The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
THE MAROON SEA. The Class of 2026 floods Rockefeller Chapel on June 11 for the 122nd University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Commencement. Students held fans. Rockefeller Chapel was overrun with heat during the ceremony.
At graduation, speakers, performers commemorate 148 students in the Class 2026
After a busy year, the staff will take a break from publishing over the summer.
Midway will be taking a break during the summer
CONGRATULATORY CLAPS. Looking up at awards announcements projected during the awards assembly, seniors Summer Pinc, Peyton Palmer and Lydia Gilbert clap together. The assembly, during a special schedule on the morning of June 4, ended with seniors hanging out in Scammon Garden and eating popsicles.
Gallery: End-of-year celebrations
The new photojournalism leaders are Bryce Kenny and Simon Vaang, editors-in-chief. The new U-Highlights leaders are Sadie Ellis and Kayla Monterola, editors-in-chief
New editors chosen for 2026-27 U-Highlights and photojournalism teams
SENIOR SEND-OFF. On June 4, seniors saw their 2026 U-Highlights yearbooks for the first time in Café Lab at the senior breakfast. Before the awards assembly, they had the chance to sign each other's books.
Signing Day: U-Highlights yearbooks distributed to student body
Andrew Miller, Lab’s current assistant director of student services, will take on the new role at the high school as dean of student success starting July 1
Andrew Miller hired as dean of student success
Submissions for the Beloved Community T-shirt contest are due on May 20.
Beloved Community T-shirt submissions are open
Sadie Ellis and Declan Smith have been selected for the Illinois All-State Journalism Team for outstanding journalistic work.
Two U-High juniors selected for Illinois All-State Journalism Team
Viren de Jeu, Noah Gunning and Simon Vaang each were recognized for national awards from the Jostens Photo Contest; Both Noah and Simon won additional awards from the Walsworth Photo Contest.
Three photojournalists, adviser receive national recognition
The Shakespeare Slam team poses with various objects. The team won city-wide runners-up on April 27, performing a rendition of Hamlet.
Shakespeare Slam team wins citywide runner-up
Dating Decline
Dating Decline
To Love America
To Love America
AI's Quiet Coup
AI’s Quiet Coup
A social media trend based around nostalgia for the year 2016, revealed a desire for life to feel more carefree.
2026 is out, 2016 is in
Serving Up Skinny
Serving Up Skinny
Opinion Editor Sinziana Lazar argues that Lab has the unique opportunity to adapt education for the age of AI.
To solve AI cheating, the way school works has to change
The Editorial Board urges students to reevaluate the impact of the clubs they may lead or have founded, and to ensure these clubs prioritize a true passion instead of just being for a resume.
Prioritize passion, not your resume
The Editorial Board argues that student expression should not be limited by the neutrality policy, and instead, spaces for expression should be expanded.
Increase spaces for student-controlled expression
Sports Editor Gabriel Wang argues that student-athletes should be given the choice whether to attend P.E.
Student athletes should be able to choose to attend P.E.
Managing Editor Lucy Shirrell argues that mental health education should teach what struggles feel like, not just how to detect them in others.
Discuss what mental health struggles can feel like not just look like
HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Over the summer, junior Samara Grossman is a camp counselor at Hidden Valley, a camp in Maine that focuses on arts and the outdoors. Being a camper was her favorite experience and she wants to share her passion for camp with younger campers.
Students return to overnight camp as leaders
To promote a screen-free summer, the Midway compiled three adventures in the Chicago area for students to take.
Screen-Free Summer
INSPIRED EDUCATING. English teacher Carrie Koenen stands with projects her students made over the years. Ms. Koenen has always been drawn to the world of literary analysis and encourages students to read for pleasure.
End of a Chapter: English teacher Carrie Koenen will retire after 22 years of instilling love for literature
EARLY EDUCATION. Kathleen Iatarola, a second grade assistant teacher, will retire after teaching at Lab for 23 years.
Kathleen Iatarola, early childhood educator, retires
Click, Check, Concentrate. A student in Shauna Anderson’s third period Accelerated Algebra class keeps a bingo board open on their screen while following as another student solves a problem on the whiteboard. The student-created game, based on Ms. Anderson’s commonly used phrases and habits have become a daily part of the class, encouraging students to stay attentive and engaged during lessons.
Bingo board boosts attention, sense of community in math class
SKY ROOM SIGHTS. Guests look out the windows in the Sky Room on the museum’s top floor, where Stephen Colbert interviewed Mr. Obama for the May 5 episode of “The Late Show.” The Sky Room was added to the Obama Center to physically and symbolically connect guests to surrounding South Side neighborhoods, the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
Gallery: Peek inside the Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, opening June 19, honors the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama. The center will include multiple facilities, including a gym, a library and a museum.
Home for Change: 44 facts about the Obama Center opening
RESTOCKING RESOURCES. Amanda Anderson, a vendor at the Gorman Farm Fresh Produce stand fills in their selection of fresh herbs at the 61st Street Farmers Market on April 11. Their stand has had a presence at the market for 12 years and was outside at the market’s last indoor day of the season, as the weather permitted. Molly Gorman, one of the stand’s owners, said about Link Match, “What’s important as part of the community is to be able to make some of our product more affordable so that everyone has a chance to benefit.”
Fresh food for all: 61st Street Farmers Market offers accessible produce to community
Vox Pop: Student expectations of the Obama Center
Vox Pop: Student expectations of the Obama Center
A DIFFERENT KIND OF TURF. The U-High baseball team tends to a community garden in Woodlawn run by the volunteer organization Blacks In Green. Blacks In Green uses these community gardens alongside other sustainability projects like a geothermal heating pilot program to help reverse Chicago’s historical environmental injustice.
A sustainable Chicago
Squire! The YouTube logo of “Royal Court” is displayed at the introduction of every interview, where celebrities and cultural icons answer both ridiculous and serious questions about their lives, careers and passions. The show started in 2023, with country artist Orville Peck as the first guest. “I wanted to provide a talk show setting that rejects tradition & instead plays to my strengths and puts the guest at ease in a silly and carefree environment,” Brittany Broski wrote in the description of “Royal Courts” first episode.
‘Royal Court’ brings humor to interviews through unconventional format
Painted Possibilities: A notebook displaying the question “What is AI?” sits beside watercolor paints as “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” examines society’s mixed emotions surrounding artificial intelligence. Directed by Daniel Roher and released in March 2026, the documentary discussed the rapid growth of AI technology and the concerns tied to its influence on humanity’s future. “There are an insane number of challenges ahead of us but if we can get past them, we can unlock a future beyond our wildest imagination,” one interviewee said in the film.
Documentary provides powerful, dangerous reality of artificial intelligence
CAPTION: GAME ON. NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles the basketball in action as the cover athlete in the “NBA 2K26,” the 27th edition of “NBA 2K” published by 2K games. Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player Award winner and 2025 champion. “Every kid who grows up playing basketball pictures themselves on the cover of ‘NBA 2K’ — it’s a dream come true moment, especially following an NBA Championship,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
With advanced motion technology, ‘NBA 2K26,’ basketball-based video game, offers more immersive gameplay
With the Puerto Rican flag flying, Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggatón exhibit explores self-expression through art.
Through dance, new MCA exhibit showcases Caribbean cultural identity
THE BIG PICTURE. Using inspiration from his grandparents careers, Alex Hunter began his photography in ninth grade. Alex’s speciality is sports photography, including occasionally taking photos for the Chicago White Sox.
Picture Perfect: Through his camera lens, Alex Hunter discovers self-expression, success
Third baseman Elliot Poston slides to a base during an away varsity baseball game against Francis W. Parker School on May 1. Elliot walked and scored a run. The U-High Maroons won 7-4.
Baseball wrap up: team loss at sectional final
During the 800-meter run on May 1, senior Sean Niro fights for a second place finish with a time of 2:10.28. Discussing Sean, junior Connor Lane said, “He has had a super, super big track season, made a lot of improvement.”
Track and field wrap up: both teams place third at sectionals, finish seasons at state
Yelling in celebration, sophomore Christopher Williams and junior Arjun Sawhney react after winning a point during a varsity tennis match against Lake Forest Academy on April 28. The pair qualified for state even though they were partners for the first time this year. “It was a very new feeling to play with one another,” Arjun said. “I think these matches where we started to feel out how to best play with each other were helpful.”
Boys tennis season wrap-up: In first 2A season, team ties for 14th at state
Varsity baseball coach Luke Zavala cheers for sophomore Jason Cross as he runs between bases in a baseball game against Lincoln Park High School.
Sophomore Jason Cross finds community through extracurricular baseball
During the regional semi-final match against Nazareth Academy on May 19, seniors Devyn Moubayed and Leyla Yates jump to head the ball off a corner kick. U-High lost 2-0 to end the season.
Girls soccer season wrap-up: Loss at regional semifinals caps first 2A season
HIDDEN RISKS. Common over-the-counter medicines and supplements, including antacids, naproxen, melatonin and acetaminophen, can be harmful if dosing instructions aren't carefully followed.
Pills, pain, precaution: Over-the-counter medicine poses hidden risks, can cause harmful effects
Dermatologist Lathilda Reddy thinks that even with sunscreen, there is no way of tanning that is healthy.
Q&A: Dermatologist shares summer skin safety tips
TWISTED TOPIC. Despite the topic being generally viewed as taboo, Dr. Agarwal and students alike encourage people to prioritize health over feelings of awkwardness when discussing testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is the twisting of the spermatic cord which cuts off blood supply to the scrotum and is a condition that often requires immediate surgery, Dr. Agarwal said.
A Painful Subject
WARPED WELLNESS. In an effort to lead a healthier lifestyle, many turn to trendy products. However, some of these goods come with questionable promises.
Trendy or true: four health trends explained
Seniors Cyrus Black and Alex Diamond train in the fitness center for their upcoming triathlon in Oahu, Hawaii, on May 17. Training has forced Cyrus and Alex to think carefully about their habits.
Triathlon training supports healthy habits
SENIOR SEND-OFF. On June 4, seniors saw their 2026 U-Highlights yearbooks for the first time in Café Lab at the senior breakfast. Before the awards assembly, they had the chance to sign each other's books.
Signing Day: U-Highlights yearbooks distributed to student body
OPENING ACT. “The SpongeBob Musical” cast sings the musical’s opening number, “Bikini Bottom Day.” The musical was performed May 15-16, and was held in Sherry Lansing Theater. Sofia Ybarra, who played SpongeBob, said, “It was definitely the hardest role I’ve ever had, both in terms of the physical demands and the acting ones as well. Not only did I have to learn how to be a cartoon character with my voice and emotions, I also had to learn to embody one. On top of that, I was responsible for keeping the energy of the whole cast up and engaged. I wouldn’t have traded the role or the experience for the world, though.” Photo by Elspeth LaCroix-Birdthistle
Gallery: ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ journeys to save Bikini Bottom
Video vox pop: What students want from Student Council
Video vox pop: What students want from Student Council
Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Jackson Park.
Video: Jackson Park cherry blossoms mark beginning of spring
Science teacher Daniel Calleri inspects and sorts through the old honeycombs making sure to clear out any spider webs and a naturally made adhesive called propolis. Because honeybee colonies don’t tend to survive over the Chicago winter, Dr. Calleri has to prepare the hives anew every year.
Audio: As spring approaches, apiary starts to buzz with life
CONGRATULATORY CLAPS. Looking up at awards announcements projected during the awards assembly, seniors Summer Pinc, Peyton Palmer and Lydia Gilbert clap together. The assembly, during a special schedule on the morning of June 4, ended with seniors hanging out in Scammon Garden and eating popsicles.
Gallery: End-of-year celebrations
SKY ROOM SIGHTS. Guests look out the windows in the Sky Room on the museum’s top floor, where Stephen Colbert interviewed Mr. Obama for the May 5 episode of “The Late Show.” The Sky Room was added to the Obama Center to physically and symbolically connect guests to surrounding South Side neighborhoods, the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
Gallery: Peek inside the Obama Presidential Center
OPENING ACT. “The SpongeBob Musical” cast sings the musical’s opening number, “Bikini Bottom Day.” The musical was performed May 15-16, and was held in Sherry Lansing Theater. Sofia Ybarra, who played SpongeBob, said, “It was definitely the hardest role I’ve ever had, both in terms of the physical demands and the acting ones as well. Not only did I have to learn how to be a cartoon character with my voice and emotions, I also had to learn to embody one. On top of that, I was responsible for keeping the energy of the whole cast up and engaged. I wouldn’t have traded the role or the experience for the world, though.” Photo by Elspeth LaCroix-Birdthistle
Gallery: ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ journeys to save Bikini Bottom
STRONG STRIDES. Sprinting through a crowd of runners, junior Mikey Skolarus competes in a cross country meet Sept. 14. Mikey said the warm weather increased the challenge of the race. “It was a tough run, the sun was extremely hot. I really just wanted to finish and forget about the time,” he said. “I just wanted to stop running and lay in the grass.”
Gallery: Game Faces
Zanee Barnes poses in a vintage photobooth in the Strip Club in Wicker Park.
Gallery: Walking through Wicker
Connections: April 30, 2025
Connections: April 30, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025
Connections Feb. 18, 2025
Connections Feb. 18, 2025
The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
News
Senior Jonah Austen accepts the Brent Cawelti Award from principal Martin Woods. The award honors two seniors who have made considerable progress during their high school years.
Awards assembly honors students, clubs
Audrey Yin, Reporter • June 5, 2026

Editor's note: Audrey Yin was assigned in advance to cover the spring awards assembly, where she was also announced as winner of the Phoenix...

During 7th period on June 2, senior Audrey Tian presents her may project on her trip to Japan.
May project gives space for cultural education, exploration
June 2, 2026
Stephanie Horton was selected as the graduation speaker on June 11.
Lab community to send off Class of 2026 at June 11 graduation
June 1, 2026
CLUB CHANGES. Sophomore Quinn Douglas leads a Kahoot in a club meeting for the Multicultural Students’ Association. Tier three clubs are re-writing their club constitutions in adherance with new policy.
Clubs revise rules to ensure fairness in leadership selection
May 29, 2026
The pride flag will no longer be hung in the courtyard after Interim Director of Schools Ethan Bueno de Mesquita alerted the adminstration that the flag conflicted with institutional neutrality.
To preserve neutrality, university says pride flag can’t be flown
May 28, 2026
Briefs
Andrew Miller, Lab’s current assistant director of student services, will take on the new role at the high school as dean of student success starting July 1
Andrew Miller hired as dean of student success
Leila Koss, Reporter • May 27, 2026

Andrew Miller, Lab’s current assistant director of student services, will take on the new role at the high school as dean of student success starting July 1. Principal Martin Woods announced the hiring in an email to the...

Submissions for the Beloved Community T-shirt contest are due on May 20.
Beloved Community T-shirt submissions are open
Cecily Bensmaia, City Life Editor • May 18, 2026
Sadie Ellis and Declan Smith have been selected for the Illinois All-State Journalism Team for outstanding journalistic work.
Two U-High juniors selected for Illinois All-State Journalism Team
Reed Francez, Reporter • May 7, 2026
Viren de Jeu, Noah Gunning and Simon Vaang each were recognized for national awards from the Jostens Photo Contest; Both Noah and Simon won additional awards from the Walsworth Photo Contest.
Three photojournalists, adviser receive national recognition
Caroline Skelly, Sports Editor • May 5, 2026
The Shakespeare Slam team poses with various objects. The team won city-wide runners-up on April 27, performing a rendition of Hamlet.
Shakespeare Slam team wins citywide runner-up
Declan Smith, News Editor • May 5, 2026
Features
Trending Stories
1
THE MAROON SEA. The Class of 2026 floods Rockefeller Chapel on June 11 for the 122nd University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Commencement. Students held fans. Rockefeller Chapel was overrun with heat during the ceremony.

At graduation, speakers, performers commemorate 148 students in the Class 2026

2
CONGRATULATORY CLAPS. Looking up at awards announcements projected during the awards assembly, seniors Summer Pinc, Peyton Palmer and Lydia Gilbert clap together. The assembly, during a special schedule on the morning of June 4, ended with seniors hanging out in Scammon Garden and eating popsicles.

Gallery: End-of-year celebrations

3
Senior Jonah Austen accepts the Brent Cawelti Award from principal Martin Woods. The award honors two seniors who have made considerable progress during their high school years.

Awards assembly honors students, clubs

4
After a busy year, the staff will take a break from publishing over the summer.

Midway will be taking a break during the summer

5
The new photojournalism leaders are Bryce Kenny and Simon Vaang, editors-in-chief. The new U-Highlights leaders are Sadie Ellis and Kayla Monterola, editors-in-chief

New editors chosen for 2026-27 U-Highlights and photojournalism teams

Poll

This poll has ended.

What is your favorite spring drink?

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Opinion
Opinion Editor Sinziana Lazar argues that Lab has the unique opportunity to adapt education for the age of AI.
To solve AI cheating, the way school works has to change
Sinziana Lazar, Opinion Editor • June 10, 2026
The Editorial Board argues that student expression should not be limited by the neutrality policy, and instead, spaces for expression should be expanded.
Increase spaces for student-controlled expression
Editorial Board • May 29, 2026
Sports Editor Gabriel Wang argues that student-athletes should be given the choice whether to attend P.E.
Student athletes should be able to choose to attend P.E.
Gabriel Wang, Sports Editor • May 20, 2026
Managing Editor Lucy Shirrell argues that mental health education should teach what struggles feel like, not just how to detect them in others.
Discuss what mental health struggles can feel like not just look like
Lucy Shirrell, Managing Editor • May 15, 2026
Opinion Editor Orlie Weitzman argues that Lab should do more to create spaces for students to connect and be vulnerable with one another.
Why the best parts of Lab go unnoticed
Orlie Weitzman, Managing Editor • May 13, 2026
Photo Galleries
OPENING ACT. “The SpongeBob Musical” cast sings the musical’s opening number, “Bikini Bottom Day.” The musical was performed May 15-16, and was held in Sherry Lansing Theater. Sofia Ybarra, who played SpongeBob, said, “It was definitely the hardest role I’ve ever had, both in terms of the physical demands and the acting ones as well. Not only did I have to learn how to be a cartoon character with my voice and emotions, I also had to learn to embody one. On top of that, I was responsible for keeping the energy of the whole cast up and engaged. I wouldn’t have traded the role or the experience for the world, though.” Photo by Elspeth LaCroix-Birdthistle
Gallery: ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ journeys to save Bikini Bottom
Cecily Bensmaia, City Life Editor • May 20, 2026
STRONG STRIDES. Sprinting through a crowd of runners, junior Mikey Skolarus competes in a cross country meet Sept. 14. Mikey said the warm weather increased the challenge of the race. “It was a tough run, the sun was extremely hot. I really just wanted to finish and forget about the time,” he said. “I just wanted to stop running and lay in the grass.”
Gallery: Game Faces
Naomi Benton, Managing Editor • April 7, 2026
Zanee Barnes poses in a vintage photobooth in the Strip Club in Wicker Park.
Gallery: Walking through Wicker
Gigi Wood • April 3, 2026
Behind the counter at A Taste Of Heaven in Andersonville, Zaccary Haney hands a bag of bakery items across the counter to the customer.
Gallery: A day in Andersonville
Noah Gunning • February 19, 2026
STROKES OF COLOR. Reaching out to lightly paint a streak of warm yellow on the wall, junior Laurel Farmer contributes to a large canvas mural. This mural, one of two murals made during ArtsFest, aimed to celebrate Asian heritage.
Gallery: 24 hours of art
Maya Gauhar, Multimedia Editor • February 16, 2026
Sports
During the 800-meter run on May 1, senior Sean Niro fights for a second place finish with a time of 2:10.28. Discussing Sean, junior Connor Lane said, “He has had a super, super big track season, made a lot of improvement.”
Track and field wrap up: both teams place third at sectionals, finish seasons at state
Husain Asif, Lila Coyne • June 2, 2026

The boys and girls track and field teams each finished their seasons at the state championships — May 28-30 for boys and May 21-23 for girls — after multiple runners earned first or second at the...

Yelling in celebration, sophomore Christopher Williams and junior Arjun Sawhney react after winning a point during a varsity tennis match against Lake Forest Academy on April 28. The pair qualified for state even though they were partners for the first time this year. “It was a very new feeling to play with one another,” Arjun said. “I think these matches where we started to feel out how to best play with each other were helpful.”
Boys tennis season wrap-up: In first 2A season, team ties for 14th at state
June 1, 2026
Varsity baseball coach Luke Zavala cheers for sophomore Jason Cross as he runs between bases in a baseball game against Lincoln Park High School.
Sophomore Jason Cross finds community through extracurricular baseball
May 26, 2026
Health and Wellness
HIDDEN RISKS. Common over-the-counter medicines and supplements, including antacids, naproxen, melatonin and acetaminophen, can be harmful if dosing instructions aren't carefully followed.
Pills, pain, precaution: Over-the-counter medicine poses hidden risks, can cause harmful effects
Nadia Washington, Deputy Managing Editor • May 28, 2026

After staying up late at a friend’s house in mid-May, junior Theo Lach came to school with a pounding headache. To provide some relief, he took some Advil and his headache went away shortly after.  For...

Dermatologist Lathilda Reddy thinks that even with sunscreen, there is no way of tanning that is healthy.
Q&A: Dermatologist shares summer skin safety tips
May 14, 2026
TWISTED TOPIC. Despite the topic being generally viewed as taboo, Dr. Agarwal and students alike encourage people to prioritize health over feelings of awkwardness when discussing testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is the twisting of the spermatic cord which cuts off blood supply to the scrotum and is a condition that often requires immediate surgery, Dr. Agarwal said.
A Painful Subject
April 30, 2026
Arts
Squire! The YouTube logo of “Royal Court” is displayed at the introduction of every interview, where celebrities and cultural icons answer both ridiculous and serious questions about their lives, careers and passions. The show started in 2023, with country artist Orville Peck as the first guest. “I wanted to provide a talk show setting that rejects tradition & instead plays to my strengths and puts the guest at ease in a silly and carefree environment,” Brittany Broski wrote in the description of “Royal Courts” first episode.
‘Royal Court’ brings humor to interviews through unconventional format
Reed Francez, Reporter • June 9, 2026

Lights. Camera. Thrones? Welcome to the set of “Royal Court,” kombucha girl Brittany Broski’s celebrity interview YouTube show, where “pop culture royalty compete for a spot on [her] trusted council.”...

Painted Possibilities: A notebook displaying the question “What is AI?” sits beside watercolor paints as “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” examines society’s mixed emotions surrounding artificial intelligence. Directed by Daniel Roher and released in March 2026, the documentary discussed the rapid growth of AI technology and the concerns tied to its influence on humanity’s future. “There are an insane number of challenges ahead of us but if we can get past them, we can unlock a future beyond our wildest imagination,” one interviewee said in the film.
Documentary provides powerful, dangerous reality of artificial intelligence
June 8, 2026
CAPTION: GAME ON. NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles the basketball in action as the cover athlete in the “NBA 2K26,” the 27th edition of “NBA 2K” published by 2K games. Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player Award winner and 2025 champion. “Every kid who grows up playing basketball pictures themselves on the cover of ‘NBA 2K’ — it’s a dream come true moment, especially following an NBA Championship,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
With advanced motion technology, ‘NBA 2K26,’ basketball-based video game, offers more immersive gameplay
June 5, 2026
With the Puerto Rican flag flying, Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggatón exhibit explores self-expression through art.
Through dance, new MCA exhibit showcases Caribbean cultural identity
June 1, 2026
THE BIG PICTURE. Using inspiration from his grandparents careers, Alex Hunter began his photography in ninth grade. Alex’s speciality is sports photography, including occasionally taking photos for the Chicago White Sox.
Picture Perfect: Through his camera lens, Alex Hunter discovers self-expression, success
May 27, 2026
Looking to the past. “The Great Divide” by Noah Kahan was released April 24 and has hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. The album cover is thought to be him looking out at his childhood self, with the window dividing past and present as well as him and his friend.
Delve into Distance: Noah Kahan’s ‘The Great Divide’ discusses separation at length
May 25, 2026
In-Depth
To Love America
To Love America
May 6, 2026

In his 1955 novel “Notes of a Native Son,” author James Baldwin said: “I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” At 250, that tension still seems to define this country. To both commemorate and challenge America’s semiquincentennial birthday, the U-High Midway is asking what it truly means... This in-depth package was coordinated by Light Dohrn.

City Life
RESTOCKING RESOURCES. Amanda Anderson, a vendor at the Gorman Farm Fresh Produce stand fills in their selection of fresh herbs at the 61st Street Farmers Market on April 11. Their stand has had a presence at the market for 12 years and was outside at the market’s last indoor day of the season, as the weather permitted. Molly Gorman, one of the stand’s owners, said about Link Match, “What’s important as part of the community is to be able to make some of our product more affordable so that everyone has a chance to benefit.”
Fresh food for all: 61st Street Farmers Market offers accessible produce to community
Leila Koss, Reporter • May 21, 2026

It’s a spring Saturday morning and people have shed their winter coats amid the hum of the warehouse. Greeted by volunteers at the entrance,...

Vox Pop: Student expectations of the Obama Center
Vox Pop: Student expectations of the Obama Center
May 21, 2026
A DIFFERENT KIND OF TURF. The U-High baseball team tends to a community garden in Woodlawn run by the volunteer organization Blacks In Green. Blacks In Green uses these community gardens alongside other sustainability projects like a geothermal heating pilot program to help reverse Chicago’s historical environmental injustice.
A sustainable Chicago
May 7, 2026
Multimedia
OPENING ACT. “The SpongeBob Musical” cast sings the musical’s opening number, “Bikini Bottom Day.” The musical was performed May 15-16, and was held in Sherry Lansing Theater. Sofia Ybarra, who played SpongeBob, said, “It was definitely the hardest role I’ve ever had, both in terms of the physical demands and the acting ones as well. Not only did I have to learn how to be a cartoon character with my voice and emotions, I also had to learn to embody one. On top of that, I was responsible for keeping the energy of the whole cast up and engaged. I wouldn’t have traded the role or the experience for the world, though.” Photo by Elspeth LaCroix-Birdthistle
Gallery: ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ journeys to save Bikini Bottom
Cecily Bensmaia, City Life Editor • May 20, 2026

This year’s spring musical, “The SpongeBob Musical,” tells the story of SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends as they race to save their...

Video vox pop: What students want from Student Council
Video vox pop: What students want from Student Council
April 27, 2026
Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Jackson Park.
Video: Jackson Park cherry blossoms mark beginning of spring
April 22, 2026