The McHenry Messenger – McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

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Spring fever
March 12, 2026
Mason Sites, Sports Editor
As the Winter weather slowly fades, students and staff at MCHS begin to ecstatically prepare for what’s next: Spring. Spring Break vacation planning is underway, coats are hung up for the foreseeable future and students gear up for the home stretch of the school year, consisting of stressful events...
Puzzles
Puzzle | Wordle, Mar 12, 2026
March 12, 2026
Dominic Burnett, Puzzlemaster
PM_Config.PM_BasePath = "https://puzzleme.amuselabs.com/pmm/"; Made by Dominic Burnett
News
Department of Homeland Security shut down
March 11, 2026
Aika Villa, Print Managing Editor
On Feb. 13 the Department of Homeland Security officially went on a government shutdown due to the recent issues relating to immigration enforcement policies. Other issues such as the current situation in Minneapolis where two American citizens were shot. For three weeks, both DHS and congressional...
Features
What a way to make a living!
March 10, 2026
Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief
As time draws nearer to the curtain call, stage crew and actors take their places. Working together for all this time to prepare for opening night, their combined effort shows as they put on an amazing show on opening night. Coworkers, and friends, Doralee, Violet and Judy are fed up with their...
Puzzles
Puzzle | Wordle, Mar 10, 2026
March 10, 2026
Dominic Burnett, Puzzlemaster
PM_Config.PM_BasePath = "https://puzzleme.amuselabs.com/pmm/"; Made by Dominic Burnett

News

A view of the dome of the U.S. Capitol building, during a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a stopgap spending bill to avert a partial government shutdown that would otherwise begin October 1, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. U.S., September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

Department of Homeland Security shut down

Aika Villa, Print Managing Editor • March 11, 2026

On Feb. 13 the Department of Homeland Security officially went on a government shutdown due to the recent issues relating to immigration enforcement...

A bunch of shopping carts located at an IKEA, awaiting for customers to shop.

IKEA opening doors soon in Gurnee Mills

March 6, 2026

Students carry signs along Crystal Lake Road outside of the Upper Campus during a 6th period walkout on Friday. Students planned the protests against ICE and President Trump for weeks via social media.

MCHS students protest ICE and Trump during walkout

February 20, 2026

Federal agents stand amid tear gas to disperse people gathered near the scene where federal agents fatally shot a man while trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Minnesota protest turns deadly as ICE officer shoots Alex Pretti during struggle

February 4, 2026

Opinions

If someone has too much plastic surgery, they are fake and out of touch with reality, but if someone doesn’t have enough work done, they are unattractive and plain — at least when talking about celebrities. But this double-standard has gone too far.

Opinion | The unfiltered truth

Lena Curfman, Social Media Manager • March 2, 2026

While watching celebrities walk the red carpet at the Grammy’s, everyone looks flawless. You would think that’s a good thing, that it means...

Society is set up to place more value on men. This misogyny, which has been embraced and normalized by society, makes life harder for women and girls.

Opinion | Weight on her shoulders

February 24, 2026

Instagram app icon is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Opinion | Adapting to the digital age

February 18, 2026

As students enter second semester, slumps start to hit which causes them to rely on AI resources to get through the school day.

Opinion | The wrong source

February 17, 2026

Features

"9 to 5" cast and crew rehearses for opening night on March 11 in the Upper Campus Auditorium.

What a way to make a living!

Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief • March 10, 2026

As time draws nearer to the curtain call, stage crew and actors take their places. Working together for all this time to prepare for opening...

Breakup season has heavy mental effects to couples from December to March, often causing them to split apart.

The reality of breakup season

March 5, 2026

The boys bathroom's door is closed on the fourth floor of the Freshman Campus. Bathrooms have been closed on and off all year because of students caught vandalizing and vaping.

Up in fumes

March 3, 2026

On Feb. 26, students from MCHS's publications wore all black to celebrate Student Press Freedom Day, a national celebration of student press freedom that acknoledges the role that student publications play in their communities.

Speak your truth

February 27, 2026

Sports

McHenry varsity baseball takes the field on May 16. 2025 for senior night against Prairie Ridge.

Spring fever

Mason Sites, Sports Editor • March 12, 2026

As the Winter weather slowly fades, students and staff at MCHS begin to ecstatically prepare for what’s next: Spring. Spring Break vacation...

Mar 8, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) shoots on Michigan State Spartans forward Jordan Scott (6) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Marching closer

March 9, 2026

Leveling the Field | Pride in sports

March 3, 2026

A mural in Seattle, WA showcases Sonics player Shawn Kemp. The Seattle Supersonics are one of a handful of teams that could be added to an expanded NBA.

Analysis | Bigger than basketball

February 25, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Bad Bunny accepts the award for Album of the Year for "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 1, 2026.

Review | Snubs and surprises

Grace Bellavia, Arts and Entertainment Editor • February 11, 2026

Haga clic aquí para leer una versión en español de esta historia. As the Grammys monologue and opening performance plays on TVs around...

After an update, Roblox users have gotten chat and voice chat taken away, needing extra verification to get it back.

Mic-up

February 10, 2026

"Welcome to Derry" expands the universe of Stephen King's novel "It" in some unexpected ways — and in ways that fans will love.

Review | “Ghouls and goblins will be the very least of your worries”

January 28, 2026

New "Jujutsu Kaisen," "Chainsaw Man" and "Demon Slayer" movies reach new heights for their genre, making hundreds of millions of dollars in the box office.

Slaying the box office

December 10, 2025

Sports
Spring fever
Take a deeper dive into some of the many spring sports McHenry Community High School has to offer this year.
March 12, 2026
Mason Sites, Sports Editor
Puzzles
Puzzle | Wordle, Mar 12, 2026
For today’s puzzle, here’s a Wordle
March 12, 2026
Dominic Burnett, Puzzlemaster
News
Department of Homeland Security shut down
Many congress members wanted to negotiate sufficient reforms with DHS however Congress could find an agreement or compromise leading to DHS shutting down
March 11, 2026
Aika Villa, Print Managing Editor
Features
What a way to make a living!
MCHS’s theater department puts on the production of “9 to 5”
March 10, 2026
Michalina Sotka, Editor-in-Chief
Puzzles
Puzzle | Wordle, Mar 10, 2026
For today’s puzzle, here’s a Wordle using a word that describes everyone
March 10, 2026
Dominic Burnett, Puzzlemaster

News

Department of Homeland Security shut down

Aika Villa, Print Managing Editor • March 11, 2026

On Feb. 13 the Department of Homeland Security officially went on a government shutdown due to the recent issues relating to immigration enforcement policies. Other issues such as the current situation in Minneapolis where two American citizens were shot. For three weeks, both DHS and congressional democrats were trying to make a compromise. They...

IKEA opening doors soon in Gurnee Mills

March 6, 2026

MCHS students protest ICE and Trump during walkout

February 20, 2026

Minnesota protest turns deadly as ICE officer shoots Alex Pretti during struggle

February 4, 2026

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