The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
PE teacher Quinn Menchetti answers questions. Mr. Mencheti was a speaker at the rally on Nov. 7, which assembled to ask the university for a solid plan in terms of federal agents.
At rally, unions demand university to take more action
Interim Director of Schools Susan Groesbeck, who worked at Lab for 10 weeks, has departed her role effective immediately. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, will serve as interim director for the rest of the academic year.
Interim director Susan Groesbeck leaves Lab; Ethan Bueno de Mesquita appointed interim leader
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
On it's website, the Laboratory Schools has included a new page with specific guidance about federal law enforcement.
Lab website page includes updated guidance on federal agents
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
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 Karina Hans argues that social media cultivates a culture of toxicity and misogyny.
Social media enables violent misogyny
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
Assistant Editor Sinziana Lazar offers advice on how students can build foundational skills before leaving for college. While high school may equip students with foundational skills such as how to plan homework and analyze a text, success in college and eventually in the professional world requires attaining and developing new skills essential to a career.
Learning life skills: How to prepare for college life
The Young Entrepreneur Academy, abbreviated as YEA!, is a yearlong program that offers mentorship and real-life exposure to young aspiring entrepreneurs. Senior Evelyn Halbach, ninth graders Layleh Adhi and Tess Weitzman, sophomore Lara Mohindra and junior Freddie Neater-Dubow all attend the Chicago chapter.
Mind your business: Young women learn skills through entrepreneurship program
Ronen has been on the ski team since he was in third grade, and he mainly competes in the slalom and giant slalom races. His season runs from early December to spring break, during which he competes in at least eight races
Junior Ronen Malani finds freedom through skiing
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
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
Even as Guillermo Del Toro’s new film adaptation of “Frankenstein” makes changes to the original novel's plot, it skillfully communicates the source’s meditations on creation and motherhood.
‘Frankenstein’ film innovates, illustrates novel’s vision
Tame Impala's new album 'Deadbeat' strays from his usual genre of music. Some of the songs are successful but most fall short.
Tame Impala’s ‘Deadbeat’ stumbles, misses the mark
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
Sophomore Morgan Purcell runs at CC Invite at Detweiler Park on Sept. 13.
Cross country wrap up: girls team places at state
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
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
Lucy Byrnes

Lucy Byrnes, Photo Assistant Editor

Lucy Byrnes is the arts assistant editor and a member of the Class of 2026. Her favorite part of photojournalism is having unique opportunities to explore Lab that non-photojournalists would not be able to experience. Outside of photojournalism, Lucy enjoys hanging out with fish (very cool) and friends (normal cool).

All content by Lucy Byrnes
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.

[Photo] Students explore paleontology through Fossil Lab

Chloé Tyndall, Multimedia Editor
October 24, 2025
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.

[Photo] Resident supervisors foster community, offer support

Gabriel Wang, Assistant Section Editor
October 10, 2025
The painting “Medusa” by Emilie Varlet is a featured piece and can be seen at the exhibit’s opening event Sept. 26, 4-6 p.m.

[Photo] Alumni Artistry: Corvus Gallery to show art made by U-High graduates

Sinziana Lazar, Reporter
September 22, 2025
OCK & ROLL. Juniors Rafa Garrido and Misha Duda play the electric guitar in their rock band performance held during Labstock after school on June 6. The band, named “Bandoro,” played three songs: an original, a cover of “Drain You” by Nirvana and a cover of “Head in the Ceiling Fan” by Title Fight. While the band faced some technical difficulties, Rafa appreciated the experience. “Our performance for ‘Drain You’ was very good,” Rafa said. “I had a lot of nerves going in, but it was very fun.”

[Photo] Gallery: Students Celebrate End of Year

Naomi Benton, Managing Editor
June 10, 2025
Students have been taking initiative outside of class to improve their foreign language skills through conversation clubs and language learning apps like Duolingo.

[Photo] Audio: Improving language skills helps students learn, improve academically

Cecily Bensmaia, Reporter
May 1, 2025
After school on March 3, members of the girls soccer team discovered some of their personal items were missing from the girls locker room.

[Photo] Personal items discovered missing from girls locker room

Ari Novak, Assistant Editor
March 7, 2025
In a recurring scene about a student stuck in a time loop, junior Evelyn Halbach, left, relives the same experience of helping senior Taylor Landrey with her homework.

Gallery: Student Experimental Theater

Delaney Connell, Ellis Calleri, Olin Nafziger, Estelle Levinson, and Lucy Byrnes
March 3, 2025
Ashley Cole and mother Linda Cochran pose behind the main counter of their jewelry and bodycare store, Suuri Design. Their handmade creations are intentionally crafted minimalist jewelry that doesn’t break the bank.

[Photo] Linda Cochran and Ashley Cole: Mother-daughter duo run jewelry store, strengthen bond

Sohana Schneider, Assistant Editor
February 25, 2025
Sophomore Valkyrie Laurence and senior Sylvie Bartom rehearse a scene during S.E.T., or Student Experimental Theater.

[Photo] Student Experimental Theater fosters creativity, growth

Lucy Shirrell, Assistant Editor
February 24, 2025
During a Jan. 27 meeting, senior Helen Kraemer listens as sophomore Taara Sajdeh practices for an upcoming Model United Nation team conference. At the Harvard MUN conference Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, two-thirds of the team won awards.

[Photo] At Harvard competition, Model UN team wins awards, gains experience

Laila Valenti, Reporter
February 4, 2025
12.10- midway 100-Lucy Byrnes-2 (1)

[Photo] 10 x 10: Midway 100

Jaya Alenghat, Ari Novak, Lucy Shirrell, and Declan Smith
December 19, 2024
Varsity doubles player Xia Nesbitt, a junior, prepares to serve the ball with focus and precision. Finishing off the season strong, Xia and the girls tennis team won fourth place in the IHSA 1A state championship at Hersey High School Oct. 24-26, where both a doubles team and singles player placed second.

[Photo] Girls tennis season wrap up: Team finishes fourth at state

November 4, 2024
The A Capella Club, which works to create an inclusive environment for high school students to sing and have fun together, is one of three new clubs have formed to provide spaces for students to engage in self-expression through music, art and poetry. 

[Photo] Three new clubs provide self-expression outlets to students

Nadia Washington, Reporter
October 23, 2024
Ms. Rivera-Vazquez engages with students in her AT Native American Histories class, the first of its kind at U-High.

[Photo] New course, taught by assistant principal, focuses on Native American histories

Chloe Alexander, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2024
Assuming the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Ambrosini, Matt Boresi and Ryan Wantland will be serving U-High's theater as director and technical director.

[Photo] New directors bring deep experience, vision to U-High theater

Skye Freeman, Features Editor
September 18, 2024
The U-High Midway and U-Highlights staff received a combined 21 national awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University.

[Photo] Newspaper, yearbook teams receive 21 national awards

Kabir Joshi, Assistant Editor
March 21, 2024
The fencing team works on technique and stance during a January practice. The team ended its season with a first-place medal won by the boys épée team in the final Great Lakes Conference Team Championships on Feb. 3.

[Photo] Fencing ends after successful season

Naomi Benton, Reporter
February 29, 2024
The 2023 U-Highlights yearbook has received both state and national recognition from the National Scholastic Press Association and the Illinois Journalism Education Association.

[Photo] U-Highlights receives state, national recognition

Dina Letko, Reporter
February 26, 2024
CULTURE CONSCIOUS. Dr. Jeanne Fitzsimmons, a humanities professor at the University of Chicago, has gathered priceless experiences traveling across the world and encountering different cultures. Her love of understanding history and culture spawns from her lifelong love of being a student and teacher, learning and teaching.

[Photo] Jeanne Fitzsimmons shares multicultural experiences and love for education

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
February 21, 2024
This year, Artsfest hopes to engage students with art through new workshops and schedule.

[Photo] ArtsFest brings new workshops, experiences for students

Milo Platz-Walker, Reporter
February 19, 2024
Over the past several years, stores have been selling Christmas items sooner and sooner.

[Photo] Christmas Creep: Commercial Christmas items appear earlier and earlier in stores

Sinziana Lazar, Reporter
December 12, 2023
A student drops a book in the book collection drive for incarcerated people, sponsored by the Intersectional Feminism Club. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 1 in the high school lobby.

[Photo] Club sponsors book collection for incarcerated people

Mira Reddy, Reporter
October 27, 2023
This year, new technology has been added to multiple classrooms across the historic campus, and teachers are happy with how the new additions have contributed to their classroom environments.

[Photo] With new technology, teachers experience ease, accessibility

Haley Maharry, Reporter
October 10, 2023
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