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:
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, Simon Vaang, and Calder Wong), Moments of Intensity — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 15, 2025)
2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, advertising (with Clare McRoberts)
2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, photo story (with Milo Platz-Walker, Simon Vaang, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Carter Chang, Bryce Light, Daniel Baeza), Peak Action, May 30, 2024
2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, multimedia story package (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light), Eclipse excitement: Lab community gathers to celebrate unique celestial event
2025 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle: Photo slideshow, first place (with Jaya Alenghat, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Nathan Li, Olin Nafziger, Eli Raikhel, Grace LaBelle, Ryan Burke-Stevenson, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light), Eclipse Excitement
2025 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle: Single feature photograph, second place
2025 Jostens North American Photo Contest, portrait, first place
2025 Jostens North American Photo Contest, portrait, honorable mention
2024 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Philadelphia convention: Excellent, photo portfolio
2024 National Scholastic Press Association Photo of the Year: Environmental Portrait, fifth place
2024 National Scholastic Press Association Photo of the Year: Environmental Portrait, honorable mention
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), honorable mention
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
