The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
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
A student raises their hand to ask newly-elected secretary-general Daniel Chang a question. Maggie Yagan was also elected a secretary-general alongside nine other board members in the largest MUN board in history.
After hiatus, Model UN team elects officials, begins competing
On Oct. 30, Earl Shapiro Hall hosted a Halloween parade, which allowed younger members of the Lab community to show off their costumes. U-High band students played music during the parade and within U-High various Halloween events were held in the cafeteria.
Video: Lab community celebrates Halloween with parade, costumes
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
Paper AP exams are to be phased out by 2027 due to convenience and security concerns. The AP exam is currently offered on paper, hybrid, and fully online, though students often prefer the hybrid and online versions. A digital AP exam also makes it easier for College Board to manage scores.
Paper AP exams to be phased out by 2027
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 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
Arts & Entertainment Editor Lila Coyne argues that Lab's tradition of dialogue should enable students to discuss the Israel-Hamas war thoughtfully.
Lab’s legacy of experimentation should aid in conversations about Gaza
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
English teacher Sari Hernández, a resident supervisor for Snell House at the University of Chicago, holds a stuffed version of her dorm’s mascot, Snurtle.
Resident supervisors foster community, offer support
Five U-High Hidden Gems to appreciate
Five U-High Hidden Gems to appreciate
Satya has trained in circus arts for 10 years. As she developed her performance style, she began to combine clowning with her skills as a trapeze artist, and now, with every performance, she pushes her audience to expand their notion of what’s possible.
Senior Satya Dominguez-Hultgren adds whimsy to aerial dancing through clowning
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
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
Evelyn Halbach and Reed Francez practice their lines during an Oct. 16 rehearsal of “Coal Country”, U-High’s fall play.
Mining tragedy retold: Fall play ‘Coal Country’ tells the story of real-life mining tragedy
"The Life of a Showgirl," Taylor Swift's highly anticipated new album, came out on Oct. 3 While the album is enjoyable, Ms. Swift fails to deliver on the complex, well-crafted lyrics her fans have come to expect.
New Taylor Swift album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ fails lyrically
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
Junior Mikey Skolarus runs in a cross country race on Sept. 7.
Athletic essentials Q&A: Mikey Skolarus
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
Layla Flowers

Layla Flowers, Photo Assistant Editor

Layla Flowers is an assistant digital media editor and a member of the Class of 2028. Her favorite part of photojournalism is telling stories and capturing unique moments in the U-High community. Outside of photojournalism, Layla enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports and painting.

All content by Layla Flowers
A student raises their hand to ask newly-elected secretary-general Daniel Chang a question. Maggie Yagan was also elected a secretary-general alongside nine other board members in the largest MUN board in history.

[Photo] After hiatus, Model UN team elects officials, begins competing

Ellie Rosenberg, Multimedia Editor
November 5, 2025
Labubus were originally introduced in 2015 by Kasing Lung, an artist from Hong Kong. They began gaining popularity in 2024 when Blackpink singer Lisa posted about the toys via social media.

[Photo] International Labubu dolls mark new craze in U.S.

Maya Gauhar, Reporter
September 18, 2025
Starting this school year, the Café Lab menu will be available ahead of time, online, on Nutrislice. This change comes to inform students and families of specific allergens.

[Photo] Online cafeteria menu informs families

Karina Hans, Reporter
September 17, 2025
A huge part of the baseball experience is having an outfit that represents your team, and whether you're a die-hard fan or attending your first game, wearing team colors and jerseys can help you feel more emotionally connected to the crowd and improve the game experience.

[Photo] Getting fit: Your guide to merch & giveaways

Carmen Nehme, Reporter
June 4, 2025
Ninth grader Colin Williams has been a DJ since he was 9 or 10 years old. Colin has been a DJ for multiple festivals, has been hired for gigs and recently was the DJ for the Dewey Dance.

[Photo] Audio: Ninth grade DJ has seen the impact music makes on lives

Karina Hans, Reporter
April 24, 2025
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.

[Photo] Audio: Improvements in healthier lunch options encourage mindful eating

Nola Baldassare, Reporter
April 18, 2025
The majority of U-High students prefer to eat their lunch in school hallways, stairways and other corners throughout the high school. Students enjoy the freedom of being able to sit wherever they like and to have their own spot.

[Photo] Students spend lunch period relaxing, socializing outside of cafeteria

Maya Gauhar, Reporter
January 9, 2025
Block Blast, the newest viral online game, has grown in popularity among U-High students. They enjoy the strategic thinking it requires, and play the game among friends or on their own.

[Photo] Block Blast: Addictive game encourages strategic thinking

Chloe Alexander, Editor-in-Chief
December 6, 2024
Community Service Officer Sam Ntone heads out the doors of the U-High lobby to patrol the school grounds. The security team is increasing the number of surveillance rounds made by officers this year.

[Photo] Community safety officers to patrol campus more frequently

Naomi Benton, Audience Engagement Editor
November 4, 2024
Kimmerly Hayes, U-High's new attendance project assistant, works at her desk in the high school dean's office. She began the role on Oct. 16.

[Photo] New U-High attendance project assistant appointed

Maya Gauhar, Reporter
October 28, 2024
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