Fox Valley's voice and choice for news.

The McHenry Messenger

Menu
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:

"One year later" (Best of SNO)

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

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

 

All content by Emma Snyder
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
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
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
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
A girls bowler rolls a ball down the lane at Raymond's Bowl during a practice on March 3.

Girls bowling season finally underway

March 4, 2021
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
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
A stack of MCHS yearbooks sit in Mitch Stengel's 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Starting September 21, select classes began meeting in person. This included MCHS's bands, which practiced outside of East Campus on September 22.

MCHS begins to open back up to students

September 25, 2020
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
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
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
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
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
Assistant coach Ray Currie congratulates last year's 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
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
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
Preparing to lose his hair for charity, Mark Winters sits in a barber stool during 2019's St. Baldrick's Community Shave in the West Campus Main Gym on March 21. This year's 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
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
Students and staff at MCHS have gathered before school to celebrate International Woman's Day for the past three years. This year's 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
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
This year's spring musical

All that jazz

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

Symphonic band performs at All-State

February 10, 2020
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
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
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
College life from a college professor

College life from a college professor

March 7, 2019
Load More Stories