The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
PE teacher Quinn Menchetti answers questions. Mr. Mencheti was a speaker at the rally on Nov. 7, which assembled to ask the university for a solid plan in terms of federal agents.
At rally, unions demand university to take more action
Interim Director of Schools Susan Groesbeck, who worked at Lab for 10 weeks, has departed her role effective immediately. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, will serve as interim director for the rest of the academic year.
Interim director Susan Groesbeck leaves Lab; Ethan Bueno de Mesquita appointed interim leader
A group of teachers have created a program called “Strength in Numbers” to walk teachers and students home after school due to feelings of anxiety regarding the increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago neighborhoods.
‘Strength in Numbers’ program aims to ease community anxiety
Michael Smalenberger, a math teacher, has joined U-High as a long term substitute for Advanced Algebra and Precalculus/Intro to Calculus. He has taught mathematics for over 10 years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
New math teacher, Michael Smalenberger, has started at U-High
Horror Club is a recently founded Tier 1 club that focuses on talking about and creating horror media. The club meets Wedesdays in N214 during lunch and lab periods.
New club brings together horror fans
On it's website, the Laboratory Schools has included a new page with specific guidance about federal law enforcement.
Lab website page includes updated guidance on federal agents
Junior Tinson Xu writes down equations on the board during a math team meeting. Tinson was one of multiple students to receive a perfect score on the Sept. 25 math team competition at Naperville North High School. The math team has attended three competitions so far this season.
Math Team receives perfect scores, struggles in recent competitions
Horror Club is a recently founded Tier 1 club that focuses on talking about and creating horror media. The club meets Wedesdays in N214 during lunch and lab periods.
New club brings together horror fans
After a coaching staff change, the debate team has had to overcome various challenges. In their first three competitions, they failed to place or win awards.
Debate team competes in first 3 competitions, does not place
Latinos Unidos will host a Día De Los Muertos celebration in the lobby of Gordon Parks Arts Hall from 3:30 to 5 p.m on October 30. Students are encouraged to participate by bringing a photo of a deceased loved one to be placed on the ofrenda.
Lab will honor Día de los Muertos in colorful celebration
Seismic shifts:
Seismic shifts:
F1 Fever
F1 Fever
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
Multimedia Editor Karina Hans argues that social media cultivates a culture of toxicity and misogyny.
Social media enables violent misogyny
Multimedia Editor Chloé Tyndall argues that restricting AI use will aid in reducing its harmful environmental effects.
Save water resources: use AI less
Managing Editor Naomi Benton argues that students should embrace range in their passions, rather than feeling pressured to specialize early.
Resist the urge to focus too early
The Editorial Board argues that U-High students should spread awareness and take action against the deportation crisis.
Stand up against ICE raids
Assistant Section Editor Nadia Washington argues that students should strive to forge connections with their teachers early on so they have support when conflict arises.
Get comfortable asking teachers for help
Assistant Editor Sinziana Lazar offers advice on how students can build foundational skills before leaving for college. While high school may equip students with foundational skills such as how to plan homework and analyze a text, success in college and eventually in the professional world requires attaining and developing new skills essential to a career.
Learning life skills: How to prepare for college life
The Young Entrepreneur Academy, abbreviated as YEA!, is a yearlong program that offers mentorship and real-life exposure to young aspiring entrepreneurs. Senior Evelyn Halbach, ninth graders Layleh Adhi and Tess Weitzman, sophomore Lara Mohindra and junior Freddie Neater-Dubow all attend the Chicago chapter.
Mind your business: Young women learn skills through entrepreneurship program
Ronen has been on the ski team since he was in third grade, and he mainly competes in the slalom and giant slalom races. His season runs from early December to spring break, during which he competes in at least eight races
Junior Ronen Malani finds freedom through skiing
Senior Catherine Groves poses with a massive skull. Most people don't discover their career until college, but some teens are already getting hands-on experience with paleontology through the University of Chicago’s Fossil Lab.
Students explore paleontology through Fossil Lab
People see Gen Z using these phrases online and misattribute their origin to this generation. In reality, many of these “slang” words used today trace back to Black and queer communities. These words have been lifted from their origins and now circulate through mainstream life.
Margin to Mainstream: Gen Z slang uses terms from minority dialects
SCRAPINGS THAT SAVE. The Department of Streets and Sanitation’s food scrap drop off program eases the oftentimes hard task of composting in the city.
Citywide program makes composting accessible
Chicago School: Chicago Savings Bank Building.
Building History:
FACT-FILLED FERRY. A ship from Shoreline Sightseeing passes by Apple Michigan Avenue during a Chicago River tour. Shoreline Sightseeing is one of the many fleets of tour ferries and water taxis that run the famous tours.
Variety of tours provides insight, depth
The David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 E. 60th St. Named after 1973 alumnus and trustee David Rubenstein, is one of many private sites open to the public for The Chicago Architecture center's Open House Chicago event. Every year since 2011, the event has allowed people to see some of the most famous examples of Chicago architecture firsthand.
What to see at Open House Chicago
REFLECTIVE REFRESH. The 53rd Street and 55th Street viaduct panels are now home to 19 new murals from local artists with ties to the neighborhood, replacing pieces that had been made 18 years prior. The artworks, located under the Metra Electric tracks near Lake Park Avenue, are meant to represent each artist’s individual take on a representation of Hyde Park.
Underrated Overpass
Even as Guillermo Del Toro’s new film adaptation of “Frankenstein” makes changes to the original novel's plot, it skillfully communicates the source’s meditations on creation and motherhood.
‘Frankenstein’ film innovates, illustrates novel’s vision
Tame Impala's new album 'Deadbeat' strays from his usual genre of music. Some of the songs are successful but most fall short.
Tame Impala’s ‘Deadbeat’ stumbles, misses the mark
Five Faves: November Edition
Five Faves: November Edition
Season 2 of "Wednesday," a TV show focused on Wednesday Addams of "The Addams Family" fame, received millions of views within the first week of its release. However, the storyline is distracted, hindered by addition of too many side plots.
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 disappoints with scattered, unfocused plot
“Unto Thee,” Theaster Gates’s new exhibit at the Smart Museum, explores the relationship between the South Side and the University of Chicago with objects from both the communities.
Exhibit expands on the ordinary: ‘Unto Thee’ exhibit gives new life to discarded objects
Sophomore Morgan Purcell runs at CC Invite at Detweiler Park on Sept. 13.
Cross country wrap up: girls team places at state
Marty Billingsley, a cross country coach and computer science teacher, talks to junior Connor Lane at the ISL Regional Championship on Oct. 14.
Teachers find deeper connections through coaching roles
During the regional semifinals on Oct. 28 in Upper Kovler, senior Kate Ryan hits the ball over the net.
Volleyball season wrap up: loss at regional finals
In the first game of playoffs against Evergreen Community High School on Oct. 21, junior Atticus Richard dribbles the ball. The Maroons won 5-0, but lost in the finals on Oct. 24 against Bremen.
Boys soccer season wrap up: loss at regional finals
In a match against Parker on Sept. 11, junior Sophia Holt prepares to return the ball. Sophia made it to the singles quarterfinals at state.
Girls tennis season wrap up: team finishes fifth at state
GIVING THANKS: Research shows that practicing gratitude strengthens brain circuits associated with connection.
Gaining from gratitude: Research shows gratitude reinforces positivity
LISTEN SMART: Experts say that monitoring symptoms and taking regular breaks from listening to loud sounds can help prevent hearing damage.
Headphone health: Protect your hearing through breaks, monitoring decibels
BRAIN BOOSTERS. Avocados, berries, Greek yogurt and nuts are food foods that are scientifically proven to improve long-term brain function.
Four foods to fire up brain function
DELAY OR DO. Counselors, advisers and teachers are resources for students struggling with procrastination, learning coordinator Laura Doto said.
Q&A: Skills, support to combat procrastination
PROTEIN POWER. Despite many influencers and companies perpetuating the idea that more protein is better, the recommended dietary allowance for protein for the average adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.
Pushing protein: Despite what influencers say, most people meet their protein needs
Volleyball co-captain Kylie Carter present the guest of honor, Cynthia Estes, with flowers before the varsity game.
Volleyball teams fundraise for breast cancer research
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
FREEDOM FOR THE MASSES. Amid a sea of protesters, an individual holds a sign reading "Defend Democracy Deport the Racist," as they listen to the speakers on the Butler Field stage at the No Kings Protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago.
Lab community participates in one of the largest ‘No Kings’ protests
ROWS OF RED. Wearing their assigned grade color of red, seniors Spencer Davis, Sam Oyler, Mo Iyi-Ojo and Ryan de Jong celebrate during the free-throw competition during the spirit assembly on Sept. 18. Ninth graders were assigned the color yellow, sophomores blue, juniors green, and faculty and staff donned purple.
Gallery: Scenes from homecoming
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
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, Photo Assistant Editor

Calder Wong is the photo assistant news editor and is a member of the Class of 2027. His favorite part of photojournalism is taking photos with friends. Outside of photojournalism, Calder enjoys soccer, rock climbing and videography.

Awards:

2025 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year, Photo Slideshow (with Lila Coyne, Juliana Daugherty, Ari Novak, Lucy Shirrell, Caroline Skelly, Declan Smith, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Delaney Connell, Noah Gunning, Bryce Kenny, Devyn Moubayed, Eli Raikhel, Simon Vaang), Moments of Intensity — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 15, 2025)

2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, video story (with Ari Novak), Exchange students arrive from China; Lunar New Year performance amazes

2025 Texas Photographic Society International Student Competition, documentary/photojournalism, honorable mention

2024 Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Contest, beginning documentary/street, honorable mention

All content by Calder Wong
A group of teachers have created a program called “Strength in Numbers” to walk teachers and students home after school due to feelings of anxiety regarding the increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago neighborhoods.

[Photo] ‘Strength in Numbers’ program aims to ease community anxiety

Maya Gauhar, Assistant Editor
November 6, 2025
Chicago School: Chicago Savings Bank Building.

[Photo] Building History:

Gabriel Wang, Assistant Editor
October 22, 2025
Volleyball co-captain Kylie Carter present the guest of honor, Cynthia Estes, with flowers before the varsity game.

[Video] Volleyball teams fundraise for breast cancer research

Caroline Skelly, Lucy Shirrell, and Calder Wong
October 21, 2025
Junior Aiden Yu guides a younger student in assembling a model with marshmallows and toothpicks. After some uncertainty, it has been decided that the Beaker Buddies program will continue this school year.

[Photo] Beaker buddies science mentorship program will continue

Karina Hans, Multimedia Editor
October 13, 2025
ROWS OF RED. Wearing their assigned grade color of red, seniors Spencer Davis, Sam Oyler, Mo Iyi-Ojo and Ryan de Jong celebrate during the free-throw competition during the spirit assembly on Sept. 18. Ninth graders were assigned the color yellow, sophomores blue, juniors green, and faculty and staff donned purple.

Gallery: Scenes from homecoming

Calder Wong and Declan Smith
September 22, 2025
CONGRATULATORY CLAPS. Senior Danny Baeza hugs math teacher Shauna Anderson during the Senior Clap-out on June 5. For this event, every member of the Lab community lined the walls of the school, cheering and high-fiving the seniors as they ran through the halls. This tradition made Danny reminisce on his time at U-High. “It was definitely a bittersweet moment knowing that I’m stepping away from such a supportive community that has helped me grow so much over the past four years,” he said.

[Photo] Gallery: Students Celebrate End of Year

Naomi Benton, Managing Editor
June 10, 2025
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.

[Photo] Baseball wrap up: team loss at postseason tournament

Nola Baldassare, Reporter
June 5, 2025
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

Lila Coyne, Juliana Daugherty, Ari Novak, Lucy Shirrell, Caroline Skelly, Declan Smith, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Delaney Connell, N.C. Gunning, Bryce Kenny, Devyn Moubayed, Eli Raikhel, Simon Vaang, and Calder Wong
June 2, 2025
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, Olin Nafziger, and Orlie Weitzman
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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