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
William Tong

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor

William Tong is a senior at Naperville Central.  Outside of writing for the Central Times, he is a captain of the Naperville Central Debate Team, member of the Naperville Central Math Team, and violinist in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.  In his free time, William likes to cook, play Starcraft II, and read sappy, dramatic novels. William has no idea what he wants to go into in the future, but hopefully it doesn’t involve writing about himself in the third person.

All content by William Tong
Several elected officials, students and other community members rally on May 28 to protest gun violence following the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Naperville residents rally to protest gun violence

William Tong, Correspondent • May 29, 2022
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Wiesbrook converses with Band Director DJ Alstadt on Dec. 14 during Alstadt's time as "principal for a day."

End of an era

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • May 14, 2022
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District 203 has little, if any justification to increase high school class sizes

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • May 7, 2022
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Lake Zurich division chair selected to be next assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Naperville Central

Lake Zurich division chair selected to be next assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Naperville Central

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • April 30, 2022
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Anyone turning 18 before the November elections could register to vote on April 12 with the League of Women Voters

Students register to vote ahead of November elections

Claire Yung and William Tong • April 27, 2022
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Nathan Dille teaches his eighth period AP Physics 1 rotation in Room 326.

Teacher starts career at Central amidst e-learning

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • April 2, 2022
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State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr visits Naperville Central

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • March 3, 2022
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Principal Bill Wiesbrook speaks to students protesting the mask mandate at the front entrance of Naperville Central on Feb. 9.

Students protest mask mandate at Naperville Central

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • February 14, 2022
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Sangamon County Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued this 29-page statement on Friday, Feb. 4, which includes a temporary restraining order that prevents school districts in Illinois from forcing the children of named plaintiffs to wear masks.

Understanding the restraining order against IL school mask mandates

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • February 6, 2022
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A Sangamon County judge struck down Gov. Pritzker’s masking, quarantine, and vaccination-or-test executive orders as well as IDPH COVID-19 emergency rules in the school setting this evening.

Illinois judge temporarily restrains state-wide school masking, quarantine rules

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • February 4, 2022
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Students study in the auditorium during a SOAR period on Feb. 3.

Operations with SOAR schedule begin, mixed reactions follow

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • February 3, 2022
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Naperville Central welcomes new school resource officer

Naperville Central welcomes new school resource officer

Kait McHale and William Tong • February 2, 2022
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Jackie Thornton was recently appointed as Naperville Central's new principal. She will replace retiring principal Bill Wiesbrook in July. Thornton has been an assistant principal at Central for 19 years.

District 203 announces new principal for Naperville Central

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • January 25, 2022
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Support personnel signs collective bargaining agreement with District 203

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • January 14, 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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Jason Arres was sworn in as Naperville Police Chief on Wednesday, Nov. 10. He previously served as interim police chief following the retirement of the previous police chief, Bob Marshall.

New Naperville chief of police sworn in, brings experience and plans to NPD

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • November 26, 2021
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NESPA members rallied on Monday, Nov. 15 to gain support in their contract negotiations. The group marched down Washington Street to Washington Junior High School where the board meeting was held.

‘We have NESPA members on food stamps’

Sarayu Suresh and William Tong • November 22, 2021
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Junior petitions to change Chromebook search restrictions

Nathan Yuan and William Tong • October 29, 2021
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Dean Pete Flaherty signs out students rushing out of Naperville Central in the wake of a threat message circulating the school on Monday, Oct. 18.

Shooting threat to Naperville area high schools causes mass exodus of students

William Tong and Noah Rozek • October 22, 2021
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Sophomore Timothy Chan runs in the boys freshman/sophomore race at the 2021 Naperville North Twilight Invitational.

Naperville Central cross country teams race at Twilight Invitational

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • October 14, 2021
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District 203 and support personnel union enter mediation sessions over contract bargaining

William Tong and Joey Rubas • October 6, 2021
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District 203 investigation into Naperville Central athletics concludes; girls basketball and boys water polo teams sanctioned

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • October 2, 2021
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District 203 signs 4-year contract with teacher union

District 203 signs 4-year contract with teacher union

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • September 24, 2021
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District 203 to provide free weekly COVID-19 testing

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • September 23, 2021
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Naperville Central junior forward Nathan Kwon passes to a teammate.

Central varsity boys soccer loses to Naperville North in rematch

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • September 22, 2021
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2021-2022 Print Archive

Cameron Rozek, Nathan Yuan, Jeremy Zhao, Claire Yung, Isabel Zhou, Evelyn Krupicka, Connor McHugh, Cooper Holmberg, William Tong, Luka Sereci, and Gabe Curtis • August 30, 2021
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Teacher union postpones potential Aug. 19 strike

Teacher union postpones potential Aug. 19 strike

William Tong, Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor • August 13, 2021
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Teachers' union, district at impasse on family leave and compensation

Teachers’ union, district at impasse on family leave and compensation

William Tong, Editor-in-chief & Editorial Editor • August 6, 2021
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Educators, parents and students rally outside of the Washington Junior High School main entrance in support of the Naperville Unit Education Association's contract proposal on Aug. 2.

NUEA rallies for community support as contract negotiations stall

William Tong and Katie Dalton • August 6, 2021
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Tornado devastates several Naperville neighborhoods

William Tong and Katie Dalton • June 21, 2021
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State student data privacy law amendments to take effect July 1

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • June 7, 2021
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Schools ready plans to return to pre-pandemic learning next fall

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • June 3, 2021
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Junior wide receiver Luke Roy shakes off the defense in a game against DVC rival Waubonsie Valley on March 20.

IHSA strips football program of past 3 seasons’ wins

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • May 27, 2021
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District 203 offers free summer school course to all students

District 203 offers free summer school course to all students

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • May 10, 2021
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Several Central staff members repeatedly unmask around students

Several Central staff members repeatedly unmask around students

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 26, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Kristin Fitzgerald

Board candidate overview: Kristin Fitzgerald

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorials Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Charles Cush

Board candidate overview: Charles Cush

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Thomas Andrew Binkowski

Board candidate overview: Thomas Andrew Binkowski

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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D203 school board candidate overviews

D203 school board candidate overviews

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Adam Russo

Board candidate overview: Adam Russo

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Bill Eagan

Board candidate overview: Bill Eagan

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Christi Helm

Board candidate overview: Christi Helm

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Amanda McMillen

Board candidate overview: Amanda McMillen

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Rob Reed

Board candidate overview: Rob Reed

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Board candidate overview: Donna Wandke

Board candidate overview: Donna Wandke

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 9, 2021
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Naperville Central begins COVID surveillance testing

Naperville Central begins COVID surveillance testing

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • March 3, 2021
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Opinion: In these dark times, unity is our only option

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • February 5, 2021
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Redhawks gear up for first days back since mid-March

Redhawks gear up for first days back since mid-March

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • January 25, 2021
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Socially distanced Link leaders and freshmen wait to be separated into groups during the Aug. 20 freshman orientation at Naperville Central.

Acclimating freshmen to Naperville Central especially difficult during pandemic e-learning

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorials Editor • January 6, 2021
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Communication Arts teacher Nicki Weiss works from her empty classroom on Nov. 9. During Stage 2 of District 203's Return to Learn plan, teachers have been expected to teach their students from their classrooms. While most students remain remote and attend class via Zoom, a few students have been invited to the building for in-person learning.

‘Very frustrated’: D203 provides limited options for staff with needs

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • November 10, 2020
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Wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Opinion: Are you young and healthy? Congratulations, but the coronavirus doesn’t care.

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • October 30, 2020
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Socially distanced seniors wait in line to enter the school and make up their spring SAT on Sept. 23.

D203 details procedures, protocols for returning students to onsite learning

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • October 11, 2020
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Organizers of the rally are getting the word out in a variety of ways.

Naperville parents organize rally to urge D203 Board to return students to in-person learning

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • September 18, 2020
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New Staff Profiles: Maria Harvey

New Staff Profiles: Maria Harvey

William Tong, Online Managing Editor & Editorial Editor • September 12, 2020
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Many Central students have experienced classroom disruptions during the first week of school thanks to unexpected guests known as "zoombombers." District 203 is currently moving all student to a more secure ZoomEDU platform, in part to reduce the potential for zoombombing incidents.

‘Zoombombing’ provides unexpected excitement to start of new school year

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • September 11, 2020
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2020-2021 Print Archive

Cameron Rozek, Amisha Sethi, Danielle Pritchard, Cooper Holmberg, William Tong, and Katie Dalton • August 7, 2020
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District 203's new "Return to Learn" plan will start the school year online, then proceed to bring students back to school based on pandemic conditions.

District 203 ‘Return to Learn’ updates

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • August 4, 2020
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In the hybrid learning mode, students will alternate which days they learn onsite and which days they learn from home.

District 203 releases ‘Return to Learn’ plan for 20-21 school year

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • July 13, 2020
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Kate Li (far right) places 4th at January Glenbard West High School Tournament.

Central Speech Captain Kate Li ranks 11th at NSDA tournament

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • July 12, 2020
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Submission edits aside, modified 2020 AP exams run smoothly

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • June 17, 2020
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After an afternoon of demonstrations, many are still gathered on the corner of Washington and Chicago to protest the death of George Floyd and police brutality.

After peaceful day protests and nighttime looting, Naperville residents band together to clean up

William Tong, Online Managing Editor • June 3, 2020
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Student athletes find ways to practice and bond during COVID-19 induced cancellations

William Tong, Staff Writer • May 7, 2020
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An Instagram user recently posted this cartoon, emphasizing it is a joke. Even while pointing out the insensitivity of the cartoon, others continue to circulate the image on social media. Some have also reported the posts in an effort to have them removed.

Don’t be the grasshopper: Thoughts on COVID-19 from a Chinese American

William Tong, Staff Writer • March 18, 2020
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Central Science Olympiad team competes at Crystal Lake Central

William Tong, Correspondent • March 2, 2020
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Central DECA chapter competes at regionals

William Tong, Correspondent • March 2, 2020
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Central honors Black History Month

William Tong, Correspondent • March 2, 2020
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Teaching 101: From a student’s perspective

William Tong, Correspondent • February 14, 2020
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News in Brief: January 2020

William Tong, Vivian Zhao, Cameron Rozek, Mary Jane Deer, and Danielle Pritchard • February 6, 2020
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Students practice "League of Legends" in the E-sports lab on the second floor during a free play session after school.

Central E-sports team gears up for 2020 season

William Tong, Correspondent • January 31, 2020
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Central transitions to SchooLinks

William Tong, Correspondent • December 27, 2019
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December News Briefs

William Tong and Vivian Zhao • December 25, 2019
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IASB prepares to vote arming teachers

William Tong, Correspondent • November 27, 2019
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Pritzker signs law clarifying schools’ responsibilities when questioning students suspected of criminal activity

William Tong, Staff writer • September 30, 2019
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AP registration date moved up to instill dedication in students

William Tong, Correspondent • February 2, 2019
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Orchestra director conducts final Halloween orchestra concert

William Tong, Staff Writer • October 20, 2018
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