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The learning ledge on the second floor of the Center for Science, Technology, and Industry waits for students fill its seats starting the 2021-22 school year — the first year that West Campus will be known as the Upper Campus.

Becoming one

Madison Harvey, Josie Cable, Mackenzie Sroka, and Kiera Loewe • May 24, 2021

It is fall of 2022. A sophomore to the Upper Campus after coming from the Freshman Campus. As they navigate the school, they find and explore the recent extension — The Center for Science,...

While on lockdown during the spring and summer of 2020, many MCHS students had time to think about who they are — including senior Gray Siminak, who discovered something integral about his identity.

Identity investigation

Kiera Loewe, Social Media Director • May 20, 2021

It has been over a year since students around the United States went into quarantine on March 13 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. During quarantine everyone had an abundance of time to reflect...

West math teacher Emma Theel fills out forms for Kiss a Senior Goodbye, a Key Club event to make sure each senior leaves high school with a special note from a student. Theel has been Key Club advisor for 20 years.

The key to success

Emma Snyder, News Editor • May 19, 2021

Students gather in the gym to wrap hundreds of donated gifts to give to families in need. While the task is simple and students are having fun, the work they are doing is important. Without the hour that...

West Campus seniors work on assignments during the second to last week of their school year. Teachers and underclassmen will remember the Class of 2021 as one who persevered through difficulty — and handled it with grace.

Never forgotten

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • May 14, 2021

Tears, diplomas, and graduation caps are a common sights around the school this time of the year. The graduating Class of 2021 has had to endure many hardships with the COVID-19 pandemic coming through...

When COVID hit in March of 2021, businesses were hit particularly hard. Local businesses like Buddy'z have worked hard to attract business in the year since the shutdown.

Yes, we’re open

Joe Hissem, Staff Writer • May 12, 2021

The global pandemic’s year-long reign has managed to seep its way into the family-owned businesses of the city of McHenry, many of which closed after during the virus's spread and non-essential businesses...

Not every student becomes valedictorian or gets a full-ride scholarship to the school of their choice. Students who fly under the radar, though, still have a stories to tell, and still cherish their memories at MCHS.

Under the radar

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor • May 10, 2021

High school is characterized by a multitude of experiences, flashes of memory in the minds of the people that were witness to them. Some of these memories stand out against the rest. Most, however, fade...

Though teachers at MCHS report that most students are wearing the masks correctly in their classroom, many students report that it has become a problem in the hallways — and data provided by administration seems to verify that student mask use has become worse since spring break.

Is mask use slipping?

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • May 5, 2021

The halls are crowded as students walk in, seeing their friends from the other half of the alphabet for the first time in almost a year. Spirits are high until they walk into class and see students with...

MCHS teachers received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine in February, and their second in March during mass vaccination days at Woodstock North High School.

Take your shot

Kylie Chisamore, Sports Editor • May 5, 2021

Teachers lined up and down the Woodstock North High School gym on February 12 awaiting their first COVID vaccine, nerves flying high as they inched closer to the front. “Nervous doesn't quite describe...

Ciara Duncan poses with her collection of Squishmallows, which have become rarer as they've become more and more collectable.

Essay: Searching for Squishmallows

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor • May 3, 2021

Squishmallows; what are these cute, fuzzy, squishy stuffed animals we’ve let into our hearts and homes? For me, my newfound love for Squishmallows has raised a lot of questions from my friends and family....

Throughout the pandemic, teachers have had to shift their practices many times between asynchronous remote learning, synchronous remote learning, and various hybrid learning models. This has been difficult for them as well as their students, but all of them have persevered and grown.

The teacher becomes the student

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor • April 30, 2021

A classroom is filled with chatter as the students within it settle into their seats. The bell rings, and a teacher scrambles to get the classroom under control. They begin class, narrating a slideshow...

Freshman Daniel Thomas stands outside of West Campus with his Greentastic climate agreement. Thomas penned the agreement with environmental club in an attempt to make a positive change at MCHS.

Making the world a greener place

Kaitlyn Wenzel and Ciara Duncan • April 29, 2021

It is common knowledge that our world’s climate is drastically changing. People all over the planet have been trying to negate this, including MCHS freshman Daniel Thomas. As the head of the Environmental...

Dr. Jeff Prickett has been the principal of East Campus since 2017, and changed the culture of the building in many ways. Pricket will continue to put relationships at the forefront as he becomes the principal of both the upper and lower campuses starting during the 2021-22 school year.

Defining greatness

Kaitlyn Wenzel and Ciara Duncan • April 26, 2021

What makes a principal great? Is it their school spirit, their commitment to educating the future generations, or the way they demonstrate leadership to their colleagues? Only Dr. Jeff Prickett, principal...

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