The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
Searching for solutions: Student looks at the AI overview while searching for how to find the derivative of a function on one of the Library’s computers. Many students rely on the overview as well as other AI tools for quick solutions to math problems and inquiries.
Teachers find AI Overview a shortcut for research
From hope to hesitancy, students reacted in many different ways to the election of a new pope.
Vox Pop: Students excited, nervous about new pope
W. Ian Lipkin who graduated U-High in 1970, was awarded the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Lipkin has over 40 years of work in his field.
Immunologist W. Ian Lipkin, Class of 1970, given the Distinguished Alumni Award
Daniel Chang, the 2025-26 all-school president-elect, hopes to make Student Council more efficient.
As president, Chang to prioritize functionality
Daniel Chang was elected all-school president for the 2025-26 school year.
Chang, Quiles to lead 2025-26 Student Council
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
Senior Taariq Ahmed has been selected as Student Journalist of the Year by Youth Journalism International.
Midway editor named Student Journalist of the Year in global competition
Light Dohrn, the Midway's arts & entertainment editor, and Elspeth LaCroix-Birdthistle, who is on the U-Highlights staff and was on the photojournalism team last year, were selected for the Illinois Journalism Education Association's All-State Journalism Team.
For third consecutive year, two U-High journalists named to All-State team
Midway journalists and photojournalists received various awards from the Illinois Journalism Education Association, including Best Overall Publication and Best Hybrid Publication.
U-High journalists, photojournalists receive state awards
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
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
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 highschool experience fun.
Lab is losing what makes it fun
Assistant Editor Lila Coyne argues that in a period of petty political arguments, students should engage in collaborative disagreement.
Embrace collaborative disagreement to improve discussion
The Editorial Board argues that elected students must follow through on the promises that they make during campaigning.
Hold your Student Council accountable
Assistant Editor Orlie Weitzman argues that diversity from multilingualism needs to be embraced instead of demonized.
America must celebrate its multilingual roots
During Lab A, ninth graders Lauren Wilson and Alondra Reyes visit middle school faculty member Thomas Toney to talk about the latest water polo match that Alondra participated in. Lauren and Alondra often go together to visit Mr. Toney and talk to him about school or about personal things together. “We come back from time to time just to keep conversation going about how we’re doing in high school,” Lauren said.
Students maintain bonds with middle school teachers
Sophomore Saanika Dutta sets up an experiment for lower school students on April 6 as apart of Women in Stem's Science Saturday.
WiStem Science Saturday offers mentorship, education
Pressure of the perfect night
Pressure of the perfect night
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
DINK OR DILL: Senior Asher Huner found a love for pickleball last summer, amid a boom of the fastest-growing sport.
Pickleball provides social time, enjoyable gameplay
Food al Fresco
Food al Fresco
PAWS FOR PASSION. Volunteer Wendy Elstien holds her foster dog, Gilda, as she explains the impact that the rescue has had on her life. Ms. Elstien started fostering Gilda after the loss of her own dog. “You have no idea how much this dog means to me and how much this has changed my life,” she said, “and that's really powerful to me.”
Fetching Hope: Volunteer organization saves vulnerable dogs from abuse
The Public Housing Museum, located at 919 S Ada St., allows visitors to engage with a narrative of public housing that highlights the humanity, resilience and joy of residents. The museum includes a working studio where the stories of public housing residents are recorded and publicly archived; a gift shop owned and operated by current and former public housing residents; gallery and exhibition spaces; a playground; and a recreation room where visitors can enjoy a large collection of records by artists who lived in public housing across the United States.
Public Housing Museum combats stereotypes through storytelling
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
One hundred years after its publication in 1925, "The Great Gatsby" remains relevant, detailing parallel struggles and responses to our current day.
100 years later, ‘The Great Gatsby’ remains a cautionary tale
FROM SCENE TO SCREEN. Ninth grader René Saussy edits footage for a classmate’s short film using Adobe Premiere. After completing his own short film, he has been helping others edit their films
From Script to Screen: Ninth Graders explore filmmaking one scene at a time
"Sinners," a new movie by the director of "Black Panther," explores themes of ownership and race. It was released on April 17 and is currently available in theaters.
‘Sinners’ brings fresh vision, allegorical confusion
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
Senior Henry Auxenfans began taking violin lessons at 5 years old, and dedicated the next 13 years of his life to it.
Keeping time: Senior Henry Auxenfans finds discipline in violin
Sophomore Suna Choi Hortaçsu competes in an indoor track meet.
Athletic essentials Q&A: Suna Choi Hortaçsu
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
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
Senior Krish Khanna, a varsity tennis co-captain, leads his team with passion and sportsmanship. His love for tennis started at age 6 and continues to shape his high school experience.
Senior Krish Khanna finds purpose through tennis, leadership
Six alumni who once competed as U-High athletes will be inducted into the Lab Athletics Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2025.
Six U-High alumni athletes to be inducted into Lab Athletics Hall of Fame
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
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
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
Ninth-grader Dorothy Jenner has been dancing since she was two years old. She dances various styles, including ballet, hip hop, modern and pop.
Audio: Developing love for dance, ninth grader gains skills and confidence
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
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
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
Calder Wong

Calder Wong, Photographer

Calder Wong is a member of the class of 2027 and is a beginning photojournalist. Calder is most excited to photograph sports like soccer and baseball. Outside of photojournalism, Calder enjoys soccer as well as photography and videography.

 

All content by Calder Wong
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.

[Photo] Gallery: Pushing Past the Pain

Milo Platz-Walker, Sports Editor
May 6, 2025
Ninth grader Aariz Omar participates in the “Filling the Joy Jar: Celebrating Culture Through Conversation” Social Justice Week workshop, in which students were given the opportunity to share joyful moments about culture, on April 24.

[Photo] U-High celebrates DEI amid national backlash

Declan Smith, Assistant Editor
April 29, 2025
Librarians Susan Augustine and Shirley Volk pose with books in a corner of the Pritzker Traubert Family Library. Whether assisting with research on student papers, recommending novels for curious minds, or setting up beanbags and puzzles for students to wind down with, they are always available for students and teachers in U-High.

[Photo] Librarians sustain library through thoughtful curation, atmosphere

Caroline Skelly, Audience Engagement Editor
April 26, 2025
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.

[Photo] Ha-ha for healthy healing

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
April 2, 2025
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.”

[Photo] Gallery: Practice Makes Perfect

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
April 1, 2025
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.

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

Lila Coyne, Assistant Editor
March 28, 2025
Senior Noah Runesha lays the ball up during the varsity boys basketball game against Latin on Jan. 17. The team ended its season on Feb. 26 with a 57-41 regional semifinal loss to top-seeded Leo High School.

[Photo] Boys basketball wrap up: season ends after regional semifinal loss

Edward Park, Health & Wellness Editor
March 3, 2025
uring the opening assembly of ArtsFest, professional photographer David W. Johnson gave a motivational speech on finding and pursuing one’s interests. Mr. Johnson is also the founder of True Chicago, a nonprofit organization providing a community for young artists.

[Photo] Gallery: ArtsFest sparks excitement, expression

Ari Novak and Skye Freeman
February 28, 2025
2.11.25-Danceathon-calder-14

[Photo] Video: Sophomores celebrate ‘joy in service’ with dance, activities

February 20, 2025
RDFZ’s dance, aerobics, martial arts and boy’s dance teams smile during the last moments of the “Youth of the Lion Dance,” one of the most common Chinese dances. This Lunar New Year’s animal was the snake, a symbol of good luck, rebirth and regality.

Exchange students arrive from China; Lunar New Year performance amazes

Naomi Benton, Ari Novak, Calder Wong, Bryce Kenny, and Olin Nafziger
February 7, 2025
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.

[Photo] Despite disadvantages of distraction, students play video games in class

Cecily Bensmaia, Reporter
January 28, 2025
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.

[Photo] Lab family affinity groups to host Lunar New Year events

Skye Freeman, Features Editor
January 22, 2025
Dean of Students Ana Campos invited students to apply to two committees: one for reevaluating U-High’s current cellphone policy and one for examining how U-High’s clubs are formed and managed. Both will begin to meet within the next two weeks.

[Photo] Committees formed to assess policies for cell phones and student clubs

Lila Coyne, Assistant Editor
January 9, 2025
Calder Wong, honorable mention, documentary/street

[Photo] Eight photojournalists win 13 awards in national competition

Chloé Tyndall, Reporter
December 13, 2024
“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

[Photo] Gallery: Latinos Unidos hosts ofrenda, invites community to contribute

Naomi Benton, Audience Engagement Editor
November 8, 2024
Ninth grader Alex Yamini defends the ball at the regional semifinal game against Tilden High School on Oct. 18 at Jackman Field. U-High won 9-0.

[Photo] Soccer team ends season at regionals

Declan Smith, Assistant Editor
October 30, 2024
Ninth grader Shivan Shachdev reacts to a game during a Finance Club meeting. While some clubs are not experiencing major challenges, others are facing difficulties maintaining attendance.

[Photo] Record number of clubs brings strain

Jaya Alenghat, Editor-in-Chief
October 21, 2024
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