The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
Senior Asa Bordelon addresses his AT War and Violence I history class in a historical simulation of the ancient Roman Senate Jan. 23. In the activity, organized by teacher Gabriel Baker, each student played the role of a Roman senator and explored the dynamics of this environment through collaboration and competition.
History class activity brings ancient Rome to life for students
Math teacher Ross Hunefeld helps sophomore Freddie Neater-DuBow through a math problem. Some students have felt pressure on how they should be using their free time.
Audio: Independence requires balancing free time, studying
PRIVATE MADE PUBLIC. Instagram account @uhigh.confessions has been taken down because of its sensational claims about students at U-High. Some students criticized the page, and others supported it.
Problematic ‘confessions’ shared
Senior Brianna Chang makes slime as an experiment with Lab first graders as part of the Beaker Buddies program, which will not run next school year.
Lab science mentorship program suspended for 2025-26
In January, seniors battle it out in a pingpong game as other students relax in the senior lounge. The lounge was temporarily closed from Nov. 19 to Dec. 2 after a lockdown drill during which seniors disrupted the space.
Senior lounge opens after actions prompt warnings, closure
During a Jan. 27 meeting, senior Helen Kraemer listens as sophomore Taara Sajdeh practices for an upcoming Model United Nation team conference. At the Harvard MUN conference Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, two-thirds of the team won awards.
At Harvard competition, Model UN team wins awards, gains experience
At a Jan. 31 meeting, the Youth Engagement in Politics Club announces the guests they will be interviewing. The nonpartisan club aims to be a space for students to discuss politics.
Political dialogue at U-High to expand through new club
Sophomores Sofia Schwartz and Venice Lichstein attend a Women in STEM meeting. The club is organizing a new mentorship program to connect U-High students with undergraduates at the University of Chicago.
Women in STEM club organizes mentorship program open to all
On Jan. 22, ninth grader Karina Hans won the annual Poetry Out Loud school-wide competition, and the U-High Shakespeare Slam team received the “Be Creative” award for a scene they crafted for a Nov. 16 tournament.
Student wins poetry recitation contest; Shakespeare Slam team honored
Sophomore Austen Wu and senior Maxine Hurst compete at the Jan. 25 Science Olympiad competition at Crystal Lake Central High. The team used this competition as an opportunity boost team spirit and evaluate how to move forward in the season.
Science Olympiad places second at Crystal Lake Central competition
10 x 10: Midway 100
10 x 10: Midway 100
Vice presidential candidate and previous educator Tim Walz addresses his supportive crowd at the 2024 DNC.
With former educator Walz on ticket, schools take spotlight
Freedom in the Balance
Freedom in the Balance
Speakers at the DNC addressed the theme of freedom, directing the word's meaning at key political issues in the election.
DNC highlights freedom as key theme
Voters of younger generations will have a major impact on the results of the upcoming presidential election. Some key topics to young voters include climate change, student loan debt and gun violence.
Young voters have crucial role in election
Assistant Editor Lucy Shirrell argues that constant work is not sustainable and can lead to burnout.
Desire for productivity prevents relaxation
The Editorial Board argues that there is an importance in fostering news literacy to combat misinformation.
Battle fake news with literacy
Arts & Entertainment Editor Light Dohrn argues that wealth shields many from the fatal flaws of the healthcare system.
For millions, our broken health care system turns desperation into tragedy
Features Editor Skye Freeman argues that gender based sentiments such as “Boys will be boys” are harmful and promote things such as toxic masculinity.
Gender-based sentiments must cease
The Editorial Board Argues that accessibility efforts for students with learning differences are a positive step towards making Lab the best place it can be.
Accessibility efforts are worth it
Thrifting has become more than just getting new clothes for a cheap price. For some students, thrifting is about spending time with family and friends as well as shopping.
Audio: Thrifting offers more than just shopping
Juniors Anaya Douglas, Frankie Bishop and Ty Quiles converse during a meeting of the Multicultural Students Association. The number of clubs at U-High has increased as students create communities serving their different interests.
Students shape community through founding new clubs
Students enjoy playing video games in class, even while there is a lesson occurring. It has provided a large distraction for the student body, and is said to severely affect learning.
Despite disadvantages of distraction, students play video games in class
Instead of interacting, some have taken to "phubbing" avoiding interaction using their phones as an excuse.
Audio: Avoiding awkwardness — Phubbing disrupts interactions
Digital cameras have surged in popularity at Lab as students seek to elevate their photography beyond smartphones, allowing individuals to express themselves or enhance their social media presence.
Revival of digital camera use celebrates photography, self-expression
A WONDERFUL TIME. The Shedd Aquarium's Wonder of Water exhibit opened to the public in December, replacing the historical Caribbean Reef.
Wonder of Water exhibit offers insight, understanding
Flag Forward
Flag Forward
SANTA COMES EARLY. Every year the CTA decorates one of their trains as “Santa’s Express” with a Santa and reindeer, and elves as dedicated conductors to raise money for food baskets.
Charity and Cheer
The Lincoln Park Zoolights is marking its 30th anniversary. Throughout the years, it has remained a Chicago holiday custom.
Zoolights keeps Chicago holiday tradition alive
In Bronzeville, a project is underway to commemorate the 1919 race riots. The effort is to install glass markers for each of the people killed and will be installed near the Illinois Institute of Technology campus
Project aims to commemorate 1919 race riots, spread historical awareness
“Cunk On Life,” which began streaming on Netflix Dec. 30, follows mockumentarian Philomena Cunk taking a deep dive into philosophy, the meaning of life and the nature of reality.
‘Cunk on Life’ provides both meaning and humor
Kendrick Lamar's GNX, released unannounced on Nov. 22, is an introspective album that critiques the music industry while showcasing Lamar's lyrical complexity, released shortly after a high-profile feud with Drake and ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance.
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’ responds boldly to industry betrayal
Sophomore Mia Lane, who independently runs “Lost Oddball Crochet,” has found her passion creating and selling whimsical crochet plushies and figures. She began crocheting after receiving an amigurumi kit for Christmas, and used her natural talent for entrepreneurship to build her business afterward.
Totally hooked: Sophomore Mia Lane finds confidence, develops craft through small business
The Smart Museum, which opened in 1974, is celebrating its 50th anniversary through March 2025 with a new limited-time exhibit, filled with rich history, bright colors and beautiful pieces of art.
Smart Museum marks 50 years with colorful, intimate exhibit
Lab's newest art exhibit to be held in the Corvus Gallery in Gordon Parks Arts Hall, called “In The Gaze of Time: Ritual Portraiture,” will display the work of the artist Luis Sahagun and is expected to be open no later than Jan. 17.
New Corvus gallery exhibit to highlight Mexican culture
Despite being sidelined due to injuries, Junior Zachary Wong leans over the pool, cheering on his teammates during the boys swimming and diving meet against Latin on Jan. 29.
Athletic essentials Q&A: Zachary Wong
By successfully balancing academics and fencing, ninth grader Ella Nguyen stands out not only for her skill but for her persistence and openness to advice from her coach, peers and even her brother.
Ella Nguyen finds fencing success through hard work, determination
Sophomore Nanak Ofori-Mante cheers for the varsity girls basketball team. Nanak is one of multiple team members to be injured during the season, after she hyperextended her knee and tore her meniscus during the 2023-24 varsity girls basketball season.
Varsity girls basketball team fights through various injury setbacks
Following the first official practice of the lower school sports program, students huddle up in Lower Kovler to celebrate their hard work.
Lower school introduces athletics program
Blending high-energy NBA gameplay with intimate behind-the-scenes footage, Netflix's "Starting Five" gives an authentic, emotional look into the lives of NBA stars, though it occasionally falls into a repetition of familiar narratives.
Netflix’s ‘Starting Five’ delivers a fresh perspective on life in the NBA
SWEATY SERENITY. Besides benefits like increased sweat production, flexibility, and the detoxifying effects, hot yoga brings many other gains including stronger bone density, better skin, and ease of depression.
Students find mindfulness and strength hot yoga and pilates
FOOD FITNESS FOCUS. Rising obesity rates among younger people reveal the important role of an equal balance of nutrition, exercise and mindful lifestyle. Hidden ingredients, like the fructose found in corn syrup, in a wide range of common foods may be fueling the increase in obesity rates and the downfall of public health.
The real weight of obesity
SLEEP SABOTAGE. Exposure to blue light and media before bedtime can disrupt sleep by interfering with the body's circadian rhythm and reducing the natural buildup of sleep pressure. This makes it harder to fall and stay asleep, leading to increased fatigue during the day.
Better sleep starts with simple changes
BREAK THE FAST. Café Lab offers a variety of breakfast foods from fruits and Greek yogurt to less healthy sweets like doughnuts. For students short on time but wanting a nutritious start for the day, dietician Devanee Washington suggests consuming healthy fats and carbs, which can be found in options like overnight oats with fruit, a quick smoothie of greens and Greek yogurt, or a toast with avocado.
Skipping breakfast makes students run on empty
SWEAT IN SWEATS. As part of his Winter Arc fitness routine junior Zuri Cosey Gay runs on the treadmill in the fitness center. The term Winter Arc was inspired by storytelling character development “arcs” to emphasize the personal growth and transformation aspects of the trend.
For fitness, students join winter arc trend
Math teacher Ross Hunefeld helps sophomore Freddie Neater-DuBow through a math problem. Some students have felt pressure on how they should be using their free time.
Audio: Independence requires balancing free time, studying
Thrifting has become more than just getting new clothes for a cheap price. For some students, thrifting is about spending time with family and friends as well as shopping.
Audio: Thrifting offers more than just shopping
Instead of interacting, some have taken to "phubbing" avoiding interaction using their phones as an excuse.
Audio: Avoiding awkwardness — Phubbing disrupts interactions
Dungeons & Dragons is a role-playing game that brings students together and strengthens their real-life connections.
Audio: Dungeons & Dragons fosters creativity, connection
For some teenagers, finding independence is a far more personal process: claiming your identity on your own terms.
Audio: Through self-discovery about identity, students gain independence
Before the Dec. 18 high school music concert at Mandel Hall, ninth grader Ari Wong prepares by wetting the reed for his clarinet while laughing and playing around with a friend's violin.
Gallery: U-High winter music concert
Ninth grader Sofia Caldentey and junior Maggie Yagan work together to set up C-116 to host the UNHRC committee for U-High’s Model UN conference, LabMUNC, on Friday afternoon, Dec. 6.
Model UN team hosts first conference at Lab since before pandemic
Standing with two of his company’s robot products, sophomore Isaac Sutherland delivers lines as the lead role of R.U.R. CEO Harry Domin. “I think my favorite part was when you get to the point in rehearsal where you’re working off of the other actors, and you get to this collaborative flow state that is kind of incredible,” Isaac said. “Everyone is working together and building a story together, and I find that so much fun.”
Gallery: Fall play ‘Rossum’s Universal Robots’ explores revolution, technology
From the fan-favorite dishes of mac and cheese and fried chicken to cornbread and candied yams, different traditional African American foods lined the long table on one side of C116. BSA catered the mac and cheese and collard greens from Lab’s food vendor, HandCut Foods, and the rest was catered from Harold’s Chicken.
Gallery: Cuisine, culture and community thrive at Black Students’ Association’s annual Blacksgiving event
“For Latinos Unidos, since this is our first year colliding for lower and middle school we wanted to do one tier for the lower school, one tier for the middle school, and one tier for the high school.” – Camila Bravo, junior Latinos Unidos member
Gallery: Latinos Unidos hosts ofrenda, invites community to contribute
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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Political dialogue at U-High to expand through new club

Carmen Nehme, Reporter
February 4, 2025
Ezra Peek Taylor
At a Jan. 31 meeting, the Youth Engagement in Politics Club announces the guests they will be interviewing. The nonpartisan club aims to be a space for students to discuss politics.

Update: This article has been revised to correct the name of the club.

To bring together U-High students interested in politics, the Youth Engagement in Politics club has formed and meets every Friday in N302, where students engage in meaningful political conversations. 

As a nonpartisan club, Youth Engagement in Politics welcomes students with any political views to join the club and learn more and spread their voices in politics. 

Sophomores Arjun Sawhney and Gabi Novak started the club after being inspired by their work on the Model United Nations team. 

“We’re both current Model UN members and we both really like politics and are inspired by it,” Gabi said. 

Gabi said she and Arjun hope to educate students on politics, inspire them to become more interested in politics and current political issues, and add more political representation at U-High.

“We’re really just trying to empower the youth voice in politics and ignite curiosity within students to make their own conclusions rather than accepting what they see in the news,” Gabi said. 

The club will be hosting interviews with David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, and U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat whose district includes Chicago’s western suburbs.

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During a Jan. 27 meeting, senior Helen Kraemer listens as sophomore Taara Sajdeh practices for an upcoming Model United Nation team conference. At the Harvard MUN conference Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, two-thirds of the team won awards.
At Harvard competition, Model UN team wins awards, gains experience
Sophomores Sofia Schwartz and Venice Lichstein attend a Women in STEM meeting. The club is organizing a new mentorship program to connect U-High students with undergraduates at the University of Chicago.
Women in STEM club organizes mentorship program open to all
On Jan. 22, ninth grader Karina Hans won the annual Poetry Out Loud school-wide competition, and the U-High Shakespeare Slam team received the “Be Creative” award for a scene they crafted for a Nov. 16 tournament.
Student wins poetry recitation contest; Shakespeare Slam team honored
Sophomore Austen Wu and senior Maxine Hurst compete at the Jan. 25 Science Olympiad competition at Crystal Lake Central High. The team used this competition as an opportunity boost team spirit and evaluate how to move forward in the season.
Science Olympiad places second at Crystal Lake Central competition
The Parents’ Association will hold a clothing swap Feb. 4-5 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in C116. Donations will be accepted Feb 3-5 from 8 to 9 a.m. in the high school lobby.
Parents' Association to hold community dress swap Feb. 4-5
The Korean Families and Friends Affinity Group and the Chinese Families and Friends Affinity Group will host a Lunar New Year events Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, respectively.
Lab family affinity groups to host Lunar New Year events