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
Olin Nafziger

Olin Nafziger, Photo Editor-in-Chief

Olin Nafziger is an editor-in-chief of the photojournalism team and a member of the class of 2025. His favorite part of photojournalism is being able to cover local news and events in the U-High community. Outside of photojournalism, Olin enjoys woodworking, watching soccer and motorsport, and completing the New York Times Crossword.

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, Ellis Calleri, Bryce Light) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Olin Nafziger, Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander, Mia Lipson) — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Portfolio of the Year: Photojournalist of the Year — Top 10 Finalist (result announced Nov. 9, 2024)

2024 Illinois All-State Journalism Team

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, multimedia story package (with Haley Maharry, Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander, Clare McRoberts), Mocktail Mania: Fruity, fizzy drinks offer nonalchoholic, fun beverage option

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Alex Diamond, Bryce Light, Eli Raikhel), U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

2023 Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Contest, sports reaction, third place

2023 Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Contest, still life, honorable mention

All content by Olin Nafziger
Before the Dec. 18 high school music concert at Mandel Hall, ninth grader Ari Wong prepares by wetting the reed for his clarinet while laughing and playing around with a friend's violin.

Gallery: U-High winter music concert

Lila Coyne, N.C. Gunning, Nathan Li, and Olin Nafziger
December 20, 2024
Junior Devyn Moubayed, a varsity girls soccer player, displays her vibrant turquoise Nike Tiempo soccer cleats as she stands on Jackman Field.

[Photo] On-field Fashion: In games, student-athletes showcase style, blending performance and flair

Sohana Schneider, Assistant Editor
December 17, 2024
May 3, 2024 — Showing a demonstrator for the UChicago United for Palestine encampment on the Main Quad, waving a Palestinian flag in front of a group of police, this powerful photo captures the heart of the encampment.

[Photo] Eight photojournalists win 13 awards in national competition

Chloé Tyndall, Reporter
December 13, 2024
Ninth grader Zain Zaidi and senior Raza Zaidi finalize the design for the Aeros Racing pit display in advance of the Formula 1 in Schools world finals in Saudi Arabia. The team placed 13th overall with the 10th fastest car in the competition Nov. 21-26.

[Photo] Representing U.S., F1 in Schools team places 13th in world

Jaya Alenghat, Editor-in-Chief
December 11, 2024
The car which caught fire on the Midway Plaisance Dec. 5 remains in its parking spot Dec. 6. Many students bore witness to the fire as they were leaving school.

[Photo] Car fire on Midway Plaisance gains attention of community

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Manager
December 6, 2024
12.6-Midway Fire-Nafziger-03

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

[Photo] Project aims to commemorate 1919 race riots, spread historical awareness

Light Dohrn, Arts Editor
November 20, 2024
Members of U-High Theater perform a dance number during the fall play, "Rossum's Universal Robots." From November 14-16, the theater department presented the science fiction play by Karel Čapek, which originally coined the term "robot."

Junior Varsity Science Olympiad team members Ronen Malani and Tal Neiman compete at the Nov. 17 Marquette Invitational, where they placed 11th. The varsity team placed third.

[Photo] At Marquette Invitational, Science Olympiad varsity team places third

Mia Lipson, Managing Editor
November 19, 2024
The Editorial Board argues that in the wake of the recent election, students should channel their dissatisfaction and disappointment towards action, using their voices to creating lasting change.

[Photo] Turn disappointment into action

Editorial Board
November 14, 2024
The re-election of former president Donald Trump elicited disheartenment from members of the Lab community as students feared how political issues like abortion access and immigration rights will be impacted by another Trump presidency.

[Photo] Trump reelection sparks concern from Lab community about rights, policies

Mia Lipson and Abhay Chandran
November 13, 2024
Vice presidential candidate and previous educator Tim Walz addresses his supportive crowd at the 2024 DNC.

[Photo] With former educator Walz on ticket, schools take spotlight

Mia Lipson, Managing Editor
October 25, 2024
Students founded the new Origami Club to serve as a relaxing, mindful workspace. It meets Mondays in the library classroom.

[Photo] New Origami Club fosters relaxing, calming community

Lucy Shirrell, Assistant Editor
October 25, 2024
Seniors Lucy Aronson and Orly Eggener stand on Jackman Field, making substitutions for Lab’s seventh grade boys soccer team.

[Photo] Adapting to the sideline: seniors coach Lab soccer team

Clare McRoberts, Editor-in-Chief
October 23, 2024
Speakers at the DNC addressed the theme of freedom, directing the word's meaning at key political issues in the election.

[Photo] DNC highlights freedom as key theme

Clare McRoberts, Editor-in-Chief
October 17, 2024
Olivia Adams takes a pose on the balance beam in Lab's gymnastics room. She began competing in gymnastics when she was 8, inspired by gymnasts like Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles.

[Photo] Olivia Adams: Bouncing back

Declan Smith, Assistant Editor
October 15, 2024
"Joy of Creating," a new installation in the Corvus Art Gallery in Gordon Parks Arts Hall, can be viewed through Nov. 22. The gallery is displaying an exhibition showing the creative work of Lab's art teachers. 

[Photo] Corvus gallery hosts exhibition of faculty works

Naomi Benton, Audience Engagement Editor
October 7, 2024
Kong Dog, a popular Korean-style corn dog place, specializes in unique flavors, like the Hot Cheeto Kong Dog, and offers other foods and refreshments, such as fries, chicken sandwiches and lemonade.

[Photo] Korean-style corn dog chains reinvent American treat

Ari Novak, Reporter
September 13, 2024
A face to a name: 10 new faculty join High School

A face to a name: 10 new faculty join High School

Kabir Joshi, Mia Lipson, and Olin Nafziger
September 9, 2024
Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor, tearfully waves to the crowd after accepting the nomination Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the United Center. In his speech, he thanked his former students, describing how before his first campaign for Congress in 2006, they returned an important lesson he hoped he had taught them: “the belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors.”

DNC Day 3 Gallery: Dynamic convention sparks enthusiasm, features stars both in and out of politics

Olin Nafziger
August 22, 2024
From the podium, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz overlooks a sea of “Coach Walz” signs. The Harris-Walz campaign has embraced this nickname, drawing on his past as a high school football coach with small-town roots.

[Photo] DNC Day 3 Summary: Walz welcomed as running mate; theme of freedom permeates

Clare McRoberts, Editor-in-Chief
August 22, 2024
The Democratic National Convention will hold primetime programming at the United Center through Thursday night, Aug. 22.

DNC Day 1 Gallery: Democrats kick off convention, honor Biden

Olin Nafziger
August 20, 2024
Junior Maya Pytel and senior Sam Pastor talk over dinner, which was in the form of a large buffet.

[Photo] Prom brings Class of 2024 enchanted end-of-year celebration

Milo Platz-Walker, Sports Editor
June 4, 2024
Six members of the girls track and field team participated in five events at the 2A state meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston May 16-18. 

[Photo] Girls track and field wrap up: Team participated in 5 events at state

Victoria Washington, City Life Editor
May 24, 2024
Use of VR fitness programs is one example of an indoor wellness activity.

[Photo] Stay fit and beat the heat

Tinson Xu, Reporter
May 23, 2024
COMPASSION AND CARE. Tanya Sullivan, a crossing guard who works outside Ray Elementary School, considers interacting with kids as the highlight of being a crossing guard. “You learn a lot from meeting kids from many different schools,” she said, referring to the diverse group of students she encounters daily.

[Photo] Crossing with care: Hyde Park crossing guard brings connection, positivity

Orlie Weitzman, Reporter
May 15, 2024
University of Chicago police officers hold a barricade on the Ellis Avenue entrance to the Main Quad on the morning of May 7 after police shut down the eight-day pro-Palestinian encampment on the Main Quad.

After 8 days, UChicago pro-Palestine encampment removed on morning of May 7

Jaya Alenghat, Chloe Alexander, Mia Lipson, and Olin Nafziger
May 7, 2024
On May 2, the fourth day of the encampment, a demonstrator stands in front of a group of police waving a Palestinian flag. On Monday, April 29, UChicago United for Palestine launched an encampment on the University of Chicago’s Main Quad to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The encampment and pro-Palestinian protests continued for days.

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

Jaya Alenghat, Chloe Alexander, Mia Lipson, and Clare McRoberts
May 3, 2024
The Science Olympiad team placed third overall in the state competition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on April 20. Since the team did not finish in the top two, it will not advance to the national competition. 

[Photo] Science Olympiad team ends season with third place, 19 individual awards at state

Tinson Xu, Reporter
May 8, 2024
Learning coordinator Heavenly Hicks always has her door open to students, providing support for the U-High community. She tailors her methods to what each student needs, encouraging organizational skills and security.

[Photo] Known for vibrant personality, Heavenly Hicks welcomes students, provides support

Sinziana Lazar, Reporter
May 3, 2024
BELOVED BAND: I-94 band, a group of U-High seniors, grew from a love of jazz into a passion these students now have. The name, an interstate highway running through Chicago, represents the groups Chicago roots.

[Photo] Rhythmic Journey: U-High Band was founded through jazz, evolved into friendship

Mia Lipson, News Editor
April 29, 2024
Sophomore Maggie Yagan takes a selfie with sophomore Ishie Holz after winning individual and team honors at the Northwestern MUN conference in Evanston April 11-14.

[Photo] MUN team secures sixth consecutive win at Northwestern conference

Lucia Dumitrescu, Reporter
April 22, 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
In their final match of the season, the robotics team competed at the Midwest regional at the University of Illinois at Chicago and advanced to the semi-finals. In addition, the team won the Innovation in Control award for its use of machine learning and computer vision.

[Photo] Robotics team wins innovation award at last match of the season

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
April 8, 2024
With her left foot wrapped in red silk, Daisy Coleman suspends herself in the air. This form of acrobatics, called aerial silks, is Daisy’s specialty in circus performance.

[Photo] Defying Gravity: Daisy Coleman finds freedom in aerial silks

Mia Lipson, News Editor
March 27, 2024
Ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade, Girl Scouts sell these cookies every winter. The Girl Scout cookie-selling season starts in early January and ends at the end of March.

[Photo] Audio: In person and online, Girl Scout cookie sales empower success

Naomi Benton, Reporter
April 3, 2024
Community members gather at the "Blacksgiving" event, a Nov. 9 Thanksgiving-inspired cultural food exchange hosted by the Black Students' Association in Judd C116. Inside and outside school, the popularity of identity-focused clubs has increased in recent years. BSA is only one of the many clubs of this kind available to students at Lab.

[Photo] Audio: Affinity groups gain popularity

Sinziana Lazar, Reporter
March 28, 2024
Many students find TV and movie marathons to be a fun and relaxing group activity.

[Photo] Friends relax, unwind through movie and TV marathons

Chloe Alexander, Arts Editor
March 19, 2024
On March 16, a large crowd watches the Chicago Plumbers Union dye the Chicago river green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, an annual tradition since 1962.

[Photo] St. Patrick’s Day celebrations attract immense crowds to Chicago

Jaya Alenghat, City Life Editor
March 18, 2024
In a heated game against Woodlands Academy on Dec. 12, junior Alex Giles dribbles past defenders looking for a chance to shoot. The girls basketball team ended the season on Feb.10 in the first round of the playoffs against Dyett High School.

[Photo] Gallery: Winter sports in review

Zara Siddique, Light Dohrn, and Milo Platz-Walker
March 5, 2024
Junior Ketan Kandula carefully works on a robot during the Greater Pittsburgh Regional from March 1-3, , in which the robotics received the Gracious Professionalism Award for their conduct, but did not qualify for playoffs. 

[Photo] At competition, robotics team misses playoffs but displays professionalism

Lila Coyne, Reporter
March 5, 2024
The Science Olympiad team performed excellently at two competitions. They competed at a competition on Feb. 24 at Northwestern University. They also competed at the regional competition on March 2, where they placed second overall and qualified for the state competition in April.

[Photo] Science Olympiad Team finds success at recent competitions

Sinziana Lazar, Reporter
March 5, 2024
A performance by the Dance Team was the first event at the ArtsFest opening ceremonies on the morning of Feb. 28 in the Ken Griffin Auditorium, where team members showcased their routines and talents for the community. After performing their newest dance routines to the crowd, faculty members joined the team on stage for fun choreographed dances. “It was a totally different experience for the dance team to be performing in that space,” sophomore Capri Cooper said. “When we started going, though, it started to feel more natural, like how it normally felt, and it was really fun.”

[Photo] ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

Taariq Ahmed, Chloe Alexander, and Skye Freeman
February 29, 2024
U-High Midway adviser and journalism teacher Logan Aimone laughs during a conversation with students in Advanced Journalism while holding a Midway. Mr. Aimone was named the 2024 National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. 

[Photo] Midway adviser named National Journalism Teacher of the Year

Lucy Shirrell, Reporter
February 26, 2024
In art classes like studio art, students are allowed to express themselves in different ways — this is the art teacher's main goal.

[Photo] Through classes, art teachers aim to grow art appreciation

Light Dohrn, Assistant Editor
February 26, 2024
Throughout his time on the U-High squash team Adam Tang has ensured that he balance both his athletics and academics.

[Photo] Adam Tang brings eager passion to school and sports

Edward Park, Assistant Editor
February 22, 2024
In February, the Model United Nations team competed at two events, including a tournament at Francis W. Parker School on Feb. 10 and a Feb. 16 weekend conference at Georgetown University.

[Photo] MUN team triumphs at both local and national competitions

Orlie Weitzman, Reporter
February 22, 2024
STYLING WITH HEART. Esther Adewole blends her bright personality with skilled hairstyling to create a welcoming atmosphere. Originally from Nigeria, Adewole pursued beauty school over nursing, transforming her career into a passion for hairdressing and genuine client interactions.

[Photo] Warmth and Style: Esther Adewole

Edward Park, Assistant Editor
February 22, 2024
Mocktails are a fruity and fun nonalchoholic beverage option and a unique activity to do with friends or family. Mocktails have become more and more popular in recent years, as alcohol consumption has declined.

[Photo] Mocktail Mania: Fruity, fizzy drinks offer nonalchoholic, fun beverage option

Haley Maharry, Reporter
February 20, 2024
The Science Olympiad teams excelled at the recent Crystal Lake Central Invitationals on Jan. 27. The varsity team placed first and the junior varsity team placed fifth overall.

[Photo] Science Olympiad continues success from previous invitational

Edward Park, Assistant Editor
January 30, 2024
Load More Stories