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
Michalina Sotka

Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief

Michalina Sotka is a senior at McHenry High School’s Upper Campus. Between working at a pet store and balancing her classes, Michalina rides horses and takes her dogs for hikes. This is Michalina’s third year on the Messenger’s staff.

Recognition:

2024 IHSA Sectionals (second in Review Writing)

“Seven southern Illinois counties want to secede from the state” (Best of SNO)

All content by Michalina Sotka
STEMINISM: Wendee Green

STEMINISM: Wendee Green

Michalina Sotka, Editor In Chief
November 6, 2025
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STEMINISM | Hanna Taylor

STEMINISM | Hanna Taylor

Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief
October 23, 2025
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STEMINISM | Morgan Hokinson

STEMINISM | Morgan Hokinson

Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief
October 15, 2025
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Jeff Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran from northern Illinois, signs a flag at The National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington D.C. during an VNC Honor Flight in August.

The chance of a lifetime

Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief
September 17, 2025
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John Rickerd, a World War II veteran and Corpsman who fought on Iwo Jima, signs a flag at The National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington D.C. during an VNC Honor Flight in August.

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A Navy veteran from northern Illnois signs a book at The National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington D.C. during an VNC Honor Flight in August.

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Chris Giorno, an Army veteran, and Jeff Johnson, a Marine veteran, watch members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. during an VNC Honor Flight in August.

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As more and more cast members are announced for “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” fans grow more and more excited.

Casting the games

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
May 13, 2025
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Pope Francis places a prayer paper at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City on May 26, 2014.

Pope Francis dead at 88

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
April 30, 2025
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The Social Science Department is on the look for a brand new divisional director.

When one door closes, three more open

Michalina Sotka, Print managing editor
April 18, 2025
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Splitting up, or joining together?

Splitting up, or joining together?

Michalina Sotka, Print managing editor
April 11, 2025
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With the ACT just around the corner, students are extra stressed trying to get a better score than the person next to them.

Act fast!

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
February 21, 2025
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Student prepares for the upcoming ACT in the College and Career Center.

MCHS prepares students for the ACT

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
February 5, 2025
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Counselor Kate Schak meets with a student about his schedule in her office at the College and Career Center at the Upper Campus during the first week back after winter break.

Course selection starting this week

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
January 31, 2025
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"Rosie" is the debut studio album by South Korean singer Rosé, best known for performing in BLACKPINK. The album was released last week through The Black Label and Atlantic Records.

Review | Number one girl

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
December 16, 2024
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The internet is full of hot takes about no longer wanting to talk to the other side of the political spectrum — especially as the holidays approach. But cutting ties because of politics is a mistake that could only divide the country further.

Opinion | Politics shouldn’t tarnish relationships

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
December 6, 2024
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Though the vast majority of Illinois leans red and votes Republican, the population of Chicago is usually enough to cause the entire state to go blue in elections. Some downstate counties want to secede from the state so that their voices are better represented.

Seven southern Illinois counties want to secede from the state

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
November 19, 2024
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A fan pays tribute to British singer Liam Payne in front of the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.

Liam Payne dead at 31

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
October 25, 2024
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This coming Wednesday, MCHS underclassmen will be taking the ACT opposed to the SAT. Seniors will not be in attendance.

PreACT takes place Wednesday at MCHS

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
October 15, 2024
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Students may be stressed with the amount of AP exams in the coming weeks, a long with finals.

The AP stress exam

Michalina Sotka, Print managing editors
May 13, 2024
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"Trolls Band Together," the third movie in the Trolls franchise, was released on Nov. 17, 2023. The animated movie is a family comedy that follows main characters Poppy and Branch, voiced by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, as they embark on a perilous rescue mission.

Review | Not just a fun movie

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
May 2, 2024
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Taylor Swift performs onstage in Sydney on Feb. 23, 2024.

Review | The bored listener’s department

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
April 26, 2024
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Billie Eilish performs at Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park on Aug. 3, 2023.

2024 Lollapalooza lineup revealed

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
April 19, 2024
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An image from Beyoncé's concert at Allegiant Stadium on Aug. 26, 2023, in Las Vegas.

Review | Beyonce’s new album is different in a good way

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
April 12, 2024
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Special education teacher rolls through the halls on Friday mornings with her adjusted learning students to hand out snacks on the Treat Trolley.

Treats on wheels

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
March 20, 2024
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SAT and AP prep books sit stacked and waiting for students to pick them up in the College and Career Center at the Upper Campus. To help prepare for the SAT, MCHS students have the opportunity for an additional testing session on March 9.

MCHS to host additional SAT opportunity

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
March 4, 2024
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Noah Etten, who plays Lord Farquaad, rehearses with other for "Shrek: The Musical" in February in the Upper Campus auditorium.

Welcome to the swamp

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
February 21, 2024
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Studio Ghibli released a new movie on December 8 titled The Boy and The Heron, following the story of a boy who, after losing his mother, is transported to another world.

Review: New Studio Ghibli movie exceeds expectations

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
February 2, 2024
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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes movie captures Suzanne Collins's book on the big-screen as a prequel to The Hunger Games series.

Review | “Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes” is a perfect adaptation

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
December 13, 2023
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Students and teachers at MCHS must first complete their Flex Certification before partaking in blended learning.

Opinion | Blended is beneficial

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
November 30, 2023
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The Illinois State Report Card for McHenry High School shows some improvements, especially from the 2021-22 school year, but administrators say there's still room for improvement.

Illinois school report card shows SAT improvements

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
November 16, 2023
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The car that plowed into a Starbucks earlier this month is the second in McHenry these past few years. Cars have crashed into restaurants throughout the county repeatedly in the past decade, and Starbucks are common accident locations.

Another car crashes into McHenry Starbucks, highlighting new trend

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor
October 26, 2023
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A stack of AP World History books represents the amount of work required of students in Advanced Placement classes. But just because the class is difficult doesn't mean it isn't worth the work.

Opinion | AP classes are worth it

Michalina Sotka, Staff Writer
October 18, 2023
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Senior dean Jordan Deener works at his desk in the main office after a year at the Freshman Campus. Deener is one of several administrators who changed positions at the beginning of the school year.

Familiar faces

Michalina Sotka, Staff Writer
October 3, 2023
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Freshman and their senior leaders tour the Upper Campus during the UC Sneak Peek on April 21.

Freshmen travel to Upper Campus for a sneak peek

Michalina Sotka, Freshman Correspodent
May 3, 2023
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Frau Annette Folien sits at her desk during AIM at the Freshman Campus on January 13. Folden teaches all four levels of German at both the Freshman and Upper Campuses.

[Photo] To swim and not drown

January 20, 2023
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