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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ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

Taariq Ahmed, Chloe Alexander, and Skye Freeman
February 29, 2024
2.27-Artinthedark-AlexDiamond-5
Danny Aronsohn
Junior Isolde Wedemeyer holds up a decorated tote bag during the Art in the Dark exhibition on the evening of Feb. 27. Participants in the exhibition were encouraged to perform, display and showcase their creations and talents. “I think it was nice to experience some art in different ways, and making the tote bag was really fun,” Isolde said, “and when I gave it to my dad he was really happy about it. I just got a new dog and he’s going to put her toys in the bag.”

After the Art in the Dark exhibition on Feb. 27, the U-High community gathered for a traditional assembly Feb. 28 featuring dance performances and a discussion panel led by Principal Martin Woods with four Chicago-based artists. Then, from woodcarving to slime-making and cooking to ceramics, students engaged with and created their own art in a series of workshops led by members of the community throughout the rest of the day. 

Correction: The first photo in this gallery was previously credited to Alex Diamond. The photo was taken by Danny Aronsohn.

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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  
Chloe Alexander
Chloe Alexander, Editor-in-Chief
Chloë Alexander is a member of the Class of 2025 and is an editor-in-chief. She joined the journalism family in the 2021-22 school year as a ninth grader and previously served as an assistant editor and the arts editor. Chloë enjoys journalism because it allows her to create a space for Lab students to be represented through writing. Outside of working on the Midway, she is a Maroon Key, on the Renaissance Literary board and enjoys reading. Awards:

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

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Best Use of Social Media: Social Media Reporting (with Jaya Alenghat, Clare McRoberts, Skye Freeman) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

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

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

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

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, infographic, Arts: Five to Try

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Honorable mention, feature writing

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

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, San Francisco convention: Honorable mention, news editing, headline and current events 2023 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, special coverage: (with Clare O’Connor, Amy Ren and William Tan), superior 2022 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: Briefs writing, first place (with Louis Auxenfans, Joaquin Figueroa, Chloe Ma, Amy Ren, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu), Vol. 98, Issue 8 (March 10, 2022), Page 3
Skye Freeman
Skye Freeman, Features Editor
Skye Freeman is a member of the Class of 2025 and serves as the features editor. She joined the Midway in the 2022-23 school year as a sophomore and previously served as the audience engagement manager. Her favorite piece she has written is "Sewn together: Ki Kim and Yang Kim." When not working on the Midway, Skye enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends and wandering around the Art Institute. Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Best Use of Social Media: Social Media Reporting (with Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander, Clare McRoberts) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, personality profile, Sewn together: Ki Kim and Yang Kim 2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Chloë Alexander), ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, audio, Audio: Band shares joy of music with youngest Lab students in Halloween parade

Danny Aronsohn
Danny Aronsohn, Photographer
Danny Aronsohn is a photographer and a member of the Class of 2026. His favorite part of photojournalism is taking photos of his friends in the Lab community. Outside of photojournalism, Danny enjoys playing soccer and is interested in producing beats on SoundCloud.  
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
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

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
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

Nathan Li
Nathan Li, Photographer
Nathan Li, a member of the Class of 2025, is a beginning photojournalist. His favorite part of photojournalism is documenting sports and being able to include his friends. Outside of photojournalism, Nathan likes playing basketball and listening to music.  Awards:

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

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)
Peyton Palmer
Peyton Palmer, Photographer
Peyton Palmer is an assistant editor and a member of the class of 2026. Her favorite part of photojournalism is photographing student life and the girls swim and dive team. Outside of photojournalism, Peyton enjoys spending time with family and friends, and she participates in girls tennis. Awards: 2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Honorable mention, first-year photo
Leila Rezania
Leila Rezania, Photographer
Leila Rezania is a member of photo journalism and a member of the Class of 2025. Her favorite part of photojournalism is capturing stories through photography. Outside of photojournalism, Leila enjoys painting and going on runs.