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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

As finals approach, school can make a student's life a mess, especially students in AP and honors classes who like to do their best — though school can help make it easier.

Editorial | End of the school year is the worst time for student and teachers

Editorial Board May 23, 2025

Walking down the hallway, a junior goes to wave at their senior friend, forgetting they are gone. They wonder why they are still here, taking tests, even though the seniors get the luxury of starting their...

Football games can be the pinnacle of school spirit at MCHS, but only if upperclassmen lead the way.

Editorial | It’s time for seniors to start stepping up

Editorial Board May 22, 2025

A student enters Freshman Campus during homecoming spirit week, and he notices that nearly everyone is participating in “everything but a backpack day.” The same thing doesn’t apply when he enters...

Because of social media, it has become normal for students to say abnormally cruel and hateful things online. Some call it a joke, but it's actually hurting our community.

Editorial | Abnormal topics have become far too normalized

Editorial Board May 21, 2025

Do you ever find yourself overhearing a joke about 9/11? Or someone jokingly mentioning wanting to off themselves? Or even someone yelling a slur across the hall? Chances are you have heard these jokes,...

A tour boat passes Alcatraz Island on May 2, 2025, in San Francisco.

Editorial | Reopen Alcatraz — what for?

Editorial Board May 20, 2025

President Donald Trump has called to reopen Alcatraz, one of the most famous federal prison in U.S. history and which held some of America's most notorious offenders from 1934 to 1963. Alcatraz has been...

MCHS has worked hard to keep the school environment healthy and inclusive. As an effect, MCHS has a higher level of "sense of belonging" compared to other high schools.

Editorial | MCHS is the place to be

Editorial Board May 19, 2025

A sophomore at MCHS walks into their chemistry class and sees one of the guidance counselors at the front of the room. After the bell rings, the counselor introduces himself along with the panorama survey.  Most...

Cars drive past a section of forest cut down along Route 31 in McHenry. Plans have been in the works to widen the road since 2018, but the effects to nearby wildlife have never been more apparent.

Opinion | Widening Route 31 has hurt wildlife

Hailey Magliochetti, Contributing Writer May 15, 2025

After a long shift at work, a driver is on their way home as they pass by the miserable scene of hundreds of chopped trees lying to the sides, with its dead leaves and split sticks creating gloom in the...

Opinion | Seniorits is real, but juniorits is made up

Opinion | Seniorits is real, but juniorits is made up

Eli Frommes, Digital Editor May 7, 2025

A senior sits in their class with only one week of school left with no motivation, and junior starts complaining about how they don't want to do any work and call it “juniorits.” The seniors can only...

On their way out of the Upper Campus, the Class of 2025 has learned a lot. Here's some of their advice, along with some advice from other graduates, for the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen they leave behind.

Essay | The honest truth about surviving high school

Gabe Santos, Opinions Editor May 5, 2025

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” Charles Dickens wrote at the beginning of "A Tale of Two Cities." While this quote was originally intended to describe the French Revolution,...

With the year coming to an end the class of 2025 ends the year with a splash.

Opinion | The beginning of the end for Senior Assassin at MCHS

Mason Sites, Staff Writer April 22, 2025

For those who don’t participate in or know of Senior Assassin, the game is simple. The objective is to eliminate your assigned target using a water gun while trying not to be eliminated by another...

Ketchup studios is re-releasing old movies

Opinion | Ketchup to the rescue

Beth Brackmann, A&E editor April 18, 2025

In the last year, Warner Bros. has shelved a total of three completed films and cancelled several that were in production. One of these completed films was “Coyote vs. Acme,” a “Looney Tunes” movie...

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...

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