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

Mackenzie Sroka

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor In Chief

Mackenzie Sroka is a senior at McHenry High School's Upper Campus. She enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, playing soccer and golf, and photography. This is Mackenzie's fourth year on the Messenger's staff.

Recognition:

"People are people" (Best of SNO)

"Creating a history" (Best of SNO)

NSPA Leadership Award in Student Journalism (2023)

“Balancing both” (IJEA)

“Championship or bust” (IJEA)

“Gallery: First football game of the season” (IJEA)

“Teen girls ‘engulfed in growing wave of sadness,’ new national data finds” (IJEA)

"Game time" from "Gallery: First football game of the season" (IWPA)

“Coming home” (IJEA)

“Gallery: Volleyball Veterans Night” (IJEA)

"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
MCHSs drama students perform Shrek: The Musical in the Upper Campus auditorium on March 10.

This is how a dream comes true

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor In Chief
March 22, 2024
Read Story
Though migrants crossing the Mexican border are being bussed from Texas to cities all around the U.S. without much choice or warning, the ones who end up in McHenry County have found more supports than they might expect.

People are people

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor In Chief
February 13, 2024
Read Story

Creating a history

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor-In-Chief
January 29, 2024
Read Story
The students in AP Psychology are entrusted to care for sock babies to symbolize looking after a newborn baby.

[Photo] Some socks required

January 30, 2024
Read Story
MCHS and feeder districts cancel school due to inclement weather on Tuesday, Jan.9.

MCHS closed due to inclement weather

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor-in-Chief
January 9, 2024
Read Story
On December 12, the Warriors Varsity girl basketball team versed the Dundee Crown Chargers at home.

Gallery: Girls basketball against Dundee-Crown

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor In Chief
December 19, 2023
Read Story
This year, MCHSs Winter Spirit Week has each graduating class competing for the ancient MCHS relic, the Spirit Barrel, all finally culminating in a school pep rally.

[Photo]

Read Story
McHenry Riverwalk District is decorated and prepared to host many events for the holiday season.

[Photo] Seasonal shoppes

December 18, 2023
Read Story
The movie Elf has celebrated the twentieth anniversary of being a bright, cheerful holiday movie.

“Elf” is a gift to all movie fans 

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor in Chief
December 11, 2023
Read Story
Holiday cookies are a staple in celebrating, and the Messenger has ranked the top 5 Christmas cookies for this Holiday season.

[Photo] Review | The top five Christmas cookies

Lola Cassidy, Online Managing Editor
December 11, 2023
Read Story
Seniors on the girls swim team are honored on the walls of the pool at the Upper Campus. Senior nights, which have already occurred for most fall sports,  can be very meaningful and memorable for the athletes, parents, teammates, and coaches.

Saying goodbye

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor In Chief
November 6, 2023
Read Story
IMG_9539

[Photo]

Read Story
The crowd cheers during the first varsity football game of the season–the first ever at the revamped McCracken Field–on August 26, 2022.

[Photo]

Read Story
The MTI Career Expo, which will take place at the Upper Campus on Wednesday between 6-8 p.m., will give students a glimpse at careers in manufacturing and the trades from employers throughout the county.

[Photo] MCHS to host MTI Career Expo

October 4, 2023
Read Story
The volleyball team marches down Green Street in last year’s Homecoming parade on Oct. 2. Fall athletic teams participate in Homecoming in a variety of ways, including scheduling special games, helping “paint the town” and walking in the parade.

Good sports

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2023
Read Story
Players celebrate a point during the varsity volleyball match against Burlington Central on Sept. 5.

Gallery: Volleyball against Burlington Central

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor-In-Chief
September 7, 2023
Read Story
The football team meets in a hundle to end the game during the varsity football game against Huntley on Sept. 1 at McCracken Field.

[Photo] Back to McCracken

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
September 6, 2023
Read Story
Emerson Gasmann participates in MCHSs signing event to celebrate her commitment to playing a sport at a collegian level on May 9.

Catalog of the committed

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
May 18, 2023
Read Story
Not all seniors can go on to play on Division I teams or earn scholarships to college. Some athletes who may have played sports their whole childhood have had to make decisions about what to focus on after graduation — and whether sports will still be a part of their lives.

It all comes to an end

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
May 11, 2023
Read Story
MCHSs boys and girls track teams swept the Rocket Relay at Richmond-Burton on April 27.

Gallery: Rocket Relays

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
May 2, 2023
Read Story
Joel Beard, who was hired as MCHSs athletic director last year to replace outgoing Barry Burmeister, left the post earlier this month. Burmeister has stepped back into the role to finish out the school.

Regarding the resignation

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
April 12, 2023
Read Story
McCracken Field was upgraded during the summer and finished just in time for football season. But scheudling difficulties made many players and coaches worried that the football team would be the only one to enjoy the new facilities

The battle for McCracken

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
March 22, 2023
Read Story
On Feb. 16-18, Chris Moore competed in the IHSA state wrestling tournament at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Moore takes first at state wrestling tournament

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
February 24, 2023
Read Story
Students have many reasons for taking classes outisde of MCHS’s regular eight-hour class schedule. Whatever the reason, students benefit from having more options for credit before and after school.

Opinion: More zero hour classes are needed

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
February 23, 2023
Read Story
Sophomore Ryan Hanson wrestles during a meet at Libertyville High School on Nov. 23. Hanson is one of four wrestlers who are headed to the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament.

Down to the wire

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
February 16, 2023
Read Story
Power-lifter prepares to squat on February 1 at the flex valley power-lifting meet.

Gallery: Flex Valley power-lifting meet

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor
February 7, 2023
Read Story
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