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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

While prom can be night of fun and excitement, the price can sway some kids to not attend.

Opinion | Is prom worth your pretty pennies?

Afton Ingraffia, Features Editor April 15, 2025

  Haily Marker travels to Windsor to shop for her prom dress this year. Excited, she parks her car and strolls into the store to shop away with a budget of 200 dollars. After taking a look around,...

St. Joseph High School plays Rockford Lutheran High School in the first half of the Class 3A semifinals at Carver Arena on March 20, 2015, in Peoria. The Illinois High School Association will allow the boys basketball finals in Peoria to proceed, but will limit spectators to 60 per school.

Opinion | IHSA needs two separate state series events

Hunter Blake, Sports editor April 11, 2025

Picture yourself either as a coach or player on a public high school sports team that has always struggled but suddenly has a great year and makes a run at state. Despite your school’s dominance before...

Opinion | Cancelled too soon

Opinion | Cancelled too soon

Beth Brackmann, A&E editor April 10, 2025

In December 2020, Disney announced a short spin-off series based on “Princess and the Frog” featuring the movie princess Tiana. The show was going to follow Tiana right after the events and try to...

Students are slowly getting more stressed out as time runs out on the school year. The school can do more to help students handle this stress.

Opinion | Too much, too fast

Eliot Raymond, Staff Writer April 4, 2025

A student sits at her desk, surrounded by mountains of assignments. Three essays, a math report and a science project — all due within days of each other. She sat there staring down at everything, not...

The newest Hunger Games book "Sunrise on the Weeping" focues on character Haymitch and his past.

Opinion | More than just a game

Aubrey Butler, Copy Editor April 2, 2025

An avid “Hunger Games” fan sits on their phone scrolling through social media, seeing post after post about the new “Hunger Games” book, “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Most of which hyper-analyze...

Opinion | Galaxy gas is a "whipped scheme"

Opinion | Galaxy gas is a “whipped scheme”

Elijah Latronica, Staff Writer March 19, 2025

There’s been a trend students may have heard of lately – promises of a gas made of stars, when really it’s just nitrous oxide, stirring up controversy for being used as an inhalant despite its branded...

Pageants have been around for many years, girls who enter all are aiming for the top and to get crowned.

Opinion | Pageants can lead to bigger and greater things

Bri Lucansky, Staff Writer March 18, 2025

As the girls in the dressing rooms get into their gowns to walk the stage and hear the winner of the town pageant, one girl in particular is staring into the mirror thinking about all of the good she could...

Students log onto schoolodgy to join their class zoom call

Opinion | Cold day criteria in schools is inconsistent and needs to change

Mason Sites, Staff Writer March 11, 2025

It’s a frigid Sunday night. Snow and ice swarm the windows of your home. Every step outside feels as if every individual part of your body is freezing one-by-one. Not only is the arctic-like climate...

Slow walkers around the school can make it harder for students to get to classes on time.

Opinion | A walk to hopefully forget

Sydney Boswell, Staff Writer March 7, 2025

The timer in the hallway is counting down, and a student looks for a path to their class, while a stampede of slow walkers blocks any possible exits. They look at the timer over and over, praying they...

Listening to music can be beneficial for students if used correctly.

Opinion | Music doesn’t help you focus

Grace Bellavia, Opinions Editor March 5, 2025

Can music help you focus on a task like homework? This is a simple answer, yes or no. Some say music helps people focus and can be therapy, whether it’s while you're cleaning, doing homework, or just...

Opinion l The reason for the season: Valentines Day

Opinion l The reason for the season: Valentines Day

Olivia Smith, Staff Writer March 3, 2025

Every holiday gets hate in some way no matter what. Holidays can bring up complicated feelings and nostalgia that cause people to dislike them. This is certainly true for Valentines Day, the holiday which...

In high school, students spread gossip without even thinking. But rumors can become a serious problem if students take them to the next level.

Opinion | The power of a lie

Eliot Raymond, Staff Writer February 27, 2025

Picture this: You wake up, get ready for school and walk through the doors, completely unaware that your name is already on everyone’s lips. Whispers follow you down the hallway. People glance at you,...

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