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Tuesday, April 8, 2025

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The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway

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Surrounded by fellow students, junior Sara Park dances at Spring Fling on April 5 in the Sherry Lansing Theater.

Spring Fling enchants, charms with themed decor

Juniors Vivianna Nieto and Audrey Tian use their phones before their Neuroscience & Behavior class. Committees for cell phone and club policies presented their proposals at a March 5 faculty meeting, sparking discussions on classroom engagement, academic balance and the student experience at U-High.

Phone, clubs policies analyzed

U-Highlights staff members celebrate sending the 2025 yearbook to print in a March 31 tribute.

2025 U-Highlights yearbook to be released this spring

Taariq Ahmed, Midway news editor and senior, is in the running for Illinois Journalist of the Year.

Midway editor is runner-up for Illinois Journalist of the Year

The 2023-24 U-High Midway newspaper/website and the 2024 U-Highlights yearbook each received a top national award. The Midway also received 17 awards in a local contest.

U-High Midway and U-Highlights win top national award; Midway recognized in local contest

At the 2025 Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational, U-High’s Mock Trial team did not place, though junior Naomi Benton and sophomore Priya Yamada each received best witness awards.

Mock trial team ends season with individual wins at state competition

U-High's varsity and JV Science Olympiad teams placed second at the March 1 College of Lake County regional. They are headed to the state competition at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign on April 12.

Science Olympiad team achieves strong results in regional, heads to state

$The math team placed first in the state for division 3AA in the Regional ICTM Math Competition on Feb. 22 at Concordia University.$

Dominating regional competition, math team places first

The debate team has had exceptional performances at the Golden Desert Debate Tournament at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Feb. 1-3, the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament in Cambridge, Massachusetts Feb. 15-17 and the Maine East Regatta in suburban Park Ridge Feb. 7-9.

Debate team performs well at three recent competitions

The Model United Nations team won best small delegation and had a 100% placement rate at the North American Invitational Model UN Conference at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Feb. 13-16.

MUN team earns best small delegation, full placement at Georgetown

Addicted to the Algorithm

Addicted to the Algorithm

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

Reporter Gabriel Wang urges parents to support students' growth rather than pressure them about college admissions.

Parents should refrain from pressuring students about college

Reporter Chloe Tyndall recommends a wider array of healthy options in the cafeteria to support student wellbeing.

Provide healthier alternatives for students in the cafeteria

Reporter Ellie Rosenberg argues that human creativity is essential for art and artificial intelligence should never be used to replicate it.

Avoid generative AI, prioritize humanity in art

Reporter Imani Qureshi encourages reading physical books, particularly for young children, to strengthen focus and memory.

Reading Physical Books is essential for retaining information, improving focus

Reporter Carmen Nehme argues that in-person conversations between friends and family are essential towards building interpersonal relationship.

In-person conversations are neccessary for making real connections

For transgender students at U-High, there is a looming fear of the government’s actions, even when surrounded by supportive friends and family.

New policy prompts fear among transgender students

In a particularly competitive year for the annual Hunt, sophomores Nanak Ofori-Mante and Alethia Ikem emerged victorious, their second time competing in the Hunt after a failed attempt last year.

Audio: Competing in annual Hunt challenge, students build confidence

New website game PolyTrack allows students to bond as they compete to get the fastest time around the track.

Audio: PolyTrack ignites friendly competition among students racing to beat best times

Founder and owner of a small baking business, Junior Daniel Wu places a batch of his everything cookies, made with mini marshmallows, pretzels, toffee and four kinds of chocolate, into the oven. Despite a stressful high school environment, he and other U-High students have taken their passion for cooking and baking to the next level through social media accounts or small businesses.

Cooking up success: Students turn culinary passion into profit, social media presence

Despite approximately 40 years of experiencing racism while working as an electrician, Lawrence Driskell has persevered in a career where he is still a minority.

Lawrence Driskell: Former electrician perseveres through discrimination

Students practice lifeguarding skills in Sunny Gymnasium as part of a U-High class. U-High students say lifeguarding provides them with work experience and helps build connections with fellow employees.

Lifeguarding provides students with work experience, camaraderie

A second location of 5 Rabanitos, a Mexican restaurant based in the Pilsen neighborhood, is now open at 1301 E. 53rd St..

Pilsen’s 5 Rabanitos restaurant opens second location in Hyde Park

Slice of the City: Pizza in Chicago

Slice of the City: Pizza in Chicago

An attendee drives a Kia car simulation at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, Feb.8-17. The auto show included other interactive elements for visitors, such as electric test tracks and ride-alongs.

Chicago Auto Show immerses, engages attendees

The "Coco - Robot Food Delivery" app allows users to order robot food deliveries from certain restaurants. These robots are available in the 27th and 34th ward of Chicago and are also in use in Los Angeles.

Coco Robotics pilot program reimagines, optimizes food delivery

Prestige television introduces depth and complex themes in a uniquely beautiful way, from the cinematography to the dialogue. These themes challenge us to view ourselves and the power structures that surround us differently.

The comedy of despair: Prestige TV transforms power, trauma, misery into riveting, addictive dramas

Junior Adam Tapper has found a passion for writing literary translations, from Yiddish and German, two languages to which he feels a deep connection due to his family’s heritage.

Lost words, new voices: Junior Adam Tapper works to preserve and share minority languages

“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (“I should have taken more photos”), is a Spanish album by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny released on Jan. 5. The album features 17 tracks, including hits such as “DtMF” and “NUEVAYoL,” all of which cement Bad Bunny’s ability to create yet another stand out and versatile album.

Bad Bunny’s ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’ is a genre-blending ode to Puerto Rico

Sophomore Aiden Yu and other members of the U-High Chamber Collective perform a female-forward pop concert in Gordon Parks Arts Hall on March 5, raising funds for the Chicago Foundation for Women.

Video: U-High Chamber Collective holds female-forward pop fundraiser

In a recurring scene about a student stuck in a time loop, junior Evelyn Halbach, left, relives the same experience of helping senior Taylor Landrey with her homework.

Gallery: Student Experimental Theater

Senior Brayden Kenny prepares to swing as he steps up to the plate during the varsity baseball team's game against Lincoln Park High School on April 5.

U-High athletes navigate college athletic recruitment

Sofia Piccola takes her final strides during an indoor track competition. The team ended its season March 29 at the Illinois Top Times competition and the Illinois Indoor Championships, which happened on the same day.

Indoor track wrap up: runners break multiple school records

In a March 26 tennis practice, ninth grader Alexander Yamini returns a ball in a serving and returning drill. “Practice helps me to improve my skills on the court,” Alexander said. “Every day that I go to practice I feel that I have added to my tennis skill set. People tend to see the final product or the polished skill, but they don’t always recognize the countless hours of struggling with things that didn’t work out during training.”

Gallery: Practice Makes Perfect

Junior Isabella Huang, a varsity volleyball player, and senior Maya Pytel, a varsity soccer player, show off their gear. Both Isabella and Maya selectively choose their gear from the brands they most trust.

Battle of the Brands: U-High athletes balance performance, style when choosing gear

Seniors Krish Khanna and Juliana Walker have been selected to be a part of the IHSA Academic All-State Team.

Krish Khanna, Juliana Walker selected for IHSA Academic All-State Team

Senior Noah Hoereth exercises in the fitness center. Recently, students have been using the fitness center for workouts, finding that the physical activity reaps mental rewards.

Audio: Fitness center workouts provide mental health benefits

LAUGH IT OFF. Laughter helps in reducing stress, strengthening your immune system, and bringing people closer together. In fact, you're 30 times more likely to laugh when you're with someone else than when you're alone.

Ha-ha for healthy healing

FLAWED FORMULA. Once a primary tool for diagnosing obesity, BMI is now being challenged for its oversimplified approach to health. The formula was created for population studies, not individual health assessments.

Experts doubt traditional obesity weight classification

CAFETERIA CHANGES. Some students find the cafeteria food meets their needs, while others feel there is room for improvement. In the coming months, HandCut Foods plan to bring more variety and excitement to lunch by adding new options like sushi, omelets and seasonal treats.

What’s on your lunch plate?

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

Senior Noah Hoereth exercises in the fitness center. Recently, students have been using the fitness center for workouts, finding that the physical activity reaps mental rewards.

Audio: Fitness center workouts provide mental health benefits

In a particularly competitive year for the annual Hunt, sophomores Nanak Ofori-Mante and Alethia Ikem emerged victorious, their second time competing in the Hunt after a failed attempt last year.

Audio: Competing in annual Hunt challenge, students build confidence

New website game PolyTrack allows students to bond as they compete to get the fastest time around the track.

Audio: PolyTrack ignites friendly competition among students racing to beat best times

Sophomore Aiden Yu and other members of the U-High Chamber Collective perform a female-forward pop concert in Gordon Parks Arts Hall on March 5, raising funds for the Chicago Foundation for Women.

Video: U-High Chamber Collective holds female-forward pop fundraiser

College counselor Patty Kovacs talks to a junior on Jan. 22 about his potential college matches and how his extracurricular activities and interests could affect which colleges are a good fit for him. Along with representing student's ambition, extracurriculars also work to bolster college applications.

Audio: Extracurriculars represent ambition, self-discovery — and pressure

In a March 26 tennis practice, ninth grader Alexander Yamini returns a ball in a serving and returning drill. “Practice helps me to improve my skills on the court,” Alexander said. “Every day that I go to practice I feel that I have added to my tennis skill set. People tend to see the final product or the polished skill, but they don’t always recognize the countless hours of struggling with things that didn’t work out during training.”

Gallery: Practice Makes Perfect

In a recurring scene about a student stuck in a time loop, junior Evelyn Halbach, left, relives the same experience of helping senior Taylor Landrey with her homework.

Gallery: Student Experimental Theater

Junior Liz Longnecker completes a Gelli plate print during Period 3.

Gallery: ArtsFest sparks excitement, expression

TRIUMPHANT TACTICS. Surrounded by players, varsity boys basketball coach Andre Battle discusses mid-game adjustments during a game against the Latin School of Chicago in Upper Kovler Gymnasium on Jan. 17. The game ended in a decisive 58-44 victory.

Gallery: Coaching with Care

An attendee drives a Kia car simulation at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, Feb.8-17. The auto show included other interactive elements for visitors, such as electric test tracks and ride-alongs.

Chicago Auto Show immerses, engages attendees

Connections: March 31, 2025

Connections: March 31, 2025

Connections: Feb. 25, 2025

Connections: Feb. 25, 2025

Connections Feb. 18, 2025

Connections Feb. 18, 2025

U-High Midway

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The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway

Search this site

U-High Midway

News
In-Depth
Opinion
Features
- Leisure
City Life
Arts
Sports
Health & Wellness
Multimedia
- Photo Galleries
- Audio
Games

More

The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway

Search this site

News

Photo: alumni speaker relates journalism career

November 9, 2019

RETURNING TO ROOTS. Alumni speaker Jamie Kalven, Class of 1965, speaks to U-High students Oct. 24 about his life and career in journalism. Mr. Kalven is the journalist who reported the existence of a police dash-cam video of the shooting of Laquan McDonald and fought for it to be released.

alumni
assembly
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Trending Stories

1

Founder and owner of a small baking business, Junior Daniel Wu places a batch of his everything cookies, made with mini marshmallows, pretzels, toffee and four kinds of chocolate, into the oven. Despite a stressful high school environment, he and other U-High students have taken their passion for cooking and baking to the next level through social media accounts or small businesses.

Cooking up success: Students turn culinary passion into profit, social media presence

2

U-High Progressives president Lucie Bhatoey-Bertrand addresses the Coalition for Free Speech at Lab as Lab Liberty president Oliver Wilson listens in a March 5 meeting.

Coalition of clubs emphasizes free speech in monthly political discussions

3

A new full-time U-High administrative position, a dean of student success, has stirred up different reactions from faculty and others.

New administrative position sparks concern

4

Reporter Karina Hans argues that spreak break should be split into two parts, one in Febuary and one in April.

Split spring break to boost students' mental health and academic performance

5

Senior Alex Giles, a varsity soccer and basketball player, smiles as she works through a resistance band stretch after school in the fitness center. The exercise improves ankle mobility, preventing injuries during sports.

U-High athletes rely on recovery routines for injury prevention, wellness

6

Editor-in-Chief Chloë Alexander argues that Lab students must prioritize friendships and true connection as much as they prioritize academic work.

Lab students must prioritize friendships as much as academics

7

In a March 26 tennis practice, ninth grader Alexander Yamini returns a ball in a serving and returning drill. “Practice helps me to improve my skills on the court,” Alexander said. “Every day that I go to practice I feel that I have added to my tennis skill set. People tend to see the final product or the polished skill, but they don’t always recognize the countless hours of struggling with things that didn’t work out during training.”

Gallery: Practice Makes Perfect

8

Junior Adam Tapper has found a passion for writing literary translations, from Yiddish and German, two languages to which he feels a deep connection due to his family’s heritage.

Lost words, new voices: Junior Adam Tapper works to preserve and share minority languages

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U-High Midway (@uhighmidway) • Instagram photos and videos

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Surrounded by fellow students, junior Sara Park dances at Spring Fling on April 5 in the Sherry Lansing Theater.

Spring Fling enchants, charms with themed decor

Naomi Benton, Eli Raikhel, Delaney Connell, and Zach Eagle McKnight • April 8, 2025

Mimicking the Yule Ball, the school dance in the “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” movie, students danced to popular songs under twinkling candles and golden snitches...

Grace Watson, 2019: From watching over budgets to law school

Grace Watson, 2019: From watching over budgets to law school

Orlie Weitzman, Assistant Editor • April 8, 2025

Grace Watson, Class of 2019, was on the girls soccer team and an editor-in-chief of the U-Highlights yearbook. She earned a B.A. in public policy from the University of Michigan...

Charles Blackstone, 1995: From freelance writing to food policy expert
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Daniel Hornung, 2008: From the White House to economic policy
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U-High Midway

The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

Editors-in-Chief
Jaya Alenghat
Chloë Alexander
Clare McRoberts

Mission: In a time when the press is criticized, the U-High Midway seeks to inform, educate and serve the community of University High School. The Midway is developed and managed by students, for students. In every story we write, the Midway should give a voice to the experiences of people at U-High. We will report on the people, activities and thoughts that make our school unique, striving to include the voices we haven’t heard yet.

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