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
Alayna Majkrzak

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor

Alayna Majkrzak is a senior at the MCHS’s Upper Campus. She is a veteran staff member and enjoys playing “Among Us” with her friends. Alayna is a active member in choir and drama and likes to dye their hair. Their favorite part about writing for the Messenger is being able to voice their opinion and articulate how they feel.

Recognition:

2023 IHSA State (fourth in Feature Editing)

NSPA Leadership Award in Student Journalism (2023)

2023 IHSA Sectionals (second in Feature Writing)

“Fact or fiction?” (IWPA, IJEA, NSPA Clicks & Clips)

“Spring break tired” (IJEA)

2022 IHSA Sectionals (third in Editorial Writing)

 

All content by Alayna Majkrzak
Some seniors may seem older and wiser, but they started in the same place that every freshman did — uncertain, confused and overwhelmed. By surviving four years of high school, the Class of 2023 has earned the privilege to give out some of their wisdom.

Advice to the next generation

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
May 12, 2023
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Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editors
May 11, 2023
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The end of senior year is busy for everyone, so The Messenger has created a straightforward calendar to keep seniors on track through the end of the school year.

Seniors top off high school with event-filled final weeks

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
May 5, 2023
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A person holds a sign reading "Protect Trans People" as LGBTQ activists protest on March 17, 2023, in front of the US Consulate in Montreal, Canada, calling for transgender and non-binary people be admitted into Canada. - According to police services, some 200 people gathered in the rain to show support for the trans community in the United States.

The campaign against identity

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
May 1, 2023
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Sophomore Kaylie Szczepanik holds a picture of her from her freshman year. A lot has changed in the year since she left the Freshman Campus, but not all sophomores have adjusted to the shift as well as she has.

Crossing the divide

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
April 17, 2023
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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
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A sign at a bus shelter shows the national debt in Washington, DC on Jan. 20, 2023.

U.S. reaches debt ceiling again after raising it in 2021

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
March 1, 2023
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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
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Young actors are often sexualized and harassed at a young age, which adds extra pressure onto their lives

Opinion: Young actors are subject to too much pressure

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
January 27, 2023
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Donald Trump has done a laundry list of bad things throughout his political career and should not be considered for reelection in 2024.

Opinion: We don’t want bigotry on the ballot

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
January 19, 2023
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Leading up to the midterms election, people all across the state received political mailers disguised as newspapers. These mailers, including the McHenry Times, are intended to deceive the public into thinking it is real news.

Fact or fiction?

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
December 2, 2022
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True crime can make for good TV, and it’s no wonder shows like Netflix’s “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” attracts viewers with its gruesome tale. Put defending these killers and idolizing their murders misses the point of these shows.

Opinion: Idolizing serial killers is wrong

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
November 10, 2022
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Darren Bailey, who is running as a Republican against JB Pritzker to be Illinois's Governor, has been a state senator since 2019.

Meet Darren Bailey, the Republication candidate for Illinois governor

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
October 21, 2022
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Students play rock-paper-scissors at a spirit rally at the Upper Campus on Aug. 18 in the main gym.

Gallery: Back-to-school spirit rally

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
August 23, 2022
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Summer isn't summer until a proper playlist has been put together. Thankfully, we've done the work for you.

Playlist: The songs of summer

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
May 23, 2022
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"Heratstopper" has quickly become a beacon of LGBTQ+ representation in the media, and has drawn in plenty of teenage fans.

Review: Say ‘Hi’ to ‘Heartstopper’

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
May 20, 2022
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Art installation "Circular Dimensions x Microscape" by Cristopher Cichocki is seen at the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 17, 2022, in Indio, California.

Opinion: It’s time to question Coachella’s charm

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinion Editor
May 9, 2022
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Seniors complain about senioritis all year long, but it gets particularly bad the closer students get to graduation. Senioritis, however, is just an excuse students use when they are suffering from another ailment: laziness.

Opinion: Senioritis is stupid

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
April 29, 2022
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The publishing industry has not historically supported literature written by women. In the wake of Women's History Month, it's important to honor the contribuions of women in this creative field.

Review: Four books by written by women to read this Women’s History Month

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
April 5, 2022
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Certainly, every generation has experienced its share of trauma. But Generation Z has perhaps endured a more complex word, especially more complex than Generation X and Millennials.

Opinion: Trauma? Generation Z is used to it

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
March 22, 2022
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When people are suffering from mental health problems, the last thing they need to hear is that their feelings or illness isn't real.

Opinion: Faking it

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
March 16, 2022
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Censoring books has a historical precident, usually to keep a population of people ignorant and control knowledge. So why is book banning making such a resurgence in states like such as Tennessee, Wyoming and Florida?

Opinion: Banning books bans education

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor
March 3, 2022
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Dogpatch released their most recent single "Slug​ //Mushroom" earlier this summer.

Tune Into This: Dogpatch

Alayna Majkrzak, Arts and Entertainment Editor
February 3, 2022
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Cosplay is a way that people interact with their favorite fandoms and other fans. What some many consider nerdy has enjoyed an enormous subculture all its own.

Creative community

Alayna Majkrzak, Arts and Entertainment Editor
February 1, 2022
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Though students have been through a lot during the pandemic, staff members at MCHS and throughout the country have also felt burned out by the sudden changes to the field of education.

Spring break tired

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
December 15, 2021
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The bathrooms in the Center for Science, Technology and Industry, the new addition at the Upper Campus, looks slick, but are less private and do not promote safety.

[Photo] Opinion: New bathrooms do not offer privacy

Rose Ramirez, Contributing Writer
December 10, 2021
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Tune In To This: Bears in Trees

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
December 2, 2021
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As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, more and more people have turned to Twitch for social connection — including many at MCHS.

Streaming connections

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
November 22, 2021
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Students in the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Pathway dissect cow eyeballs on November 17 in Laura Dziubinski's Honors Human Body Systems class in room 370 at the Upper Campus.

Gallery: Human Body Systems dissection

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor
November 18, 2021
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Leadership in Action students play a team-building game during class on Nov. 2 in the hallways of the Upper Campus. These student leaders bring these games to the Freshmen Campus and play them during AIM once a week.

In the lead

Alayna Majkrzak, Feature Editor
November 10, 2021
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On September 11, 2001, many of MCHS's teachers were in the classroom—some as teachers, others as students. Each one of them still remembers that fateful day.

A turning point

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
September 11, 2021
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Masked American Studies students work on an assignment together on August 27 in room 289 at the Upper Campus. Governor Pritzker's mandate will impact both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff, but will not change the policy already put in place.

Governor reinstates Illinois mask mandate

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
August 30, 2021
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After a long and hard process, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been approved by the FDA for use in people aged 16 or older, though is still available to kids 12-15 through emergency use authroization.

Pfizer vaccine fully approved by FDA

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
August 23, 2021
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anticlimactic excitement fills the air as students prepare for summer on the final day of the school year.

MCHS celebrates last day of school

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
May 25, 2021
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Jesse Andrews published "The Haters," about three misfit musicians who ditch jazz camp to tour with their slapped-together band, was published b Amulet Books in 2016.

Review: “The Haters”

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
May 21, 2021
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The art hallway at East Campus is currently decorated with murals painted by students across decades — a beloved tradition that has helped shape the identity of the campus.

[Photo] The Freshman Campus

May 20, 2021
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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
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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
Read Story
As people have come forward to share their trauma, many immediately blame the victim. But it is never the victim's fault that they survived an assault — and society should start placing the blame on the perpetrator of the crime instead.

Opinion: It is never the victim’s fault

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
April 30, 2021
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Giulia Tofana was executed in July of 1633 for murdering her abusive husband, but is infamous for helping other women murder their abusive husbands.

[Photo] Crime Scenes: The line between justice and murder

May 14, 2021
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With the diverse content that can be found on the internet, there comes an increasing need for Trigger warnings to warn viewers of content that may trigger bad reactions.

Opinion: Including trigger warnings don’t hurt — and always help

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
April 19, 2021
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Since the pandemic started, many adolescents have spent more time on social media — and more time looking at images of unrealistic and unhealthy body sizes.

[Photo] Opinion: Don’t fall for social media’s unrealistic body expectations

Alayna Trimingham, Copy Editor
May 6, 2021
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Weight gain over quarantine should be something that is celebrated rather than shamed because everyone needs to be a little nicer to themselves during such a rough and confusing time in the world.

[Photo] Opinion: The quarantine 15

May 19, 2021
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The story of Sylvia Likens is heartbreaking because it was preventable, and everyone involved in the case should be held responsible for this tragedy.

[Photo] Crime Scenes: Watching it happen

Alayna Trimingham, Copy Editor
March 26, 2021
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This year, between balancing remote and hybrid learning and dealing with a global pandemic, AP students are under more stress than ever. The Collage Board has the power to relieve the pressure that's on them — and they should.

Opinion: The College Board should restructure the AP Exam

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
March 22, 2021
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Was America’s first female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, a cold-blooded killer or a victim of circumstance? Undoubtedly, she deserved prison time, but may not have deserved the death penalty.

[Photo] Crime Scenes: Murderer, or misunderstood?

Alayna Trimingham, Copy Editor
March 19, 2021
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Women and girls feel as though its necessary to protect themselves while unaccompanied in public spaces, even turning to using their keys or other every day objects as protection.

Opinion: Women shouldn’t have to fear for their safety

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
March 17, 2021
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Victim Cindy James knew that her attacker was her ex-husband, but feared the consequences of telling anyone. Some claim her death was a suicide, the facts tell a different story.

[Photo] Crime Scenes: Blaming the victim

Alayna Trimingham, Copy Editor
March 12, 2021
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JoJo Siwa gives a tour of her new epic bedroom in a 2018 video on YouTube. Many fans, including MCHS students, say that coming out makes an important and powerful statement.

I’m coming out

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
March 1, 2021
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The story of Gypsy Rose is a disturbing reminder of how people use and abuse their power over others for their own selfish reasons.

[Photo] Crime Scenes: When murder is inevitable

Alayna Trimingham, Copy Editor
March 5, 2021
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Sometimes, the best romantic comedies aren't from this decade, but from the not-so-distant past. Movies like "10 Things I Hate About You" show that not much has changed about romance in the past 20 years.

Review: Five romantic comedies to stream this Valentine’s Day

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
February 12, 2021
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Gifts such as candy and a teddy bear can show a person you care about them — or they could be a way of projecting to your followers on social media that you are sweet. Is that what Valentine's Day is all about?

Opinion: Valentine’s Day has lost its heart

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
February 5, 2021
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"Glee" aired on the Fox network from 2009 to 2015, which accounts for its popularity and influence among high schoolers right now.

Review: 10 “Glee” covers to bring joy when life gets dark

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
January 14, 2021
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School can cause several stresses for students including but not limited to frustration, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. These stressors may warrant change within the school system.

Opinion: The school system is to blame for student stress

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
January 8, 2021
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From Black Friday until Christmas Eve, people flood stores looking for the perfect gift for their loved ones. This year has been the opposite of normal, though, so shoppers shouldn't shop as they normally do.

Opinion: Shop safe this holiday season

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
December 11, 2020
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Even as remote learning continued, MCHS's drama club managed to put together a fall play. Carissa Hudson helped direct that play until COVID shut down performances.

Setting the stage

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Reporter
December 9, 2020
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People who consider themselves alternative usually express it through social media posts, but what people consider "alt" has its roots in punk-rock—and in social politics.

That is so punk

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Reporter
November 30, 2020
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An enormous text book sits on an MCHS students desk waiting to be cracked open. Because of remote learning, though, some students haven't had the energy or motivation to participate in their classes.

Lost in translation

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
November 18, 2020
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Waiting to hear the verdict on the rest of her senior year, Senior Gracee Majkrzak draws on her East Campus parking spot.

Senior Spotlight

Alayna Majkrzak, Contributing Writer
May 13, 2020
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Walking through aisles of students, Mr. Patrick Noote uses different voices while reading to engage his students every day.

From Air Force One to Honors English I

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer
March 9, 2020
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