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
Emma Snyder

Emma Snyder, News Editor

Emma Snyder is a senior at West Campus this year. She is excited about returning to the newspaper staff. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and doing anything creative. She is looking forward to learning and growing as a journalist.

Recognition:

2021 IJEA All-State Journalism Team

NINA High School Scholarship

2021 IHSA State (3rd in news writing)

2021 IHSA Sectionals (3rd in news writing)

"MCHS announces, postpones new digital learning model" (IJEA)

"Sister parents" by (IJEA)

"One year later" (Best of SNO)

“Symphonic band performs at All-State” (IJEA)

"MCHS teachers and staff receive first COVID dose" (Best of SNO)

All content by Emma Snyder
West math teacher Emma Theel fills out forms for Kiss a Senior Goodbye, a Key Club event to make sure each senior leaves high school with a special note from a student. Theel has been Key Club advisor for 20 years.

The key to success

May 19, 2021
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The class of 2018 celebrates following their graduation at East Campus. Because of COVID, cherished graduation traditions have been canceled or adapted to accommodate social distancing, but new traditions, like the senior parade, have been added.

Class of 2021 to graduate in small in-person ceremonies

May 12, 2021
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Emma Snyder

Emma Snyder

May 11, 2021
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The McHenry Masker-erade was planned as way of keeping prom despite COVID regulations and health concerns. The event will take place Friday despite lower than expected ticket sales.

McHenry Mask-erade proceeds despite low participation

April 28, 2021
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Spanish teacher Jordan Diener meets with both teams before the Powder Puff football game on April 20 at McCracken Field.

West tackles East during annual Powder Puff game

April 22, 2021
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Wests Homecoming king and queen Max DeCicco and Ashley Wachter pose with East Homecoming queen and king Alexis Friedle and Ryan Barrett outside of East Campus on April 19 following coronation.

Gallery: Homecoming coronation

April 20, 2021
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A student looks from the fourth floor to the third floor of the new extension at West Campus on March 22. Called the Center for Science, Technology and Industry, the space accommodates math, science, CTE, and communications classes.

Center for Science, Technology and Industry opens

April 20, 2021
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A note on a locker in the hallways at West Campus promotes Start With Hello Week, an initiative promoted by Student Council to spread positivity during the week of April 5.

Student Council hosts Start with Hello Week

April 9, 2021
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Varsity football players warm up before the first football game of a delayed season against Prairie Ridge on March 19 at Huntley High School.

Football season kicks off

March 23, 2021
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A table full of treats and gym full of family and friends surprised Illinois Principal of the Year Dr. Jeff Prickett during a special award ceremony in the Easy Main Gym on March 18.

Dr. Prickett named Principal of the Year

March 19, 2021
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Empty, socially distant desks wait in the West Campus south foyer for students to sit and eat their lunches — one of many ways the past year felt different to students.

One year later

March 12, 2021
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A girls bowler rolls a ball down the lane at Raymonds Bowl during a practice on March 3.

Girls bowling season finally underway

March 4, 2021
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Nurses reset injection stations set up at Woodstock North High School on February 12 after a wave of MCHS teachers, staff members, and administrators received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

MCHS teachers and staff receive first COVID dose

February 26, 2021
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Teachers and staff at Des Moines Public Schools got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic held at Central Campus. Overall, Illinois is sixth in the country, following more populous states, in terms of percent of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

McHenry County behind on vaccination

February 9, 2021
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A stack of MCHS yearbooks sit in Mitch Stengels classroom while he teaches on February 2. Though it was only his first year as advisor, Stengel helped his team create a third place yearbook even during a pandemic.

The Warrior wins

February 3, 2021
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The storm, which will start Monday night, is expected to drop between 4 and 7 inches before noon on Tuesday, when the Winter Storm Warning ends.

Winter weather shuts down in-person learning for January 26

January 25, 2021
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Remote learning has been tough for everyone — including teachers and parents — but it has been most difficult for students both younger and older. When older siblings step up to help younger siblings with their school work, life has not only become more complicated, but also more rewarding.

Essay: Sister parents

January 25, 2021
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Students at East and West Campus will be able to opt-in to a hybrid learning plan, which will begin at the beginning of second semester. Students who choose to remain remote can opt-in later in the semester if they wish.

District 156 plans hybrid model for second semester

December 18, 2020
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A student submits an assignment through Schoology on her Chromebook. MCHS changed their mind after announcing a new digital schedule that added ten minutes to each class to support struggling students.

MCHS announces, postpones new digital learning model

December 3, 2020
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CTE division chair Karyn Burmeister walks into West Campus wearing a mask on November 20. As cases in McHenry County rise, staff rely on clear information to decide whether to work from their classroom or from home.

Containing COVID

December 1, 2020
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President-elect Joe Biden celebrates his election victory in a speech on November 9 to the American public. During his transition, Biden has continued to preach unity between political parties—a key campaign message.

President-elect Biden begins transition

November 17, 2020
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The course of the 2020 Presidential Election has been full of twists and turns, all leading to a close race between President Donald J. Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.

2020 Presidential race still uncertain

November 5, 2020
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A student wears a mask in the hallways at West Campus on October 20, only a couple days before the district announced they would be pausing plans to begin a hybrid schedule.

Hybrid learning “paused”

October 29, 2020
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Starting September 21, select classes began meeting in person. This included MCHSs bands, which practiced outside of East Campus on September 22.

MCHS begins to open back up to students

September 25, 2020
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Senior Kaili Wegner sells her handmade earrings locally and donates 50% of the proceeds to local organizations. She is one of a handful of seniors who has started a small business during the shelter-in-place order.

Young professionals

May 13, 2020
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The shelter-in-place order has been the source of much bad news — from a crashing economy to cancelled graduations. Despite this, both student and community groups are trying to give back and make the most out of difficult circumstances.

The kindness of coronavirus

May 6, 2020
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Many athletes have spent most of their lives preparing for their varsity season only to have it ripped away by COVID-19. But for these athletes, who continue to train and stay positive, the game isn’t over yet.

What now?

April 29, 2020
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Construction workers smooth concrete floors for the first floor of the new extension at West Campus on April 10. Construction remains on schedule despite school being closed for the remainder of the school year.

Construction continues without delay

April 21, 2020
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Though social distancing guidelines have created a lot of stress for students and their families, many in the community have been able to see the silver lining of these unprecedented circumstances.

The bright side of coronavirus

April 14, 2020
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Assistant coach Ray Currie congratulates last years varsity softball team between innings during a game on April 6, 2019. Spring sports and other extracurriculars were among cancellations in the wake of coronavirus.

IHSA considers extending spring athletics seasons

April 3, 2020
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An employee locks up at Lady Luck Poker on McCullom Lake Road on March 17. Lady Luck was one of several establishments closed by Governor Pritzker due to coronavirus.

Illinois works to flatten the COVID-19 curve

March 19, 2020
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Carl Vallianatos, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, has his head shaved alongside his daughter Sophie during the 2019 Community Shave in the West Campus Main Gym on March 21.

Opinion: St. Baldrick’s needs to stay

March 17, 2020
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Preparing to lose his hair for charity, Mark Winters sits in a barber stool during 2019s St. Baldricks Community Shave in the West Campus Main Gym on March 21. This years event, which annually brings the broader McHenry community together, has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.

St. Baldrick’s Community Shave cancelled over coronavirus concerns

March 13, 2020
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Trapping the ball, varsity girls soccer player Ellie Ruppethal prepares to pass during a varsity girls soccer game last year against Grayslake Central.

New and improved

March 13, 2020
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Students and staff at MCHS have gathered before school to celebrate International Womans Day for the past three years. This years event will take place in the Main Gym at West and the flagpole at East both on Friday morning at 7 p.m.

MCHS to celebrate International Women’s Day

March 5, 2020
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Board meetings take place each month at the Robert O. Swartzloff Center for Educational Services.

School board approves the split of the English / social science division

March 2, 2020
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This years spring musical Chicago will premiere on February 28 in the West Auditorium, which is being billed as student night.

All that jazz

February 21, 2020
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Spencer Hile, director of MCHS bands, leads the symphonic band on February 1 at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria. This was the bands first major statewide recognition for musical excellence.

Symphonic band performs at All-State

February 10, 2020
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The parking lots at East and West are already hectic — and the behavior of drivers in the drop-off lane make the lot even more treacherous.

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

February 5, 2020
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Rachel Hanson has taught special education for 14 years, though this is only her second year working at West Campus.

Touching hearts and minds

January 27, 2020
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Austin Lichtenstein and Caleb Schopen contribute ideas to the first TED-ED meeting at East Campus on January 14. The new club will provide students opportunities to create and perform their own TED Talks.

MCHS launches new TED-Ed club

January 22, 2020
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College life from a college professor

College life from a college professor

March 7, 2019
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