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
William Tan

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief

William Tan serves the Midway as editor-in-chief. He is a member of the Class of 2023 and joined the staff in 2020-21 as a sophomore. Collaborating with editors, designing print issues and pursuing meaningful stories are his favorite parts of being a journalist. In addition to journalism, William enjoys playing the cello, watching basketball and trying new foods.

Awards:

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, multimedia story package (with Matt Petres), Balancing Act: A brotherly bond drives twin gymnasts Akshay and Kavan Puri to success

2024 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, sports feature story: superior

2024 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: Certificate of merit (with Patrice Graham, Gabriel Issa, Matthew McGehee, Kaden Moubayed, Matt Petres), photo story, “Photo Gallery: Raw reactions”

2023 National Scholastic Press Association Digital Story of the Year: Multimedia sports, fourth place (with Matt Petres)

2023 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: Digital news: personality profile, certificate of merit, “One Book, Two Cultures”

2023 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, special coverage: (with Clare O’Connor, Chloë Alexander and Amy Ren), superior

2023 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago, sports feature story: excellent

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, sports feature, Pressure to perform: Students say managing workload, sports comes with cost

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Honorable mention, sports commentary, Keep no-cut: Everyone plays their part

2022 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Award: Print news: personality profile, third place, “One Book, Two Cultures”

All content by William Tan
Members of the boys soccer team embrace after a goal. The team won 2-3 on a Sept. 30, senior night game against Northridge College Prep.

Photo gallery: Raw Reactions

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2023
TUMBLING TWINS: High up on the rings, senior Akshay Puri engages in a difficult routine at gymnastics practice. He and his twin brother, Kavan Puri, are accomplished student athletes who find strength in family.

Balancing Act: A brotherly bond drives twin gymnasts Akshay and Kavan Puri to success

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
May 2, 2023
Athletes should be held accountable for their irresponsible actions just like everyone else.

Don’t glorify athletes who use their influence irresponsibly

William Tan, Editor-In-Chief
April 6, 2023
The flavors of family

The flavors of family

Chloe Alexander, Erich Raumann, Ethan Swinger, William Tan, and Ainsley Williams
April 5, 2023
DOSA DISHES. Anokha Nathan looks forward to her grandmother’s dosas made using recipes that have been passed down for generations.

Anokha Nathan fries dosa, South Indian staple, with grandmother

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
April 5, 2023
Students converse in a library conference room. They find that the library is a place for socialization, along with quiet work.

Audio: U-High library is at a crossroad — solitary study or a collaborative space?

William Tan and Chloe Alexander
March 23, 2023
We must acknowledge and appreciate the hardworking custodial staff who improve our lives at school.

Evening custodial staff is unrecognized but essential

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2023
Falling into the manosphere pipeline

Falling into the manosphere pipeline

William Tan, Clare O’Connor, Peter Cox, and Clare McRoberts
February 22, 2023

Creators share harmful rhetoric in online spaces

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2023
Harper Foods, a convenience store located on 57th street, is one of many Hyde Park small businesses maintaining meaningful interactions with their customers despite the gentrification of larger chain businesses.

Small businesses maintain customer base despite Hyde Park gentrification

William Tan, Editor-In-Chief
February 1, 2023
SWAPPING IDEAS. David Ren, a junior, tilts his phone to share a thought with junior Lincoln Richardson. Despite discussing controversial topics, Political Discourse Club leaders try to maintain a space where people can debate without fear of being censured for their ideas. David Ren is a student in Beginning Journalism and was not involved in reporting for this story.

Club embraces conflict, conversation

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
January 25, 2023
Long-term substitute Candice Latimer is teaching Benjamin Jaffe's photography and film courses after he did not return to Lab following winter break.

Photography teacher leaves Lab after winter break

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
January 13, 2023

Keep no-cut: Everyone plays their part

William Tan, Editor-In-Chief
December 8, 2022
Though the no-cut policy has existed for seven decades, some say it is time for a change.

Head to Head: Time to cut the no-cut?

William Tan and Amon Gray
December 8, 2022
True crime consumers must be aware of the harmful effects of the media they are consuming.

Sensationalizing true crime profits off of trauma

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
November 28, 2022
The volleyball team celebrates their victory in their ISL regional finals match against King High School.

Volleyball team wins regionals, advances to sectional finals

William Tan, Editor in Chief
November 1, 2022
Shermann “Dilla” Thomas lectures on Chicago history. Mr. Thomas started posting on TikTok during the pandemic. One of his main goals was to work against negative perceptions of Chicago that he saw on the platform.

‘History is dope:’ TikTok historian shares Chicago neighborhood stories through tours

William Tan, Editor-In-Chief
October 26, 2022

Therapy doesn’t always work

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
September 29, 2022
Rethinking Therapy: The harder parts of improving mental health

Rethinking Therapy: The harder parts of improving mental health

William Tan, Clare O'Connor, and Chloe Alexander
September 29, 2022
The administration has filed a harassment report with the IHSA after a player from an opposing team used a racist slur toward a U-High player.

Racist incident involves IHSA harassment report

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
September 20, 2022
The U-High Midway will expand its online presence to engage with more readers and the print paper has been redesigned. Nevertheless, the Midway will maintain its standards of accurate, reliable and timely stories that highlight a diverse range of perspectives.

Midway style evolves with revised goals

Clare O'Connor, Téa Tamburo, and William Tan
September 9, 2022
Enrollment numbers have stabilized to pre-pandemic levels with 31 new students to U-High and total Laboratory Schools enrollment at 2,203 students.

Laboratory Schools enrollment stabilizes, tuition increases

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
September 9, 2022
After an eventful year of coverage, the staff will take a break from publishing over the summer.

Midway to take publishing break over the summer

Clare O'Connor, Téa Tamburo, and William Tan
June 10, 2022
A memorial service will be held May 26 for the community to commemorate the life of Justin Lim, a graduate of the Class of 2021, who died May 17.

Justin Lim, Class of 2021: Campus memorial to be held May 26

William Tan, Editor-in-Chief
May 24, 2022
Musicians should not be silenced despite their apparent patriotism, argues assistant editor William Tan.

Don’t punish Russian musicians for Putin’s wrongdoings

William Tan, Assistant Editor
May 4, 2022
A ceramic pot shaped as an animal created by Brian Wildeman.

Art teachers display passion through creations outside of the classroom

William Tan, Assistant Editor
April 28, 2022
Senior Colin Leslie passes with a teammate during practice on March 9. Colin pitched a perfect game against Northridge College Prep on April 12.

Senior pitches perfect game

Amy Ren and William Tan
April 14, 2022
FINDING A BALANCE. On Feb. 1, junior Xavier Nesbitt dribbles the basketball in a game against Morgan Park Academy. Xavier and other U-High athletes expressed often-overwhelming feelings of stress when trying to perform at a high level athletically and academically at the same time.

Pressure to perform: Students say managing workload, sports comes with cost

William Tan, Assistant Editor
April 1, 2022
The boys varsity team won the Illinois High School Association 2A Regional Championship on Feb. 25 against Dyett High School. They earned the right to compete in the IHSA Sectional semifinals against Leo High School.

Boys and girls basketball season ends, players receive recognition

William Tan, Assistant Editor
March 4, 2022
Senior Johnny Patras returns a hit during a ping pong tournament game against Senior Theo Arado. Johnny lost to Theo 12-10 in a win-by-two game.

Ping Pong Pals: Seniors connect over table tennis tournament

William Tan, Assistant Editor
February 25, 2022
Members of the Sprockets & Screws robotics team control a robot during the Chicago regional Feb. 19.

Robotics team qualifies for state championship

William Tan, Assistant Editor
February 25, 2022
Two teenage boys were shot and killed on Tuesday, Feb. 8, one in Bronzeville and the other a block away from the UChicago Charter School Woodlawn Campus.

Suspects detained following Feb. 8 shootings

William Tan, Assistant Editor
February 11, 2022
The University of Chicago is providing the LinkedIn Learning for Lab faculty where teachers can find instructional videos and courses.

LinkedIn Learning program offered to Lab faculty

William Tan, Assistant Editor
January 21, 2022
A total of 144 Lab students and employees tested positive for COVID-19 or reported a positive test after the first week of SHIELD saliva testing from Jan. 3-7.

Week of testing identifies dozens of COVID-19 cases in Lab community

William Tan, Assistant Editor
January 12, 2022
Extended Day teaching assistant Lionette Bursey instructs a student on how to use and fill a sample tube on Jan. 4, 2022, in Upper Kovler gymnasium during the first round of SHIELD testing.

Lab community adjusts to delay in classes, weekly testing

William Tan, Assistant Editor
January 6, 2022
The start to a new testing protocol will delay the start of in-person learning following winter break to Jan. 10. The rest of the school year remains unchanged.

Community-wide COVID-19 testing to delay in-person classes to Jan. 10

William Tan, Assistant Editor
December 30, 2021
"West Side Story" pits the Jets (left) against the Sharks (right), two gangs caught in a cultural conflict over unrequited love.

Spielberg reimagines ‘West Side Story’ for modern audience

William Tan, Assistant Editor
December 21, 2021
Amelie Liu poses with her book, "Matzo-Ball Wonton Thanksgiving." The book tells the story of a younger Amelie's experience with balancing different cultural identities over Thanksgiving.

One book, two cultures: Junior writes children’s book exploring intersectionality, multicultural heritage

William Tan, Assistant Editor
December 17, 2021
2015: Gordon Parks Arts Hall construction completed.

Alumni of the Laboratory Schools reflect on prominent memories

Peter Cox and William Tan
December 17, 2021
Legacy of Lab: 125 Years

Legacy of Lab: 125 Years

Peter Cox, Amy Ren, Sahana Unni, and William Tan
December 16, 2021
The Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park provides a short but beautiful walk behind the Museum of Science and Industry.

South Side parks offer scenic, historic walks

William Tan, Assistant Editor
November 5, 2021
Marianne Zemil, the new Jewish Students' Association adviser, connects with a student during a lunch meeting.

Jewish Students’ Association recovers from low membership, share Jewish culture

William Tan, Assistant Editor
November 4, 2021
Users face challenges identifying facts from misinformation in consuming mass amounts of information each day.

Fact or Fiction: Determining truth from falsehood

Peter Pu, Audrey Park, Erich Raumann, and William Tan
October 7, 2021
Eight U-High juniors and seniors will be chosen to participate in a year-long research program with the Argonne National Laboratory.

Applications open for research opportunity at Argonne National Laboratory

William Tan, Reporter
September 15, 2021
Alexis Chia presents with Eliza Doss about their May project called "Back to the Future of Fashion." Seniors who participated in May project gave classroom presentations June 1-4.

Seniors present creative, innovative May Projects

Louis Auxenfans, William Tan, Margot Konetzka, Audrey Matei, Audrey Park, Amy Ren, and Peter Cox
June 4, 2021
Dawaud Talib, head coach of the varsity tennis team, has been appointed to the IHSA tennis advisory committee.

Dawuad Talib appointed to IHSA tennis advisory committee

William Tan, Reporter
June 3, 2021
Seth Parker Woods, a University of Chicago Cellist and contemporary artist experiments with the boundaries of contemporary music in his new Sound/Sites concert series.

UChicago cellist, contemporary artist breaks boundaries with concert series

William Tan, Reporter
May 23, 2021
Junior Jennifer Huo gets her second vaccine dose April 8 at the University of Chicago Hospital. The University of Chicago will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to all Lab or UChicago Charter students, employees, children of employees and family members and caregivers of students and employees ages 12 or older on May 22.

University of Chicago to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to students May 22

William Tan, Reporter
May 19, 2021
Zilkia Rivera-Vazquez has been offered the position of U-High’s assistant principal and plans to ensure student voices are heard at all times.

New high school assistant principal selected

William Tan, Reporter
May 14, 2021
The InFlame History and Economics Journal is accepting history papers, and the Ouroboros Review literary translation journal is accepting student literary translations for their upcoming publications.

Student submissions open for journals’ upcoming publications

William Tan, Reporter
May 13, 2021
On June 1, members of the Laboratory Schools community protested police brutality on the Midway. Members of the Families for Antiracism group are involved with Monday marches on the Midway to get the Lab community involved in fighting for their rights.

New group engages in anti-racism work through discussion, protest

William Tan, Reporter
April 30, 2021
Only maintaining disciplined and responsible measures like mask-wearing will take us out of the pandemic and into safety, writes reporter William Tan.

Lifting mask restrictions sets an irresponsible precedent

William Tan, Reporter
March 31, 2021
Representatives of businesses from Chicago and Maryland give a presentation and answer questions Feb. 24.

Expo features presentations by Black business owners

William Tan, Reporter
March 1, 2021
"The Minimalists: Less is Now" tells the story of hosts Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus's shift to minimalism.

Netflix documentary ‘The Minimalists: Less is Now’ sheds light on growing popularity for minimalist lifestyle

William Tan, Reporter
March 1, 2021
A person strikes an elegant pose in junior Tech Nix's project for their AP photography class, made in Adobe Illustrator. Without the school's dark room available for student use, photo teacher Benjamin Jaffe has shifted his curriculum toward digital art.

Art classes adapt classic curriculum to distance learning

William Tan, Reporter
February 19, 2021
The U-Highlights achieves high rankings for general excellence along with seven other categories.

U-Highlights earns distinctions for creative coverage of school year

William Tan, Reporter
January 19, 2021
Students in 2019 enjoyed Eid dinner in Café Lab. Members of Muslim Students Association look toward second semester for opportunities to host in-person events.

Muslim Students’ Association members accommodate distance learning with new activities

William Tan, Reporter
January 18, 2021
Store emmployee Michael Kinnavy is noticing an alarming rate of toilet paper purchases at Kramer Foods in Hinsdale in response to rising COVID-19 cases.

Panic purchasing, sanitary product sales: what to expect for the future of COVID-19

William Tan and Audrey Matei
January 15, 2021

Rising COVID-19 cases may result in panic purchasing again

William Tan, Reporter
January 15, 2021
A young girl helps her grandfather find the inspiration he lost to paint since his wife had past in the new Netflix short 'Canvas.'

Nine minute Netflix short film ‘Canvas’ rounds out 2020 with an uplifting story.

William Tan, Reporter
January 7, 2021
As the election progresses, follow student and faculty reactions to voting, working the polls, election results and community discussions.

Election 2020: Final lap and recap

Anathea Carrigan, Caroline Hohner, Adrianna Nehme, Amy Ren, and William Tan
November 2, 2020
The online spirit store offers items including T-shirts, water bottles, mugs, hats and seasonal items.

Online spirit store to sell Lab merchandise

William Tan, Reporter
October 23, 2020
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