The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
HATS OFF. After turning his tassel to the right side, Henry Auxenfans throws his mortarboard into the air, surrounded by jubilant classmates. Henry was one of 157 students to receive their diplomas during graduation, which lasted from 2-4 p.m. on June 12.
Class of 2025 recognizes 157 graduates in Rockefeller Chapel
SELFIE FIRST. Seniors Courtney McDonald, Kaavya Peddinti, Marcus Wolfe, Helen Kraemer and Amira Williams take a selfie on the dance floor during prom. Courntey ensured to document the night, so that he could look back on the memories in the future. “Prom was an amazing night for me, and I made sure to capture as many moments as I could with the people I care about the most.”
Gallery: Students Celebrate End of Year
Seniors Simon Lane, Krish Khanna, Paola Almeda and Juliana Walker take a photo with Athletics Director Juliana Zavala. They were the four William "Doc" Monilaw Medalists at the awards assembly on June 4.
Awards assembly honors student excellence, helps conclude school year
Director of Schools Tori Jueds, who has worked for Lab for four years, announced her departure from Lab on July 1. Her departure was announced via email on June 4.
Director of Schools Tori Jueds to leave July 1; search for interim will begin
Seniors Aerianna Rai-Marchant and Orly Eggener hold up paintings and photos from Boston and Chicago. May Projects fostering creative skills, like this one, have become more popular recently.
May Project: A valued tradition
Four students, including sophomore Suna Choi Hortacsu, junior Cruise Lickerman, junior Kai Gregorski and ninth grader Axel Lintz, won awards at the Midwest Chinese Speech Contest.
4 students win awards at Midwest Chinese Speech Contest
After the senior night soccer game, senior Arhan Ganapathi promposed to fellow senior Isolde Wedemeyer. This year's prom will be held on June 7, at Ovation on 2324 W. Fulton St.
Gatsby-themed prom to be held June 7
During the 2024 Labstock, Josiah Sklarsky, who is now a sophomore, performs before an audience. Labstock this year will take place on June 6.
Signup for Labstock opens; performers to be selected for June 6 celebration
From May 5-9, sophomores Aya El Bissati and Jairy Felix led a children's book drive, which raised over 120 books.
Book drive supports children’s literacy in underserved communities
On April 26 at Illinois State University, the Math Team won a state competition. Additionally, multiple teams and individuals won first place in individual competitions.
Math team wins state contest after scoring mishap
Take me out to the ball game
Take me out to the ball game
The shadows of policy & power
The shadows of policy & power
Driven to serve: Alumni pursue careers in public service
Driven to serve: Alumni pursue careers in public service
Addicted to the Algorithm
Addicted to the Algorithm
10 x 10: Midway 100
10 x 10: Midway 100
New cell phone policy needs revisions
New cell phone policy needs revisions
Sports Editor Caroline Skelly argues that while it is important to prioritize wellbeing, mental health days can cause missed work to pile up, creating more stress.
Mental health days can add stress in unexpected ways
News Editor Declan Smith argues that cursive shouldn't be confined to textbooks, but rather, taught as an artistic skill.
Teach cursive as artistic skill rather than a textbook chore
Audience Engagement Editor Abhay Chandran argues that books should choose a meaningful ending instead of an easy ending.
Write endings that have meaning instead of an easy outcome
The Editorial Board argues that Lab is losing the characteristics and limiting student activities which define student life and make the high school experience fun.
Lab is losing what makes it fun
Sophomore Laurel Farmer fixes her hair in the bathroom mirror. A growing number of students dye their hair to express their identity, present themselves and set themselves apart. 
Through colored hair, students find unique ways to express their identities
CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION. Focusing intently, sophomore Caillum Haffner precisely dribbles droplets of sodium hydroxide into an aspirin-ethanol solution. As Caillum watched, he had to tensely await a color change in the solution. “It was actually really stressful doing the lab,” Caillum said. “It was hard because one drop too much of sodium hydroxide could totally ruin the lab, and I’d have to start over.”
Gallery: Moments of Intensity
Rather than buying new merchandise, U-High students choose vintage college apparel for its authenticity, history and retro style.
Worn-in and well-loved: Students embrace vintage college apparel
La Tiendita is a free store in the Washington Park neighborhood that provides clothes, household items and other goods to its shoppers. It is managed by admissions office associate Arcelia Guerrero.
Charity La Tiendita provides aid, support to those in need
Private Stories are a a feature on Snapchat often used by teenagers to document funny moments in their lives and share updates with friends — all with the ability to control how public or private they want these stories to be.
Students turn to Snapchat private stories for real talk, connection
With a new phone policy coming next year, students and faculty were conflicted about its effectiveness.
Vox pop: What makes Farmers markets worth the effort?
Eden Place Farms was founded as an answer to the longstanding food desert in Fuller Park. Farmers markets like the 61st Street Farmers Market help urban farms maintain constant flows of income.
From farm to market
Say “Ah.” Dr. Kat Asbury prepares to take a cat's temperature at one of the bimonthly pop-up clinics run by Hyde Park Cats. These pop-up clinics are held in the houses of Hyde Park volunteers, and allow for fosterers to bring their fosters in for necessary vaccinations, blood tests and wellness checks without incurring the costs of a regular vet visit. “Not everybody knows what to do when they see an animal in distress, and it’s good to get the word out so people know we’re a good resource,” Fran Spaltro, a frequent volunteer for this organization, said.
Comforting Cats: Nonprofit shelters, rescues local felines
Typing carefully as she works on her homework, ninth grader Maeve Krewatch gazes at her screen while sitting in a booth at Te’amo, a popular bubble tea shop that many U-High students enjoy visiting. Maeve is one of many students who enjoys this bubble tea shop as a fun place to study and hang out. “It’s close by, so it’s easy to hang out with friends there after school,” she said. “Overall the atmosphere is really nice.”
Te’amo offers welcoming space for students
Food al Fresco
Food al Fresco
“Shatter Me” is a young adult dystopian-romance series well-known for its compelling writing style, originally published in 2011 — although new books continue to be written.
‘Shatter me’ offers engaging style but leaves dystopian world underdeveloped
Award-winning musical, "Next to Normal," is an expertly executed exploration of mental health issues, specifically bipolar disorder. The musical is available to stream on PBS until June 30 as part of their "Great Performances" series.
Musical ‘Next to Normal’ effectively explores the realities of mental health
“Drop,” a new movie released on April 11, presents its audience with a frightening new reality of AirDrop technology.
‘Drop’ presents generic characters, introspective themes
Tate McRae’s album “So Close to What” was released on Feb. 21. Along with her electronic club beats, the album showcases her impressive range and lyricism with her songs going from topics of betrayal and heartache to love, showing the full variety of what growing up as a young woman is like.
Using pop beats, Tate McRae shows bittersweet realities of growing up in ‘So Close to What’
2002 musical “Kimberly Akimbo” examines themes of adolescence and mortality through the life of Kimberly Levaco, a teenage girl with a degenerative disease. The musical is coming to Chicago’s CIBC Theater June 10-22.
Death, disease & teens: Award-winning musical ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ tells about living urgently
Lunging for the ball, sophomore Arjun Sawhney rallies during a boys tennis match against Brooks College Prep High School on May 2. Arjun and his doubles partner Krish Khanna got second place at state in doubles
Boys tennis wrap up: team wins state
Junior Ty Quiles competes in the high jump event at the ISL championship at Lake Forest Academy.
Track and field wrap up: both teams win sectionals, individual wins at state
Preparing to release the ball, senior Ben Troutman pitches during the team's senior night game against North Shore Country Day School on May 16.
Baseball wrap up: team loss at postseason tournament
Junior co-captain Devyn Moubayed prepares to shoot the ball during a varsity soccer match against St. Laurence on April 3. The Maroons tied 2-2.
Girls soccer season wrap up: Loss at super-sectional final
Sophomore Rachel Hu plays water polo.
Club sports overcome challenges to find success
Although marketed as healthy, experts claim that Vitamin Water contains just as much sugar as a regular soda and includes unnecessary nutrients. “Teens don't need that, adults don't need that. Plain old filtered water is fine. No one is dying of vitamin malnutrition around here,” Dr. Lisa Oldson said.
Help or Hurt: Vitamin Water boosts sugar intake despite healthy claims
The results of 2024 Wellness Survey show that Lab has an overall wellness score of 87, in comparison to the national average of 85. Scores overall have increased in some areas such as enjoyment, while remaining stagnant or worsening in other areas.
Wellness survey shows progress, overall mixed results
HIDDEN HARM. Food dyes like tartrazine may deplete zinc, potentially affecting brain function. The European Union bans several dyes still allowed in the U.S., including Red 40 and Yellow 5.
Candy-colored concerns
A student selects various vegetables from the salad bar. Recent changes to the salad bar offerings in Cafe Lab have inspired students to consider healthier lunch options.
Audio: Improvements in healthier lunch options encourage mindful eating
FY FUTURE. Nature’s Fynd yogurts and patties are sold at local grocery stores like Whole Foods and Mariano’s. The company’s dairy-free Fy Yogurt recently won the 2025 NEXTY Award for best new dairy alternative.
From Yellowstone to yogurt, company makes new protein
New cell phone policy needs revisions
New cell phone policy needs revisions
Mia Lane paints on a prop for the upcoming theater production, "Urinetown." U-High theater's set crew has make significant advancements in the complexity of their stage design.
Video: With ‘Urinetown,’ set crew takes new leaps in complexity
On a Science Saturday on April 26, Women in Stem co-president Sofia Picciola works with kids on a pepper-and-soap experiment that explains surface tension concepts.
Video: Women in STEM members share passion on Science Saturdays
Varsity soccer co-captain Orly Eggener raises her hands for a high five with her teammates. Sports captainship has allowed multiple students to grow both on and off the field.
Audio: Sports captainship allows student athletes to grow leadership skills
Students have been taking initiative outside of class to improve their foreign language skills through conversation clubs and language learning apps like Duolingo.
Audio: Improving language skills helps students learn, improve academically
SELFIE FIRST. Seniors Courtney McDonald, Kaavya Peddinti, Marcus Wolfe, Helen Kraemer and Amira Williams take a selfie on the dance floor during prom. Courntey ensured to document the night, so that he could look back on the memories in the future. “Prom was an amazing night for me, and I made sure to capture as many moments as I could with the people I care about the most.”
Gallery: Students Celebrate End of Year
CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION. Focusing intently, sophomore Caillum Haffner precisely dribbles droplets of sodium hydroxide into an aspirin-ethanol solution. As Caillum watched, he had to tensely await a color change in the solution. “It was actually really stressful doing the lab,” Caillum said. “It was hard because one drop too much of sodium hydroxide could totally ruin the lab, and I’d have to start over.”
Gallery: Moments of Intensity
Jumping into the air, ninth grader Chris Williams delivers a powerful serve during the boys tennis team’s home game against Fenwick on April 24. As of May 5, the varsity had an undefeated record of 11-0 for the season.
Gallery: Pushing Past the Pain
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
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
Connections: April 30, 2025
Connections: April 30, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025
Connections Feb. 18, 2025
Connections Feb. 18, 2025
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
Ainsley Williams

Ainsley Williams, Reporter

Ainsley Williams is a member of the Class of 2025 and is a reporter. She joined journalism in the 2021-22 school year as a ninth grader. Her favorite part of being on the Midway is being able to tell the stories of the various people she meets. In her free time she enjoys reading classic political commentary books.

Awards:

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

All content by Ainsley Williams
On May 19 and 20, seven members of the girls track and field team competed at the IHSA 2A State Championship. The team did not advance to the finals, but are hopeful for the years to come.

7 girls compete at state track and field

Ainsley Williams, Audience Engagement Manager
May 23, 2023
ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS. Painted by Isadora Glick, this work shows two children — herself and a childhood friend.

Portfolios allow displays of creativity

Ainsley Williams, Audience Engagement Manager
May 22, 2023
Lives in 300 words: Stories from the Lab community

Lives in 300 words: Stories from the Lab community

Sahana Unni, Chloe Alexander, Mia Lipson, Ainsley Williams, Taariq Ahmed, Peter Cox, Victoria Washington, Ethan Swinger, and Audrey Matei
May 19, 2023
Taking Steps: Chani Patterson

Taking Steps: Chani Patterson

Ainsley Williams, Audience Engagement Manager
May 19, 2023
Now, the most pressing issues facing Generation Z are things like climate change, gun control and affordable housing and education. These are modern issues that require modern people to represent them in government, not the same nine people who have been sitting on the court for decades says Audience Engagement Manager Ainsley Williams.

Supreme Court Justices should represent contemporary America

Ainsley Williams, Audience Engagement Manager
May 18, 2023
Stereotypes of the South Side

Stereotypes of the South Side

Peter Cox, Krishita Dutta, Erich Raumann, Amy Ren, Ethan Swinger, Téa Tamburo, and Ainsley Williams
May 4, 2023
Audrey Park, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu and Sahana Unni will be editors-in-chief for 2023-24.

Midway editors appointed for 2023-24

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
April 26, 2023
In the recent Netflix series adaptation, 'The Night Agent,' action and tension build in an epic conclusion that appeals to any drama-lovers.

Netflix series ‘The Night Agent’ grips viewers with tense spy drama

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
April 24, 2023
Two administrative roles, assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion, and assistant director of student services will be added to Lab's roster of staff starting in the 2023-2024 year.

Lab gets two new administrative roles in DEI and student services

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
April 20, 2023
The flavors of family

The flavors of family

Chloe Alexander, Erich Raumann, Ethan Swinger, William Tan, and Ainsley Williams
April 5, 2023
Amira Williams sets her family table with jollof rice, fragrant West African blend of stew, spices

Amira Williams sets her family table with jollof rice, fragrant West African blend of stew, spices

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
April 5, 2023
Keewa Nurullah, Donna Miller and Marshuane Hardy speak at the Women's History Month assembly on March 23.

Speakers discuss activism, winding career at Young Women of Color assembly

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
March 27, 2023
In this Vox Pop, we ask U-High students and faculty which women currently making history should be honored in a future Women's History Month and/or U-High curriculum.

Vox Pop: Women’s History Month

Taariq Ahmed and Ainsley Williams
February 23, 2023
Despite common belief, students and medical professionals say birth control does more than prevent pregnancy.

Birth control: More than pills, periods and pregnancy prevention

Mia Lipson, Clare O’Connor, and Ainsley Williams
February 14, 2023

Glossary

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
February 14, 2023
Ice Spice's newest project "Like..?" exemplifies her creativity and cultural significance.

Ice Spice proves herself on latest record

Ainsley Williams, reporter
February 13, 2023
School usually provides us with the resources needed to prepare us for college and a career after high school. Yet, it is equally important for students to be educated on how to actively participate in our democracy.

Mandatory civics classes promote political literacy, diversity

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
February 9, 2023
The Program of Studies for the 2023-2024 school year has been released. The English curriculum has changed, and there are six new courses. Registration will begin Feb. 17 and end Feb. 28 at 8 a.m.

Six new courses added, English department changes curriculum

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
February 8, 2023
Delaney Connell

Delaney Connell

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
January 24, 2023
Rising Stars: With winter sports underway, athletes demonstrate potential

Rising Stars: With winter sports underway, athletes demonstrate potential

Chloe Alexander, Audrey Matei, Téa Tamburo, Ainsley Williams, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, and Victoria Washington
January 24, 2023
Jayna Rumble, the U-Highlights adviser, was named one of 2022 Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser by the Journalism Education Association.

U-Highlights adviser receives national recognition

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
January 11, 2023
Bang Energy, Celsius, Alani Nu Energy, Red Bull and Monster are examples of popular energy drinks. Frequent consumption of these drinks can result in high blood pressure, irritability and caffeine addiction.

Energy drinks provide alternate caffeine intake

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
December 10, 2022
So far, the efforts to bridge the wealth gap between rich and poor have been to create more jobs, and provide equal access to education, but these are only temporary solutions to the larger problem. 

The Billionaire Minimum Income Tax is essential to dissolving the wealth gap

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
December 5, 2022
The Model United Nations team participated in a conference at Brown University and sent beginning members to a conference at St. Ignatius College Prep. Though individuals received awards at the Brown conference, the team as a whole did not place.

Model UN team faces losses at Brown and St. Ignatius conferences

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
November 15, 2022
To the excitement of billions of soccer fans across the world, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is here. However, some controversy has arisen over the country it's being hosted in, Qatar.

FIFA World Cup 2022 builds excitement, sparks controversy

Taariq Ahmed, Zara Siddique, Ethan Swinger, and Ainsley Williams
November 8, 2022

World Cup fast facts

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
November 8, 2022
"1919" is a retelling of the events of The Red Summer being shown at the Steppenwolf Theatre. The play is adapted from a collection of poetry written by UChicago professor Eve L. Ewing.

Play adapts 1919 Chicago race riots with nuance

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
October 24, 2022
Students and faculty can sign up for an upcoming Covid-19 vaccine booster and flu shot clinic at the Historic Campus on Oct. 18 and Earl Shapiro Hall on Oct. 11 and 25.

Covid-19 booster and flu shot clinics offered for students and staff

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
October 7, 2022
"Holy Fvck" strays from Demi Lovato's previous works, and shows a more angsty side of the artist.

Demi Lovato reinvents herself on new album

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
September 22, 2022
Varsity debaters Connor Booth and Adam Cheema secured a bid to the Tournament of Champions by advancing to semifinals in the Mamaroneck Longhorn Classic and Mahi Shah and Cyrus Esmailzadeh earned a full scholarship for a summer debate camp.

Debate team places fourth at Niles Debate Tournament, secures first bid to Tournament of Champions

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
September 20, 2022
Chicago has various indoor and outdoor activities and adventures to try this summer.

A guide to your summer unplugged

Sophie Baker, Mia Lipson, Clare McRoberts, Zara Siddique, Ainsley Williams, and Oliver Wilson
June 2, 2022
COASTING ALONG. A cyclist bikes by North Avenue Beach, the lake glistening behind them. The 18.5-mile path, which stretches from Edgewater to South Shore, provides spectacular views of the city, an enjoyable form of exercise, and direct access to Chicago’s beaches.

[Photo] There’s no need for an outlet outdoors

Sophie Baker, Ainsley Williams, Reporters
June 2, 2022
Ava Eggner and Sophie Volchenbaum sing a duet at last year's Labstock. The end-of-year event allows students to perform live music in front of their peers.

End-of-year celebration Labstock to be held on June 3

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
May 31, 2022
Jack White released his fourth solo studio album, “Fear of the Dawn,” in April 2022.

Jack White’s experimental style falls short in ‘Fear of the Dawn’

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
May 24, 2022
A student browses social media on their Iphone

Doomscrolling: Addictive habit has negative impacts

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
May 2, 2022
Juniors Jack McRoberts, Ege Halac and Jessica Daugherty discuss their National History Day project with history teacher Cindy Jurisson.

28 students qualify for state history day

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
April 19, 2022
The voting age must be lowered, argues Reporter Ainsley Williams.

Lowering the voting age is only logical

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
March 11, 2022
Legal protections for student journalists will become impotent unless they are renewed and the importance of student journalism rights is understood, argue a collection of Midway staff.

Opinion: Student journalism rights must be protected

Sophie Baker, Mia Lipson, Clare McRoberts, Zara Siddique, Ainsley Williams, and Oliver Wilson
February 24, 2022
Multiple workshops centered on the topic of consent will be held from Feb. 28 to March 4.

Consent Fest to hold consent-based workshops

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
February 23, 2022
The Parents’ Association Gratitude Project is in need of volunteers for the Lasagna Love event.

Volunteers needed to prepare lasagna

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
January 24, 2022
In the Chicago Shakespeare Slam, U-High students will work with Chicago-area schools to recite parts of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Students collaborate to recite Shakespeare play

Ainsley Williams, Reporter
October 27, 2021
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