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
Nolan Shen

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Nolan is a senior, entering his third year on staff. He is excited to be heading the Arts and Entertainment section this year. When not writing for CT, he can be found playing with the Marching Redhawks Drumline, performing in the Naperville Youth Symphony, eating too much McDonald’s, and watching bad sci-fi movies. Next year, he plans on going to college to study political science and hopefully not flunk out.

All content by Nolan Shen
Science teacher Paige Lundquist leads her third period Honors Biology class on May 10.

D203 Board of Education approves major changes to science course pathway

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • May 23, 2024
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Nine CTE courses removed by Board of Education vote

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • May 22, 2024
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Tom Higgenson, lead singer of the rock band Plain White T's, performs a solo acoustic set at Central on May 9.

Plain White T’s singer plays acoustic set at Central

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • May 10, 2024
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State SAT contract set to expire, leaving questions and uncertainty

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • May 4, 2024
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Varsity boys water polo coach William Salentine directs his team during a game against Barrington on April 18. Sal has coached the team for 23 years, winning over 80% of his games in that time.

Water polo coach boasts over 80% win rate over 23 year career

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • April 24, 2024
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The cast of "Legally Blonde" performs at a tech rehearsal on April 22.

[Photo] Theatre Central to perform spring musical, ‘Legally Blonde’

Cole Miller, Staff Writer • April 23, 2024
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Seniors Athena Chen (left) and Anjali Shah (right) pose for a photo at DECA's state conference on Feb. 29.

Seven Central DECA members qualify for national competition

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • March 23, 2024
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Photographed above is the intersection between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street where Shen proposes Jefferson should be closed to cars.

Opinion: They shut down Barnes & Noble so let’s shut down Jefferson Ave.

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • March 21, 2024
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Senior Harshee Shah, co-captain of Central’s speech team, practices her speech for the IHSA speech state championship. Shah placed sixth in Oratorical Declamation at the competition on Feb. 17.

13 speech team members make sectionals, two place sixth at state

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • March 12, 2024
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Contestants in the 2019 "Mr. NCHS" competition await the announcement of a winner. Class Feud and Dynamic Duos, both aimed to replace Mr. NCHS, were cancelled due to a lack of participation.

‘Class Feud’ becomes latest replacement to ‘Mr. NCHS’ pageant to be canceled

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • March 5, 2024
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Opinion: A (Barnes and) Noble solution for downtown

Opinion: A (Barnes and) Noble solution for downtown

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • February 27, 2024
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A Naperville Central swimmer races the backstroke at last year's IHSA state championship.

Pushing past the limit: Overtraining at Central and beyond

Nolan Shen, Arts and Entertainment Editor • February 23, 2024
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Central students wait to pick up food from Central's cafe. Central's food is provided by OrganicLife, who are in their first year as District 203's food service provider.

[Photo] OrganicLife update: Still no coffee shop, staff lunches for Central

C.J. Getting, News Editor • February 15, 2024
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Opinion: Get a grip, stop using Stanleys

Opinion: Get a grip, stop using Stanleys

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • January 30, 2024
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Contestants await the announcement of the winner of the 2018 Mr. NCHS pageant.

Dynamic Duos, replacement to Mr. NCHS, struggles with low sign ups

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • December 22, 2023
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A member of Central's boys bowling team practices on Nov. 10 at Lisle Lanes. The team placed seventh at the IHSA state championships last season in their first appearance at state.

Boys bowling looks to improve after first state run

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • December 18, 2023
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Allison Boutet, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Service, explains the changes to Junior High Spanish and French teachers at the Dec. 4 Board of Education meeting. (Photo Credit: District 203)

District 203 Board of Education to vote on changes to English Learner and middle school elective programs

C.J. Getting and Nolan Shen • December 14, 2023
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A Naperville Fire Department truck pulls into Central's parking lot to respond to a fire alarm triggered on Dec. 13.

[Photo] Third fire alarm at Central this semester triggered by smoke in cafeteria serving line

Jake Pfeiffer, Editor-in-Chief • December 13, 2023
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Seniors Blake Stevens (left) and Jackson Tritt (center) get into position during Central's 5-0 win over DeKalb on Sept. 26.

Offsides and scoring struggles end boys soccer’s State Championship title defense

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • November 21, 2023
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Senior Liv Phillips, wearing bib number 2025, races during the 2022 IHSA Cross Country State Finals. The Redhawks would end up placing sixth in the 3A class.

Liv: Laughs, loves running

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • October 20, 2023
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AP Human Geography teacher Randy Smith teaches his sixth period class on Oct. 16. The number of AP Human sections went from 2 to 6 from the 2022-23 to 2023-24 school years.

Sections of freshman level AP courses triple after new law passed

C.J. Getting and Nolan Shen • October 20, 2023
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Members of Redhawk ELITE pose for a photo with the Chick-Fil-A mascot at an event on Aug. 18

Central forms new student leadership program

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • September 27, 2023
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Opinion: Capitalism is Ruining Our Seasons

Opinion: Capitalism is Ruining Our Seasons

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • September 19, 2023
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Choir program launches new vocal jazz ensemble

Nolan Shen, Arts & Entertainment Editor • September 14, 2023
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Signs redirect students from Central's main elevator after it broke down on Aug. 29.

[Photo] Several classes relocated after elevator breaks down

Jake Pfeiffer, Editor-in-Chief • August 30, 2023
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New Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli (middle) and members of the Naperville City Council at their swearing-in on Sunday April 30.

Opinion: Newly elected representatives do not represent Naperville

Nolan Shen, Community Editor • May 3, 2023
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Melissa Kelley Black, Kristine Gericke, and Joseph Kozminski won seats on the Naperville 203 Board of Education

Gericke and Kozminski win reelection in school board race, newcomer Black wins open seat

Nolan Shen, Community Editor • April 19, 2023
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Senior captains Vasu Dar and Aman Ravishankar lift the team second place trophy.

Debate wins second at state

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • April 3, 2023
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The 2023 District 203 Board of Education candidates. From left to right: Ronald Amato, Kristine Gericke, Melissa Kelley Black, Joe Kozminski and Gilbert Wagner.

2023 Board of Education election preview

Jake Pfeiffer and Nolan Shen • March 26, 2023
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2023 Board of Education candidate bio: Kristine Gericke

2023 Board of Education candidate bio: Kristine Gericke

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • March 26, 2023
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2023 Board of Education candidate Q&A: Kristine Gericke

2023 Board of Education candidate Q&A: Kristine Gericke

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • March 26, 2023
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2023 Board of Education candidate Q&A: Joe Kozminski

2023 Board of Education candidate Q&A: Joe Kozminski

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • March 26, 2023
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2023 Board of Education candidate bio: Joe Kozminski

2023 Board of Education candidate bio: Joe Kozminski

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • March 26, 2023
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The M&M's "spokescandies" returned in a Super Bowl commercial on Feb. 12 (Photo: M&M's on YouTube)

Opinion: M&M’s Are Here to Stay

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • February 28, 2023
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Jazz singer Samara Joy celebrates her first Grammy wins, including the award for Best New Artist (Photo: CNN)

Opinion: Let’s talk Grammys

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • February 27, 2023
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New girls lacrosse head coach Christian Pilapil (far right) at 8th grade orientation with members of the lacrosse team.

New girls lacrosse head coach looks to establish positive team culture

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • February 27, 2023
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Charles Cush speaks in opposition proposed changes to District 203’s music programs. Cush was of was one of three Board members who voted against the changes.

Opinion: Music changes show lack of communication from Board

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • January 30, 2023
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Opinions: House speaker vote a preview of gridlock to come

Opinions: House speaker vote a preview of gridlock to come

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • January 24, 2023
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Girls varsity basketball head coach Andy Nussbaum gives his team a pep talk before their game on Nov. 18. He reached 700 wins on Jan. 7.

Andy Nussbaum celebrates his 700th win as head coach of Central girls basketball

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • January 20, 2023
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Opinion: Celebrity politicians do not represent the average citizen

Opinion: Celebrity politicians do not represent the average citizen

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • December 21, 2022
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Emily Chalut

Central welcomes new staff members for 22-23 school year

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • September 19, 2022
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Downtown Construction on April 13.

Downtown Naperville undergoes construction

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • May 6, 2022
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Senior Ashton Norful in his studio at home. The Grammys that his father won are also displayed in the room. PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHTON NORFUL.

Central senior strives to become a Grammy-winning producer

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • April 29, 2022
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Students audition for next year’s bands

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • February 28, 2022
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JoJo's Shake Bar, located on Jackson Avenue has come under fire for having a facade that contrasts with nearby buildings

Milkshake shop criticized for not fitting into ‘Naperville aesthetic’

Nolan Shen, Staff Writer • January 15, 2022
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Nick Straka is a student in pursuit of his doctorate outside of his job teaching several levels of algebra at Naperville Central.

Lifelong learners

William Tong, Cameron Rozek, Ivan Thankachen, Nolan Shen, and Jake Pfeiffer • November 29, 2021
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Jeremy Lin

English teacher’s love of learning evident in postgraduate studies

Nolan Shen, Correspondent • November 27, 2021
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Naperville Central Winter Festival split due to COVID-19 concerns

Nolan Shen, Correspondent • November 27, 2021
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