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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

McHenry County is no stranger to homelessness, but it comes in many different circumstances then people imagine. 80% of the homeless population in McHenry County have jobs, and many sleep on friends' couches instead of on the streets.

Unchosen lifestyle

Lily Adams, Editor In Chief March 6, 2025

An MCHS student has recently been evicted from their house. With nowhere else to turn, the student has to stay with a friend. The student walks home to their friend's house, embarrassed to ask the school...

Dane Erbach has advised the McHenry Messenger since 2019, when the publication was still in its infancy, and encouraged his students to turn the newspaper into the award-winning publication it is today.

The man behind the staff

Hunter Blake and Eli Frommes March 6, 2025

Dane Erbach sits down at a desk while his newspaper students come up with a question they have about their stories. Erbach continues to push his students in the right direction without directly giving...

Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing Dec. 10, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Mangione has been arraigned on weapons and false identification charges related to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Mangione is incarcerated in the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to New York.

Luigi Mangione — scholar, radicalist, killer

Gabe Santos, Opinions Editor December 13, 2024

On Dec. 4 the collective nation was shocked at the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Videos of the killing spread across the world showing a premeditated, calculated and extremely...

American Studies hosts their annual Chautauqua in the Upper Campus auditorium on Nov. 21. Junior, Devin Elbert spoke as LeBron James about gun violence in America.

Taking their seats

Lily Adams, Editor In Chief December 2, 2024

Dressed as their character for Chautauqua, junior Onyx Haak enters the Upper Campus auditorium. They take their seat in the dimly lit space, anticipating the speeches and skits they will see today. The...

On Nov. 11, MCHS opened its doors to U.S. veterans to celebrate their sacrifices with the students on Veteran's Day.

Honored today and always

Afton Ingraffia, Features Editor November 18, 2024

Annually on Nov. 11 every year the U.S. celebrates Veteran's Day where we remember and celebrate those who have served in the military. MCHS goes the extra mile to take this opportunity to honor and spread...

Although not an official yet therapy dog yet, Cheryl and Gary Myers’ dog Bailey is already doing a good job at cheering kids up and comforting them around MCHS.

Bailey to the rescue

Grace Crockett, News Editor November 18, 2024

After a full day of tests, an MCHS student is ready to go home as they are completely exhausted and overtired from the stress of the day but they have one more class period left. They walk into the library...

Student- Athletes spend most of their time putting aside their social life for their student and athletic side.

Finding the perfect balance

McKenzie Woods, Copy Editor November 15, 2024

A student starts getting ready for practice right after school in the cold school gym. They begin thinking about all of the homework that must be finished before the night ends and the AP classes they...

Students are being asked to scan in and out of MCHS when they leave and enter the building from lunch, or if students arrive late to school.

Safety first

Brooke Allard, Freshmen Contributor November 14, 2024

As a student enters the school, they walk up to the security guard with their ID in their pocket. Only after they get it out and hold it toward the guard to scan, do they wonder why the school even scans...

Though many tudents and teachers would say the cell phone ban has helped classes regain their focus, it has had an unintended consequence: extra screen-time in the hallways during passing periods.

Hallway hypnosis

Brynn Kostelnik, Copy Editor November 14, 2024

A student walks through the halls mindlessly staring down at their phone, unaware of what is going on around them. They run straight into another person because they are too focused on their screens. This...

A new challenge

A new challenge

Maggie Demski, Copy Editor November 11, 2024

Seven Snelten sits backstage, waiting for the lights to dim and the show to start. Through the nerves of performing, and with this play being so different from others they’ve performed in, Seven is at...

The MCHS leadership in action classes are taking matters in their own hands and helping kids who are struggling in their own classes.

MCHS introduces a peer tutoring program

Ffion Curtain, Online Managing Editor November 7, 2024

MCHS student Alex Donahue gets an email from Upper Campus principal Jeff Prickett about helping to organize a Peer Tutoring Program here at our school to help the math and science departments with the...

A vehicle pulls into the drive-thru lane at a Wendy's fast food restaurant in Alhambra, California on May 5, 2020.

Tasty team-ups

Dominic Burnett, Puzzle Master November 7, 2024

As the sun sets, excitement fills the air at the local Mcdonalds. People are chatting about the new menu item created by their favorite celebrity Kai Cenat. Fans eagerly line up, ready to try the special...

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