Volume 5, Senior Issue

- Senior Gavon Schutze

News

Class of 2024 celebrated with month of events 3

Opinions

Opinion: Being a senior is expensive 4

Opinion: Senior ‘Zoomers’ survived uncertain years 5

Features

Hanging up the backpack 6

Waiting on the next step 7

The Messenger Class Of 2024 9

Sports

A night to remember 11

Arts and Entertainment

Playlist: Play it one more time 13

On the Cover

“As we close our Chromebooks and say goodbye to this year’s seniors, it reminds me of how the class of 2024 started high school – on Zoom. The front cover encapsulates the journey of the class of 2024 start to now graduating.”

Mackenzie Sroka

McHenry Community High School

Upper Campus 4724 West

(815) 385-7077

In This Issue

Throughout April and most of May, seniors get to celebrate all of their accomplishments in a series of special events leading up to graduation

Between caps and gowns, prom tickets and fees, it’s expensive to be a senior — but should it be?

3

Because the FAFSA process changed, many seniors have struggled to make final decisions about what to do after graduation

4

It’s one of the most important nights for student athletes — senior night, their final game as a high schooler and their opportunity to be honored

7

12

What seniors listened to this year will be part of a high school memory that’ll stick with them the rest of their lives. We made a playlist of these songs.

13

The McHenry Messenger

Mission Statement

Student journalists have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press in high school media. The McHenry Messenger is a byproduct of these rights. We hope to use this platform to inform and engage the students and staff of McHenry High School as well as its broader community.

As a student-driven publication, it is important to us that we represent every group within both campuses and provide a platform for them to speak their truth. We intend to provide access to objective, relevant information that they need to know during these unprecedented times.

The McHenry Messenger hopes to maintain editorial independence while continuing to nurture our connections to the community.

As we strive to fulfill our journalistic mission, we recognize that learning and growing through our experiences as reporters, writers and editors is a core aspect of what makes this a student publication. When we make mistakes, our organization is prepared to take responsibility for the stories we publish and hold ourselves accountable.

Published by Editorial Staff

Mackenzie Sroka, Editor-In-Chief

Leylah Moreno, Artistic Director

Paulina Borowski, Marketing Director

Grace Hunt, Business Manager

Grace Crockett, News Editor

Lily Adams, Features Editor

Lydia Lawrence, Opinions Editor

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Brooke Danz and Maggie Demski, Copy Editors

Grace Bellavia, Zach Benton, Beth Brackmann, Eli Frommes, Lexi Januk, Jennifer Landa-Tolentino, Elijah Latronica, Kiera Miller, Olivia Smith, Aika Villa, Ethan Rasmussen and Rose Wenckebach

Allie Everhart and Rachel Kaminski

Cary Byer, Matt Connor, Greg Eiserman, Betsy Goy, Vanessa Kirk, Gina Nomikoudis, Jeff Prickett, Jamie Rosinski, Mitch Stengel, Tribune Content Agency and VIP

Dane Erbach

Both the McHenry Messenger’s print and digital editions have been established as designated forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues related to their audience. Though the student media advisor is responsible for teaching students sound journalism skills and judgment, this paper does not engage in prior review and, thus, all content published by both editions of the McHenry Messenger reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself (unless attributed accordingly).

If you would like to get in contact with the McHenry Messenger, please email the advisor at erbachdane@dist156.org or call (815) 385-1145 and leave a message on his voicemail.

Visit TheMcHenryMessenger.com for more news, features, and opinions

The end is always the beginning...

As the year comes to an end, so does the Class of 2024’s high school career. While the next step will vary for each member of the Class of 2024, they all collectively will enter “the real world” after graduation together including those that graduated early.

This year’s process for the next step following high school has looked different compared to all other school years due to the delays with the revamped FASFA form. Along with ending their high school career with circumstances different to all other classes, seniors also began their high school career unlike any other class because they began as freshman over Zoom. Throughout their years and struggles, they have found music that has fit their high school experience. In the weeks leading up to the seniors leaving, there are a ton of senior events and awards nights to celebrate the dedication and hard work of the graduating seniors, however, these events can result in pricey costs. We tried to cover all that in this special senior issue.

The McHenry Messenger will also be saying good bye to our graduating seniors. Many of them have worked to shape our newspaper into what it is today. They have all written for the Messenger and worked to produce the best of what they can do. Personally, I am proud of the work this year from all of our writers and leaders within our newspaper.

While I am sad to leave, I have full confidence that I am leaving our readers with a staff that is fully capable to continue to excel and go on to accomplish even more. Over the years we have watched our newspaper grow and flourish, which I only expect it to continue. The time has come to pass the baton, and I am proud that our editorial staff and writers are plenty capable to do amazing things on and for the newspaper.

This issue, along with celebrating the Class of 2024, is the McHenry Messenger’s 20th print edition of the year. We would like to thank you for reading and supporting our newspaper. Our senior issue is also available digitally and all of the stories are available on The McHenry Messenger’s website. Thank you again to our readers!

Editor-In-Chief

McHenry Community High School in McHenry, IL

Class of 2024 celebrated with month of events

Grace Crockett News Editor

As the end of the year approaches, seniors prepare for their last couple weeks in high school with events such as Senior Awards Night and Decision Day

MCHS will host several celebratory events before the seniors’ graduation on May 18.

Seniors final day of class is on May 10 this year, so naturally there will be a multitude of events occurring to mark the end of the year for the class of 2024 such as Decision day and Senior Picnic on May 2, Distinguished Warrior Banquet on May 5, Senior Awards Night on May 8, New Elementary Walk on May 10, and finally Graduation on May 18.

The goal of the next few weeks is to celebrate and congratulate the class of 2024.

“It’s just a good time,” says Dr. Jeff Prickett, Principal of Upper Campus. “Two or three weeks to kind of really celebrate and soak in all that they’ve accomplished and recognize them in different ways.”

The senior celebrations kicked off with this year’s White Coat Ceremony that took place on April 15.

In the start of May is when the next senior events occur. Decision Day is an event where all of the classes gather in the gym to celebrate the seniors and see there next possible steps.

“Decision Day is a much larger event, the entire upper campus attends it,” says Curtis Menke, College and Career counselor here at MCHS. “We bring in some extra technology, projection screens, and we scroll through institution by institution, employer by employer, military branch, every type of next step option. We just publicly recognize who’s taking their next step, whether it be MCC, military, four-years, technical schools, certain employers, etc.”

On May 2, Senior Picnic will take place during lunch periods after Decision Day.

Dr. Prickett describes the Distinguished Warrior Banquet which is where the about 150 seniors who qualify for distinguished warriors will receive a stole that they can wear on graduation day.

Prickett describe the Senior Awards Night that will take place on May 8.

“Senior Awards Night is where another 150 plus students are going to get some type

of award,” says Prickett. “Anything from honor roll to full ride scholarships to college and we’re going to unveil that on May 8.”

This fun night includes outside organizations to present the awards to their recipients.

“We invite partners from those organizations that award the scholarships to come to be part of the ceremony,” says Menke. “The McHenry Lions Club is one local partner we invite a representative from to come and help present the award to their recipients, so it really is a fun night and it’s cool to see good kids have good things come to them.”

For the first time, MCHS invites Seniors to walk through their old Elementary schools on their final day to look back on old memories before graduating.

“Seniors are going to take a bus on their last day on May 10th,” says Prickett. “ To walk back through their elementary schools, … It’s going to be great.”

To complement the infamous Senior Sunrise in the beginning of the year, Prickett describes the Senior Sunset that will take place at Peterson Park on the beach in the evening of May 10.

Finally, graduation will take place on May 18 around 11 a.m. with practice May 17 around 8:30 a.m.

While these events are celebratory and exciting, some seniors may feel stressed as the events are super close together.

Senior Victor Camacho expresses the gratitude he has for the Senior Walk, however with it being on the last day of class, he is disappointed as he won’t spend his final day of high school, in high school.

“While all of these great ceremonies and events truly help seniors put their final weeks at ease, I do believe that the events are very clustered together,” says Camacho. “With high school coming to an end, seniors are wanting to cherish final moments, but instead, get to spend their final day of high school going through the Senior Walk that takes place in the elementary schools. While it is a great event, the last thing we want is to spend our final day of high school not actually in the high school.”

The Class of 2024 was unique to say the least as they started out high school online in the middle of the pandemic, (how seniors feel about it quote)

“It genuinely feels surreal,” says Camacho. “I feel as if the loss of my first year of high school has made everything seem so much shorter. I seriously feel as if I was online a few months ago. It has all gone by too fast, but it is a great accomplishment, and I am proud of my peers and I.”

As graduation approaches, the Class of 2024 is preparing to celebrate all of their “lasts” — from their last early release to their last day of school. Several special senior events are planned post-prom, including Senior Picnic, Senior Sunrise, Senior Awards Night, and Decision Day.

Photo By: Mackenzie Sroka

By: Beth Brackmann

Being a senior is expensive

Towards the end of the school year, the many costs that come along with senior year continue to pile up

A student waits excitedly as the final days of their senior year of high school dwindle down and their peers eagerly discuss the ins and outs of their post-graduation plans. The student realizes that the day they have been looking forward to might not be what it seems. As the school year comes to a close, the cost of being a senior becomes more and more burdening. The final bill of our four years in high school seemingly continues to get higher and higher as more and more expenses arise.

While some students are excitedly counting down the days until graduation, others are dreading the day the grand total of their fees are due. All students must pay their school fees in order to graduate and get their diploma. For those whose families are tight on money, the hundreds of dollars required for registration and other school fees can be a major roadblock. However, the school fees are just the tip of the iceberg.

For the 2024 graduation ceremony, every senior had to purchase a $50 cap, gown and tassel. This year, the design of the gown has been altered to include orange piping around the sleeves of the garment, unfortunately making past gowns unusable and out-of-date. In the past, students have been able to reuse gowns once used by their older siblings to save from having to buy another, but because of this new change, this year’s seniors are out of luck.

Not only do students endure the school fees and pricey graduation costs, but the fees that come with any average college application. These unavoidable fees make it hard for financially unequipped families to provide for their student’s future.

One of the biggest costs of being a senior is participating in prom. While it is an optional event, many students revere prom as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can’t be missed, making memories that will be cher -

Leylah Moreno

Artistic Director

ished forever. The tickets themselves cost over $100 each; in addition to the cost of attire, which all adds up to hundreds being spent on one night.

In culmination with all of this, select seniors are honored for their academic achievements in events like the Distinguished Warrior Banquet. For the students who are invited, the banquet has additional costs. Any guests brought with them are $35 each. This is just another one of the many things that seniors might have to crack open their wallets for—or their parents. While being a senior is an exciting time, with the many senior-exclusive events to honor our time in high school and celebrate our next steps, it can be just as stressful for those with strained financial situations. We seniors already have our hands full as we persevere towards finals, graduation, and post-secondary choices; the amount of money needed to sustain our senior year is yet another thing to add to the pile.

Senior ‘Zoomers’ survived uncertain years

The Class of 2024 had a very difficult and different start to their high school careers during their freshman year, but it wasn’t all bad

All schools were shut down in the midst of COVID-19. An eighth grader who barely got a graduation is expected to start their high school career, just not the way they would have imagined. Instead of bustling hallways and full classrooms, they start their high school career with their bedrooms acting as their classroom and their classes through a computer screen. Zoom, homework, rinse and repeat. Digital learning was an awful way to start, what some believe to be, the best years of someone’s adolescent life.

As freshman, Class of 2024 along with all of MCHS students were learning virtually throughout the 2020-2021 school year as the COVID-19 pandemic surged across the globe. Students would attend their regular given schedule but by the means of a digital learning schedule. Students would attend each class period digitally, eight periods a day, through the means of Zoom meetings and Schoology assignments.

Students who started on Zoom were socially isolated. It is natural for the human mind to want to feel a sense of belonging but without it, it leads to many mental health difficulties such as problems with self-esteem and self-actualization. Without the physical connection with other students and staff, it isolated students on one side of a computer screen with lack of human connection and a building sense of

mental fatigue.

“Not being able to meet new people or even learn properly because of not being able to learn through in-person learning,” says senior Adelynn Kuhlemeier. “I don’t remember a single thing I learned over Zoom.”

The virtual teaching style lacked the connection it needed to make learning engaging. Teachers did their very best to make learning engaging on Zoom, but the lack of connection between the content and the real world only heightened that feeling of isolation.

“Personally, I hated Zoom,” says senior Mia Wiginton. “I felt so disconnected from my friends and it was much harder to learn online. That made the switch to ‘in person’ even harder.”

The switch from fully digital learning to a hybrid schedule was yet another change to adapt oneself to though such a switch proved to be hard for some freshman as they grew accustomed to the introverting way of learning.

However, amidst all the challenges, the situation provided an opportunity for students to push their limits and explore their true capabilities. It motivated them to adapt to the new circumstances and find innovative ways to continue their studies and achieve their goals. Despite the difficulties, the experience helped the students to de-

Paulina Borowski Marketing Director

velop resilience and determination, which will undoubtedly serve them well in the future.

“For me starting on Zoom came with responsibility,” says senior Tyler Hurckes. “It gave students the opportunity to hold themselves accountable considering all the leniency of doing school from your house.”

These students who started their high school online adapted to be more flexible and accommodating toward different schedules, even self-disciplined as to learn at their own pace. They also learned many other skills that may have not been actively present in a real classroom. In a way, it made the freshman grow and hone those skills in order to be unique.

“I thought it was a good experience because of things mentioned already and it made us unique in a way. No other year will be anything close to a freshman year on Zoom” says Hurckes.

Starting high school on Zoom has undeniably presented the class of 2024 with unique challenges and experiences. While the transition to online learning has brought about its own obstacles it has fostered resilience, adaptability, and other skills. Despite the unconventional start, this generation of students approaches learning with adaptability and the ability to overcome adversity.

Though seniors started their high school experiences learning remotely during the Covid pandemic, a difficult and uncertain period for many, some of the lessons they learned have helped made them better learners — and helped prepare them into better adults.

Photo By: Mackenzie Sroka

Hanging up the backpack

Seniors who meet the requirements and can graduate from MCHS early use this time to continue their march into adulthood

Early graduate Sam Bodden walks across the stage at graduation. The sun shines on her cap as she receives her diploma. Not only did she work hard to get here, she worked hard enough to graduate early. Everyone’s journey after high school starts today, but for Bodden it started in December.

The early graduate program has been at MCHS for over a decade. This program provides students who are ahead of schedule to graduate early.

In order to get this, students must meet all graduation requirements and have a plan for life after high school.

“They need to fill out an application and get it approved by their counselor,” Upper Campus Principal Dr. Jeff Prickett said, “and me and then there’s a space on there for to write out their plan is because I don’t want them leaving without a plan you know if they’re just going to sit home and play ‘Fortnite.’ That’s not it’s not good enough.”

Students use the program to get ahead in their career or education. Others use it as time to reflect before moving on to life after high school.

“I decided to be an early graduate not only for the benefit of my education but for the betterment of my own self discovery,” early grad Molara Fashola says. “Being an adult is a big deal, and I felt that I needed to get to know myself more. Luckily the December graduate program was able to grant me time to do so.”

Seniors in the early grad program are eager for what ahead in life, but can be sad about missing some of their high school experience.

“I was sad to leave my friends and groups” says early grad Pharis Walusimbi, “but at the end of the day, I had to decide what was best for me and my future.”

While some early grads were torn about leaving, others were ready to go.

“I was not sad about missing my last semester of high school,” Bodden said, “I was actually excited, counting down the days until I graduated.

While early grads miss their last semester of high school, they are still able to attend school events like dances, sporting events, and senior events like senior sunrise and sunset. The school works to

Lily Adams Features Editor

include the early graduates in everything they can.

MCHS Renaissance Team started an early grad breakfast to acknowledge and honor the students.

“The Renaissance Team started the December Grad Breakfast because they realized that we weren’t really doing anything for them, other than sending them off in December and not seeing them again until Graduation,” says Prickett. “We decided that we wanted to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments with a breakfast and encouraging words”.

Early graduates still attend graduation with the rest of the senior class. They leave early in order to give them time to sort things out or to head straight to their career.

“I believe that the break between high school and college could make or break the experience going into that new stage of life,” Fashola says. “Others may not understand, but for me the December graduate program is more than a get out of jail free card. It’s an opportunity for extra living. For yourself.”

A lot of seniors graduate early without much fanfare, but they have already started their lives after high school by enrolling at college or starting their careers.

Photo By: Lily Adams

Waiting on the next step

The Class of 2024 is facing one more unique issue, which has impacted many individuals ability to decide on a next step

Mackenzie Sroka Editor-in-Chief

Photo By: Beth Brackmann

Lola Cassidy Managing Editor

A senior walks into the College and Career Center stressed about how they do not know where they will be going to school in the fall. She is greeted by Curtis Menke, the college and career counselor at MCHS, who assures her that she is not alone in her indecisions. As their meeting goes by, she walks out of his office one step closer to a decision.

With the delayed release of the 2024-2025 FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, many seniors in MCHS and across the country have been battling indecision of their next step.

“The FAFSA is the application for financial aid. Financial aid is help from the government to pay for people’s next steps and make next steps more accessible,” said Menke. “Each school’s financial aid offices will not get student financial information until early March, which is a very quick turnaround time for colleges to get their financial reports collected and sent back to students and families to make informed decisions about their next step.”

In typical years, the FAFSA is released in October, but this year it was released in January. This was due to the FAFSA being restructured by the Department of Education to simplify the form. For many students that are seniors this has impacted their ability to make a decision on what will be their next step.

“There’s something nobody can control and that’s all the FAFSA delays,” stated Menke. “We have dozens of students who are still waiting on financial aid results to come in to see what’s realistic for them for that next step and that’s completely fair.”

Many students feel that with the

delayed FAFSA release, they can not make a smart decision because they do not know how they are going to pay for school.

“I’m stuck between paths right now,” said Jack Fisher, a senior at MCHS. “My main problems are financial concerns and personal enjoyment. Honestly I’m just kinda lost because had the FAFSA been released sooner I’d be more confident with the financial concerns.”

Along with lack of decision making there has also been a lack of decisiveness within the senior class that counselors at MCHS have noticed. This is due to many reasons, but the main one being financial concerns that students have.

“I have talked with more students in the last couple years who have expressed concern about finances later than I probably have in all the previous years combined,” said Menke. “Concerns about debt, concerns about wasting time, concerns about being wrong, concerns about failing at, you know, whatever the next step is.”

Some seniors fear the extra cost of deciding on a college when they still are not sure what they want to do.

“How much college costs and I have an older brother who’s going out of state for college,” said senior Ellen Maciaszek, “so I didn’t want my parents to have to pay more for me to go especially if I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.”

For this year’s seniors, the indecisiveness on what the next step is has caused a higher level of stress.

“Generally yes my stress and emotions have been a little off lately due to my next steps, and the stress that comes with said steps,” said Fisher. “It’s not that I’m

concerned with the step itself, but where or what I want to do with my next step that’s stressing me out.”

Decision day for colleges is typically May 1, which could also add stress to this year’s seniors if they are unsure on where they are taking their next step. Most colleges have moved back their deadline, however, some have not.

“Traditionally, May 1 is national decision day,” said Menke. “Most four year colleges want you to commit to a school or their school by then, we’re already seeing a trend of schools pushing back their decision deadline until May 15, or in many cases June 1. Colleges recognize that some people just simply won’t have the information to make those informed choices until then.”

In order to try to help students with the stress of taking their next step, counselors at MCHS meet with students and try to put them at ease. While there is not much that they can do for them, they mostly work to comfort and support the seniors.

“We are doing our best to provide meaningful help,” said Menke. “Meet people halfway, listen to their needs, listen to their wants, hear out the insecurities, hear the strengths, hear the things they are excited about, and try to find options that make sense for them in the short term, that aren’t going to bid that tap that capitalize on those things that they are concerned about.”

As the end of the school year nears, the class of 2024 prepares to enter into the world as adults. Whether heading off to college, going into the workforce, taking a gap year, or still being undecided, the next step after high school for many still needs to be decided upon.

The Messenger Class Of 2024

Gabe Santos A&E Editor

The eight seniors on the Messenger staff, though all different, have one thing in common: they found a way contribute to their community through journalism

Four years ago, “Tiger King” was Netflix’s biggest product, The Weeknd released “After Hours,” Donald Trump was still President, murder hornets invaded the U.S., and in the midst of a world pandemic the Class of 2024 was starting their Freshman year.

Four years later, those same freshmen (previously known only as little boxes on a screen) are walking across the stage as graduates of MCHS. Within the McHenry Messenger, many of these soon-to-be graduates got a chance to talk about high school, and what comes next.

This year’s graduates include Editor-In-Chief Mackenzie Sroka, Artistic Director and Head Of Broadcast Anchor Coverage Leylah Moreno, Marketing Director Paulina Borowski, Online Managing Editor Lola Cassidy, Opinions Editor Lydia Lawrence, and staff writers Jennifer Landa-Tolentino, Alexis Januk and Zach Benton. Each have contributed to The McHenry Messenger and leave big shoes to fill for our underclassmen.

Describe your high school experience.

Paulina Borowski: “My high school experience was definitely a good one. We started during Covid and it was a really weird way (to start) because I was in eighth grade going into Freshman year with no graduation, no expectations, no nothing, so I was just kind of thrown in there. It wasn’t necessarily bad because I was a really motivated student so I did pretty well for being a zoom kid. Then as soon as we went to hybrid I kind of kicked off from there because like I was finally in person, I could finally meet people…As soon as we got fully in person like junior and senior year, it all grew from there because so many opportunities opened but it was just a weird journey because you were first by yourself and then fully around everyone.”

Leylah Moreno: “I think when I started out high

school in the heart of the pandemic I was kind of an anxious wreck and I was kind of scared of everything and everything was a lot different then. Since then I’ve grown and become comfortable in my skin and more confident and everything. I’m not really involved in sports or anything but I’ve kind of found my own home in Warrior Student Media.”

Lexi Januk: “Well Freshman Year was definitely- it wasn’t the worst, but it took time to adjust, which is what a lot of seniors would say…Nothing really out of the ordinary ever happened but sophomore year was really where the workload started to pick up and like when everyone came together they didn’t know how to handle it. We all remember the first day, when school came together the hallways were so crowded and a lot of people were late every day and it was just the worst. Junior and Senior year were probably the best years because that’s like when you get a lot more freedom– get your license, your first jobs … I think junior and senior year was where I was at my best. Senior year is very stressful right now but I’m just happy to get out of here I guess and move on with my life. It’s not the end like a lot of people think high school is.”

Lydia Lawrence: “I think my high school experience was very enlightening compared to middle school. There’s a lot more to do here, a lot more teachers, a lot more people to make connections with, and a lot of different people from different areas. In terms of work it shows me what I need to work on in the future like with my work ethic. Emotionally I’d say I know who I’m looking for when I’m picking my friends– the people I let influence me because there are so many different people at this school and observing them shows me who I want to be and who I want to be to others. The teachers, especially Erbach, probably impacted me the most because freshman year I wasn’t even in newspaper but I had him in En-

glish and it was really hard to adjust to that but he was really fun and he made it interesting. He was a jokester and he brought up the newspaper class once, and I was like “this teacher is honestly so fun, I like writing and I want to be around this teacher and the energy he has.” Because he was always so supportive of his students and especially me … I’d say having a teacher like that was really inspiring … Coming to school was always a hard thing for me … I think high school helps people figure out who they want to be before they have to go into the real world.”

How has being in Newspaper impacted your high school experience?

Mackenzie Sroka: “Newspaper, funny enough, that’s where I met my best friends. Newspaper is really what brought me out as a person. I found it Freshman year, second semester, and I was terrified but I was motivated. Everything went back to normal sophomore year and I feel like that brought me out and made me push myself. I think I became a lot more connected to my class. Every semester I feel like I’ve had someone I’ve been close to. It’s nice being in a classroom environment where I know who I’m with.”

Lola Cassidy: “I just joined newspaper this year but I think it’s been an extra thing that’s made my experience worthwhile.”

Zach Benton: “I’ve only been in newspaper for a year but I think it’s opened up a path of like– I like talking about things, I like being passionate about things … I like talking to people about things and that’s essentially what newspaper is.”

Jennifer Landa-Tolentino: “It’s definitely advanced my writing in general.”

Do you plan to pursue journalism after high school?

Borowski: “If engineering is long gone, in the back of my mind, I definitely do want to write. One of my main goals in life is to write a book and journalism will definitely help with that.”

Moreno : “I plan to go to a four year university and although I don’t know for sure which one, I know I’m going to major in journalism.”

Januk: “It’s something I definitely want to look into. It’s definitely a hard field to get into without college or anything but it’s something that I’d want to try.”

Lawrence: “I didn’t think I wanted to up until this year. Even now it’s still a little “I don’t know” because I like to write but I don’t like to write under deadlines. But after doing sectionals and getting recognition it’s kind of given me confidence I didn’t know needed. It’s like “if you guys think I’m good and you guys think I have good ideas, why not try it out?”

Sroka: “I don’t. I plan to go into nursing. I think it was a debate for a minute, but I decided against it. I think if anything I’ll continue with photography in some way but I don’t think I’ll write again.”

Cassidy: “I do not.”

Benton: “It’s an option but I’m most likely going to go for music.”

Landa-Tolentino: “No, just because I have a dream career that doesn’t involve journalism. I want to do nursing.”

What other extracurriculars are you involved in and how have they impacted your experience?

Borowski: “I’m also in theater, and theater was a huge part of my experience because I did four years, starting in Freshman year, even when everything was closed. It was great because people were locked in their houses for a year and a half and we still got to put something out there. I did theater in middle school and honestly I thought I was so bad at it but I’m like “maybe this will be different.” It was a lot of laughter, a lot of crying, a lot of stress, but it was so worth it.”

Sroka: “I have played varsity soccer, since I was a freshman. I’ve grown a lot in that program as I am confident in myself and my skills. Junior year I started playing golf because of the girls on the team and the family feel that it provided.¨

Cassidy: “I play lacrosse which anyone being on a team understands: It’s kind of like a family and you get to make new friends and see them every day. I’m also in the NHS and have gotten to volunteer and help the community.”

Benton: “I’ve done band since middle school, that’s something I’ve done for a really long time … I didn’t really think about any of these things, during high school to be honest.”

How are you feeling about college?

Moreno: “I feel terrible about it, personally. I feel extremely overwhelmed and right now it kind of feels like a lot of people are really sure of where they’re going or they have no idea and I’m somewhere in the middle where like, i know what I want to do but actually committing to a plan and a school– there’s a lot of doubts and uncertainty and it’s scary being in a new place with new people and on my own for the first time, but I’m really excited too.”

Januk: “My plan is to move to St. Louis, Missouri, and I plan to put myself through school there … moving is probably my option right now, I don’t plan on going to school right away, i plan to take a gap year.”

Lawrence: “I feel pretty ready. Until Senior year I was always like “I got time, I got time”,but now that it’s actually time to think about it– I’ve always known I want to go to MCC — but I actually have to figure out where I want to go from there.”

Landa-Tolentino: “I’m actually pretty excited and ready. I think I’m gonna do 2 years at MCC and then Loyola after.”

Are you happy with how high school shaped up?

Borowski: “I think so. It started so weirdly and I think it really shaped who I am now. I’m so used

to sh*t hitting me in the face. The journey was long and rigorous but I think coming out of it I’ve achieved so much that I’m just like “okay. I can finally be proud of myself.” Because looking back I’m like “I did a ton.”

Moreno: “Yeah, I’m happy with how my high school career went. I think the whole point of high school is to make mistakes and try things out and figure out who you are, or at least start to, and I think throughout my time in high school that’s exactly what I did.”

Januk: “Yeah. I feel like people are prone to regretting their high school experience but like, you’re a kid, you’re learning how to live and be yourself and you don’t even fully know who you are yet. I think it shaped me the best it could and it went the best it could and it’s not the end of the world if something went wrong.”

Lawrence: “I’m satisfied with my high school experience. I’ve learned what I wanted to learn and seen what I wanted to see. I feel more confident in my work and who I am and what I bring to the table, so I think that school was helpful.”

Sroka: “I think that high school is very challenging, and I think if my senior year wasn’t ending with the friends I have now I wouldn’t have been but I love where I am now with my friends and who I’ve become and so I think that I am.”

Cassidy: “Yeah, I think so. I think I ended up exactly where I wanted to be and with great friends.”

Benton: “Yeah. Especially senior year, senior year has been really good. I’m very happy with all of the experiences I’ve gained in high school. Some of it was really rough but it helped me become a better person.”

Landa-Tolentino: “Yeah I think so. I think it made me a better person in general.”

Whether they have been on the staff for a year or four years, and whether they’ll be journalists in the future, or nurses , or they’re studying aviation— their impact here at the McHenry Messenger will be felt for years to come.

Some senior members of the Messenger staff are new to Newspaper this year—even this semester. Others have been writing for the Messenger for four years. All of them have helped tell the story of the MCHS that readers will appreciate for years to come. Collage By: Leylah Moreno

Photos Submitted By: Messenger Seniors

A night to remember

Senior night is a special day to commemorate the seniors, and to thank them for all they have done through their high school career

Senior Stephanie Wedin walks the track and hi-fives her coach during the girls track senior night at McCracken Field on April 15.

Photo By: Allie Everhart

Ethan Rasmussen Staff Writer

A senior athlete walks down the court, the crowd cheering for the 2024 senior class. They link arms with their parents and walk into the line of seniors also being recognized, this is the night they have been waiting for since they were a freshman.

Senior night is a once a year occasion for every sport at MCHS. It is an event to recognize the seniors and their accomplishments throughout their years playing for MCHS.

“To me it’s a big night to commemorate seniors,” said senior basketball player Hayden Stone. “For me it gave me a sense of recognition and a good sense of all my accomplishments. It is a big moment for everybody.”

Senior night is different for everybody, with many different motivations and feelings going into the end of their high school sports. They tend to reminisce on their years at high school, and their favorite moments from their sports.

“Something that I’ll remember is just walking onto the field and seeing the people in the stands and on the field,” said Mason Zriny, Senior football player at MCHS. “I’ll remember seeing everyone on the field one

more time before I go onto the next chapter of my life.”

Senior night is always an emotional night to be remembered, as many seniors will never fail to remember their time with their team and coaches, as well as how quickly the time flew by.

“Enjoy every second of high school, it goes by so fast,” said Skyler Balzer, a senior on the track team. “I’m gonna miss my team and coaches so much.”

Other seniors spread their advice to their teammates, hoping to help out the teammates under them, so they can have the opportunity for a better experience.

“I just say have fun,” said Stone. “Make the most of it, you only have so much time left to try and go as far as you can and surprise a lot of people, do a lot of things you’ve never thought you could.”

Seniors have a feeling of pride being on their field for the last time. Often reflecting on all of the hard work they put in to get where they are today. Reflecting on the long four years that they endured for where they stand today.

“Go 100% all of the time because

you’ll never know when your last play is,” said Zriny. “You’ll regret not trying, also just enjoying being on that field, and being proud of what you’ve done on it.”

Oftentimes the most missed part of high school sports are their coaches and teammates, people that they have spent building connections with for years, turning more into a family than a team.

“The biggest thing is the memories and the people that you’re going to meet,” said Pedro Jimenez, a senior wrestler. “It’s not about the actual accomplishments that you’ll make.”

Some senior athletes will miss the coaches that took them in and gave them a role model in their lives.

“I’ll miss my relationships with my coaches,” said Stone, “they brought me in and just gave me a push in the back, just really going to miss them.”

Standing in the line, the excitement builds until every senior has been called. It is finally time for the game to begin. As all of the players get ready for the game, one last line from the announcer resonates in their head, “Good luck seniors.”

Play it one more time

We asked the Class of 2024 about the songs that will always remind them of their time in high school. Here’s what they said.

Gabe Santos A&E Editor

Scan the code using your Spotify app to listen to this playlist

Illustration By: Rachel Kaminski

The Class of 2024 is a unique one to say the least.

Starting their freshman year online, they had a lot of time to listen to music and pretend to be paying attention. As their sophomore and junior years came and went, generation-defining talents like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Mac Miller, Bon Iver, Ricky Montgomery, Morgan Wallen, and Bruno Mars entered their realm of music. Many throwbacks rounded out their music like Deftones, Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Blink 182, and Queen.

As the end of their senior year comes, we asked the senior class what music defined it all in the end and compiled it into a playlist–like a time capsule for their high school years.

Some artists got more love than others, and by far the most love went to (who else but) Taylor Swift. Songs like “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” and “You’re On Your Own, Kid” in particular were featured on this playlist and it’s clear that the biggest pop-star of our generation made an impact on this senior class.

Fellow pop artist Ariana Grande got her share of the spotlight on this playlist, with her song “No Tears Left To Cry” being a highlight. This late 2010’s chart-topper has introspective lyrics that a senior could appreciate, but a beat that keeps things light, inspiring the listener to keep looking up no matter how hard it gets.

Surprisingly, a lot of alternatives made it onto the playlist as well. Artists like Deftones, 2024 Lollapalooza headliners

Blink-182, Mother Mother, Ricky Montgomery, and Lizzy McAlphine rounded out the playlist showing that even the deep cuts meant a lot to this group of seniors. Particularly, Panic! At The Disco’s album “Pretty Odd.” got a couple of submissions from our seniors. “Northern Downpour”, center-most track on the aforementioned album, is an acoustic led track with reminiscent and nostalgic lyrics. The instrumental builds towards the end with whimsical instruments and vocal arrangements making the quiet track feel bombastic and conclusive– something that a 2024 graduate could relate to.

Country artists like Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen got lot’s of love from our seniors as well. Additionally, our seniors prove they have taste with throwbacks from Micheal Jackson and Queen.

“Don’t Stop Me Now”, a popular Queen track, keeps things light. The classic rock piano and iconic vocals from Freddie Mercury give this playlist a much needed shot of adrenaline, and can inspire any senior to keep their foot on the gas pedal.

Songs from our seniors’ childhoods popped up often. Artists like Bruno Mars, Avril Lavigne, Justin Timberlake, and Mac Miller who made their names in the 2010’s aren’t forgotten by this class.

Of course, “We Are Young” by Fun., a classic prom track made it onto the song. This song makes “the end” really feel like “the end”, but also makes it seem less scary with its nostalgic and comforting lyrics.

All in all, these seniors show that, even if they were locked in their houses, their music taste remained immaculate.

“Iwillalwaysremember andmisstheir amazingspirit,their senseofhumor,their passionanddriveasthey workthroughtough situationsandtheir willingnesstoacceptand embraceeveryone’s differences.”

- Dr. Jeff Prickett, Upper Campus Principal

Upper Campus Principal Dr. Jeff Prickett addresses students during the spring spirit rally on April 4 in the Upper Campus main gym. During the event, which was the Class of 2024’s last spirit rally, students and staff played volleyball against each other.

Photo By: Grace Bellavia