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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

In high school, students spread gossip without even thinking. But rumors can become a serious problem if students take them to the next level.

Opinion | The power of a lie

Eliot Raymond, Staff Writer February 27, 2025

Picture this: You wake up, get ready for school and walk through the doors, completely unaware that your name is already on everyone’s lips. Whispers follow you down the hallway. People glance at you,...

Valentines day tends to be more focused on big bright gifts than loving others.

Opinion | Cupid’s arrow of capitalism

Elijah Latronica, Staff Writer February 14, 2025

It feels like every year young love is turned into an ode to money, especially on Feb. 14. Buy your girlfriend chocolates, and flowers, or else you don’t love her. Admittedly, every holiday is commercialized....

Students and teachers alike enjoy drinks that will give them that nice caffeine kick. But how much caffiene is too much, and are companies putting too much of it in drinks?

Opinion | Energy drinks lead to an early grave

Aika Villa, Page Designer January 29, 2025

There are many energy drinks that contain an insane amount of caffeine, there is a total of 30% or more kids and teens between the ages of 12 and 17 that consume energy drinks according to CBS news. The...

With the ACT just around the corner, students are extra stressed trying to get a better score than the person next to them.

Opinion: Students shouldn’t compare grades

Aubrey Butler, Staff Writer January 16, 2025

There is a nervous buzz in the air as AIM teachers begin passing out PreACT scores at MCHS. After students have a chance to analyze their scores, classrooms become full of talk about the test. By the end...

The Yellowjackets has been set to have their 3rd season soon.

Review: Second-guessing

Maggie Demski, Copy Editor January 9, 2025

Someone sits down to watch “Yellow Jackets,” they know it is a horror show with some gore in it, but they are going to be in for a surprise when they find out what they are really in for. “Yellow...

The phone ban that the school recently got put into place has students more unattached to the lessons in class than we thought.

Opinion | Phone bans in schools works

Brooklyn Kuhl, Freshmen Contributor December 13, 2024

Summer school 2024 was when MCHS was starting to experiment with the phone ban. When my summer school teacher said to us that no phones were allowed in class, even when we finished our work, I got really...

The internet is full of hot takes about no longer wanting to talk to the other side of the political spectrum — especially as  the holidays approach. But cutting ties because of politics is a mistake that could only divide the country further.

Opinion | Politics shouldn’t tarnish relationships

Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor December 6, 2024

As of this year’s election, the issue of whether or not political opinions should affect relationships has come into question for lots of people. Whether people had voted red or blue on Nov. 5, people...

“Chimp Crazy” is a docuseries on Max following the story of Tonia Haddix, an exotic animal breeder, and her chimpanzee Tonka

Analysis | Chimp on the run

Beth Brackmann, A&E Editor November 20, 2024

Made by the same people who filmed the incredibly popular 2020 Netflix show “Tiger King,” “Chimp Crazy” follows the story of people who own chimpanzees and other types of monkeys. Airing on...

Haliey Welch also known as the "Hawk tuah" girl countines her fame by creating the Talk Tuah podcast.

Review | Why ‘Talk Tuah’ struggles to engage listeners

Dominic Burnett, Puzzle Master November 13, 2024

The podcast “Talk Tuah” isn't living up to the hype. When you tune in on the podcast for the first 5-10 minutes you'll be listening but then after that it just turns into background noise. Who is...

Singer JoJo Siwa performs at Honda Center on August 13, 2019, in Anaheim, California.

You’ve got to be Jo-Joking!

Afton Ingraffia, Features Editor November 13, 2024

As the stage lights dim and the crowds anticipation increases, the media celebrity Jojo Siwa emerges in her extravagant and sparkly performance costume, embodying both adoration and outrage from her fans...

Scores of law enforcement personnel from various agencies gather at UC Irvine to displace hundreds of demonstrating students, faculty and supporters protesting the treatment of Palestinians and the UC system's investments in Isreali interests, On May 15, 2924.

Opinion | Tragedy, not trend

Gabe Santos, Opinions Editor November 8, 2024

Injustices and tragedies are occurring every day. Another school shooting, another hate crime; the genocide in Palestine, the invasion in Ukraine; the battle for abortion rights and the fight for LGBTQ+...

Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo speak about the movie "Wicked" during the Universal Pictures and Focus Features presentation at CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas on April 10, 2024.

Analysis | The wonderful land of Oz

Beth Brackmann, A&E Editor November 7, 2024

It’s a big year for fans of the L. Frank Baum book series about the Wizard of Oz. Not only is it the 85th anniversary of the 1939 film but the stage show Wicked has been worked into a film set to release...

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