While navigating the complex landscape of issues in this election season, students balance choices of political perspectives, social justice concerns and the impact of future policies on their lives.
Freedom in the Balance
October 23, 2024
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About the Contributors
Chloë 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 writing2023 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
Light Dohrn, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Light Dohrn is a member of the Class of 2026 and serves as the arts and entertainment editor. As a ninth grader, she joined the journalism family in the 2022-23 school year and previously served as an assistant editor. Her favorite piece she has written for the Midway is “Through classes, art teachers aim to grow art appreciation.” Outside of journalism, she enjoys classic books and Tarantino films.
Awards:
2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, review, Live-action anime series, ‘One Piece,’ exceeds expectations
2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, review, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ brings strong acting, flawed storytelling 2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Excellent, review writing 2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, San Francisco convention: Honorable mention, press law and ethics
Edward Park, Health & Wellness Editor
Edward Park is a member of the Class of 2025 and serves as the health and wellness editor. He joined the journalism staff in the 2022-23 school year as a sophomore. He was an assistant editor as a junior. His favorite story that he has written is "Time Zone Tug-of-War: Students, experts find respective ways to cope with jet lag." Outside of journalism, Edward enjoys watching sports and cooking for his family. He is also a board member of several affinity groups, including Kids Allergy Network and Young Men of Color, as well as the Cultural Union representative of the Class of 2025.
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 Team2024 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
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, creativity2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, audio, Audio: Band shares joy of music with youngest Lab students in Halloween parade
Sygne Stole, Artist
Sygne Stole is a member of the Class of 2025 and an artist for the Midway.
Awards:
2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, illustration, Arts: Deceptive drama