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

Opinion The silver lining of a weird year

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.

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

Becky Arendarczyk Ciara Duncan

Becky Arendarczyk

Art Director Ciara Duncan

Features Editor

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.

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. Alayna Trimingham

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.