Opinion: Standardized tests are still unfair

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer

February 20, 2020

The SAT should no longer be used because it shows many forms of bias. For a test that essentially decides a person’s future, it is extremely unfair and outdated.  The Scholastic Aptitude Test, also known as the SAT, is a test that was originally created to be a college entrance exam. It is now u...

Opinion: It’s time to try a different winter dance

Zach Brown, Sports Editor

February 18, 2020

Since 2018, MCHS has switched from Turnabout to MORP. There are three dances total every year, including prom, Homecoming, and MORP. Unfortunately, the latter has lost its popularity among the student body, and brings in the fewest attendees among all major school dances year after year.   In my o...

Point-Counterpoint: Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2020

Few holidays divide quite like Valentine's Day does. Both those in relationships and those without a special someone find reasons to enjoy February 14—and reasons to complain about it. Here are two takes on why this holiday is (and isn't) worth the hype.

Opinion: Drop-off drivers add to a long list of parking lot challenges

Emma Snyder, Staff Writer

February 5, 2020

The parking lots at East and West are notorious among students for being a disaster. This year the parking lot is more crowded than ever with students, teachers, buses, and drop-offs all trying to maneuver in it at the same time. While there are systems in place to help people get in and out of the pa...

Opinion: Learn the signs of a toxic relationship

Alayna Trimingham, Opinions Editor

February 4, 2020

A relationship requires both parties to be friends before anything romantic can occur. Without this, two people cannot understand each other enough for a healthy relationship. But what happens when you don’t have that understanding?  Many high school students are fed the fantasy of a “perfect” rel...

Opinion: Mental health apps benefit everybody

Michelene Havard, Staff Writer

February 4, 2020

I’m standing around feeling far away—flustered with two minutes left until the bell rings. I see one of my favorite former teachers, so I crack a smile. When my teacher asks, “How are you?” My immediate response is to say good, but I really haven’t had a good day.  When students are having a hard tim...

Opinion: PDA is OK — to an extent

Stacy Correra, Copy Editor

January 24, 2020

Couples in the hallway that kiss like they haven’t seen each other for years are the same couples who post on their various social media accounts “happy two-week anniversary, babe! I love you!” then break up the next day. It’s normal for teenagers to be in relationships and maybe even fall in love, bu...

Opinion: The best teachers use informal teaching styles

Michelene Havard, Staff Writer

January 22, 2020

While walking to class, a student feels a weight lifted off her shoulders because the teacher in her next period is understanding. They are approachable, and it feels safe to talk about schoolwork that is combining with the overwhelming stress at home.  The student has noticed the different teaching ...

Opinion: Christmas for business?

Jared Bysiek, Features Editor

December 20, 2019

The Christmas season is a time for friends, family, and appreciation. It’s also a time for the stress of feeling pressured to buy presents for loved ones. As the holiday approaches, many people may feel obligated to get presents for others, and with this obligation and stress continues during the sea...

Ask Elle: Crushed

Elle Smith, Advice Columnist

December 19, 2019

Dear Elle: So, I’m a lesbian. I don’t hide it, but I also don’t make it my mission to announce it. At the moment as I write this I am chilling in a car with the most beautiful woman in the world. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and she is filled with passion it makes me stop in awe. I wa...

Opinion: Abstinence only does more harm than good

Ciara Duncan, Staff Writer

December 18, 2019

The Birds and The Bees has always been a prevalent idea in our society, and for good reason. As early as 1912, the National Education Association called for there to be more accessible sexuality education in schools. However, it was not until the 1960s that American schools began to bring the topic of sex...

Opinion: Bring the music back

Stacy Correra, Copy Editor

December 17, 2019

With the annual Battle of the Bands event coming up, students ready the garage bands they started with their friends on a whim. But after the big battle, where do they go from there? There are not a lot of places in McHenry for these young musicians to perform to the public, and that puts a dent in those...