McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

Recognition

This school year, the McHenry Messenger, its staff and its contributors have earned the following honors from outside organizations…

 

Illinois Women’s Press Associations’s 2024 High School Communications Contest

Started in 1885, the IWPA is an organization of communications professionals whose objective is to maintain and improve the professional standards of members in mass communications in Illinois, to promote their interest, and to provide for the sharing of ideas and information. First place winners of their annual contest go on to compete in the National Federation of Press Women’s High School Communications Contest.

“MCHS cancels in-person learning Friday” by Grace Crockett (first place, News Story)

“Key Club Hosts Annual Gift Wrapping Event” by Reilly Byron (first place, Video News Story)

“A step further” by Lydia Lawrence and Lexi Janik (first place, Radio or Podcast Prepared Report)

“Countdown to Halloween | Urban legends of McHenry County” by Leylah Moreno (first place, News or Feature Photo)

“Teen girls ‘engulfed in growing wave of sadness,’ new national data finds” by Vanessa Moreno  (second place, News Story)

“Still Fine” by Vanessa Moreno (second place, Feature Writing)

“Umm… Merry Christmas | Umm… Podcast Ep. 5” by Madisyn Spencer (second place, Radio or Podcast Prepared Report)

“Grace and Lace Owner Kelly Szarmek brings weddings to Warriors” by Alyssa Thomas (second place, Video Feature Story)

“Gallery | Rocket Relays (High Jump)” by Rose Wenckebach (second place, Sports Photography)

“Opinion | Let’s make this house a Homecoming” by Gabe Santos (third place, Opinion)

“WSM Visits McHenry’s Riverwalk Shoppes” by Maggie Maciaszek (third place, Video Feature Story)

“Lights on” by Lily Adams (honorable mention, Sports Story)

“Opinion: It’s time to confront racism at MCHS” by Lydia Lawrence (honorable mention, Opinion)

“Review | Reflecting on ‘The Last of Us'” by Leylah Moreno (honorable mention, Review)

“Gallery | Rocket Relays (Lady Warriors)” by Rose Wenckebach (honorable mention, Sports Photography)

 

Best of School Newspapers Online

School Newspapers Online (also known as SNO) is the platform that the McHenry Messenger uses to publish its online newspaper. They acknowledge the best stories being published on the SNO Sites network by labelling it as “Best of SNO” and republishing it on their website. The following articles have earned such designation this year:

“Have you seen the signs?” by Gabe Santos

“Crossing the bridge” by Lily Adams

“Creating a history” by Mackenzie Sroka

“More than just a victim” by Leylah Moreno and Gabe Santos

“People are people” by Mackenzie Sroka

“Proving the impossible” by Rose Wenckebach

 

Past Recognition

2022-2023

Highlights Include…

  • All-State Journalism Team (IJEA)
  • Third Best Overall Publication (IJEA)
  • Fourth Place Team at IHSA State
  • First Place in Copy Editing at IHSA State
  • First Place Feature Story (IWPA)
  • Frank Keegan Award for News (YJI)

2021-2022

Highlights Include…

  • Online Pacemaker Nomination (NSPA)
  • Third Best Overall Publication (IJEA)
  • First Place Feature Story (IWPA)
  • First Place in Photo Storytelling at IHSA State

2020-2021

Highlights Include…

  • Newspaper/Newsmagazine Pacemaker Nomination (NSPA)
  • Second Best Overall Publication (IJEA)
  • Third in News Writing at IHSA State
  • All-State Journalism Team (IJEA)

2019-2020

Highlights Include…

  • Best Wesbite (IJEA)
  • Third Best Hybrid Publication (IJEA)
  • All-State Journalism Team (IJEA)