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
Taariq Ahmed

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor

Taariq Ahmed is a member of the Class of 2025 and serves as the news editor. He joined the Midway as a sophomore after moving from St. Louis, where he completed Introduction to Journalism at his previous school in ninth grade. Taariq is the co-president of his school’s Young Men of Color group and Being Racially Aware and Valuing Ethnicity conference board. Outside of school, Taariq enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and reading the news.

Awards:

2024 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Photo Slideshow (with Jaya Alenghat, 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 Illinois All-State Journalism Team

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, sports news story, 7 seniors commit to play college athletics in community event

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Chloë Alexander, Skye Freeman), ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, personality profile, Juggling Act: Senior works to explore passions with numerous roles in upcoming fall play

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

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, news (with Mia Lipson, Téa Tamburo), With powerful testimonials of discrimination, groups call for action

 

All content by Taariq Ahmed
Junior varsity basketball coach Xavier Smith shares a laugh with senior Joonsung Kim in his office located in the Information Services department.

Xavier Smith: Mentoring with motivation

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
November 11, 2024
Freedom in the Balance

Freedom in the Balance

Chloë Alexander, Light Dohrn, Edward Park, Taariq Ahmed, and Skye Freeman
October 23, 2024
Rights, future are top teen issues

Rights, future are top teen issues

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
October 23, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris excited many at the 2024 DNC, on personal levels with her historic bid in this election.

Kamala Harris’ identity impassions women, people of color at DNC

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
October 11, 2024
After putting, senior Amelia Tan watches the golf ball roll smoothly across the green.

Amelia Tan: Driving for success

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
October 8, 2024
These students have received new Midway roles. Front; Abhay Chandran, Juliana Daugherty, Lila Coyne. Middle; Sohana Schneider, Naomi Benton, Declan Smith, Caroline Skelly. Back: Orlie Weitzman, Ari Novak, Lucy Shirell.

[Photo] 10 Midway students receive new leadership roles

Milo Platz-Walker, Sports Editor
September 30, 2024
Dialing up Debate

Dialing up Debate

Lila Coyne, Taariq Ahmed, Chloe Alexander, Clare McRoberts, Lucy Shirrell, and Declan Smith
September 28, 2024
News Editor Taariq Ahmed argues that daily journaling can help people reflect on past experiences and learn from them to shape the future.

Personal journaling is an investment, but it gives back so much more

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
September 24, 2024
Ray Han and Sophie Li prepare their boat for a sailing practice last Spring. Clubs and departments are addressing changes and adapting in light of new, smaller budget cuts.

Lab adapts to reality of tighter budget

Taariq Ahmed, Jaya Alenghat, and Clare McRoberts
September 5, 2024
Former president Barack Obama, also a former Lab parent, speaks about his hope for overcoming political polarization in the United States. "America is ready for a better story," Mr. Obama said. "We are ready for President Kamala Harris."

DNC Day 2 Summary: Roll call nominates Harris; Obamas, Pritzker and others call for action, criticize Trump

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
August 21, 2024
DNC updates

DNC updates

Taariq Ahmed, Jaya Alenghat, Chloe Alexander, Mia Lipson, and Clare McRoberts
August 19, 2024
Karim Sulayman, a Class of 1994 alumnus, will deliver the commencement address. The lineup of speakers and performers has been finalized for the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony.

Lab community to send off Class of 2024 at June 6 graduation

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
May 20, 2024
Many U-High students look toward a summer of sports events, including major continental soccer tournaments and the Olympic Games, with excitement.

Global summer sports competitions spark nostalgia, excitement

Taariq Ahmed, News Editor
May 14, 2024
For one of their last assemblies of the year, the sophomores were going to reflect on the work they’d done and engage in service learning in a new, interactive way. 

[Photo] Audio: Sophomores celebrate service learning in new assembly style

Skye Freeman, Audience Engagement Manager
April 19, 2024
To heal from injuries, student athletes experiment with alternative medicine

To heal from injuries, student athletes experiment with alternative medicine

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
April 17, 2024
Your guide to the 2024-25 Student Council elections

Your guide to the 2024-25 Student Council elections

Taariq Ahmed and Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu
April 16, 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
Those wishing to run for Student Council can find election petitions outside the Dean's office. After unauthorized changes were made to the online voting system in last year’s Student Council election, voting for this year’s election on April 26 will take place on ElectionBuddy if the website gets approval by the University.

[Photo] Student Council switches election platform for April 26 election

Sahana Unni, Editor-in-Chief
April 1, 2024
During a band class, co-teacher Abby Kott assists a student with a trumpet while co-teacher Ryan Hudec directs from the podium. The benefits of co-teaching practices are exemplified in Lab’s music classes, as music faculty create strong engagement and introduce students to numerous perspectives.

Dynamic Duets: Through co-teaching, music faculty improve engagement, experience

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
March 27, 2024
"Penelopiad," a play at the Goodman running until March 31, features the female view of the classic epic poem "The Odyssey" from the perspective of the wife of Odysseus, Penelope.

‘The Penelopiad’ speaks volumes through stylized and dramatic performances

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
March 21, 2024
Juniors Ace Ma and Dilara Dogan paint the ArtsFest 2024 mural on the third floor of Belfield Hall. They worked with Lisa Tao and Sebastian Gans, spending their day working on their mural. “It was a lot of fun,” Ace said. “When I start an art project, I really can’t stop until I’m finished. It was a group of people: Sebastian did the design really, really well. It was really fun to be able to work on something big all day. I like being able to work on projects non-stop.”

ArtsFest activities reflect students spirit, creativity

Taariq Ahmed, Chloe Alexander, and Skye Freeman
February 29, 2024
Seven U-High senior athletes signed letters of intent to their respective college sports programs on Feb. 26 at a ceremony held in Judd C-116. 

7 seniors commit to play college athletics in community event

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
February 27, 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.

Jeanne Fitzsimmons shares multicultural experiences and love for education

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
February 21, 2024
The 2024 Student Experimental Theatre (S.E.T.) will run Feb. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sherry Lansing Theater.

Experimental theater show celebrates student performers, attracts new participants

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
February 16, 2024
The 2024-25 Program of Studies was recently released. It features new course offerings in six departments and new grading purpose statements to explain how each department defines success in its courses.

Program of studies features new classes, grading explanations

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
February 9, 2024
Betsy Noel, who has worked at Lab since 2017 and serves as Lab’s equal opportunity services director and Title IX coordinator, accepted a position at the University of Chicago. She accepted the position of director of the Office of College Community Standards and assistant dean of students and will be leaving later this year.

Betsy Noel, equal opportunities director and Title IX coordinator, accepts UChicago position

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
February 6, 2024
A culture of toxic masculinity encouraging sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination prompts thoughts and concerns from those who identify as male at U-High, especially in spaces like the boys locker room.

Audio: U-High community reflects upon toxicity within male-centric spaces

Taariq Ahmed and Edward Park
January 22, 2024
Steve Prince, a nationally recognized master printmaker and teacher, will be visiting the Lab community following the opening of a new Corvus Gallery exhibit displaying his work.

Artist will embrace community with new Corvus Gallery exhibit, educational visits

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
January 12, 2024
Instead of needing to submit a form to the Learning & Counseling Office, students and families can now access school transcript documents more safely with U-High’s implementation of Parchment. Parchment is a newly introduced processing and storage website for academic documents.

New transcript management system introduced

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
January 9, 2024
Freedom Flare Up

Freedom Flare Up

Taariq Ahmed, Light Dohrn, Sahana Unni, Milo Platz-Walker, and Audrey Park
December 8, 2023
Digital Editor Taariq Ahmed asserts that staying informed and educating oneself on current events is crucial to being a successful citizen of the world; and we can do it while preserving our mental health.

There is a lot going in the world, but we can change how we interact with it

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
December 7, 2023
“Sweet Kaaram Coffee” is a Tamil-language comedy-drama show about women from three generations who embark on the road trip of a lifetime.

South Indian television series highlights social and structural sexism

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
December 4, 2023
Counselor Teddy Stripling, organizer of the student-faculty games, leans over to pick up a ball at the beginning of the yarn ball dodgeball game. Along with fine arts teacher Aaron Arreguin, Mr. Stripling was one of the last two adults in the game before the students eliminated all, winning the game after two and a half minutes of chaos and action.

Student-faculty games cultivate school spirit, community bonding

Taariq Ahmed and Jaya Alenghat
November 17, 2023
In his newly released album "For All the Dogs," Canadian rapper Drake underperforms after promises of the deeply missed "old Drake" style.

His Loss: Special moments of Drake album grapple with poor performances

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
October 30, 2023
BALANCING ABILITY. Playing the stage manager in “Our Town,” senior Emma Ciesla balances multiple roles — main character, and props and makeup master. The ability to juggle these tasks stems from Emma’s love of theater.

Juggling Act: Senior works to explore passions with numerous roles in upcoming fall play

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
October 23, 2023
The girls golf team placed sixth as a team at the IHSA 1A State Championship from Oct. 6-7 at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, where junior Amelia Tan placed fifth individually.

Girls golf team ends historic season with state placement

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
October 10, 2023
Carrying her teammate Emma Heo on her back, junior Juliana Walker leads the volleyball team into the Upper Kovler gymnasium. Each U-High athletics team had their own moment to rally in front of the crowd before the next arrived.

U-High celebrates community spirit in annual Homecoming assembly

Taariq Ahmed and Mia Lipson
September 25, 2023
Oliver Go, Ketan Kandula, wearing a mask, and George Ofori-Mante converse in a library room.

New COVID-19 mindset confronts new wave

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
September 20, 2023
During the summer, certain members of the Class of 2023 received the high school transcripts of their peers due to an unintentional security leak.

Administration reflects following summer transcript leak

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
September 18, 2023
High school welcomes 10 new faculty

High school welcomes 10 new faculty

Taariq Ahmed and Clare McRoberts
September 6, 2023
Senior Juan Chaides stands up after receiving an award. During the June 1 assembly, students were recognized for their exceptional contributions by acknowledgements such as the Citizenship Award, which is given to students for their devotion to upstanding service in the community.

Student awards assembly celebrates individuals, groups

Mia Lipson and Taariq Ahmed
June 2, 2023
The student crowd spectates the annual student-versus-faculty soccer game at Wellapalooza held on May 18.  

Spectators cheer for favorite students, faculty in Wellapalooza soccer game

Zara Siddique, Audrey Park, and Taariq Ahmed
May 31, 2023
In his 25 years at Lab, music teacher Brad Brickner has impacted the music curriculum greatly, and touched the lives of many students.

At Lab, Brickner found sanctuary to be authentic

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
May 22, 2023
Lives in 300 words: Stories from the Lab community

Lives in 300 words: Stories from the Lab community

Sahana Unni, Chloe Alexander, Mia Lipson, Ainsley Williams, Taariq Ahmed, Peter Cox, Victoria Washington, Ethan Swinger, and Audrey Matei
May 19, 2023
Making it Work: Sadia Sindhu

Making it Work: Sadia Sindhu

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
May 19, 2023
Lena Stole, a member of this year's Prom Committee, sells tickets in the U-High cafeteria.

‘Moonlit Memories’-themed Prom to cap off seniors’ Lab journey on June 3

Taariq Ahmed, Digital Editor
May 17, 2023
After it's extended absence, the Discipline Review Board is returning next school year.

Discipline Review Board returns

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
May 2, 2023
A customer digs through record bins at the opening event for Miyagi records on April 15th.

New record store, and its passionate owners, provide hub for music lovers

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
April 26, 2023
Reporter Taariq Ahmed argues it’s not difficult to see how men of color often find themselves at the crossroads of the social and emotional boundaries that both people of color and men face.

Men of color face intricate mental health barriers

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
April 20, 2023
Varsity debaters Mahi Shah and Cyrus Esmailzadeh advanced to the elimination round for the first time, farther than they ever have before, at the JW Patterson Tournament of Champions, one of the most prestigious high school debate tournaments.

Debate pair advances to elimination rounds for first time at prestigious competition

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
April 19, 2023
Poppy and Skyler's scholarship comes from the National Security Language Initiative for Youth which is run by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Two students accepted for language study program in Taiwan Scholarship

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
April 13, 2023
English teacher Phillip Sudderberg has played drums since fourth grade and continues to pursue his passion today.

Audio: While teaching English, Phillip Sudderberg sustains passion for drumming

Taariq Ahmed, Erich Raumann, and Amy Ren
April 10, 2023
A HELPING HAND. Over 40 students became certified in a teen mental health training program that covered resources and ways to help distressed peers.

Mental health training program expands to student body

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
March 31, 2023
Xavier Nesbit has been a star of U-High basketball program throughout his time on it. He averaged more than 28 points per game, the 4th highest in Illinois.

Q&A: Nesbitt reflects on basketball success, hopes for future

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
March 28, 2023
Sophomore Dory Barnard works the light board in the balcony above Sherry Lansing Theater. They serve as the master of lighting which has taught them skills in leadership and responsibility.

Dory Barnard glows and grows through leadership role in lighting crew

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
March 6, 2023
In this Vox Pop, we ask U-High students and faculty which women currently making history should be honored in a future Women's History Month and/or U-High curriculum.

Vox Pop: Women’s History Month

Taariq Ahmed and Ainsley Williams
February 23, 2023
"The Swimmers," on Netflix, tells the riveting --- and true --- story of sisters swimmers Yusra and Sara Mardini and their escape from Syria.

‘The Swimmers’ provides captivating, un-whitewashed insight into true story

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
February 21, 2023
Students and athletes, in particular, use pilates to practice mindfulness and get exercise.

Student athletes use Pilates, mindfulness as a form of exercise

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
February 7, 2023
Reporter Taariq Ahmed argues that stereotyped representation of Indian Americans in media can be harmful by oversimplifying a diverse culture.

Indian American stereotypes should be battled through more diverse representation in media

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
January 30, 2023
Following their walkout from the MLK assembly, the Black Students' Association played audio testimonials in hallways Jan. 17. The testimonials were collected from members of U-High identity groups and detail accounts of overt discrimination and microagressions.

With powerful testimonials of discrimination, groups call for action

Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, and Téa Tamburo
January 24, 2023
Moments before students walked out of the assembly, BSA co-presidents Camille Bryant and Michael Ewing discuss how students of color continue to feel unwelcome at school.

BSA leaders abruptly end MLK assembly with walkout to protest discrimination

Taariq Ahmed and Mia Lipson
January 12, 2023
Taking time to consider the workload that students bring upon themselves throughout a school year on end, both inside and outside of school, can allow students to devise and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Students should strive to balance lifestyle on a small and large scale

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
December 15, 2022
Members of the U-High Midway and U-Highlights pose for a group photo with a Best of Show second place award at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in St. Louis.

Journalists attends national convention; Midway wins highest accolade

Peter Cox and Taariq Ahmed
November 16, 2022
To the excitement of billions of soccer fans across the world, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is here. However, some controversy has arisen over the country it's being hosted in, Qatar.

FIFA World Cup 2022 builds excitement, sparks controversy

Taariq Ahmed, Zara Siddique, Ethan Swinger, and Ainsley Williams
November 8, 2022

Trading card game creates anticipation for, brings back memories of World Cup

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
November 8, 2022
A student reads the October print edition of the Midway, which has four Class of 2022 alumni selected as finalists for seven national awards.

Four Lab alumni named finalists for seven national journalism awards

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
November 8, 2022

Students play active role in election, affect votes

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
October 26, 2022

These national election issues should be critical to students, too

Amy Ren, Zara Siddique, Taariq Ahmed, Victoria Washington, and Peter Cox
October 26, 2022
So much at risk…

So much at risk…

Téa Tamburo, Taariq Ahmed, Mia Lipson, Amy Ren, Zara Siddique, Victoria Washington, and Peter Cox
October 26, 2022
Juniors Carter Chang (left) and Leyton Mueller (right) attend the U-High Health and Fitness club.

Health and fitness club promotes wellness

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
October 13, 2022
Pictured left-to-right then top-to-bottom: Zeke Upshaw, John Naisbitt, Emily Kuo, Ted Haydon, Sherry Fu and Jimmy Bruce.

Alumni hall of fame honors Lab’s athletes

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
September 30, 2022
This year, Homecoming week is aimed to encourage student engagement and participation by letting students vote on spirit day themes and activities at the homecoming dance on Sept. 24.

Student involvement integrated into Homecoming week

Taariq Ahmed, Reporter
September 16, 2022
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