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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

Girl Varsity basketball plays hard and fast against Crystal Lake South.

Beating the score

Lily Adams, Editor In Chief December 17, 2024

Senior Gaby Grasser steps into the court. Her shoes squeak as she runs across the court, the ball dribbling below her feet. She takes a deep breath as she shoots the ball over her head into the hoops....

Players on the Kings High School Hockey team celebrate after scoring a goal last season. Many players on the team are from MCHS.

Kings of the rink

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor December 12, 2024

The 2024-2025 Kings High School hockey season has been underway for about 4 months now. Because McHenry and surrounding schools in our area are unable to field teams large enough to play at an individual...

A view of the Heisman Memorial Trophy won by LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Brian Ciancio/TNS)

HEI2MAN, not HE12MAN

Gabe Santos, Opinions Editor December 11, 2024

As the college football regular season is coming to an end, two candidates for the Heisman award have emerged as leagues above the rest. The MVP award equivalent is always highly competitive, but neither...

Corona is one of MCHS’s first female wrestlers. Starting her career in 6th grade, Corona was a big reason why so many girls feel comfortable and confident to try something new and lace up those wrestling shoes.

Hit the mats

Rose Wenckebach, Artistic Director December 2, 2024

Lacing up her shoes and stepping onto the mats, Natalie Corona stares down her next opponent. Being one of the first female wrestlers for MCHS, Corona has inspired many girls in her school and in her community...

MCHS's girls lacrosse team took on Hoffman Estates High School at the McCracken Athletic Field.

Nothing but net

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor November 6, 2024

This Fall at MCHS, boys and girls lacrosse camps were held at McCracken Field as opposed to the usual summer camps. The boys camp was held on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, and the girls camp was held on Sept....

The varsity girls cross country team comes together to cheer each other on before a meet at McHenry Township Park on Aug. 31.

The heart of the team

Berenice Santiago, Social Media Designer November 5, 2024

From the outside of the gates of McCracken Field, people are walking by and hearing murmurs and laughter. The laughter comes from a group of MCHS students laughing and goofing around. Shortly after their...

Seniors football players, cheerleaders, dancers got to walk the field at MCHS last home game. Honoring the work that they have put in for their team and the memories they shared with their teammates.

Last steps on the field

Rose Wenckebach, Artistic Director October 30, 2024

As the final seconds click down, the seniors take a few last seconds on their fields to remember the love, commitment and passion for their respective sports. As they take their gear and eye black off...

Students struggle to find the balance between good grades and committing to their sports.

A stressful balance

Eli Frommes, audio producer May 22, 2024

A student athlete goes to practice as they watch their grades drop asking their coach for a day off and the coach having the student prioritize their sport over their grades and school. Student athletes...

McKenzie Woods, a sophomore at MCHS, will be attending nationals for archery after placing second in the state of Wisconsin.

Beyond the arrow

Rose Wenckebach, Staff Writer February 29, 2024

On Saturday, MCHS sophomore McKenzie Woods competed at Wisconsin S3DA State Indoor Target Tournament for archery at Fond Du Lac Expo Center in Fond Du Lac, Wisc. She competed on the Kenosha Bowmen team...

The 2022 varsity boys baseball team earned a police escort through town and a special celebration after playing in the championship game, but not all winning teams at MCHS have been celebrated the same way.

Opinion | Sports inequity is deeper than a state sendoff

Ethan Rasmussen, Staff Writer February 23, 2024

Many students at MCHS can agree about specific sport biases that have been a common theme for years. Whether it is Tennis, Volleyball, or Bowling, oftentimes certain MCHS sports are underappreciated and...

Seniors on the girls swim team are honored on the walls of the pool at the Upper Campus. Senior nights, which have already occurred for most fall sports,  can be very meaningful and memorable for the athletes, parents, teammates, and coaches.

Saying goodbye

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor In Chief November 6, 2023

Walking into the decorated gym, the sight of the student section filled with supporters catches the eye. As the warm hand of each parent upon the either side wraps around the arm, tears fill the eyes....

The Class of 2023 throws their caps at the end of the graduation ceremony at McCracken Field on May 20 — the first combined graduation held on the newly-renovated football field.

Defining the Class of 2023

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 23, 2023

The class of 2023 has been described as the “torch bearers.” The class that carried every group, every club, and every sport through the pandemic. This final year has been their only normal, uninhibited...

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