Lives in 300 words part three: Stories from the Lab community

What may sound like a nightmare to some is Maya Mubayi's favorite way to spend her afternoon. She changes into athletic wear to embark on her habitual three- to six-mile run. The inspiration behind her hobby lies in the delicate and intricately shaped heart necklace given to her by Sana Shahul.  How did her sport and sparkly accessory come to be? Here's how: Maya met Sana at their first cros...

Approaching 8 a.m. each day, cars start to line up along the Laboratory Schools tennis courts. As bleary-eyed students rush toward Kenwood Mall from Kenwood Avenue and 58th Street, security guard Reggie Jenkins keeps the intersection safe. Wearing a neon vest, he makes sure busy parents yield for kids to cross the street.  Mr. Jenkins, 23, stands at the intersection from 7-11 a.m. and 2-6 p.m., l...

He gets up early to go to work, to a job too far away, to sit behind a desk for most of his day in the locker room. When he does get up, he moves very slowly.  When students see him they don’t know much about him. They see a serious guy on the surface, and many are often intimidated. Some would consider his life boring or unsuccessful, but to him, he’s made it. As Terry Shanks passes pe...

Heavy backpacks thud after being thrown against the faded bleachers, echoing across the fluorescently-lit gym. After warming up their arms and legs, the three lanky figures walk onto the court. Step. Jump. Pass. Step. Run. Catch. Fueled by candy and junk food, Maurice Holmes runs through his daily basketball practice with his team.  His heartbeat pounds in his ears as his arms thrash about t...

The musician arrives home, the homework in his bulky backpack waiting to be completed.  As if at a concert hall late in the evening, Maurice Neuman steps into his living room, feeling prepared to play the song he has dedicated so much time and energy to. He sits down, cello in one hand, bow in the other, and waits for his cue. His other responsibilities will just have to wait. After a few soft...

In the quiet hallway of a floral mural-covered building, a security guard sits at a desk, chatting away with a college student.  Her face forms into a motherly smile and her smooth, slow voice seems weighed down through age.  And yet, her voice jumps slightly higher with a sparkle of enjoyment.  It doesn’t seem that she took the #6 bus from Jackson Park bright and early this morning. ...