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Berk Oto

Berk Oto, Managing Editor

Berk Oto joined the U-High Midway staff as a freshman with the Beginning Journalism program in the 2018-19 school year. He has since been promoted to managing editor. He enjoys learning and collaborating with other Midway staff members, writing profiles and expressing his opinions through columns. In addition to working for the Midway, he is also a varsity member of the U-High debate team.

 

Awards:

2019 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, best single-story package.

2020 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, best COVID-19 coverage.

2020 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, best single-page story package.

All content by Berk Oto
75% of students feel like they're overworked by their teachers, according to the latest survey.

Despite students feeling overworked, teachers won’t change curricula for hybrid

February 25, 2021
Everyone should double-mask when going outside and make sure their disposable masks are securely fitted to their face, writes managing editor Berk Oto.

Wearing one mask is not enough

February 24, 2021
From feeding first responders at hospitals to responsibly sourcing its food ingredients, Virtue is more than just a name for Mr. Garcia and his business partner, chef Erick Williams. It’s a business model and a way of life.

Activism, community service part of business model at Virtue restaurant

February 24, 2021
Gun violence deaths in Chicago nearly doubled in 2020.

Gun control: complicated issue for students, Americans

February 16, 2021

It’s time to take gun violence seriously again

February 16, 2021

Faculty members hesitant about hasty return to school

February 10, 2021
The U-High community is split on whether to opt-in to hybrid learning with many fearing COVID-19 risk.

Still undecided: Community anxious for hybrid learning details

February 10, 2021
The Faculty Association filed a request for an injunction with the National Labor Relations Board on Feb. 4 requiring the University of Chicago to engage in good-faith negotiations about the return to in-person learning. 

Faculty Association requests negotiations prior to in-person learning

February 5, 2021
Paul Sagan has a long and storied career, finding success in various industries. He credits his U-High education with laying the foundation of his successful habits.

Built on a Lab foundation: Alumnus Paul Sagan employs experiential learning in leadership roles

February 4, 2021
21-0120 editornote

[PHOTO] To our readers: We’re committed to accuracy, transparency

January 20, 2021
21-0106 almafrancezCAPITOL

[PHOTO] Class optional, school work suspended after chaos erupts in Capitol

January 6, 2021
The PlayStation 5 (left) and Xbox Series X (right) were released Nov. 10 and Nov. 12 respectively to mark the launch of a new generation of gaming. Ever since the two consoles have been in high demand for their new games and capabilities and consumers have struggled to get ahold of them.

Try these next gen video games over winter break

December 17, 2020
“It’s simultaneously one of the most exciting and relieving feelings to see your computer post for the first time,” Sean said referring to the first time his self-built computer turned on.

Hardware by hand: Teens build PCs for personalization, unique connection

December 14, 2020
We must push back against claims that affirmative action rewards Black and Latinx students while punishing white and Asian students as they imply that Black and Latinx students are undeserving and unqualified, which they are not writes assistant editor An Ngo.

[PHOTO] The fight against affirmative action is rooted in white supremacy

December 9, 2020
Although we are in the midst of a pandemic, vaccines should not be made mandatory writes content manager Noa Appelbaum.

[PHOTO] No matter what, vaccines must not be mandatory

December 4, 2020
A new stay-at-home advisory went into effect on Nov. 20.

[PHOTO] New restrictions and stay-at-home advisory takes effect in Illinois

November 30, 2020
Lab students play

“Among Us” connects U-High students while socially distant

November 17, 2020
Zachary Hund, science department chair and chemistry teacher, received the Young Alumni Award from Elmhurst University for his accomplishments in research, service and teaching.

[PHOTO] Chemistry teacher receives honor for achievements in service and teaching

November 17, 2020
Students are overwhelmed and teachers must recognize this by giving less work, writes content manager Noa Appelbaum.

[PHOTO] Drained to exhaustion by online learning, students should be given less school work

November 15, 2020
Despite a dark subtext,

Borat strikes again in his new raunchy hit, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilms”

November 12, 2020
After five days of ballot counting, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the Presidential and Vice Presidential races.

[PHOTO] Following Biden-Harris win, students, faculty excited

November 7, 2020
First time voters know more than anyone that voting matters, writes Health and Wellness editor Grace Holleb.

[PHOTO] First-time voter understands the importance of this powerful tool

November 10, 2020

[PHOTO] Junior, senior classes to hold in-person events on campus

November 4, 2020
Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin are cited as some of the most influential states for election day.

[PHOTO] Guide to watching important states on election night

November 2, 2020
The Day of the Dead should remind people that death is not just a statistic, but the loss of a real life, and we should use this day to reflect on that.

[PHOTO] Día de los Muertos provides a timely, universal message

November 1, 2020
The goal of the comments is to provide a snapshot of a student’s progression in their class, Assistant Principal Asra Ahmed said.

[PHOTO] Midterm comments to be released Nov. 9

October 30, 2020
Admissions applications for Lab’s 2021-22 academic year will close Nov. 9. 

[PHOTO] Admission applications open for 2021-22 academic year

October 29, 2020
Lab should use its curriculum to counteract systemic racism, Features Editor Olivia Griffin writes.

[PHOTO] Lab must proactively counteract systemic racism

October 15, 2020
Members of the Chicago Police Department had sought a suspect in the armed incident.

[PHOTO] Shelter-in-place warning issued for historic campus

October 8, 2020
The U-High Midway selected new editors and positions for the 2020-21 academic year.

New Midway editors, positions selected

October 6, 2020
Multiple employees were reassigned at the Laboratory Schools this year.

[PHOTO] Ten nonteaching employees reassigned to lower school teaching assistant positions

October 5, 2020
The Laboratory Schools have extended Thanksgiving break two extra days in hopes of further recharging the well-being of students and faculty. The break will span the entire week of Nov. 23-27 rather than just the final three days.

[PHOTO] Thanksgiving break extended to span entire week

October 3, 2020
The Class of 2024 on Oct. 2 elected Zoe Nathwani as president, Kaavya Shiram as vice president and Adam Cheema and Sophie Stern as Cultural Union representatives.

[PHOTO] Class of 2024 selects Student Council officers

October 3, 2020
Juniors and seniors can apply to become a poll worker in the upcoming election.

Illinois students over age 16 eligible to become election judges for Nov. 3 election

October 1, 2020
A new harassment and prejudiced behavior reporting system will be released this month to provide a method for members of the Laboratory Schools community to report acts of harassment, discrimination, prejudice or other antagonistic behaviors to the administration.

[PHOTO] New bias, discrimination, antagonistic behavior reporting system to launch this month

September 23, 2020
A copy of the first day schedule included multiple assemblies explaining how the academic year would work.

[PHOTO] Adapting to circumstances, students find ways to connect through Zoom

September 14, 2020
Students may pick up course materials and yearbooks curbside beginning today. Designated times are 3:30-7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 10, and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 12 on Kimbark Avenue outside Gordon Parks Arts Hall.

[PHOTO] Curbside pickup available for course materials, yearbooks

September 9, 2020
There are still many unknowns in the transition between remote and in-person learning.

[PHOTO] Lab administration, faculty draft plans for learning in 2020-21 school year

June 9, 2020
Frederick Tang's embraces the computer science field and finds competitiveness and recreation within it.

[PHOTO] Computer whiz: Junior qualifies for prestigious computing summer camp

June 9, 2020
Three University of Chicago Law school police experts will be on the panel.

[PHOTO] Virtual panel of experts to discuss police immunity June 11

June 9, 2020
While uniforms get rid of individual expressions of identity through clothing, this is worth losing in order to have a welcoming student environment for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

[PHOTO] School uniforms should be a part of Lab’s dress code

June 8, 2020
We are all complicit in the death of George Floyd and the system of racism behind it, argues reporter An Ngo.

[PHOTO] We are all responsible for the death of George Floyd

June 5, 2020

Netflix comedy ‘Space Force’ a simple, silly, hilarious military satire

June 4, 2020
Ace Zhang and Risa Cohen have been Midway illustrators for over 2 years.

[PHOTO] Midway illustrators driven by satisfaction, artistic practice

June 2, 2020
Fans should be allowed to attend games if they are willing to face the risk according to sports editor Christian Gluth.

[PHOTO] ‘Friendly Confines,’ not confined to home: It’s time for fans to return to stands

June 2, 2020
Orla waits for the train on the 59th street Metra station with her friends to get to the climate march downtown from Lab.

Earth girl: Junior’s activism fueled by passion, kindness

June 1, 2020
It's very important to stick to improving upon previous work, and not focus on others in your same field, say all three artists.

[PHOTO] At panel, alumni artists share power of their work

May 29, 2020
Lab has had 3 different directors in 6 years. It's time for someone permanent.

[PHOTO] Students need role in directorial decision

May 29, 2020
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Berk Oto