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
Lucia Kouri

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief

Lucia Kouri is an Editor-In-Chief for the U-High Midway and a member of the Class of 2022. She joined journalism in the 2019-20 school year. The most rewarding part of journalism for Lucia is collaborating with fellow staff members and engaging with community members in and outside of Lab. Outside of school, she plays guitar, is a member of the Voice of Chicago, and volunteers as a tutor at a non-profit. She also likes to go on long walks, spend time with family and read.
Awards and honors:

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, centerspread story package, Can they play?

All content by Lucia Kouri
Digital artist Lusia Austen creates art through Procreate on her iPad.

Click by Click: Digital artists turn to online platforms for self expression

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2022

Paving the way: Transgender and intersex athletes shape history

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
April 12, 2022
Can they play? Transgender athletes face barriers to compete

Can they play? Transgender athletes face barriers to compete

Lucia Kouri, Meena Lee, and Clare O'Connor
April 12, 2022
A me just for me: Tech Nix

A me just for me: Tech Nix

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
March 16, 2022
In January, the College Board announced that starting in 2024, the SAT will undergo a series of changes, such as adopting a virtual format and allowing calculators for the entire math section.

Lab community reacts to SAT changes

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2022
On Feb. 10, senior retreat returned for the first time since 2020. The seniors traveled to Galena, Illinois, where they engaged in fun activities and spent time bonding with each other.

Senior Class enjoys winter activities at retreat

Lucia Kouri and Colin Leslie
February 17, 2022
Students returned in-person on Jan. 10 after a week of Covid-19 testing delayed in-person learning by one week. Upon returning, students expressed mixed feelings about Covid-19 safety precautions.

Students have mixed opinions on return to in-person classes after winter break

Lucia Kouri, Editor-In-Chief
January 13, 2022
Editor-in-Chief Lucia Kouri argues that research proves standardized testing scores must be considered against socioeconomic background for college admissions to be fair.

Standardized testing ignores diverse backgrounds

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
January 6, 2022
2015: Gordon Parks Arts Hall construction completed.

[Photo] Alumni of the Laboratory Schools reflect on prominent memories

Peter Cox and William Tan
December 17, 2021
Some girls feel uncomfortable using the fitness center, saying it is male-dominated. P.E. teacher Luke Zavala, who monitors the fitness center after school, said he strives to create a welcoming environment.

Citing gender dynamic, some girls uncomfortable using fitness center

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
December 13, 2021
Learning Coordinator Heavenly Hicks and Ashley Hannah discuss accommodations.

Students seek spaces to discuss accommodations

Lucia Kouri, Editor-In-Chief
November 10, 2021
Junior Michael Pan speaks with science teacher Kevin Nihil about AT Chemistry.

Adults learn to identify, respond to student distress

Lucia Kouri, Editor-In-Chief
November 9, 2021
Onlookers at the Barack Obama Presidential Center's ceremonial groundbreaking that took place on Sept. 28 loudly argue about President Obama's impact, including the environmental affect of the center's construction.

Obama Center faces continued controversy as construction begins

Lucia Kouri, Editor in Chief
October 1, 2021
Students scroll through their “For You” pages: never-ending streams of videos curated by TikTok’s algorithm. While the algorithm can bring help members of a community or fanbase together, it can just as easily create isolated “echo chambers.”

Split-Tok: Algorithm boxes students in “sides” of TikTok

Lucia Kouri, Editor-In-Chief
September 30, 2021
RUNNING START. Members of the cross country team run a lap around Jackman Field at the first- day assembly Sept. 9. The rest of U-High’s fall sports teams joined in the pep rally. Even though the assembly was outdoors, students were required to wear masks.

Student vaccination rate at ‘excellent place’

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
September 10, 2021
After an amazing year of coverage, the Midway staff will take a publishing break over the summer except in the event of significant breaking news.

Midway to take break over the summer

Berk Oto, Lucia Kouri, and Peter Pu
June 9, 2021
Playing for a prize. Seniors play roulette to win raffle tickets. Poker, blackjack and craps were also available, and students traded their tokens for raffle tickets. “I’m glad something was put together,” Avi Keysar said. “The main thing is that we got to see each other and celebrate together.”

Students gather for ’Under the Stars’-themed prom on June 5

Lucia Kouri, Téa Tamburo, and Adrianna Nehme
June 8, 2021
Ninth grader Elena Bloom takes a math test for geometry class. While math is typically a subject heavily dependent on testing and finals, the traditional math final structure has been eliminated in many classes this year.

Teachers cancel final exams, projects

Lucia Kouri, Editor-In-Chief
May 20, 2021
Senior Elena Stern, production manager for U-High’s rendition of “Alice Down the Rabbit Hole."

Senior channels passion to support theater club through distance learning

Lucia Kouri, Editor-in-Chief
May 15, 2021
Senior Hunter Heyman keeps a goalie stance while anticipating a shot during a practice at Jackman Field March 3. Heyman's leadership was a key quality in helping the boys soccer team through a challenging season.

Soccer captain builds team chemistry to fight through unusual season

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
May 1, 2021
Music by popular female artists has been hailed by many as empowering, despite controversy and criticism.

Modern female music icons empower women in unique way

Lucia Kouri, City Life Co-Editor
April 22, 2021
Members of the class of 2020 protest during the Climate Strike on Sept. 20, 2019. What does it mean for a student to stand up for the environment?

Students grapple with sustainable living and the limitations of being a teenager

Lucia Kouri, City Life Co-Editor
April 19, 2021
Information Technology support specialist Anthony Gonzales works to help teachers navigate new technology.

Information Systems team bridges gap between remote, in-person spaces

Lucia Kouri, City Life Co-Editor
April 14, 2021

High academic standards and challenges with distance learning lead students to cheating

Lucia Kouri, Co-City Life Editor
March 17, 2021
Test Tension: Cheating and hybrid learning

Test Tension: Cheating and hybrid learning

Amanda Cassel, Lucia Kouri, and Colin Leslie
March 17, 2021
The Harper Theater sign hovers over 52nd Harper Avenue in Hyde Park.

[Photo] Harper Theater eager to return to full occupancy

Amon Gray, Assistant Editor
March 10, 2021
University policy now requires individuals to wear a mask that fully covers the nose and mouth and has ear loops to hold it in place.

University sets stricter mask policy in response to coronavirus variants

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
February 15, 2021
The Hyde Park Refugee Project continues to support refugee families amidst the pandemic.

Hyde Park Refugee Project continues supporting refugee families during pandemic

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
February 12, 2021

Apprehensive and optimistic: Parents split on hybrid learning

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
February 10, 2021
The U-High community is split on whether to opt-in to hybrid learning with many fearing COVID-19 risk.

Still undecided: Community anxious for hybrid learning details

Lucia Kouri, An Ngo, and Berk Oto
February 10, 2021
Identity clubs are turning to merchandise sails to fundraise for charities.

Identity clubs create merchandise to raise money for charities

Lucia Kouri, Assistant Editor
January 6, 2021
Skaters gather to skate at Midway Plaisance Ice Rink in Hyde Park.

[Photo] Safe and festive winter activities offered around Chicago

Adrianna Nehme, Assistant Editor
December 11, 2020
The Model United Nations team was named Best Large Delegation at two recent conferences.

Model United Nations team hosts rookie mock conference for new members

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
November 19, 2020
Despite a temporary withdrawal option, 630 high school students are currently enrolled in U-High compared to 621 students in the 2019-2020 school year.

Laboratory Schools enrollment remains stable despite distance learning

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
November 10, 2020
Kevin Coval and Idris Goodwin were the keynote speakers for the virtual event “DECODE,” hosted by the Chicago Literacy Alliance Oct. 1-2. 

Chicago nonprofits aim to dismantle systemic inequalities by improving literacy rates

Lucia Kouri, Co-City Life Editor
November 3, 2020
The fall production will feature short stories and poetry. It was pre-recorded in a fully remote setting.

‘But a dream within a dream’: Theater students to stream recorded Poe-themed production

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
October 23, 2020
Sophomores and juniors participate in optional standardized test

Sophomores and juniors participate in optional standardized test

Lucia Kouri, City Life Editor
October 15, 2020

Environmental stability

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
June 8, 2020
After months of remote learning and then summer break, readjustment to coming back to school in the fall will not be easy.

What life will look like in the post-COVID-19 world

Amon Gray, Lucia Kouri, and Clare O'Connor
June 8, 2020
Vegan or vegetarian substitutes have grown in popularity in recent years. The recent increase in price of meat has also made many turn to these substitutes.

Strain on meat supply chain, rising prices effects dietary choices

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
May 28, 2020
Obama's commencement speech and changes to the food delivery industry are covered in May 14's roundup.

Pandemic roundup: Barack Obama to host commencement speech, door delivery industry changes

Berk Oto and Lucia Kouri
May 14, 2020
Ninth-grader Clare O'Connor sings a solo for a choir performance at the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly. While many simply use choir to fulfill the music requirement for graduation, some continue into Bel Canto or other music classes afterward.

Music classes a place to express, find community

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
April 9, 2020
JSA considers not running next year due to low turnout

JSA considers not running next year due to low turnout

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
March 3, 2020
Above, the interior of the Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City. Synagogues and other places where Jewish people gather for worship and fellowship have recently become the targets of anti-Semitic attacks.

JSA hosts discussion on anti-Semitic violence

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
January 13, 2020
JSA celebrates Hanukkah with all of U-High

JSA celebrates Hanukkah with all of U-High

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
December 20, 2019
Finance club promotes active learning

Finance club promotes active learning

Lucia Kouri, Reporter
October 22, 2019
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