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anticlimactic excitement fills the air as students prepare for summer on the final day of the school year.

MCHS celebrates last day of school

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • May 25, 2021

Laughter rings through the halls as students walk out of their classes for the last time this school year. They walk with their friends while talking loudly about their summer plans. Whether they are...

The Class of 2021 tosses their caps following their commencement ceremony on May 20 outside of East Campus. This was one of 14 separate graduation ceremonies held by East Campus.

Gallery: East and West graduation

Kyla Henige, Managing Editor • May 24, 2021

On the week of May 20 and 21, both East and West Campuses held special graduation ceremonies. East Campus held three ceremonies in one evening, and West Campus had 14 ceremonies that spanned of two evenings...

While on lockdown during the spring and summer of 2020, many MCHS students had time to think about who they are — including senior Gray Siminak, who discovered something integral about his identity.

Identity investigation

Kiera Loewe, Social Media Director • May 20, 2021

It has been over a year since students around the United States went into quarantine on March 13 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. During quarantine everyone had an abundance of time to reflect...

Weight gain over quarantine should be something that is celebrated rather than shamed because everyone needs to be a little nicer to themselves during such a rough and confusing time in the world.

Opinion: The quarantine 15

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor • May 19, 2021

The human body naturally reacts to the environment it’s in. When we’re relaxed, our muscles untighten, our breathing slows, and we emotionally feel like we can take on the world. When we’re stressed,...

Before the pandemic, wearing a mask when you are sick was already normal in many countries, especially in Asia. As mask restrictions ease up for vaccinated people, it's time to make mask wearing normal in the United States as well.

Editorial: Normalize masks

Editorial Board • May 18, 2021

Everyone gets sick at one point or another. But, not everyone can deal with it the same way. In East Asia, when a person gets sick, they take care of themselves and cover their mouth and nose with a mask...

Morgan Sellek catches a throw at second base during a varsity softball game at West Campus on April 14. Softball players are among those who are allowed to play without masks, according to guidance from the IHSA.

IHSA lifts mask restrictions for some sports

Mackenzie Sroka, Staff Writer • May 17, 2021

As the runner makes the final lap around the track they push to get in front of the other runners. She breathes hard and thinks about finishing the race with a win. After the race while she cools down,...

The 2020-21 school year will forever be remembered for remote learning, wearing masks to school, and dramatic changes to school traditions, such as dances and athletic events. But this school year provided more memories to students than they might think — for better or worse.

Opinion: The silver lining of a weird year

Kiera Loewe, Social Media Director • May 13, 2021

Zoom calls during senior year — it’s not quite the last year of high school that so many MCHS students dreamed of. However, most students are now back in the building to catch the end-of-the-year events...

The class of 2018 celebrates following their graduation at East Campus. Because of COVID, cherished graduation traditions have been canceled or adapted to accommodate social distancing, but new traditions, like the senior parade, have been added.

Class of 2021 to graduate in small in-person ceremonies

Emma Snyder, News Editor • May 12, 2021

Graduation for the class of 2021 will be held on May 20 and 21. Ceremonies for East and West campuses will be held separately in their respective Main Gyms.   East campus will have three graduation...

When COVID hit in March of 2021, businesses were hit particularly hard. Local businesses like Buddy'z have worked hard to attract business in the year since the shutdown.

Yes, we’re open

Joe Hissem, Staff Writer • May 12, 2021

The global pandemic’s year-long reign has managed to seep its way into the family-owned businesses of the city of McHenry, many of which closed after during the virus's spread and non-essential businesses...

Though teachers at MCHS report that most students are wearing the masks correctly in their classroom, many students report that it has become a problem in the hallways — and data provided by administration seems to verify that student mask use has become worse since spring break.

Is mask use slipping?

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • May 5, 2021

The halls are crowded as students walk in, seeing their friends from the other half of the alphabet for the first time in almost a year. Spirits are high until they walk into class and see students with...

MCHS teachers received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine in February, and their second in March during mass vaccination days at Woodstock North High School.

Take your shot

Kylie Chisamore, Sports Editor • May 5, 2021

Teachers lined up and down the Woodstock North High School gym on February 12 awaiting their first COVID vaccine, nerves flying high as they inched closer to the front. “Nervous doesn't quite describe...

Throughout the pandemic, teachers have had to shift their practices many times between asynchronous remote learning, synchronous remote learning, and various hybrid learning models. This has been difficult for them as well as their students, but all of them have persevered and grown.

The teacher becomes the student

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor • April 30, 2021

A classroom is filled with chatter as the students within it settle into their seats. The bell rings, and a teacher scrambles to get the classroom under control. They begin class, narrating a slideshow...

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