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
Vanessa Moreno

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor

Vanessa Moreno is a senior at McHenry High School's Upper Campus. She loves physics, history and writing news stories. In her spare time, she enjoys reading dark fiction and listening to music. This is Vanessa's second year on the Messenger's staff.

Recognition:

"Still fine" (Best of SNO, SNO Story of the Year, IWPA)

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

"At the center of 'the drug triangle'" (IJEA, Best of SNO, DePaul Blue Book, IWPA, NFPW)

"This is fine" (YJI's Frank Keegan Award for News, DePaul Blue Book, Best of SNO)

NSPA Leadership Award in Student Journalism (2023)

2023 IHSA State (third in News Writing)

2023 IHSA Sectionals (third in News Writing)

IJEA Fall Journalism Convention Write-Offs (first in News Writing)

“Changing plans” (IJEA)

"She's not your perfect Mexican daughter" (Best of SNO)

2022 IHSA Sectionals (second in News Writing)

All content by Vanessa Moreno
Despite a state law that says A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a disciplinary consequence, students at MCHS continue to receive tickets from the McHenry Police Department for their behavior in school.

Still fine

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 19, 2023
Read Story
Students, parents, faculty, administration and the board of education celebrate the Class of 2022 during last year’s graduation ceremony on May 21 in the Upper Campus main gym. The ceremony was planned for McCracken but moved inside due to poor weather conditions.

MCHS plans to hold first outside graduation with all seniors

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 15, 2023
Read Story
Vanessa Moreno, News Editor

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 11, 2023
Read Story
Quiet students are often treated differently from louder more extroverted students, but that needs to change.

Opinion: Unfair treatment of quiet kids needs to stop

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 4, 2023
Read Story
This year, MCHS will send five students to the Illinois Design Educators Association state-level competition on April 22.

Students head to state for design, drafting competition in late April

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
April 20, 2023
Read Story
Former U.S. president Donald Trump appears in court at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
April 14, 2023
Read Story
The Warrior Room at the Upper Campus sits empty waiting for the next school board meeting. Five local candidates are running to fill the three seats open during this years April election.

Meet the District 156 Board of Education candidates

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
March 29, 2023
Read Story
Last month, the CDC released a Youth Risk Behavior study that shows female and lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning adolescents display a startling increase in mental health challenges compared to recent years.

Teen girls ‘engulfed in growing wave of sadness,’ new national data finds

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
March 14, 2023
Read Story
Erika Sanchez speaks about her writing on Feb. 8 in the Upper Campus auditorium as part of Writers Week.

She’s not your perfect Mexican daughter

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
February 27, 2023
Read Story
One highlight of Writers Week includes the Celebration of Words during AIM on Monday where students and staff will read their own creative work.

Writers Week events to take place second week of February

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
February 3, 2023
Read Story
The door of the College and Career Center at the Upper Campus advertises a variety of opportunities for juniors who are preparing to take the SAT this spring.

MCHS offers to cover cost of SAT test in early March for juniors

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
January 27, 2023
Read Story
Police tape hangs from a sign post outside Richneck Elementary School following a shooting on Jan. 7, 2023, in Newport News, Virginia. A 6-year-old student was taken into custody after reportedly shooting a teacher during an altercation in a classroom at Richneck Elementary School on Friday. The teacher, a woman in her 30s, suffered “life-threatening” injuries and remains in critical condition.

Opinion: When will enough be enough?

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
January 25, 2023
Read Story
People living in McHenry County have struggled with addiction during the opioid epidemic. Some say chains like Walgreens and CVS have made the problem even worse.

At the center of ‘the drug triangle’

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
January 18, 2023
Read Story
Because of MCHSs student volunteers this holiday season, including those from Key Club and other service organizations, many children in the community will receive Christmas presents that might not have otherwise.

Santa’s helpers

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
December 22, 2022
Read Story
Though there was barely any snow on the ground in McHenry on Wednesday afternoon, MCHS cancelled the second day of finals on Thursday due to inclement weather predictions.

MCHS closed tomorrow due to inclement weather, finals rescheduled

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
December 21, 2022
Read Story
Students participate in a joust at the winter spirit rally on Dec. 16 in the Upper Campus main gym.

Gallery: Winter spirit rally

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
December 19, 2022
Read Story
As the U.S. Supreme Court opens oral arguments Monday on whether to strike down affirmative action, UC’s long struggle to bring diversity to its 10 campuses offers lessons on race-neutral admission practices.

Opinion: Affirmative action should stay in place

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
November 28, 2022
Read Story
Arturo Delgadillo, dressed fittingly as a super hero for Halloween, poses in the Center for Science, Technology and Industry. Formerly a police officer, Delgadillo now supervises the security teams at both the Upper and Freshman Campuses.

Who it takes to keep MCHS safe

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
November 9, 2022
Read Story
A production line worker at Shaw carpet factory, William Raguay, assists his mother, Emma Medina, in casting her vote at the Dalton Courthouse side on Oct. 19, 2022. (Miguel Martinez/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

What to know about this year’s midterm elections

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
November 4, 2022
Read Story
Brad Schneider, who represents the 10th District of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives, is a Democrat running for re-election in in this falls midterm.

Meet Brad Schneider, the Democrat running to represent Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
October 25, 2022
Read Story
Leah Pelletier, a science instructor who teaches Honors Principles of Biomedical Science, Honors Medical Interventions and Medical Residency, has found that teaching bridges her passion for science and nurturing people.

Changing plans

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
October 12, 2022
Read Story
Bill Foster, Democratic congressman for Illinoiss 11th congressional district, has represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2008. Because of redistricting, his district will now include McHenry and other parts of McHenry County.

Meet Bill Foster, the Democrat running to represent Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
September 29, 2022
Read Story
The affidavit, released by the Department of Justice on Friday, revealed that the former president was being investigated for possible violations of the Espionage Act, in addition to other crimes.

Trump under investigation for potential Espionage Act violations

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
August 30, 2022
Read Story
President Joe Biden speaks as Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona looks on after Biden announced a federal student loan relief plan that includes forgiving up to $20,000 for some borrowers and extending the payment freeze in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022.

Biden announces federal student loan forgiveness for most borrowers

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
August 26, 2022
Read Story
Though the public has sought guidance from the CDC throughout the pandemic, the organizations most recent guidance, which leaves choices up to individuals, does not adequately protect the public.

Opinion: New COVID guidance shows CDC’s unreliability, negligence

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
August 19, 2022
Read Story
Students, parents, faculty, administration and the board of education celebrate the Class of 2022 during a special commencement ceremony on May 21 in the Upper Campus main gym during the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Gallery: Graduation 2022

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 23, 2022
Read Story
The McHenry Police Department is housed at the McHenry Municipal Center on Green St. The department has partnered with MCHS to send student resource officers to the school.

This is fine

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 19, 2022
Read Story
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed the Stop W.O.K.E. Act late last year and signed the Stop WOKE Act into law on April 22.

Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’ signed into law, immediately faces lawsuit

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 18, 2022
Read Story
Seniors from the class of 2021 toss their caps during a low-capacity graduation ceremony in the West Campus main gym on May 20, 2021. This year’s graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place at McCracken Field with no COVID restrictions.

MCHS to host outdoor graduation ceremony with all seniors

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
May 17, 2022
Read Story
Pamphlets line the walls of the College Career Center at the Upper Campus advertising programs available at McHenry County College. MCC is one of many post-secondary options that students can learn more about during the College Career Fair on April 21.

College and Career Expo returns to Upper Campus

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
April 19, 2022
Read Story
Senior Reese Vincent, GSAs president, says that recent bills aimed at restricting discussion of gender and sexual orientation in Florida classrooms are a reaction to society becoming more accepting of LGBTQ+ people.

To say or not say gay

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
April 14, 2022
Read Story
MCHS juniors will take the PSAT on April 13. The next day, freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT. When they are not testing, students will either learn asynchronously at home or will enjoy a day off from school.

Standardized testing week ahead for freshmen, sophomores and juniors

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
April 11, 2022
Read Story
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson delivers remarks on her nomination by President Joe Biden to serve as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from the Cross Hall of the White House on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Sen Amy Klobuchar, D- Minn., believes there will be bipartisan support for Judge Jackson when the senate votes on her nomination.

Opinion: Supreme Court Justice Jackson would benefit the United States

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
March 21, 2022
Read Story
A team of architects and students have already worked together to begin designs for the 12-by-12 and 12-by-16 retail shop units planned for the Miller Point project in downtown McHenry.

MCHS announces community renovation project at Miller Point

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
March 8, 2022
Read Story
The Library Media Center at the Upper Campus keeps an updated collection of books by diverse authors, including contemporary black authors.

Review: Four books by Black authors to read this Black History Month

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
March 2, 2022
Read Story
Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2022.

Russian forces launch attack on Ukraine

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
February 25, 2022
Read Story
The Hidden Pearl coffee shop, located on Green Street in downtown McHenry, partnered with West Campus in 2019 to serve students and staff coffee at the beginning of the school day. Though it was closed months later to make room for the booster club, the partnership is set to return on Tuesday.

Hidden Pearl returns to Upper Campus

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
January 31, 2022
Read Story
Last week, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention made at-home COVID tests free for for all households in the U.S. To order one, people can visit COVIDtests.gov.

Biden Administration begins distributing free, at-home COVID-19 tests to Americans

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor
January 28, 2022
Read Story
Residents receive COVID test kits at the City of Boca Raton Administration Complex on Jan. 7, 2022.

Omicron devastates schools and businesses, including in McHenry County

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
January 18, 2022
Read Story
Students perform in Colleen Eddys dance class on December 9 in the dance room at the Upper Campus.

Gallery: Dance class

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
January 12, 2022
Read Story
Spanish teacher Natalie Alatorre, who teaching at MCHS during remote learning, has hit her stride now as a second year teacher at both the Freshman Campus and the Upper Campus.

Giving back

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
January 6, 2022
Read Story
Demonstrators rally in solidarity with the Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell survivors in New York on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to six counts of enticing and transporting minors for sex in connection with convicted sex offender Epstein, who died in 2019.

Four women testify against socialite in sex trafficking trial

Vanessa Moreno and
December 17, 2021
Read Story
Cowering in a corner during a lockdown drill can feel like the end of the world, especially when students dont know its a drill.

Opinion: Lockdown drills can be just as harmful as they are helpful

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
December 9, 2021
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A woman leaves a stuffed animal at a memorial at an entrance to Oxford High School on Dec. 1, following an active shooter situation at Oxford High School that left four students dead and multiple others with injuries.

Parents of Michigan shooter face involuntary manslaughter charges

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
December 7, 2021
Read Story
Students partake in a mock trial held in Youth and Law on December 2 in room 320 at the Upper Campus.

Gallery: Mock trial

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
December 6, 2021
Read Story
When Taylor Swift announced her intention to rerecord Red and reassert her ownership over her music, many knew that the rerelease would be one of the biggest releases of the year.

Review: “Red (Taylor’s Version)”

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
December 1, 2021
Read Story
Debris litters the street at a crime scene on Nov. 21 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. According to reports, an SUV drove through pedestrians at a holiday parade, killing at least one and injuring 20 more.

Five dead, 48 injured in holiday parade tragedy

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
November 23, 2021
Read Story
Students find a quiet place to work in the College Career Center at the Upper Campus on November 11. Named after District 156 Superintendent Dr. Ryan McTague, the space now houses the Upper Campuss counselors and student services division.

Looking forward

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
November 16, 2021
Read Story
Social media has made speaking one’s mind easier than ever. But to make a real difference, activists must do more than retweet, post, or rant on their favorite social media platform.

Opinion: Social media activism is not enough

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
November 11, 2021
Read Story
Pfizer began trials for the vaccine in early July, The vaccine, which was administered to 2,268 children, was found to be 90.7% effective in neutralizing COVID-19

FDA authorizes emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine for children

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
November 2, 2021
Read Story
Many MCHS students are content with the current dress code, which is reasonable and fair, and are not interested in testing its boundaries.

Pro: Dress code protests are a distraction

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
October 27, 2021
Read Story
After an unprecedented school year in 2020-21, many students were hoping to ditch mask-wearing this year. Though a September protest planned at MCHS was poorly attended, others might be planned later in the school year.

The protest that wasn’t

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
September 29, 2021
Read Story
Students enjoy a new sense of freedom and control of their learning environments within the new blended learning model during 7th period on September 17.

Upper Campus expands blended learning opportunities

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer
September 17, 2021
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