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
Ellis Calleri

Ellis Calleri, Photographer

Ellis Calleri is an assistant editor and a member of the class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is capturing moments that people will remember forever. Outside of photojournalism, Ellis enjoys hiking, traveling and working out.

Awards:

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

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, sports photo, Gallery: Winter sports in review (Photo 3: Boys basketball)

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Honorable mention, sports photo, Nesbitt named ISL Player of the Year; others receive all-conference honors

All content by Ellis Calleri
Ellis Calleri, honorable mention, nature

[Photo] Eight photojournalists win 13 awards in national competition

Chloé Tyndall, Reporter
December 13, 2024
Standing with two of his company’s robot products, sophomore Isaac Sutherland delivers lines as the lead role of R.U.R. CEO Harry Domin. “I think my favorite part was when you get to the point in rehearsal where you’re working off of the other actors, and you get to this collaborative flow state that is kind of incredible,” Isaac said. “Everyone is working together and building a story together, and I find that so much fun.”

Gallery: Fall play ‘Rossum’s Universal Robots’ explores revolution, technology

Light Dohrn, Ellis Calleri, Olin Nafziger, and Delaney Connell
November 22, 2024
Dancing to “Wobble” by VIC, junior Xia Nesbitt and sophomore Savannah Woodson sing along at the homecoming dance, themed “A Night Under the Sea,” on Sept. 21. 534 students attended.

[Photo] Undersea theme hooks attendees

Juliana Daugherty, Reporter
September 23, 2024
A student holds the Kenwood Mall gate open for a friend in the morning. The Laboratory Schools are implementing new security policies, including a new pre-screening policy for all visitors and providing after-hours Kenwood Mall access to parents.

[Photo] New security policies for visitors, parents take effect

Edward Park, Health & Wellness Editor
September 16, 2024
As the graduation ceremony comes to an end, members of the Class of 2024 throw their caps with joy.

[Photo] After reminiscing with fond memories, Class of 2024 graduates in Rockefeller Chapel

Edward Park and Kabir Joshi
June 6, 2024
During a lab period, junior Xander Maxcy works on an AT Chemistry lab activity A Student Council survey found that most respondents prefer lab periods for science classes.

[Photo] New schedule receives mostly positive student feedback

Clare McRoberts, Editor-in-Chief
May 28, 2024
Liucija and Allen Ambrosini, who have taught theater at U-High for a combined 74 years, will retire this June. Regarding retirement, Mr. Ambrosini said, “We just can’t wait.”

[Photo] The final curtain call: Theater teachers Allen and Liucija Ambrosini retire after long era at Lab

May 21, 2024
RAISING THE BAR. Austin Siu performs a deadlift, raising the weight-loaded barbell off the ground from a standing position before straightening his back to complete the lift.

[Photo] Uplifting: Sophomore Austin Siu finds passion for powerlifting

Jaya Alenghat, Editor-in-Chief
May 21, 2024
Laughter and music fill the encampment during the night of April 30. Three days into the encampment, the demonstrators were still going strong, with morale high and the mission on their minds. To pass the time through the night, protesters danced around a maypole and listened to a DJ performance.

[Photo] UChicago pro-Palestine encampment faces opposition yet stands with goals

Jaya Alenghat, Chloe Alexander, Mia Lipson, and Clare McRoberts
May 3, 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
María Hinojosa's time at U-High shaped her into the journalist she is and developed a through line of humanity in her perspective, allowing her to connect with the people she writes about.

[Photo] A voice for shared humanity: Journalist alumna carries on U-High ideals of empathy

Clare McRoberts, Features Editor
March 29, 2024
Seniors Luca Todorov and Adam Syverson play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to win each other's bead necklaces in the grade-wide contest.

[Photo] U-High seniors go head to head in Rock, Paper, Scissors competition

Juliana Daugherty, Reporter
March 26, 2024
Flying through the air, junior Noah Runesha attempts to make a lay-up against a defender from Elgin Academy at a game on Dec. 5. The boys basketball team ended the season at the regional semifinals against Wendell Phillips High School on Feb. 21.

[Photo] Gallery: Winter sports in review

Zara Siddique, Light Dohrn, and Milo Platz-Walker
March 5, 2024
Isaac Berrueta interacts with students during his history class. Mr. Berrueta uses a variety of perspectives to his classrooms so that his students gain a deeper understanding of topics.

[Photo] Isaac Berrueta brings passion, diverse perspectives to class

Neha Dhawan, Reporter
March 4, 2024
As the first to perform at Art in the Dark, ninth grader Josiah Sklarsky led with a karaoke performance of a few rap songs. Students could perform in front of the Art in the Dark crowd by signing up in advance or during the open mic. “I listen to music every day, like 70 hours a week or something crazy like that,” Josiah said. “I’m a big music person, so any opportunity I get to share that is very nice for me.”

[Photo] ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

Taariq Ahmed, Chloe Alexander, and Skye Freeman
February 29, 2024
At U-High, crocs are a popular shoe choice for many students. Although Crocs was founded in 2002, the shoes have recently started to trend among people in Gen Z.

[Photo] Students wear crocs for comfort, creativity

Sohana Schneider, Reporter
February 23, 2024
For many teenagers, water bottles and tumblers double as ways to stay hydrated throughout the day and trendy accessories to carry.

[Photo] Hydration or expression? Water bottles help students hydrate — and stay stylish

Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, Editor-in-Chief
February 21, 2024
PERFECT PITCH. Seeing Kayin Bradford in the halls, you wouldn’t know that under the varsity basketball jersey, behind the headphones and on the bike, Kayin is a Bel Canto star who shines in the selective choir and on the court.

[Photo] Hidden Harmony

Milo Platz-Walker, Reporter
January 22, 2024
The Lab community experienced two school closure days in the last week: for expected snow on Jan. 12 and for extreme cold on Jan. 16.

[Photo] School closures for snow and cold prompt mix of relaxation, inconvenience

Audrey Park, Editor-in-Chief
January 18, 2024
The U-high Athlete Council had its first meeting on Jan 4. The council is composed of the varsity captains for each sport and is a way for athletes to voice opinions and concerns to the faculty.

[Photo] Athlete Council aims to involve student opinions

Milo Platz-Walker, Reporter
January 10, 2024
To explore the biological diversity of Puerto Rico and trace its history, 17 U-High students and three teachers will venture to the island June 17-26, 2024.

[Photo] Students and teachers to experience Puerto Rico in June 2024

Chloe Alexander, Arts Editor
October 12, 2023
A group of students dance together in the Sherry Lansing Theater during homecoming on Sept. 23. The theme, "A Night Out in Paris," was celebrated through both Student Council's decoration efforts and outfits worn by students.

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

Taariq Ahmed and Mia Lipson
September 25, 2023
Michael Ewing looks out at the crowd as he walks through Rockefeller Chapel beside his classmates as the ceremony concludes.

[Photo] 161 seniors graduate as the Lab community honors the Class of 2023 at Rockefeller Chapel

Mia Lipson, News Editor
June 8, 2023
Seniors Yaseen Qureshi and Myra Malkic eat ice cream on top of the photo wall, which was organized by Student Council so that seniors could commemorate their time at Lab.

[Photo] Prom brings about nostalgia, provides end-of-year celebration

Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, Editor-in-Chief
June 5, 2023
Senior Ava Wilczak, co-leader of Lab's Eye-to-Eye chapter, strives to create community for students with learning differences.

[Photo] Through creating community, senior advocates for learning differences at school and national level

Téa Tamburo, Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2023
Two students examine a piece on display at the senior show in the Corvus Gallery. The show will run until May 13 and is a display of many types of art.

[Photo] Corvus Gallery exhibit celebrates senior artists

Edward Park, reporter
April 26, 2023
SITE SEEING. Students explore architectural sites throughout Greece during the world language department-sponsored spring break trip to Greece. Numerous problems arose for the group when trying to return to Chicago after a national strike of Greek air traffic controllers. Still, some students say, it was a fun and unforgettable experience.

[Photo] Spring break trip to Greece ends with chaotic travel

Sahana Unni, Features Editor
March 31, 2023
Science Olympiad is an academically rigorous club where students with interests in a variety of scientific topics can express their passion for science through build events and experiments.

[Photo] Audio: After pandemic hiatus, students can again earn lifeguard certification through P.E.

David Santiago, Reporter
March 27, 2023
After placing first in the March 3 Harper College regional, The Illinois Science Olympiad team will advance to state.

[Photo] Science Olympiad team to advance to state

Ethan Swinger, Assistant Editor
March 7, 2023
Senior Xavier Nesbitt was named an ISL Player of the year for the second year in a row. Xavier and senior Ben King were selected for the all-conference team.

[Photo] Nesbitt named ISL Player of the Year; others receive all-conference honors

Kabir Joshi, Reporter
March 3, 2023
Harper Foods, a convenience store located on 57th street, is one of many Hyde Park small businesses maintaining meaningful interactions with their customers despite the gentrification of larger chain businesses.

[Photo] Small businesses maintain customer base despite Hyde Park gentrification

William Tan, Editor-In-Chief
February 1, 2023
REAL OR ROBOT? With its fluent, human-like writing, the AI language model ChatGPT has made it easier for students to skip steps in the writing process by producing an essay on demand. However, there are potential positive applications for the new technology.

[Photo] Helpful or Harmful? Community debates proper usage of AI writing software

Louis Auxenfans, News Editor
January 18, 2023
Some students appreciate how the new schedule standardizes start and end times with the lower and middle school, while others say the later end will make them reschedule extracurriculars.

[Photo] Students react with mix of optimism and frustration to schedule changes

Mia Lipson, Assistant Editor
January 6, 2023
Two Science Olympiad team members work on a tennis ball launcher for the Neuqua Valley High School Invitational.

[Photo] Students should strive to balance lifestyle on a small and large scale

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
December 15, 2022
Bang Energy, Celsius, Alani Nu Energy, Red Bull and Monster are examples of popular energy drinks. Frequent consumption of these drinks can result in high blood pressure, irritability and caffeine addiction.

[Photo] Energy drinks provide alternate caffeine intake

December 10, 2022
Sophomore Wendell He trick-or-treats down 56th Street while dressed up as the protagonist of "Tian Guan Ci Fu," a Chinese novel. Wendell went with a group of friends and described the experience as very fun.

[Photo] Hallo-work: Trick or treating less popular as students age

Téa Tamburo, Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2022
The Midway has become a finalist for the Pacemaker award for the 15th time in its history. 

[Photo] U-High Midway named finalist in national award for fifth time in six years

Xander Feigenbaum, Reporter
October 20, 2022
Newly elected ninth grade class president Sahana Agarwal addresses her classmates during student council election speeches on Oct. 6.

[Photo] Class of 2026 elects Student Council officers

Mia Lipson, Assistant Editor
October 7, 2022
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