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
The Upper Campus's Center for Science, Technology and Industry was designed to be a beautfiul learning place with walls of windows. But with new issues arising many people have questions on if these walls can keep student safe.

Opinion | No place to hide

Maggie Demski, Copy Editor • November 5, 2024

Throughout the country active threats in schools have become a growing fear in all students, including MCHS and the greater community. Specifically, students who have classes in the Center for Science,...

Bad behavior throughout the Upper Campus has forced security and administration to take unpopular measures, like closing bathrooms. But should all students be punished because of the bad behavior of a few?

Opinion: Bad behavior of a few shouldn’t trigger consequences for all

Freedom Tomasello, Opinions Editor • April 24, 2023

Since the beginning of the school year, bad behavior in bathrooms has continued to plague the campus. Students across McHenry High School face the consequences of closed bathrooms and lost privileges....

When students at MCHS hear racist comments, many ignore it — or, worse laugh at it. When students are approached about their behavior, their quick response is, “I didn’t know.” It’s time MCHS does better at confronting and taking responsibility for this behavior.

Opinion: It’s time to confront racism at MCHS

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director • April 20, 2023

Would you call out your friend if they were being racist?  Obviously your first answer should be yes, but it doesn’t appear to be that easy to execute anymore at MCHS, if it was ever easy to begin...

A security desk has been positioned outside of the third floor bathroom to discourage fighting, vaping and other disruptive behavior, according to Upper Campus security.

Third floor bathroom reopens with new security desk

Eli Frommes, Staff Writer • April 19, 2023

The third-floor bathroom at the Upper Campus reopened last week with a security desk moved in front of the entrance. According to administration, the bathrooms were shut down at the beginning of February...

MCHS tested the fountains at the Upper Campus over spring break and found the water safe to drink and free of E. coli and coliform bacteria. This follows a scare in March when AP Environmental Science students testing the water found evidence of fecal material in their samples.

Drinking water deemed ‘satisfactory’ for coliform bacteria

Evanel Gonzalez, Contributing Writer • April 10, 2023

After testing MCHS’s drinking water, official results show the samples were deemed ‘satisfactory’ for coliform bacteria and that the school’s drinking water did not have significant amounts of...

State Rep. Justin Slaughter celebrates after the chamber passed changes to the controversial criminal justice law known as the SAFE-T Act at the Illinois Capitol building on Dec. 1.

Controversial SAFE-T Act now in effect, portion ruled unconstitutional

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director • January 19, 2023

On Feb. 22, 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law at Chicago State University. Parts went into effect on Jan. 1, and many have questioned the clarity and adequacy of this law. This...

Arturo Delgadillo, dressed fittingly as a super hero for Halloween, poses in the Center for Science, Technology and Industry. Formerly a police officer, Delgadillo now supervises the security teams at both the Upper and Freshman Campuses.

Who it takes to keep MCHS safe

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor • November 9, 2022

With 40 school shootings in ten months, 2022 has become the most devastating year for schools in recent history. Ensuring safety and preventing tragedy has become a priority more than ever for schools. This...

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...

Women and girls feel as though its necessary to protect themselves while unaccompanied in public spaces, even turning to using their keys or other every day objects as protection.

Opinion: Women shouldn’t have to fear for their safety

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • March 17, 2021

A young woman walks through the parking lot after school, alone and afraid. Her keys are clenched tightly in her fist as she studies the area around her. As she approaches her car, she checks to be sure...

A day in the life of an MCHS bus driver

A day in the life of an MCHS bus driver

Naomi Castillo, Staff Reporter - West Campus • May 1, 2019

Vicki Johnson wakes up before the sun even rises at 4:30 a.m. to go down to feed her animals, making sure they’re all taken care of. After that, she gets herself ready by getting showered, changing and...

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