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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Rocio Villaseñor, Lab school communication specialist, has died

Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, Editor-in-Chief
November 14, 2023
Midway Staff
On the evening of Nov. 10, Rocio Villaseñor, a member of the Laboratory Schools communications team, died in a house fire. She was 31.

Rocio Villaseñor, a member of the Laboratory Schools communications team, died in a house fire on the evening of Nov. 10. She was 31.

She had worked at Lab since February of this year.

In an email to Lab employees, Director Tori Jueds shared some of Ms. Villaseñor’s essential contributions to the school, including her work editing, polishing and distributing schoolwide communications, writing pieces for the LabLife magazine and directing content publication on Lab’s social media platforms. 

Despite being a quiet presence, Ms. Jueds said Ms. Villaseñor would be remembered for her kindness, warmth and positive impact on the Lab community.

Details regarding memorial services will be shared as they become available.

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About the Contributor
Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu
Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, Editor-in-Chief
Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu is a member of the Class of 2024 and serves as an editor-in-chief. She joined the staff as a sophomore in the 2021-22 year. Working on a team, meeting new people while writing stories and learning new skills are her favorite parts of being a journalist. Her favorite piece she has written is “Helping hand: Bronzeville church gives back for Thanksgiving.” In addition to journalism, Katie enjoys competitive swimming, reading and ring-collecting. Awards:

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, alternative storytelling (with Audrey Park, Sahana Unni), Fresh faces

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, alternative storytelling, In-Depth: U-High students also aren’t too enthusiastic (poll)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, headline (with Clare McRoberts), Fragrance fanatics: trend sparks student interest in cologne

2024 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, community story: superior 2024 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: First place, sports news, “UChicago economics study tests baseball team” 2024 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: Certificate of merit, news page design (Page 2)

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, alternative storytelling (with Amon Gray, Chloë Alexander, Audrey Matei, Téa Tamburo, Ainsley Williams, Victoria Washington), Rising Stars, Jan. 24, 2023

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, headline, ABCs of CBD

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, San Francisco convention: Honorable mention, online package 2022 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: Briefs writing, first place (with Chloë Alexander, Louis Auxenfans, Joaquin Figueroa, Chloe Ma, Amy Ren), Vol. 98, Issue 8 (March 10, 2022), Page 3