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

Communicating important information is a tough job for a high school, who has to keep students, staff, and parents in the loop of every major event and decision. Still, many stakeholders at MCHS wish communication from the district was clearer.

Partial disclosure

Kennedy Tetour, Managing Editor March 20, 2023

A student walks into class, hearing rumors of a snow day from students and staff alike. She opens her email only to find no update from administration. No email means no snow day but, with no update to...

In a recent Panorama Education survey, 39% of MCHS’s students reported they feel disrespected frequently, or almost always at MCHS. That’s a startling number, and one that MCHS’s staff hopes to correct in the coming months and years.

A matter of respect

Eli Frommes, Staff Wrtier March 15, 2023

A student in gym class doesn’t know how to play basketball, the team sport of the week. They are yelled at by the other students saying, “Hey! Come on! You could have made that!” The student leaves...

Dr. Jeff Prickett meets with a teacher during a free moment on March 7 in the communications conference room at the Upper Campus. Prickett has been offering to meet with teachers to chat about how improve the schools culture.

Making an impact

Evanel Gonzalez, Contributing Writer March 10, 2023

Jeff Prickett stands in the South entrance awaiting the stampede of teenagers to roll his way. He eagerly looks at the clock, it’s 2:50. He enthusiastically greets the students goodbye as they walk out,...

Biomedical students earn their white coats this may after completing four years on the biomedical pathway.

White coats for the future

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor March 8, 2023

A senior walks through the Warrior room, a bright smile on their face. This is the moment where they realize that this is exactly what they want to be doing. A white coat gracing their shoulders and their...

The third floor soft seating and bathrooms near the new wing have been closed for a significant amount of time in hopes to curb bad behavior in the area.

Access denied

Tati Rubi, Staff Writer March 2, 2023

An MCHS student raises their hand to go to the bathroom. As they head to the third floor bathroom, they see that they've been closed off — and blocked by furniture. They sigh as they head to the bathrooms...

Erika Sanchez speaks about her writing on Feb. 8 in the Upper Campus auditorium as part of Writers Week.

She’s not your perfect Mexican daughter

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor February 27, 2023

Growing up in a traditional Mexican household, author-poet Erika L. Sánchez had many expectations: who to be friends with, what to wear, what to do — who to be. So, becoming a writer was pretty much...

Ethan Bailey from Consequence Bronson sings and plays the drums at the 2023 Battle of the Bands

Sharing the stage

Freedom Tomasello, Opinions Editor February 24, 2023

On February 10th, MCHS held their annual battle of the bands, featuring groups such as Robot Man, Ordinary Hero, Consequence Bronson, The Sound, and 2022 champions, Standalone. The show was a resounding...

Many teachers at MCHS are married to each other. Some even met each other while working at the school — and, in some cases, the same department.

Love is in the classroom

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director February 15, 2023

Upper Campus science teacher Beth Caruso stares at the copy machine with impatience at the end of the school day, frustrated that the box of metal and screws isn’t working properly. Just as she’s about...

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw exits a news conference Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, after identifying the 4-year-old child referred to as the Boy in the Box as Joseph Augustus Zarelli.

Who was the boy in the box?

Paulina Borowski, Contributing Writer February 14, 2023

On Feb. 25, 1957, the body of a boy was found in a box at an illegal dumping ground near Susquehanna Road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The boy was estimated around 4-7 years old, 30 pounds (malnourished)...

MCHS has had more teacher absences than other schools in the area, especially those in the Fox Valley Conference. According to the Illinois School Report Card, only 50 percent of teachers have fewer than ten absences.

A missing piece

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor February 13, 2023

Week after week, a student walks into their class room to a large empty desk. The chair that was supposed to have their teacher in it sat cold and empty just like it did almost everyday. The student huff...

The halls of MCHSs Upper Campus have been clearer since administration began a more concentrated effort to reduce cuts and wayward students, especially while flexing during blended classes.

Cut it out

Grace Hunt, Contributing Writer January 30, 2023

The student lands themselves in the dean’s office again. “Why?” The student aks the dean. He fails to see the purpose in attending their classes, and it has landed him in this seat on multiple occasions....

Signs that say You are not alone hang throughout MCHS, but not many students know what Erikas Lighthouse is or what sort of support they offer students who need help.

A beacon of hope

Krystal Zamudio, Staff Writer January 26, 2023

After a long day, a student walks into the restroom to hear one of their peers crying in the bathroom stall. They walk into the next stall open and when they close the door they see a paper taped to the...

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