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
The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
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U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

Taariq Ahmed and Mia Lipson
September 25, 2023
Eli Raikhel
Carrying her teammate Emma Heo on her back, junior Juliana Walker leads the volleyball team into the Upper Kovler gymnasium. Each U-High athletics team had their own moment to rally in front of the crowd before the next arrived.
Raikhel-HocoPepAssembly_9.21.23-03
Eli Raikhel
Carrying her teammate Emma Heo on her back, junior Juliana Walker leads the volleyball team into the Upper Kovler gymnasium. Each U-High athletics team had their own moment to rally in front of the crowd before the next arrived.

Students and faculty gathered Sept. 21 for the school-wide spirit assembly, where the community celebrated the U-High athletics teams and competed in various games and activities.

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About the Contributors
Taariq Ahmed
Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
Taariq Ahmed is a member of the Class of 2025 and serves as the news editor. He joined the Midway as a sophomore after moving from St. Louis, where he completed Introduction to Journalism at his previous school in ninth grade. Taariq is the co-president of his school's Young Men of Color group and Being Racially Aware and Valuing Ethnicity conference board. Outside of school, Taariq enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and reading the news. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois All-State Journalism Team

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, sports news story, 7 seniors commit to play college athletics in community event

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Chloë Alexander, Skye Freeman), ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, personality profile, Juggling Act: Senior works to explore passions with numerous roles in upcoming fall play

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Mia Lipson, Alex Diamond, Bryce Light, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly 2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, news (with Mia Lipson, Téa Tamburo), With powerful testimonials of discrimination, groups call for action  
Mia Lipson
Mia Lipson, Managing Editor
Mia Lipson is a member of the Class of 2025 and serves as managing editor. She began journalism in the 2021-22 school year as a ninth grader and previously served as an assistant editor and news editor. Her favorite story she has written is a profile on a U-High band called I-94. Outside of journalism, she enjoys biking, writing and reading any history book she can find. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Design of the Year: Newspaper Front Page — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Olin Nafziger, Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, staff editorial, After alarm, attitude must change

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, front-page design, Vol. 99, Issue 7, Feb. 22, 2024

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Alex Diamond, Bryce Light, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, single-page story package (with Chloë Alexander, Haley Maharry), Arts: Hiding honky-tonk

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, front-page design, Vol. 98, Issue 21, June 1, 2023 2024 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, staff editorial: superior 2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, San Francisco convention: Superior, editorial writing 2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, news (with Taariq Ahmed, Téa Tamburo), With powerful testimonials of discrimination, groups call for action
Bryce Light
Bryce Light, Photographer
Bryce Light is a beginning photojournalist and a member of the Class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is documenting school events. Outside of photojournalism, Bryce enjoys soccer, video games and taking his dogs on walks. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Alex Diamond, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

2024 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, sports photo: excellent 2024 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: First place, single spot news photograph, “U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly” (Photo 4: Teacher Matt Bonges)
Ellis Calleri
Ellis Calleri, Photographer
Ellis Calleri is an assistant editor and a member of the class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is capturing moments that people will remember forever. Outside of photojournalism, Ellis enjoys hiking, traveling and working out. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, sports photo, Gallery: Winter sports in review (Photo 3: Boys basketball)

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Honorable mention, sports photo, Nesbitt named ISL Player of the Year; others receive all-conference honors

Eli Raikhel
Eli Raikhel, Photo Editor-in-Chief
Eli Raikhel is an editor-in-chief of the photojournalism team and a member of the class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is being able to cover big events both inside and outside of school around Chicago. Outside of photojournalism, Eli enjoys soccer, hiking, and art photography. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Photo of the Year: Environmental Portrait — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Photo of the Year: Environmental Portrait — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, news or feature photo, A community essential: Phillip Raoul (main image)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Alex Diamond, Bryce Light, Olin Nafziger), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

Olin Nafziger
Olin Nafziger, Photo Editor-in-Chief
Olin Nafziger is an editor-in-chief of the photojournalism team and a member of the class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is being able to cover local news and events in the U-High community. Outside of photojournalism, Olin enjoys woodworking, watching soccer and motorsport, and completing the New York Times Crossword. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Olin Nafziger, Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander, Mia Lipson) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Portfolio of the Year: Photojournalist of the Year — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois All-State Journalism Team

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, multimedia story package (with Haley Maharry, Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander, Clare McRoberts), Mocktail Mania: Fruity, fizzy drinks offer nonalchoholic, fun beverage option

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Alex Diamond, Bryce Light, Eli Raikhel), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

2023 Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Contest, sports reaction, third place 2023 Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Contest, still life, honorable mention
Alex Diamond
Alex Diamond, Photographer
Alex Diamond is an equipment manager and a member of the class of 2026. His favorite part of photojournalism is working with the team. Outside of photojournalism, Alex likes TV movies, music and games.  Awards:

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Bryce Light, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Honorable mention, news or feature photo, Arm wrestling battle, (Photo 2)

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Honorable mention, feature photo
Grace LaBelle
Grace LaBelle, Photographer
Grace LaBelle is a beginning photojournalist and a member of the Class of 2026. Her favorite part of photojournalism is taking pictures at school assemblies. Outside of class, Grace enjoys going on bike rides, going on hikes and swimming.  Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)