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
The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
Eli Raikhel

Eli Raikhel, Photo Editor-in-Chief

Eli Raikhel is an editor-in-chief of the photojournalism team and a member of the class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is being able to cover big events both inside and outside of school around Chicago. Outside of photojournalism, Eli enjoys soccer, hiking, and art photography.

Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Photo of the Year: Environmental Portrait — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Photo of the Year: Environmental Portrait — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, news or feature photo, A community essential: Phillip Raoul (main image)

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Alex Diamond, Bryce Light, Olin Nafziger), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

All content by Eli Raikhel
Junior James Hubbard builds a robot during a Cache Money practice session. Especially during the competition season, when these sessions are long and frequent, the robotics team receives critical support from a committee of dedicated parents.

[Photo] Parents boost robotics team with funds and foods

Lila Coyne, Assistant Editor
December 12, 2024
Ninth grader Sofia Caldentey and junior Maggie Yagan work together to set up C-116 to host the UNHRC committee for U-High’s Model UN conference, LabMUNC, on Friday afternoon, Dec. 6.

Model UN team hosts first conference at Lab since before pandemic

Milo Platz-Walker, Peyton Palmer, Daniel Baeza, and Eli Raikhel
December 10, 2024
From the fan-favorite dishes of mac and cheese and fried chicken to cornbread and candied yams, different traditional African American foods lined the long table on one side of C116. BSA catered the mac and cheese and collard greens from Lab’s food vendor, HandCut Foods, and the rest was catered from Harold’s Chicken.

Gallery: Cuisine, culture and community thrive at Black Students’ Association’s annual Blacksgiving event

Jaya Alenghat and Eli Raikhel
November 15, 2024
Dr. Anthony Fowler, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, takes questions from students during an Oct. 24 assembly on political extremism and moderate candidates.

[Photo] Students engage with upcoming election in assembly on politics, candidates

Declan Smith, Assistant Editor
October 28, 2024
Voters of younger generations will have a major impact on the results of the upcoming presidential election. Some key topics to young voters include climate change, student loan debt and gun violence.

[Photo] Young voters have crucial role in election

Jaya Alenghat, Editor-in-Chief
October 16, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris excited many at the 2024 DNC, on personal levels with her historic bid in this election.

[Photo] Kamala Harris’ identity impassions women, people of color at DNC

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
October 11, 2024
After putting, senior Amelia Tan watches the golf ball roll smoothly across the green.

[Photo] Amelia Tan: Driving for success

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
October 8, 2024
The makerspace moved locations over the summer. It used to be in N204, a classroom behind the Pritzker Traubert Family Library, and is now in N115 A and B.

[Photo] Makerspace relocated to more spacious room

Naomi Benton, Reporter
September 16, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris waves to the crowd at the United Center as she enters the stage for her historic and much-anticipated nomination acceptance speech on Aug. 22, the fourth night of the Democratic National Convention.

[Photo] Students experience politics, witness history at DNC

Chloe Alexander, Editor-in-Chief
September 4, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris waves to the crowd at the United Center as she enters the stage for her historic and much-anticipated nomination acceptance speech on Aug. 22, the fourth night of the Democratic National Convention.

DNC Day 4 Gallery: Democrats wrap up convention with overwhelming support, passion

Eli Raikhel
August 23, 2024
Kamala Harris addresses the crowd saying, “Thank you, thank you” as chanting continues.

[Photo] DNC Day 4 Summary: Harris embraces historical nomination, charts a ‘new way forward’

Jaya Alenghat, Editor-in-Chief
August 23, 2024
Former president Barack Obama, also a former Lab parent, speaks about his hope for overcoming political polarization in the United States. "America is ready for a better story," Mr. Obama said. "We are ready for President Kamala Harris."

[Photo] DNC Day 2 Summary: Roll call nominates Harris; Obamas, Pritzker and others call for action, criticize Trump

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
August 21, 2024
To a raucous crowd in the United Center Aug. 20, former first lady Michele Obama — a former Lab parent and board member — endorses Kamala Harris while drawing contrast to messages from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Referencing a comment Mr. Trump made to Black journalists last month about immigrants taking “Black jobs,” she said, “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs?’”

DNC Day 2 Gallery: Lively convention filled with hope, energy

Eli Raikhel
August 21, 2024
A man dressed in a robot costume dances in the center of the dance floor, which came as a surprise to students.

[Photo] Prom brings Class of 2024 enchanted end-of-year celebration

Milo Platz-Walker, Sports Editor
June 4, 2024
Ninth graders Isaac Sutherland and Priya Yamada perform a rendition of “Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles at Labstock, which took place May 31 afterschool on Scammon Garden.

[Photo] Community unwinds together at Labstock gathering

Victoria Washington, City Life Editor
June 3, 2024
Sophomore Leyla Yates goes for a header between the North Shore Country Day goalie and a defender on April 26. U-High won 8-0. The team also won the IHSA Super-Sectionals, finishing at 4-2 after a high-tension game that progressed to penalty kicks.

Photo Gallery: Spring sports in peak action

Milo Platz-Walker, Chloe Alexander, Eli Raikhel, Bryce Light, Carter Chang, Simon Vaang, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, and Daniel Baeza
May 28, 2024
For their group’s May Project, seniors Adam Syverson and Luca Todorov work together to build a go-kart in the wood shop.

[Photo] May Project provides avenue for unique exploration

Milo Platz-Walker, Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
Working both on the court and in the classroom, Dash finds a balance between his academics and tennis.

[Photo] Tennis star rallies toward goals

Milo Platz-Walker, Reporter
April 25, 2024
Embracing the warm weather and clear skies, ninth grader Bryce Poston gazes up at the sky in awe during the eclipse. “It was a pretty cool experience being so close to a full eclipse,” Bryce said, “and I’m glad the school gave us the chance to go out and view it.”

Eclipse excitement: Lab community gathers to celebrate unique celestial event

Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, and Bryce Light
April 10, 2024
During a band class, co-teacher Abby Kott assists a student with a trumpet while co-teacher Ryan Hudec directs from the podium. The benefits of co-teaching practices are exemplified in Lab’s music classes, as music faculty create strong engagement and introduce students to numerous perspectives.

[Photo] Dynamic Duets: Through co-teaching, music faculty improve engagement, experience

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
March 27, 2024
A COMMUNITY ESSENTIAL. Phil Raoul is the owner of Hyde Park’s Foreign Car Hospital, a hidden auto-repair shop that is at the heart of the community. Mr. Raoul loves his connections with clients, but his favorite part of the job is the repair itself.

[Photo] Repair with care: Phillip Raoul

Clare McRoberts, Features Editor
February 20, 2024
The varsity boys basketball team ended its season in a 41-67 loss against Wendell Phillips High School.

[Photo] Boys basketball ends season at regional semifinals

March 7, 2024
For the hour-long ArtsFest lunch period on Feb. 28, the Student Council hosted U-High’s first International Day, where a group of nearly 30 parent and staff volunteers provided students with a free lunch of international cuisine samples. 

[Photo] At International Day, Lab community celebrates cultural diversity through food

Skye Freeman, Audience Engagement Manager
March 5, 2024
Ninth grader Aya El Bissati works alongside biology teacher Daniel Calleri on a project in the Wood Shop workshop. Making birdhouses using instructions provided by the workshop leaders at the beginning of the period, participants learned the art of woodcarving through practice with power tools. “I think everyone had a good time working with their hands,” workshop leader and senior Lincoln Richardson said. “I also think many of the people enjoyed being trusted and given responsibility with the tools.”

[Photo] ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

Taariq Ahmed, Chloe Alexander, and Skye Freeman
February 29, 2024
The varsity volleyball team defeated the boys varsity soccer team 21-8 on Feb. 26 in a charity game, with proceeds benefiting the Side-Out Foundation, a group in support of breast cancer patients.

[Photo] Volleyball team defeats boys soccer in annual charity volleyball match

Edward Park, Assistant Editor
February 27, 2024
Siddharth’s vast collection of Funko Pops line an LED-lit shelf in his bedroom. Collections can hold a variety of different significances to students. For Siddharth, the search for the items is his favorite part.

[Photo] Troves of trinkets and treasure

Edward Park, Assistant Editor
January 26, 2024
Students take bagels at Jewish Students’ Association club, where bagels are offered every Friday. Food plays a crucial role in many clubs in a range of ways, from attracting members to raising money.

[Photo] Food fills a range of roles in club activities

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
January 9, 2024
LOCKDOWN LESSONS. Students listen to instructions during the planned lockdown drill on Dec. 6. On Nov. 27, Historic Campus experienced an accidental lockdown, prompted by human error, sending many into panic.

[Photo] Community reels from accidental lockdown

Audrey Park and Kabir Joshi
December 8, 2023
The JV boys soccer team is dismissed early in order to make it to their game on time. Student-athletes struggle missing class when homework, assessments and lessons are dispersed throughout their day.

[Photo] Athletic Approach: In first year, new trainer establishes relationships with student athletes

Zara Siddique, Sports & Leisure Editor
October 19, 2023
In the Sundrip café, a vegan restaurant new to Hyde Park, an employee works at the cashier. This is Sundrip's second location at 1109 East 55th Street.

[Photo] New vegan eatery offers haven, health

Zara Siddique, Sports & Leisure Editor
October 13, 2023
Carrying her teammate Emma Heo on her back, junior Juliana Walker leads the volleyball team into the Upper Kovler gymnasium. Each U-High athletics team had their own moment to rally in front of the crowd before the next arrived.

[Photo] U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

Taariq Ahmed and Mia Lipson
September 25, 2023
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