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
Lydia Lawrence

Lydia Lawrence, Opinions Editor

Lydia Lawrence is a senior at McHenry High School’s Upper Campus. She loves to sit with her pets after school, as well as hanging with friends when she’s free. Baking, taking pictures, and exploring are passions of hers when she’s not working at Fair Oaks, a nursing home. She hopes her third and last year on the Messenger’s staff is as enlightening.

Recognition:

2024 IHSA Sectionals (first in Editorial Writing)

NSPA Leadership Award in Student Journalism (2024)

“A step further” (NFPW, IWPA, IJEA)

“Opinion: It’s time to confront racism at MCHS” (Best of SNO, IWPA)

“Opinion: Choose safety over comfort” (DePaul Blue Book)

“The Scraps: Golden Apple, the Queen and food trucks” (JEA)

All content by Lydia Lawrence
Students must have a stamp from the Main Office on their Prom permission slip form confirming that they meet the requirements and are permitted to attend Prom.

Opinion | Requirements make prom memorable for wrong reasons

Lydia Lawrence, Opinions Editor
April 22, 2024
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The winter days have taken a toll on the student and staff parking lots due to the snow and ice, and leaving the question of is the parking lot maintained to its best during the winter?

Opinion | The parking lot needs to be maintained better in winter

Lydia Lawrence, Opinions Editor
January 29, 2024
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A mysterious and potentially fatal respiratory illness affecting canines across the United States begins as a cough that can last for weeks, Today first reported. If antibiotics don’t help, your pet can develop severe pneumonia and struggle to breathe. Some dogs have died from the disease.

Mystery illness spikes within canines

Lydia Lawrence, Opinions Editor
December 21, 2023
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Palestinians walk past the remains of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes, on Oct. 16, 2023, in Palestinian Territories, Khan Yunis. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee to the south of the Gaza Strip to avoid an expected Israeli ground invasion, essential supplies are running out, according to UNÂ workers.

Opinion | With Israel and Hamas, it’s too late to save face

Lydia Lawrence, Opinion Editor
November 8, 2023
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For the second year in a row, MCHS hosted a trip to Washington D.C. for veterans as part of Honor Flight. The trip entailed veterans viewing memorials in the nations capital and being recognized for their service.

Found family

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
September 8, 2023
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When a student needs extra help with homework or someone to vent to, MCHS's teacher often make the time and give support as needed.

A step further

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
May 24, 2023
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When students at MCHS hear racist comments, many ignore it — or, worse laugh at it. When students are approached about their behavior, their quick response is, “I didn’t know.” It’s time MCHS does better at confronting and taking responsibility for this behavior.

Opinion: It’s time to confront racism at MCHS

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
April 20, 2023
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MCHS introduces Jeffrey Schroeder as the head football coach for the 2023-24 school year

MCHS welcomes new head football coach

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
April 4, 2023
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Many teachers at MCHS are married to each other. Some even met each other while working at the school — and, in some cases, the same department.

Love is in the classroom

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
February 15, 2023
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The first ever MCHS dance and dodgeball was a missed opportunity for a fun winter event.

[Photo] Opinion: Dance and Dodgeball was a missed opportunity

Kennedy Tetour, Managing Editor
February 2, 2023
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State Rep. Justin Slaughter celebrates after the chamber passed changes to the controversial criminal justice law known as the SAFE-T Act at the Illinois Capitol building on Dec. 1.

Controversial SAFE-T Act now in effect, portion ruled unconstitutional

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
January 19, 2023
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Next week, MCHS will celebrate the end of the semester and the holiday season with a spirit week culminating in a spirit rally. Next semester, StuCo plans to introduce new winter events.

StuCo plans new school spirit activities this winter

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
December 8, 2022
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Steve Reick, representative of the 63rd district in the Illinois House of Representatives, is a Republican running for re-election during the 2022 primaries.

Meet Steven Reick, the Republican running for Illinois State Representative

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
November 4, 2022
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Allena Barbato, currently a Lake Villa trustee, is a Democrat running to represent Illinois's 32rd state senate district.

Meet Allena Barbato, the Democrat candidate running for District 32 State Senator

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
October 31, 2022
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Craig Wilcox is Illinois district 32’s Republican State Senator running for reelection on Nov. 8. A veteran, Wilcox has served on a number of different congressional committees.

Meet Craig Wilcox, the Republican candidate running for District 32’s State Senator

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director
October 27, 2022
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Students handed out brochures and pamphlets during the Upper Campus Activities Fair during lunch on Sep. 21. Two new clubs are piloting this year, and several have been promoted from pilot to extracurricular.

MCHS introduces new extracurriculars

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
September 22, 2022
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The Scraps: Six Flags, finals, and overturning abortion

The Scraps: Six Flags, finals, and overturning abortion

Bee Myers and Lydia Lawrence
May 16, 2022
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People may have all kinds of reasons for sharing their traumas on social media. For example, it might help them process the trauma or find support. Still, the habit can be unhealthy and lead to unexpected consequences.

Opinion: Stop making trauma trendy

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
May 10, 2022
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The Scraps: Warrior Games, calorie counting and the slap heard 'round the world

The Scraps: Warrior Games, calorie counting and the slap heard ’round the world

Bee Myers and Lydia Lawrence
April 28, 2022
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The Scraps: Planting trees, heading to prom and walking out of Disney

The Scraps: Planting trees, heading to prom and walking out of Disney

Bee Myers and Lydia Lawrence
April 8, 2022
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The Scraps: Golden Apple, the Queen and food trucks

The Scraps: Golden Apple, the Queen and food trucks

Bee Myers and Lydia Lawrence
March 17, 2022
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Though COVID numbers are currently decreasing, the recent Omicron surge had students asking whether or not prom would be at risk if cases continued to climb.

Ready to dance

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
February 24, 2022
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Though masks became optional at MCHS and other schools in the state on Feb. 7, this decision puts students, staff and the larger community at risk as the school continues to face COVID-19.

Opinion: Choose safety over comfort

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
February 22, 2022
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Students climb and repel down the climbing wall during their Adventure Ed class in Buckner Gym on Jan. 17 at the Upper Campus.

Exploring new heights

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
February 2, 2022
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Snow days are usually called when roads and parking lots are dangerous to drive on or when it is too cold for students to walk to school. This year, students will learn from home when inclement weather can be predicted.

MCHS implements remote learning plan for snow days

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
December 9, 2021
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Cross country runners Rayaan Ahmed and Joe Hissem push toward the finish line during a meet at Veteran Acres in Crystal Lake, IL on September 4.

One mile at a time

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
November 12, 2021
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Students prepare at their final dress rehersals for the Upper Campus fall play, "The Man Who Came to Dinner"

Falling into success

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer
November 10, 2021
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