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
Oliver Simpson

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer

Oliver Simpson is a senior at McHenry High School’s West Campus. He enjoys writing and has a passion for civil rights and activism. In addition to writing for the Messenger, he is the Co-President to the McHenry Gender and Sexuality Alliance.

All content by Oliver Simpson
Essential workers are already putting their lives at risk to keep people healthy. Though businesses are excited to reopen their doors, doing so would put public back at risk unnecessarily.

Opinion: Keep the economy closed

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
May 14, 2020
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For some, social distancing and digital learning has provided flexibility and made life easier. For others, not being able to friends, talk to teachers, or follow a routine has impacted mental health in profoudly negative ways.

Taking a toll

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
April 28, 2020
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Jodi Cone stands in front of an American flag before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during her video announcements on March 20.

Above and beyond

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
April 8, 2020
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Shelves in the bath tissue aisle at Meijer in McHenry stand bare on March 17. COVID-19 has sent consumers fearful that staples such as toilet paper and eggs will run out

Opinion: Bulk buying is making self-quarantine worse

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
March 17, 2020
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Students have petitioned for years to have more intramural sports as extracurriculars. West administrators Greg Eiserman and Justin Stroh have opened the door for intramural volleyball for the first time.

District serves up intramural volleyball tournament

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
March 10, 2020
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Though standardized tests have long been a determining factor in a student's admission to a college or university, the SAT and ACT have frequently been criticized for being biased against certain groups, such as minorities or low-income students.

Opinion: Standardized tests are still unfair

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
February 20, 2020
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McHenry County College is hosting a series of workshops to prepare students for college. This is an opportunity for students to learn and prepare to take the next step in continuing education.

MCC plans college readiness series

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
February 12, 2020
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Like adult "paint and sips," the NAHS event on February 7 will help artists of all kinds paint something beautiful — just without the alcoholic beverages.

NAHS invites students to paint and sip

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
February 3, 2020
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Breanna Darcy, a senior involved with the medical residency program, received hands-on experience at Northwestern Medicine that ended up saving her brother's life.

West Campus senior helps save brother’s life

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
January 21, 2020
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Though the practice of “cutting weight” is illegal according to the IHSA, some wrestlers choose not to eat to keep themselves at the top of their weight class.

Taking one for the team

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
December 18, 2019
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News Briefs: Week of December 16

Oliver Simpson, Staff Reporter
December 16, 2019
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Mx Ethan Rosengarten, MCHS's new French teacher, identifies as nonbinary. Rosengarten uses Mx instead of Mr. or Mrs. because the letter X is often used to make words gender neutral and drops the period at the end because a period is only used when it’s an abbreviation.

Breaking binaries

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
November 15, 2019
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After 10 years, someone who has a 1-year certificate from trade school only makes $1,000 less than someone with a 4-year degree—so why do high schools channel so many of its students to college?

Opinion: Shaming trade schools

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
November 14, 2019
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Special education teacher Joe Kalisek served in the Army from 1985-2015 with consecutive service in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1990-2015.

Hometown Heroes

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
November 11, 2019
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MCHS students who will be 18 by the presidential election on November 3, 2020 are eligible to vote in the primaries even if they are still 17 during that election.

Students can register to vote until primaries

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
November 1, 2019
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People who celebrate the Day of the Dead often create altars like this one in Oaxaca, which is decorated with candles, flowers, and the favorite foods and drinks of those who have passed.

LASO celebrates cultural diversity during Day of the Dead

Oliver Simpson, Staff Reporter
October 30, 2019
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Amanda Sikula cheers on the track at McCracken Field with Max DeCicco and her dance team before the Homecoming football game on October 11. The expanded team revved up the crowd before the game, then performed during the half-time show.

Dance team boogies with boys during Homecoming game performance

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
October 21, 2019
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Jessica Grens, the sponsor of the FCCLA chapter at MCHS, smiles as she juggles potatoes in her West Campus classroom. She is hoping to expand FCCLA into a full extracurricular after this pilot year.

New extracurricular in danger of being cut

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
October 16, 2019
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National Honor Society inducts new members

Oliver Simpson, Staff Writer
October 9, 2019
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