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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

Each year, Americans swarm local their Starbucks to sample special holiday drinks and to pick up their own red cup. But which drinks are actually worth it?

Review | Which Starbucks holiday drink is best?

Grace Bellavia, Staff Writer December 20, 2024

It's that time of year again where Starbucks releases their Christmas drinks. They came out with three new Christmas drinks and two of them were not delightful. I ordered every drink off the Christmas...

MCHS's Strength and Powerlifting programs hosted their annual Liftmas event earlier this week in the Upper Campus weight room to celebrate fitness before the end of the semester.

Heavy lifting

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor December 20, 2024

The McHenry Strength and Powerlifting programs' annual Liftmas event took place in the Upper Campus weight room on December 12, and served as a good opportunity for the MCHS powerlifting team to practice...

Key Club students wrapped 700 presents for community members in need on Dec. 11 in the Upper Campus cafeteria.

Spreading cheer

Afton Ingraffia, Features Editor December 19, 2024

A Key Club member walks into the cafeteria of Upper Campus, ready to wrap some gifts for children at this month's meeting. They're optimistic, as this is a perfect way to spread holiday cheer, because...

Review | Top-10 Christmas movies to watch this holiday season

Review | Top-10 Christmas movies to watch this holiday season

Grace Crockett, News Editor December 17, 2024

Movies can be an amazing way to kick off the spirit of the holiday season! People all over, including Sophia Stabenow, a junior at MCHS, have their favorite Christmas movies they watch every year. Having...

McHenry's ShamROCKs the Fox festival takes place this weekend over three days and includes a 5K, live music, food trucks, a parade and dying the Fox River green.

Annual ShamROCKS the Fox festival to be held at Miller Point

Eli Frommes, Staff Writer March 17, 2023

On March 17, 18 and 19, the annual ShamROCKS festival for St. Patrick’s Day is going to be held at Miller Point by the McHenry Riverwalk. The ShamROCKS Festival is and event that will that throughout...

Because of MCHS's 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

Junior Kristin Anderson stands in front of Jewel Osco, ringing a bell in front of a Salvation Army donation kettle — a sign the holiday season has begun. She embraces the holiday spirit, knowing she’s...

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," released in  1989, is the perfect family film to watch this holiday season — and a classic in its own right.

Review: We’re gonna have the happiest Christmas

Preston Boysen, Staff Writer December 20, 2022

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is a humorous throwback that’s perfect to watch with family and friends this holiday season. The movie stars big names such as Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo,...

Students participate in Ugly Holiday Weather Day on Dec. 9 during the last day of spirit week at the Upper Campus.

Gallery: Winter spirit week

Alexis Velazquez, Staff Writer December 11, 2021

As the holidays and end of the semester approach, the Student Council has created Winter Spirit Week to increase student and staff morale. During spirit week, each day has a corresponding theme for...

The holidays are usually a joyful time of year, they also can cause stress to people who don't celebrate, have lost family or that are struggling financially.

Opinion: We take the holidays too seriously

Beth Brackmann, Contributing Writer December 9, 2021

Someone walks into a store, just a few days into November and everything is already holiday related. They begin to feel an overbearing feeling of stress as they realise that the holidays are getting close....

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

WAUKESHA, WIS. — On Nov. 21, an annual holiday celebration turned deadly when a man drove his SUV through a parade, killing five and injuring more than forty.  Sunday evening, Darrell E. Brooks drove...

Popularized on the TV show "Parks and Recreation," Galentine's Day honors friendships between women more than romantic relationships and become an affirming alternative to Valentine's Day.

A day for the girls

Emma Westermeier, Staff Writer February 25, 2021

In a month characterized by sentimental Instagram posts, the corniest romance movies, and the loneliest of the lonely eating too many heart shaped chocolates, comes a holiday the ladies get to look forward...

"Twas the Night" is filled with crazy antics, a con artist santa claus, and terrible acting for all viewers to enjoy over winter break.

“Twas the Night”

December 17, 2020

“Twas the Night” is a hilariously bad holiday movie that originally aired on Disney Channel in December 2001. Directed by Nick Castle, who has led dozens of other productions including the 1991 classic...

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