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Mackenzie Sroka

Mackenzie Sroka, Staff Writer

Mackenzie Sroka is a Freshman at  West Campus. In her free time she enjoys watching Netflix, talking to her friends, and hanging out with my dogs. Mackenzie loves traveling, nature, and taking photos.

Recognition:

"Hybrid continues strong despite challenges" (IJEA)

"Basketball teams start season Wednesday" (IJEA)

"One year later" (Best of SNO)

"Becoming One" (Best of SNO)

All content by Mackenzie Sroka
The Class of 2021 celebrates their graduation during a senior parade on May 21. The parade started at East Campus and routed pasted McCracken Field.

Gallery: Senior parade

May 24, 2021
The learning ledge on the second floor of the Center for Science, Technology, and Industry waits for students fill its seats starting the 2021-22 school year — the first year that West Campus will be known as the Upper Campus.

Becoming one

May 24, 2021
The backstage area of West's auditorium has been a safe space for many drama club students to express themselves. The 2021-22 school year will be the first year without both East and West fall plays.

[Photo] The adjustment

May 20, 2021
Morgan Sellek catches a throw at second base during a varsity softball game at West Campus on April 14. Softball players are among those who are allowed to play without masks, according to guidance from the IHSA.

IHSA lifts mask restrictions for some sports

May 17, 2021
When COVID hit in March of 2021, businesses were hit particularly hard. Local businesses like Buddy'z have worked hard to attract business in the year since the shutdown.

[Photo] Yes, we’re open

May 12, 2021
The varsity football team huddles before a home game and stokes their team spirit against Huntley at McCracken Field on April 1. Several senior athletes at MCHS, including football players, intend to play college-level sports next year.

Next level

May 11, 2021
The last MLB All-Star Game took place at Progressive Field in July of 2019. Because of COVID, the 2020 All-Star Game was cancelled, raising the stakes for a match-up in 2021.

MLB All-Star Game moved

May 4, 2021
Freshman Daniel Thomas stands outside of West Campus with his Greentastic climate agreement. Thomas penned the agreement with environmental club in an attempt to make a positive change at MCHS.

[Photo] Making the world a greener place

April 29, 2021
The varsity volleyball team meets mid-court to strategize during a game against Johnsburg on March 24 in the East Campus main gym.

Bouncing Back

April 27, 2021
The four minutes that students have between passing periods are meant to keep kids from congregating in the halls, but that missing minute has also made it more difficult to get to class on time.

[Photo] Opinion: Shortened passing periods interfere with in-person learning

April 27, 2021
The varsity baseball team played Mundelein on April 15 at Peterson Park.

Gallery: Varsity baseball

April 20, 2021
Students are handed fortune cookies to conclude Start With Hello Week, an initiative promoted by Student Council to spread positivity during the week of April 5.

[Photo] Student Council hosts Start with Hello Week

April 9, 2021
Dr. Jeff Prickett has been the principal of East Campus since 2017, and changed the culture of the building in many ways. Pricket will continue to put relationships at the forefront as he becomes the principal of both the upper and lower campuses starting during the 2021-22 school year.

[Photo] Defining greatness

April 26, 2021
Varsity baseball players cheer for each other before a game during the 2019 season — the last season that the team played. Though COVID shut down last year's season, this year's spring sports will play — just a shorter season that stretches into the summer.

Warming up

April 5, 2021
West Campus's new extension, called the Center for Science, Technology, and Industry, opened March 22 to students and staff.

[Photo] Gallery: Center for Science, Technology, and Industry opens

March 23, 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.

Gallery: First football game of the season

March 22, 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.

[Photo] Football season kicks off

March 23, 2021
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.

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

March 17, 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
Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Becky Hammon, has made history acting as the head coach for a recent game. Hammon acts with power and confidence as she coaches her team to victory.

Hammon steps in as Spurs head coach

March 10, 2021
A student athlete jumps between blocks in the West Campus weight room on March 3 during a training day. As more seasons start, more students are utilizing MCHS's weight rooms.

The benefits behind training

March 9, 2021
The girls basketball team practices in Buckner Gym at West Campus on March 3 while other athletes train in the weight room. Two- and three-season athletes have had to make tough decisions about which sports to play — and which not to play — during overlapping seasons.

[Photo] Wild ride

March 8, 2021
A girls bowler rolls a ball down the lane at Raymond's Bowl during a practice on March 3.

[Photo] Girls bowling season finally underway

March 4, 2021
The rank of Eagle is the highest a Boy Scout can earn. Many MCHS students have received the rank over the years, including five in the past year alone.

[Photo] Essay: Once an Eagle, always an Eagle

February 18, 2021
Gisselle Sandoval serves the birdie over the net during a badminton practice on February 16 in the West Campus Main Gym. The team’s first match takes place on February 22.

[Photo] Back in the swing of things

March 3, 2021
The Super Bowl LV crowd engages in after-game celebration after the Chiefs win on February 7.

Buccaneers dominate Chiefs in Super Bowl LV

February 11, 2021
The varsity girls basketball team cheers together during a practice in the West Main Gym on February 2.

Basketball teams start season Wednesday

February 10, 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.

[Photo] The Warrior wins

February 3, 2021
A student sits on her Chromebook during an in-person class at West on January 27., one week after MCHS back from a semester fully remote.

Hybrid continues strong despite challenges

February 2, 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.

[Photo] Winter weather shuts down in-person learning for January 26

January 25, 2021
East and West Campuses will open its doors to freshmen and transfer students on January 13 and 14 from 6-8 in preparation for hybrid learning.

Freshmen, new students invited to tour campuses

January 12, 2021
Opinion: MCHS needs to implement ASL classes

Opinion: MCHS needs to implement ASL classes

December 23, 2020
As the pandemic ran through the nation, airlines found it necessary to adapt.

Air travel precautions during COVID-19

December 11, 2020
Talking with students during office hours, Erbach translates his personality into every day on the job teaching.

Picking up passions

November 6, 2020
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