Volume 2, Issue 4

McHenry High School | McHenry, Illinois | Volume Two | Issue Four | May 2021

The McHenry Messenger

THE SENIOR ISSUE

Being a senior during a pandemic hasn’t been easy. So how did the Class of 2021 get through it? In this special issue, we honor tell their stories, reflect on their experience and offer their wisdom.

IN THIS ISSUE

This year’s seniors will matriculate during a socially distant graduation ceremony and a special senior parade — a new tradition continued from last year.

PAGE 3 A lot has gone on this past school year, but there has been a lot of good in the bad, making this a school year that no student will ever forget.

PAGE 4

Though athletics have not been normal this year, many seniors were still able to make the best of it — and plan to continue playing sports with them to college.

PAGE 14

Read more at TheMcHenryMessenger.com

Table of Contents

The First Look Two masked upperclassmen pose for a picture at MCHS’s Mask-erade, a replacement to prom that allowed for social distancing, in the West Main Gym on April 30. During the event, students enjoyed a comedy show from Adam Grabowski, catering from food trucks, and dancing in the main gym

Photo By: Kennedy Tetour

ON THE COVER Taking the photos for the cover of the final Senior Edition of the Messenger was so much fun. Some of the most amazing people I’ve met are seniors this year, and it is definitely a bittersweet ending to the school year to see them leave. I got the chance to work with people who I’ve known for quite some time now, and meet a couple of new people as well. Everyone on this cover has put so much effort into what they do and it has been so fun to watch as they move onto the next part of their lives.

Kennedy Tetour This month’s cover photographer

Volume Two | Issue Four | May 2021

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In This Issue NEWS

Class of 2021 to graduate in small in-person ceremonies OPINIONS

The silver lining of a weird year Saying goodbye FEATURES

Under the radar Never forgotten ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Honed to perfection

SPORTS

Next level

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The McHenry Messenger Mission Statement A student journalist has the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media. The McHenry Messenger is a byproduct of those 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, provide a platform for them to speak their truth, and ensure access to objective, relevant information that they need to know.

As we endeavor 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.

Finally, despite the difficulties presented by these unprecedented times—which include a global pandemic that requires remote and hybrid learning—our student newspaper intends to meet the same high standard of journalism as any other school year.

Published by

McHenry High School in McHenry, IL

Editorial Staff

Kyla Henige, Managing Editor Emma Snyder, News Editor Ciara Duncan, Features Editor Josie Cable, Opinion Editor Kylie Chisamore, Sports Editor Alanya Trimingham, Copy Editor Kennedy Tetour, Art Director Kiera Loewe, Social Media Director

Staff Writers

Becky Arendarczyk, Madison Harvey, Joe Hissem, Alayna Majkrzak, Joe Ndu, MJ Smit, Elle Smith, Mackenzie Sroka, and Kaitlyn Wenzel

Contributing Illustrator

Rachel Kaminski

Special Thanks to Advisor

A difficult year, but one in which we found ourselves and each other

With the school year coming to a close and seniors experiencing their last days in high school, it’s important to take some time to reflect on the memories as well as the achievements made by this year’s graduating class.

As one of the first classes to have kicked off the school newspaper, we faced many challenges, especially during the pandemic. With half the year online, we still found ways to report and share the stories of our community and the world. What resulted was one of the best years in the newspaper’s short history at sectionals, with news editor Emma Snyder placing third at the state competition.

Even though the last day of the school year is weeks away, we still found plenty of stories to tell about this year’s achievements. With our seniors in mind, we’ve worked hard to capture the accomplishments of students who were heavily involved, as well as those who flew under the radar. We’ve also included a series of brief reflections and advice from our senior staff members at the McHenry Messenger.

Being on the newspaper has been an interesting experience for us all. It has been hard work but it definitely paid off to hear everyone’s inputs on our stories and the ideas that have stemmed from our articles. Working with fellow classmates has been very nice and it helps that everyone is so kind and hardworking. Although the McHenry Messenger hasn’t been around for all too long, it has been our privilege to share the stories that MCHS offers. And we are confident that these stories will continue to be shared under the guidance of new student leaders and staff.

Matt Connor, Amy Maciaszek, Gina Nomikoudis, Mitch Stengel, 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) 385-7077 and leave a message on his voicemail.

Visit TheMcHenryMessenger.com for more news, features, and opinions Our issues are printed by the McHenry High School Graphics Program: Warriors INK www.mchswarriorsink.com

Becky Arendarczyk Art Director

Emma Snyder News Editor

Ciara Duncan Features Editor

Alayna Trimingham Copy Editor

Joe Ndu Staff Writer

Kaitlyn Wenzel Staff Writer

Elle Smith Staff Writer

Emma Westermeier Staff Writer

MJ Smit Staff Writer mchenrymessengr

Read more at TheMcHenryMessenger.com

News

Class of 2021 to graduate in small in-person ceremonies Emma Snyder News Editor

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 ceremonies on May 20 at 5, 6:15 and 7 p.m. in the Main Gym. Seniors will graduate in groups of 50 graduates and each will be allowed to bring four guests.

“I think it was the best way [to have graduation] because it was the safest way. We’re able to follow CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines,” said Jeff Prickett, principal at East Campus. “We entertained the idea of going out to McCracken Field like we have in the past, but one year I got caught in the rain out there and we had to move all the graduates to Duker and I’m not doing that again.”

“The other issue is that, if we were to go out to McCracken Field, we would be facing one set of bleachers,” continued Prickett. “We couldn’t fit all the guests [in the bleachers] if we did. We’d have to limit it to two guests per graduate to be able to safely social distance all the guests on one side of the bleachers.”

West Campus will have 14 total graduation ceremonies across two days, May 20 and May 21. Ceremonies will last from 4-8 p.m. on May 20 and 3-6 p.m. on May 21, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.

“It’s going to look pretty similar to what the traditional graduation looks like in that everything will be set up,” said Marsha Potthoff, West Campus principal. “The 25 students will be seated, on the gym floor, and we’ll still have a student welcome a speech, we’ll play the song when they march in, I’ll give a little address, their names will be read, they come across the stage. So it’s going to look the same for that back room.”

Seniors from West will graduate in the Main Gym in groups of 25 with each graduate allowed a maximum of five guests.

“I think it makes [graduation] more memorable, and even last year, we had a virtual graduation, and we did the individThe 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.

Photo By: VIP

Volume Two | Issue Four | May 2021

Though the ceremony will look different, the school hopes to turn last year’s senior parade into a new tradition ual in person [graduations],” said Potthoff.

“I don’t think hardly anybody watched the virtual graduation. It’s just not the same.

And so I hope that the seniors feel it’s more, more like a grand finale, and a positive memorable experience than watching something on a screen.”

On May 21, following graduation ceremonies at West, graduates will line up at East Campus to participate in a parade.

East graduates will depart for the parade route at 6:30 p.m. and West graduates will follow at 7 p.m.

“We had never done [a parade], until last year,” said Potthoff. “Last year we were searching for ways to honor students, and we came up with that idea, and we said, ‘wait, why not continue to do that even if we go back to traditional graduations.’ It was just really fun, and it’s a little bit more casual than a formal ceremony.”

While many seniors have expressed excitement about being able to have some semblance of a traditional, in-person graduation ceremony, other seniors are still grappling with disappointment that comes with these dramatic changes.

“The way the school is doing the graduation makes sense in terms of the pandemic but as a senior I don’t feel like I’m being given my fair recognition for

working as hard as I have for the past four years,” said Salah Kigozi, senior at West Campus. “Like a 30 minute ceremony it sounds like something so meaningless. I do wish I can graduate with my friends and the people I know and have worked with for years but I don’t and that wont be something I’ll just get over.”

However, seniors are remaining optimistic and trying to make the best of the untraditional aspects of graduation.

“I think they are handling it to the best of their abilities,” said Stormy Mosson, East Campus senior. “But I still wish it could be different and not so rushed.”

“I feel somewhat disappointed that I don’t get to graduate with my whole class like the class that graduated two years ago,” said Kylie Borck, West Campus senior. “But I’m very grateful that at least I will get a ceremony with a few other friends, unlike last year where you just go in, Potthoff would say something about you, grab your diploma and you’re out.”

Graduation for the class of 2021 has been a long anticipated event after all the challenges that students, parents, teachers, and administrators have faced through the pandemic. Having an in-person graduation, although untraditional, is exciting for many at MCHS.

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Opinions

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.

Illustration By: Rachel Kaminski

The silver lining of a weird year Opinion

Though we may be tempted to forget the 2020-21 school year, our “Zoom year,” we may have a hard time forgetting a year with so many ups and downs

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 like the graduation and prom that they deserve.

Although it has not been exactly perfect, there have been more positives to this school year than many think. On April 30, the Mask-erade was held where students had a comedian, food trucks, and dancing. Not many students bought tickets, but more attended than expected. This is evidence that MCHS is working hard to give the seniors the last year they wanted, as well as following the safety guidelines.

The seniors are also getting a fairly normal graduation, though stretched

over the span of two days. That’s a way better alternative for them than a Zoom graduation or no graduation at all. Graduation is a wonderful way to celebrate student achievements and reflect on memories as the students go into a new chapter in their lives, and this year’s seniors will go out on a memorable note.

Though sports seasons were delayed, many athletes still enjoyed a season — many of which were canceled last year. A lot of school spirit comes from sporting events like football games leading up to Homecoming. MCHS did still have a few opportunities for students to watch the games. The school still held Homecoming week as well. This gave the chance for students to dress up a little and celebrate their school spirit — and for senior have some

Kiera Loewe Social Media Director fun with their last month.

Schedule changes also plagued this school year, which tugged students, especially the seniors, back and forth with their emotions. It was definitely a roller coaster, but second semester offered students the option to go back full time. While it’s true that not everyone is back yet and the year started out with students stuck at home, most have been able to finish their school year in-person, able to see each other after so much time apart.

Overall the year has been a little rough, especially for the seniors that wanted to have a memorable last year.

However, that’s exactly what they got—a great second semester, a series of end of the year events, and a school year unlike any other that they will always remember.

Read more at TheMcHenryMessenger.com

Opinions

Saying goodbye The senior staff at the McHenry Messenger have survived a tumultuous four years — and have a lot of wisdom to share

The Class of 2021 of MCHS have conquered the unexpected, and the senior staff of the McHenry Messenger has had the responsibility of covering it all. Through interviewing, photographing, illustrating, and writing, they’ve learned a lot from students and staff.

Now, they get to share their own words and tell their stories of their high school years.

After all, like the rest of the Class of 2021, they’ve made it through more than anybody could have ever expected.

For two years, newspaper photographers have used the corner of in room 233 at West Campus, with its broken ring light and rickety backdrop, to take portraits for the McHenry Messenger. This year’s seniors will be the last to create the newspaper in this space.

All Photos By: Kennedy Tetour

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Becky Arendarczyk

Ciara Duncan

Becky Arendarczyk

Ciara Duncan

Alayna Trimingham

Senior year was a funky cluster of challenges I don’t think any of us expected to face. That’s it. That’s my story.

Kidding… Kidding...

Senior year is supposed to be a “warm and fuzzy” moment. Now that graduation is upon us, everyone is looking into college, working jobs, and most of us can drive — though I am not one of those people. Still, success and big things are happening.

Though that was put on hold for most of us, I feel that so much growth came out of this year. I learned that I benefit from learning online and at home. Without a global pandemic, I wouldn’t have had a chance to find that out.

I also learned that journalism is my jam. Getting “Best of SNO” was an absolute highlight of my high school career, and it came just weeks before my last day. I never thought I could write as a career because of my struggles, but the newspaper really showed me I can.

Graduating high school during a pandemic taught me to hold onto the little things and celebrate successes when they happen. We never know what huge change will slap us in the face in an instant, so live in the moment.

I cannot be happier about the person I’ve become these past four years. I will not give my high school the honor of saying that it changed me into who I am today, but I will say that it has been the one constant throughout my seasons of change. This school has been both the bane of my existence, and the one thing that keeps me going.

As a result of this, I simply cannot wait for college — the idea of being able to start again, but with the knowledge I have now a fresh start I never thought I’d receive. I will take every opportunity I receive and run with it. I will no longer be terrified of what people think, and I sure won’t deal with people who don’t want to deal with me.

I am not the girl I was four years ago. I have gone through both too many hardships and too many moments of true joy for that. Where I was shy and nervous, I am now outgoing and boisterous. Where I was uncertain, I am now hopeful.

At one point in my life, I no longer wanted to live. I now cannot wait to see another new day. I sincerely hope that everyone in this position right now can one day do the same. It’s worth it.

Art Director

Features Editor

If you are struggling with depression or suicide, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 1-800-273-8255.

Copy Editor

Being a senior this year was exciting and new and definitely interesting.

I started high school off as a scared freshman, and ended as an adult with aspirations.

School has always been a bit difficult for me, but pushing through those difficulties has made me a more hardworking individual.

Being a senior during a pandemic was stressful because with COVID was unexpected and new. With COVID, things were always changing. Considering we haven’t been in a pandemic before, no one was really prepared for what was going to come. This made school more stressful than it should have been.

I’m disappointed that I missed out on my senior year in many ways. I didn’t get to go to prom, and graduation is going to be very different this year. However, I feel like everyone experiencing the same troubles at the same time has brought people closer together and shown who they really are.

If I had any advice for underclassmen, it would be to try to stay motivated and reach out if you need help, whether its education related or personal problems, many people in the school are good people and willing to help, you just need to find them.

What helped me get through high school the most was my peers. My friends were very encouraging and were always there for me when I needed them. I hope I have done a good job as a friend to them as well.

Now that my high school experience is coming to a close, it feels very bittersweet. I am happy that I get to experience new things and grow as an adult now, but its also scary to leave the place I’ve been for the past four years, and leaving my friends and family behind for college.

At the end of the day, I would say my high school experience was something I’ll never forget and I hope I never forget the great memories I’ve made throughout these past four years.

Read more at TheMcHenryMessenger.com

Opinions

MJ Smit

Emma Snyder

Elle Smith

MJ Smit

Emma Snyder

Four years ago I woke up at 5 a.m. for my freshman orientation just so I would have time to curl my hair.

Little did I know, that would be the last time I woke up before 7:15 for school — and there would be many uncomfortable rides in my mom’s car, her still in her nightgown, angry and grumbling that I missed the bus.

Not to be a sap, but we all talk about how much we hate math class, or getting up early, but as someone whose graduation is coming up a lot faster than I feel ready for, I urge underclassmen to make the best of those moments. I assure you, one day you’ll miss them.

If the people at MCHS have taught me anything, it is that, even on my worst days in this building, I was always surrounded by people who cared about me. The same is true for all of students at MCHS.

My advice: Don’t let grades stress you out to the point of exhaustion, an assignment or two is never worth a broken heart, but also don’t be a huge procrastinator like I was, it only makes things more draining.

And most importantly: put yourself first, and don’t put up with anyone who doesn’t let you be who you are.

When people say high school goes by fast, they really mean it.

One day you’re a freshman struggling to find your classes in a big building, the next you’re a senior about to graduate and walk down the aisle at graduation. Your childhood has gone by in a flash and now you need to work, go to college (if you want), and get a home.

I personally thought it all went by slowly until about two weeks ago, when I realized I was going to be going to college and graduating from high school in two weeks. It’s insane to think about now, actually getting to the end of this experience — having made close friends with students and teachers, and then you’re leaving.

Making memories for so many years on both campuses hurts when you have to go. Of course, we can all come back and visit, but those memories won’t be made anymore during high school life with friends.

I’m really glad some classes I have are doing special things for seniors, like having a senior piece in choir. I am extremely thankful to all of my teachers for everything they’ve done for me. Other staff members and even custodians have done a lot for me, and I am so thankful for all of them.

Every time people find out I am a senior, they always ask me what my future plans are — a relatively easy question to answer. But once, I was asked if I regretted anything about high school. “Only that I hadn’t joined newspaper sooner,” I had said. While that’s true, this question has stuck with me and it’s something that I have thought a lot about.

It’s not that I regret a lot of things from high school because I don’t. I am actually proud of the things that I have accomplished in the last four years. It’s just that I have also learned a lot. I know now that high school is an opportunity to try new things and to take chances.

I’ve learned not to take myself so seriously that I forget to enjoy experimenting with my elective schedule and discovering new passions. I have learned that high school really is too short to spend time participating in clubs and activities that I don’t enjoy.

For a while, I spent so much time filling my schedule with electives I knew I wouldn’t enjoy because it was safe instead of taking a risk and trying something new. Eventually, I decided to start in the journalism program sophomore year despite not understanding what a journalist really was and my senior year, I joined badminton despite having never played before.

Both made me uncomfortable at first but, both have also become some of my favorite parts of high school.

Staff Writer

Volume Two | Issue Four | May 2021

Staff Writer

News Editor

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Joe Ndu

Emma Westermeier

Joe Ndu

Kaitlyn Wenzel

Emma Westermeier

Some lessons I’ve learned…

Always look to grow stronger.

Always test yourself. Take challenges head on and try new things. You learn from these situations every time you do. Hardships are a part of life. Be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from it.

Manage your time effectively.

Stay organized. If you ever get overwhelmed just remember to step back, catch your breath, and deal with what’s in front of you, focusing on one task at a time. Trying to do everything all at once will always overwhelm you, and you’ll get nothing done.

Only your opinion about yourself is the one that really matters. When I say this, I don’t mean this as an excuse to be arrogant or to always disregard the opinions of others. You should always be open to criticism and seriously consider whether it will benefit you, but you don’t always have to explain yourself to others.

Never lose your self-respect.

Building confidence is vital to how you view yourself. Don’t let other people determine your happiness, because only you can truly define the terms of it. Don’t change yourself because of peer pressure.

Get help whenever you need it.

Learn to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to be “annoying.” If you feel dumb for asking questions, just remember it’s better to ask now rather than keep quiet and fail.

Utilize your resources. Teachers are here to help you. Counselors are here to help you. Reach out to as many people as possible. Utilize resources that are in front of you.

Start planning for college early.

It’s unbelievably important to plan for your future early on. I waited until the last minute, and now I’m feeling the effects.

While for many students, this school year might not have been the most desired way to finish off this chapter of our life, but I believe it is still a very memorable way to finish.

This situation is what made our senior year the most memorable, even if we weren’t able to get the same normal experiences as normal seniors would get. After all, the people around us still did their best to give us those same experiences.

I am glad I got to experience my senior year this way because of the different experiences and opportunities I was given, especially by not having to go into the building every day and spend the entirety of my day there.

I also found that this experience was able to make my senior year less stressful and a bit easier. I get distracted more easily at school, especially being around so many people and being able to do my school from the comfort of my own home made me more comfortable and my schedule became more flexible.

This experience had also made me feel more refreshed. I can start my college experience as a better version of myself after staying away from people for so long and feeling refreshed while not feeling dread to start back up in person.

This year, I didn’t attend games, prom or other events, but that still didn’t stop me from having a great year. This year has made me the happiest I have been and I am excited for what’s yet to come.

The only way I can accurately categorize my high school experience has to be through the stages of embarrassment I have undergone and subsequently forced upon my classmates over the years.

There are still moments when I go to bed and my mind decides to announce, “Remember that one time you played an out of tune tenor saxophone for a bunch of half awake juniors in your AP U.S. History class? Remember how you thought you were so cool for doing that?”

And the truly sad fact was that in the moment, I had entirely convinced myself that a shaky teenage girl playing a mediocre sounding version of King Oliver’s “West End Blues,” was the best representation of the 1920s Jazz Age.

In reality, I was desperate for someone to remember at least something about me that seemed interesting — something that didn’t involve the fact that I used to wear the same sweater at least two or three times a week.

But, after high school, people could care less about that type of stuff because they’ve got things like college and bills and insurance policies to worry about.

All I’ve learned is that playing a saxophone is not cool and will never be cool unless you can play like a jazzy man from the 1920s. Otherwise, no one’s interested in a fake show.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Read more at TheMcHenryMessenger.com

Features

Not every student becomes valedictorian or gets a full-ride scholarship to the school of their choice. Students who fly under the radar, though, still have a stories to tell, and still cherish their memories at MCHS. Photo By: Kennedy Tetour

Volume Two | Issue Four | May 2021

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Under the radar Everyday seniors detail what made their experiences special — and how underclassmen can do the same

High school is characterized by a multitude of experiences, flashes of memory in the minds of the people that were witness to them. Some of these memories stand out against the rest.

Most, however, fade into the background.

Still, for seniors at MCHS, these everyday experiences have been the ones that end up meaning the most. Every senior has them, even those seniors who may not have been on Homecoming court, a Distinguished Warrior, or even captain of their team. These are the experiences that end up defining high school for them.

For Jordan Konieczy, this included joining the football team his freshman year. “It lasted all through high school and it was cool to be part of a team,” he says.

Participating in something bigger than yourself is always memorable.

For Joseph Ndu, this included being a part of Chautauqua his junior year.

“I was Langston Hughes. I gave a speech in front of everyone for the debate and I lost miserably,” he laughs.

“Still, it was fun to participate.”

During the time of COVID,

these events can seem really far away.

As graduation approaches, Alexandra Salgado wishes that she could relive the memories she made in her Junior year Spanish for Heritage Learners class.

“We had a lot of really good debates and conversations. I was really close with everyone in that class, and Mr. [Otto] Corzo too, so that made it even better.”

For both Konieczy and Ndu, Homecoming was the one thing they truly yearned to experience again.

“I was in the middle of the dance circle at last year’s Homecoming. For once in my life, I wasn’t cripplingly socially awkward; I was just dancing,” Ndu says.

Konieczy agrees, stating “The last Homecoming before COVID was probably one of the best Homecomings [the school] had. It was the most fun.

All my friends were able to make it that night, and we all went out to eat afterwards.”

These events are ones that seem like they will never happen again, due to the longevity of the pandemic.

However, there will be an end at some point, and the future is promising for

Ciara Duncan Features Editor

younger classes to be able to live a more normal high school experience.

As a result, the advice seniors have for incoming freshmen is that much more important.

“Don’t be afraid to just get out there,” Salgado says. “Join clubs and join sports because a majority of people aren’t going to care. Do as many things as you can and just enjoy the four years you have, because they go by really fast.”

“Keep up with your homework and get involved cause you’re going to regret not doing that,” says Ndu. “You’re going to look back and regret not doing as much as you could. Oh, and stay out of drama. It’s a waste of time and it’s one of the things I’m glad I stayed out of. Just be a good person.”

Hollywood likes to make it seem that you only really went to high school if you won prom queen or were student council president or some other crazy, amazing thing. Shockingly, most students don’t end up doing this.

Still, their experiences are just as important and memorable as any others, and the advice they give can mean a world of difference.

Read more at TheMcHenryMessenger.com

Features

Never forgotten Alayna Majkrzak Staff Writer

Tears, diplomas, and graduation caps are a common sights around the school this time of the year. The graduating Class of 2021 has had to endure many hardships with the COVID-19 pandemic coming through and bulldozing a year and a half of their high school career. Despite all of this adversity, this year’s graduating class has impacted MCHS in so many ways.

“It is very bittersweet,” says Leah Pelletier, a science teacher at East Campus. “I am sad to see them go. I feel like the time we had was cut short unfairly and they missed out on so much of the fun parts of high school. However, I am so excited to see what life has in store for them in their bright futures.”

Seeing seniors move on from MCHS is always difficult, especially for the students and teachers who have been affected most by them, whether through friendships formed between students in two different grades or bonding over a shared love of theatre.

“Some of my favorite memories of the Class of 2021 are from the pep rally assemblies,” says McKenna Keegan, a junior at East Campus. “Never have I seen such a collective act of boisterous enthusiasm from a large group of people.”

Whether it was dodge ball, karaoke, or just the school cheer, the Class of 2021 always had the most school spirit and were always the first ones to clap for others and the last ones to sit down.

Many teachers have had the privilege of working with this senior class since they were freshmen at MCHS, whether that was through academic classes, athletics, or extracurricular activities. Teachers are also sad to see their West Campus seniors work on assignments during the second to last week of their school year. Teachers and underclassmen will remember the Class of 2021 as one who persevered through difficulty — and handled it with grace.

Photo By: Madison Harvey

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Though the Class of 2021 has endured many hardships, they’ve also made a memorable impact seniors move on, but the do know that their students are going to do amazing things.

Andy Hillier, French teacher and the Drama Club advisor has seen these students grow up and mature through the years. “I think of the students I’ve had for four years,” he says, “and all the great conversations we’ve had. I remember them as freshmen, looking a little lost and wide-eyed, watching them progress through getting their licenses and going to dances, to now seeing them choose colleges and make plans for after graduation.”

This years’ graduating class has gone through a lot, and yet they managed to handle all of the hardships thrown their way with grace. Classmates report that they are accepting and open-minded, and all of the teachers who’ve watched them grow up within these walls have been given a privilege

to be able to say they taught this group of students.

Junior, Carissa Hudson has seen her senior friends get part of their junior and senior years get ripped away.

She watched them handle it with grace, making the most of the situations. “On behalf of myself and every other member of the junior, sophomore, and freshman classes at MCHS, thank you class of 2021 for all that you have done. I know that you will go on to do amazing things.”

Within this past year many complex situations have been thrown at the students. This year’s graduating class is certainly a special one that the students beneath them will never be able to replace. The friendships and memories that are so valuable to so many students will be cherished here and no one will be able to forget the impact that the graduating class of 2021 has had on this school.

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Arts and Entertainment

Released on April 23, “Demon Slayer—Kimetsu no Yaiba—The Movie: Mugen Train” has become the highest-grossing Japanese film in history, likely due to its action-packed plot and its gorgeous artwork.

Photo Courtesy of: Aniplex America / FUNimation Entertainment

Honed to perfection Review

The new “Demon Slayer” movie will have fans of the anime franchise gasping, cheering and crying in theaters

MJ Smit Staff Writer

This review contains spoilers for “Demon Slayer— Kimetsu no Yaiba—The Movie: Mugen Train.”

“Demon Slayer” is a well

lutely stunning, its brightness sticking out because of the low lighting around from the trees and the darkness of the night and the train. The sound during this scene had a nice boom to it in the bass.

Rengoku ends up fighting an upper-ranked demon who serves the demon lord. During the fight, there’s clashes of red and orange from Rengoku’s fire and blue and purple from the demon’s art skill, and it is gorgeous to see how they made everything stand out during the fight while also getting audiences’ hearts racing.

The last scene between Tanjiro and Rengoku when Rengoku was heart-wrenching, and Rengoku’s last moments silenced the entire theatre — other than some sniffing and crying.

This movie definitely was spectacular and it was worth going to see in theaters.

known show among the anime community, so it’s no surprise that so many people have enjoyed the movie “Demon Slayer—Kimetsu no Yaiba—The Movie: Mugen Train.” The art style and animation are absolutely gorgeous, particularly the wooded scenes and snowy scenes from main character Tanjiro’s past.

In the beginning of the movie Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the 97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, walks with Aname, his wife who helps him along past the graves of previous demon slayers who has been lost to demons.

Looking back on this scene, it basically hints at Rengoku’s death later on in the movie. The main characters ended up on the train and going straight to a funny scene of Rengoku continuously

repeating “Delicious!” because he had eaten more than a dozen boxes of food. There were definitely people laughing over this in the theaters ­— it was pretty funny.

Later, two demons show themselves in two train cars, which made them all alert. Rengoku ended up killing both of them with his flame breathing style. The animation and sound effects were incredible when both times happened. The lighting and smooth animation when Rengoku killed the demons will definitely get viewers’ heart pumping, and the sound effects made it infinitely better especially in the theater’s having surround sound.

Rengoku wakes up from a deep sleep that he is sent into because of the demon and slices up the demon’s fleshy tentacles through two cars. The fire animation was abso-

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Sports

Next level

Senior athletes put on a show during their time at MCHS, and now some are continuing their athletic career into college Madison Mackenzie Harvey Sroka Staff Writer Staff Writer

The varsity football team huddles before a home game and stokes their team spirit against Huntley at McCracken Field on April 1. Several senior athletes at MCHS, including football players, intend to play college-level sports next year.

Photo By: VIP

Volume Two | Issue Four | May 2021

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Playing in college is the dream scenario for young athletes. They’ve all played out the fantasy of being the next big Olympic star with Nike sponsorships and their picture on a cereal box.

A special group of MCHS athletes are blazing new paths and fulfilling their dreams by pursuing their sport in college. No matter the school, sport, or division, these athletes have become a role model for underclassmen at MCHS.

McHenry Athletics run in the family for some student athletes, such as Trevor Rockweiler, a baseball player. His father, Brian Rockweiler, is a PE teacher, assistant athletic director, and varsity baseball coach at MCHS. He claims that his four years in sports at MCHS demonstrated valuable lessons for him to take into college.

“McHenry sports taught me a lot, like how to compete and to work for something you want in life,” Trevor reflects, “I will miss McHenry sports but I will be a Warrior for life.”

Even though the athletes are moving on to college, many claim it won’t be the same as playing for MCHS.

“No matter the sport, playing for McHenry, wearing ‘Warriors’ across my chest, and getting to have fun with my friends is definitely something I will miss going into college next year,” explained Lauren Sena, a senior and soon to be softball player for Valparaiso University in Indiana. Getting to play with friends made high school sports

even more enjoyable for Sena, and for a lot of athletes they were proud to be a MCHS athlete.

Freshman are often inspired by older athletes to join new sports in order to meet more people and find new activities.

“Sports are a great way to get involved with the school,” explained Gracie Gasmann, a basketball, football, and soccer player and soon to be soccer player for Beloit College. “It is an amazing experience and I highly encourage anyone who is thinking about joining a team to try it, at least for a season.” Many players, including Gasmann, have discovered some of their friends through sports.

MCHS athletics pride itself in having positive team relationships.

Teammates lean on each other for support and push each other to be better athletes. Older players inspire the younger athletes to be like them in the sport.

“My senior captain from my freshman year Andrew Pilat has pushed me since my first practice to become better,” described Caleb Schopen, an MCHS track and cross country runner, “He has been my running mentor since day one and I pretty much go to him if I need help with anything.” Schopen will be running at Cornell College in the fall.

While some athletes look up to teammates, some are inspired by their siblings. “One person I looked up to was my older sister Sam because she

was an athlete in college at the University of Kansas,” described Marissa Hanley, a basketball player of MCHS and soon to be athlete at Benedictine University, “and she said being a college athlete is something you’ll never forget.”

Having a sibling that can give advice can be very beneficial to an athlete undetermined, and they can describe the magic of being and becoming a college athlete and push you in the right direction.

Whether an athlete is attending a huge Division I school or a smaller, local school, postsecondary athletics are a dream come true. “Although I am attending a small Division III college,” explained Schopen, “being able to do athletics in college is a dream come true for me. I have very big ambitions so this is just the first step to achieving my goals and it feels amazing.”

When athletes achieve parts of their goal, Schopen says it can make all the practice feel worth it, and it can push them to achieve more of their goals.

Committing to athletics in college is one of the highest honors many athletes can receive. It is a demonstration of their skill, dedication, and achievements throughout their lives. Many 2021 MCHS graduates were given the opportunity to influence the younger classes and athletes in the community by continuing their sport into college, setting the bar high for future student athletes.

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