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
Light Dohrn

Light Dohrn, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Light Dohrn is a member of the Class of 2026 and serves as the arts and entertainment editor. As a ninth grader, she joined the journalism family in the 2022-23 school year and previously served as an assistant editor. Her favorite piece she has written for the Midway is “Through classes, art teachers aim to grow art appreciation.” Outside of journalism, she enjoys classic books and Tarantino films.

Awards:

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, review, Live-action anime series, ‘One Piece,’ exceeds expectations

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, review, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ brings strong acting, flawed storytelling

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Excellent, review writing

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, San Francisco convention: Honorable mention, press law and ethics

All content by Light Dohrn
Two years after ChatGPT hit the Internet, many students are turning to the AI model as a support system for everything, from assisting with schoolwork to providing personal advice.

AI becomes a tool: ChatGPT tasks expand beyond simple prompts

Light Dohrn, Arts & Entertainment Editor
December 19, 2024
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol" has played every holiday season at the Goodman for over 45 years and began its 2024 performances on Nov. 24. After enduring for centuries, the story remains relevant in today’s world as a reminder of the consequences of greed and selfishness.

Goodman’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ offers radical messages, holiday cheer

Light Dohrn, Arts & Entertainment Editor
December 9, 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
In Bronzeville, a project is underway to commemorate the 1919 race riots. The effort is to install glass markers for each of the people killed and will be installed near the Illinois Institute of Technology campus

Project aims to commemorate 1919 race riots, spread historical awareness

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
November 20, 2024
Junior Maven Alavi works on a project for his second period ceramics class. Many U-High students and teachers feel like art has become an afterthought and that finding time to work creatively is difficult.

Disconnect grows between U-High students and the arts

Light Dohrn, Arts & Entertainment Editor
November 18, 2024
Arts & Entertainment Editor Light Dohrn argues that modern body positivity has lost its meaning and has turned into a glorified marketing campaign.

Modern body positivity must change

Light Dohrn, Arts & Entertainment Editor
November 7, 2024
Freedom in the Balance

Freedom in the Balance

Chloë Alexander, Light Dohrn, Edward Park, Taariq Ahmed, and Skye Freeman
October 23, 2024
Young men are less liberal than ever

Young men are less liberal than ever

Light Dohrn, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 23, 2024
Aditya Shukla addresses the Class of 2028 during his Oct. 10 election speech in the Griffin Auditorium. Aditya was elected class president for 2024-25 Oct. 11.

Class of 2028 elects officers; Oct. 16 runoff will determine final position

Light Dohrn, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 11, 2024
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which follows the children of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco 19 years after the events of the “Harry Potter” series, opened at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on Sept. 26. Chicago is the first destination of the production’s international tour.

Windy City wizards

Light Dohrn, Arts and Entertainment Editor
September 23, 2024
“Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” which opened in theaters Sept. 6, makes for an nostalgic and exciting watch 36 years after the original.

‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ delivers spooky nostalgia decades after debut

Light Dohrn, Arts and Entertainment Editor
September 16, 2024
In this Vox Pop, we asked students what they are most excited for this year.

Vox pop: what sudents are most excited for this year

Abhay Chandran, Edward Park, Ari Novak, Orlie Weitzman, Naomi Benton, and Light Dohrn
September 13, 2024
Despite increased tuition and budget cuts, Lab’s reputation seems unaffected

Despite increased tuition and budget cuts, Lab’s reputation seems unaffected

Light Dohrn and Skye Freeman
September 9, 2024
At a May 11 away game against Chicago Christian High School, senior Connor Booth scores a run. The varsity baseball team concluded their season May 22 with a 8-9 loss in the sectional semi-final game.

Baseball season wrap up: Team loses in sectional semi-finals

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
June 3, 2024
In a German 5 class, junior Oliver Go works with teacher Marianne Zemil. The news that Lab’s German program will be phased out sparked communitywide protests and other reactions.

Budget cuts disappoint, dishearten

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
May 27, 2024
'Tala’ gallery is an immersive art exhibit opened in West Town’s gallery district on April 12.

Starry-eyed: Tala gallery uses light, darkness, sound to provide immersive trip following journey of shooting star

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
May 27, 2024
Budget cuts are already having a ripple effect on programs, as librarians from all four Laboratory School libraries on May 16 announced a “hiatus of the Zena Sutherland Awards program.”

First impact of budget cuts felt; Sutherland Awards placed on hiatus

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
May 22, 2024
While many of the songs in Conan Gray's recent album "Found Heaven" achieve their purpose in conveying catchy vintage tunes and putting emotion into lyrics, the album as a whole has a slight messiness that holds it back from its potential.

Flawed organization holds Conan Gray’s ‘Found Heaven’ back

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
May 22, 2024
Arts Editor Light Dohrn argues that modern feminist movies should focus on female characters over spoken feminism.

Modern feminist movies should focus on female characters over spoken feminism

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
May 9, 2024
Silent or Silenced?

Silent or Silenced?

Clare McRoberts, Sahana Unni, Kabir Joshi, and Light Dohrn
May 6, 2024
Currently a senior at Princeton University, John Freeman has been selected as salutatorian of his graduating class, and plans to deliver the full speech in Latin.

U-High alumnus to give Princeton salutatorian speech in Latin

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
May 1, 2024
On April 24, President Biden signed a law that would ban TikTok within a year unless sold to a non-Chinese company.

[Photo] With TikTok ban looming, student reactions differ

Kabir Joshi, Assistant Editor
April 24, 2024
"Flyover Chicago," a 4-D experience of the city of Chicago, opened on March 1 with adult tickets costing $24.95 and tickets for children 13 and under costing $14.95. The event starts with a short movie played in a round theater.

‘Flyover Chicago’ offers thrilling multisensory experience of the city

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
April 17, 2024
"Dune 2" entranced audiences with characters and storyline allowing fantasy lovers to fall in love with a new, Sci-Fi universe.

‘Dune’ sequel continues epic story, captures love of audiences

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
March 18, 2024
Gliding through the water, sophomore Julian Rossi uses the butterfly stroke to propel himself along the length of the swimming pool at Ratner Athletics Center on Feb. 3. The boys swimming team ended the season at the IHSA sectional finals, coming in fourth place overall.

Gallery: Winter sports in review

Zara Siddique, Light Dohrn, and Milo Platz-Walker
March 5, 2024
During a practice session, senior Hannah Dinner prepares to swing her racket. On Feb. 11, the squash team's season ended, with several individual game wins having gone to its players but no victories in overall matches for the team. 

Despite winless season, squash team closes season with personal victories

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
March 4, 2024
In art classes like studio art, students are allowed to express themselves in different ways — this is the art teacher's main goal.

Through classes, art teachers aim to grow art appreciation

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
February 26, 2024
Holding a Tame Impala record, a customer browses through records at Hyde Park Records on 53rd street. Vinyl has seen a recent boom in popularity, despite the other listening platforms available.

Vinyl revival: Despite myriad of music listening options, vinyl makes a comeback

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
February 23, 2024
Eric Williams, the owner of Hyde Park’s “Silver Room,” embodies the vibrant community spirit that defines his store. He considers his relationships with the people he interacts with in the space to be the most valuable part of running it. Mr. Williams is now a sucessful buisness owner, his success steming from his hard work.

Boiled Eggs to Business: Eric Williams

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
February 20, 2024
In the 2023 version of Roald Dahls "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," the classically darker story is changed to be too light hearted and comical.

‘Wonka’ disappoints by being too childish, doesn’t stay true to book

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
January 29, 2024
The neon signs and lights illuminate the seating area of Chicago's new Gangnam Market.

Unique market glows with culture

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
January 17, 2024
Assistant Editor Light Dohrn argues that despite the fact that the three presidents who testified could have been more proactive about combating antisemitism, the situation was politicized by right-wing ideology.

University president’s hearings were more about ideology than antisemitism

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
January 11, 2024
Senior Kian Quinn-Calabrese, representing the Eye-to-Eye program, speaks to 4th grade students at one of two panel events relating to topics of identity.

At lower school assembly, club leaders share understandings of identity

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
December 15, 2023
“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” brings new moral complexity to the Hunger Games franchise and serves as the introduction to a talented and charismatic new Hollywood star.

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ brings strong acting, flawed storytelling

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
December 13, 2023
Freedom Flare Up

Freedom Flare Up

Taariq Ahmed, Light Dohrn, Sahana Unni, Milo Platz-Walker, and Audrey Park
December 8, 2023
Junior Lyra Luu walks the runway at Asian Fashion show. Lyra began her modeling journey two years ago. Along with modeling, her academic and extracurricular pursuits intersect with a passion for artistic expression.

Student model balances school, artistic expression

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
December 8, 2023
A student hands a present covered in festive wrapping paper to another student.

Secret Santas, white elephants create sense of community through holiday fun

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
December 1, 2023
On Oct. 5, the University of Chicago opened a new forum for inquiry and expression. The forum has a still-forming chapter dedicated to Lab's middle and high school.

University opens forum to honor freedom of expression

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
November 10, 2023
In this Vox Pop, we ask students who will vote in the 2024 Presidential election which issues are the most important.

Vox Pop: 2024 presidential election

Light Dohrn, Edward Park, and Zara Siddique
November 9, 2023
On Oct. 14, the girls tennis team made every point count, winning the IHSA 1A State Championship by one point — the team’s third championship in four official seasons.

Girls tennis team wins 3rd state championship in 4 seasons

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
October 26, 2023
The frosh/soph 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.

Student athletes struggle to find balance amid new schedule

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
October 24, 2023
The math team placed third out of the five teams competing in the North Suburban Math League competition in Evanston on Sept. 28.

Math team places third in competition

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
October 5, 2023
The live-action adaptation of "One Piece," is an exciting watch and a low-committal series.

Live-action anime series, ‘One Piece,’ exceeds expectations

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
October 2, 2023
Affirmative Apprehension

Affirmative Apprehension

Audrey Park, Sahana Unni, Light Dohrn, Haley Maharry, and Milo Platz-Walker
September 27, 2023
TikTok, the social media giant, is bursting with new and interesting trends, many of which are followed by U-High students.

Social media platform TikTok can be inspiring, educational

Light Dohrn, Reporter
September 21, 2023
Gina Alicea assembles the new Corvus Gallery installment, "Immersed," by 1981 U-High alumna and artist Louise LeBourgeois. This installment will be open from Sept. 22-Nov. 17. 

Corvus gallery installment, ‘Immersed,’ opens Sept. 22

Light Dohrn, Reporter
September 21, 2023
"Love, Theoretically" by Ali Hazelwood is falsely presented as a feminist novel, but is anything but that.

In an attempt to be feminist, ‘Love, Theoretically’ falls short

Light Dohrn, Reporter
September 15, 2023
URBAN ROUTE. From Buckingham Fountain to Grant Park to Michigan Avenue, the NASCAR Chicago drivers will make their way through a track that will include views of Lake Michigan and several other Chicago attractions. The front straightaway and pit road will be housed on South Columbus Drive, running along a two-block stretch that will take the race past Buckingham Fountain.

Pulling up downtown: NASCAR hits Windy City

Haley Maharry, Light Dohrn, Jaya Alenghat, Edward Park, Skye Freeman, Niall Danahey, Kabir Joshi, and David Santiago
May 30, 2023
The 2023 Chicago NASCAR Festival: concerts, sales and more

The 2023 Chicago NASCAR Festival: concerts, sales and more

Light Dohrn, Reporter
May 30, 2023
In this Vox Pop, we ask students about what they have gained from participating in extracurricular activities.

Vox Pop: Student Extracurriculars

Kabir Joshi and Light Dohrn
May 26, 2023
“Daisy Jones & the Six” is a historical fiction novel about rock n’ roll in the 70s by author Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Historical fiction novel presents complex, lovable characters

Light Dohrn, Reporter
May 15, 2023
Five U-High students will advance to the National History Day finals in Washington, D.C. Cindy Jurisson has worked with students Alice Fan, Kaavya Shriram, Mahi Shah, Jade Deng and Andrew Pincus as they prepare for National History Day.

5 students advance to National History Day finals

Light Dohrn, Reporter
May 11, 2023
Daniel Bobo-Jones writes with one of his beloved fountain pens. He has a collection of dozens that includes many styles, which showcase his unique personality and nature that allow him to connect with students.

Through authenticity and humor, biology teacher inspires passion among students

Light Dohrn, Reporter
May 9, 2023
Photojournalist Patrice Graham and U-High Midway managing editor Audrey Park were selected to the 2023 All-State Journalism Team.  

Two journalists selected for All-State Journalism Team

Light Dohrn, Reporter
April 28, 2023
The U-High Midway and U-Highlights team received a combined 21 honors for their performance in the 2021-2022 school year.

Journalism team receives 21 national awards

Light Dohrn, Reporter
April 12, 2023
Applications have opened to the Maroon Key Society, a group of student ambassadors who work to support relationships with Lab students and alumni.

Applications open for Maroon Key Society

Light Dohrn, Reporter
March 30, 2023
Robotics team members Ava Cohen and Asher Grossman work together in the robotics room. The team brings people together and creates a family around their shared passion.

Audio: Drills drown out differences — Members of FRC robotics team find affinity within robotics environment

Light Dohrn, Reporter
March 20, 2023
Students should assume some control over the topics discussed at assemblies and be involved in the decision making process.

Student-run assemblies are too rare, squandering their potential

Light Dohrn, Reporter
March 20, 2023
Student journalists in states not protected by a student press law must gain free press rights in order to promote social change.

Student free press laws are necessary for a healthy student community

Jaya Alenghat, Niall Danahey, Light Dohrn, Haley Maharry, and Edward Park
February 22, 2023
Poet Chilean Daniel Borzutzky led a poetry translation workshop Feb. 16 hosted by the Literary Translation Club and Latinos Unidos.

Poet discusses creative, passionate elements of translating

Light Dohrn, Reporter
February 21, 2023
CONSTANTLY COMPARING: Although teachers have attempted to limit U-High's strong emphasis on grades, the school's high-achieving culture leads many students to constantly compare their grades with peers.

Comparison culture: Students feel need to compare grades despite teacher intervention

Light Dohrn, Reporter
January 17, 2023
Laura Gill was honored as regional assistant athletic director of the year.

Laura Gill named Assistant Athletic Director of the Year by IADA

Light Dohrn, Reporter
December 16, 2022
Members of the Lab community dance to celebrate Diwali on Oct. 14. The Asian Students' Association will host a celebration on Oct. 27.

Members of the Lab community hold celebrations for Diwali

Light Dohrn, Reporter
October 24, 2022
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