauzen, A&E Editor • February 4, 2026
Central's key announcements and important schedule links greet students every time they open a new tab on Chromebooks. This change was implemented with the beginning of the new semester following winter break.
Central releases new ‘Flight Deck’ landing page
Connor Yao, Staff Writer • February 4, 2026
During the Jan. 20 meeting of the Naperville City Council, a supermajority of council members voted to officially reject the proposal for the Karis Critical Data Center at 1960 Lucent Lane, ending months of debate on the subject. Naperville residents voiced their concerns on the proposal during the public forum portion of the meeting. (Photo Credit: NCTV17)
City council strikes down proposed data center
Connor Yao, Staff Writer • February 4, 2026
Trending Stories
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Social media apps such as Tiktok and Instagram have always been platforms of communication, and with communication various trends in fashion, music and art emerge. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The top 10 Tiktok trends of 2025

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As the 2025-26 school year began, Naperville Central implemented many new changes, a significant one being the addition of caffeinated energy drinks, most prominently Bubblrs, in school vending machines. With this change, students and faculty have observed a noticeable increase in energy drink consumption, raising questions about student health and stress levels.

Opinion: Why energy drinks don’t belong in school

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"So Close to What" was released on Feb. 21, executively produced by Ryan Tedder. This album is Tate McRae's third studio album. (Photo credit: RCA Records)

Review: Yet another overrated billboard hit: Tate Mcrae’s “So Close to What”

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Features
10-year-old Gorav Chhillar is enjoying time spent with his parents and sister as they go on a walk. At this time, Chhillar and his family were living in Malaysia. (Photo Credit: Gorav Chhillar)
Around the world move shapes junior’s new start at Central
Charvi Alavala, Opinions Editor • February 5, 2026
Communication Arts secretary Patricia McCarthy's art display outside the Communication Arts office features numerous winter book recommendations. Books are broken into categories such as "Survival & The Wild", "Drama, History, and Mystery" and "Fantasy and Classics."
Bulletin boards bloom: secretary creates artistic building decor
Tianyao He, Staff Writer • February 4, 2026
Naperville Central sophomore Maura Holaves demonstrates her sewing skills in her work place, sewing together two pieces of fabric together in order to create a new clothing item for herself. Holaves was gifted a sewing machine by her great aunt for her birthday last year.
Stitching creativity into clothing: Sophomore shares sewing journey
Emma Coneys, Editor-in-Chief • February 4, 2026
Arts & Entertainment
The 2026 Grammy Awards took place on Feb 1. The artists featured above (from left to right) are Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Grammys 2026: Hits, hype, and history made.
Ashton Eppler, Staff Writer • February 19, 2026
Sports
On Jan. 8, the Naperville Central boys bowling team placed first with a team total of 59 points, taking home the DVC championship. Josh Newcom, Blake Amptmann and Grayson Pfile finished top three respectively at the tournament. (Photo credit: Ian Rottersman)
Redhawk bowlers place first at DVC
Alisa Cheung, Correspondent • February 5, 2026
The cheer DuPage Valley Conference championships took place at Naperville North High School on Jan. 15. Naperville Central's cheer team performs a stunt in the main gym.
Dance and cheer place third at DVC
Avni Vaghani, Correspondent • February 5, 2026
Sophomore Grant Baboyian competes in the 100 yard butterfly in a meet against Naperville North on Jan. 27. The Redhawks came away from the meet with a tie.
Boys swim ties with North at Crosstown
Emma Lauzen, A&E Editor • February 5, 2026
Editorial
On Thursday Jan. 22, Naperville District 203 announced an e-learning day for Friday, Jan. 23 primarily due to the National Weather Service's extreme cold warning. During the 2021-2022 school year, District 203 joined schools across the nation in replacing snow days with emergency e-learning days.
Logged in, checked out: Rethinking the practicality of e-learning
Central Times Editorial Board • February 5, 2026
Opinions
Opinion: The Michelin Man lives on in all of us this winter
Opinion: The Michelin Man lives on in all of us this winter
Chloe Ma, Staff Writer • February 7, 2026
On Thursday Jan. 22, Naperville District 203 announced an e-learning day for Friday, Jan. 23 primarily due to the National Weather Service's extreme cold warning. During the 2021-2022 school year, District 203 joined schools across the nation in replacing snow days with emergency e-learning days.
Logged in, checked out: Rethinking the practicality of e-learning
Central Times Editorial Board • February 5, 2026
Foreign languages, spanning from Spanish to Mandarin to German, are an extensive program offered at Naperville Central. With the changing linguistic landscape of the United States, the ability to speak more languages is becoming a valuable and practical skill.
Opinion: Why everyone should pursue multilingualism
Jacob Kosyluk, Correspondent • February 4, 2026
Photography
Pumping his fist in the air, Carl Sissac, a paraprofessional at Washington Junior High School, rallies in support of NESPA on Nov. 18 in front of District 203's Public School Administration Center. "I came here to let these guys, these suits, know that they have serious people here that are willing to bend over backwards and they should be compensated for it," Sissac said. More than 100 supporters of NESPA Attended the rally.
‘We’re not invisible’: NESPA supporters rally for increased wages
Jay Deegan and Sarah Segvich • November 19, 2024
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