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

Starting September 21, select classes began meeting in person. This included MCHSs bands, which practiced outside of East Campus on September 22.

MCHS begins to open back up to students

Emma Snyder, News Editor September 25, 2020

After opening the school to sports and extracurricular activities, MCHS will start allowing students to come into both East and West Campuses for in-person learning opportunities starting September 21.  In-person...

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

A teenager works in a fast food restaurant, considered an “essential worker.” A woman comes to the drive thru, angrily ranting to her husband about how “stupid and unnecessary” it is that the restaurant...

Senior Kaili Wegner sells her handmade earrings locally and donates 50% of the proceeds to local organizations. She is one of a handful of seniors who has started a small business during the shelter-in-place order.

Young professionals

Emma Snyder, Staff Writer May 13, 2020

For seniors, graduation marks the end of high school, an unforgettable period of their lives full of challenges and triumphs. But it also marks the beginning of their professional lives and careers. However,...

Adopted senior Sydni Johns opens a care package from Linnea Schwartz in her front yard on May 7. John is one of dozens of seniors adopted by the community as their senior year ends during a state-wide shelter-in-place order.

Lifting spirits one care package at a time

Jared Bysiek, Features Editor May 12, 2020

A senior stares at their Chromebook, heaving a heavy sigh. These last few months are important to them, with events like prom, and the jump from high school life into their future. But due to the current...

While many businesses in the state of Illinois remain closed due to Governor Pritzkers shelter-in-place order, others have found a way to remain open by offering delivery or curbside pickup. But how long can the economy wait to re-open?

Opinion: It’s time to open up

Stacy Correra, Copy Editor May 8, 2020

There is no denying the huge impact that COVID-19 has made on the world especially in the United States, and even more narrowly on New York. Hundreds of thousands of people have been diagnosed, and millions...

The shelter-in-place order has been the source of much bad news — from a crashing economy to cancelled graduations. Despite this, both student and community groups are trying to give back and make the most out of difficult circumstances.

The kindness of coronavirus

Emma Snyder, Staff Writer May 6, 2020

The COVID-19 global pandemic hasn’t been easy for anyone. Stuck at home, six feet apart, everyone is feeling its effects. With so many cancelations and disappointments, many people are finding it difficult...

When students showed up for the first day of the 2019-20 school year, they had no idea they would be asked to learn from home for the last two months of the school year. The transition to digital learning overwhelmed some students, who lost their motivation to learn as an outcome.

Low battery

Stacy Correra, Copy Editor May 1, 2020

A student wakes up to the alarm they set for 11:30 a.m. to check into their Schoology classes before noon so that they are counted in attendance. After checking in they go right back to sleep and don’t...

Watching movies and shows on Netflix has always been a social activity for teenagers. But shelter-in-place has changed how people consume media together — and how creators release media — possibly forever.

How we watch now

Jared Bysiek, Features Editor April 30, 2020

Two students are getting ready to watch a movie. They’ve both been busy with schoolwork, so it’s a relief to finally be able to wind down. But before they can start, they begin to count down, “Three,...

Many athletes have spent most of their lives preparing for their varsity season only to have it ripped away by COVID-19. But for these athletes, who  continue to train and stay positive, the game isn’t over yet.

What now?

Emma Snyder, Staff Writer April 29, 2020

Athletes look forward to their sports seasons all year long. They train, practice, and prepare, making sure they are at the top of their game in hopes of success. They work with coaches, trainers, and...

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

On Friday, March 15, MCHS announced it would be shutting down for a week and beginning online classes due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Shortly after, it became apparent that the school would not be reopening...

Though digital learning has been stressful for many students, parents have also had a tough job during shelter-in-place. Many parents are balancing a job from home with the demands of parenting, and many have even lost their jobs.

Parenting in a Pandemic

Michelene Havard, Staff Writer April 28, 2020

An MCHS parent wakes up early to coordinate a work schedule from home. They have to work around their teenage daughter who has digital learning days. However, they work as a team so that they do not get...

resident Donald J. Trump takes questions from the press during a coronavirus update briefing Sunday, April 19, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House.

Trump announces plan to re-open the U.S. economy

Kyla Henige, News Editor April 27, 2020

Though COVID-19 has put everything on hold in the United States, President Donald Trump called for states to start opening at their own pace. In a press conference on April 16, Trump officially gave...

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