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
Victoria Washington

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor

Victoria Washington is a member of the Class of 2025 and serves as the Opinion Editor. She joined the journalism team in fall 2021 during her ninth grade year. Her favorite story she’s written for the U-High Midway is “Artist raises $2,000 to restore Bronzeville mural.” She enjoys journalism because it provides an opportunity to communicate with others from different departments and see new perspectives. Aside from journalism, she enjoys historical fashion and watching documentaries.

Awards:

2024 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Third place, sports commentary, Like their male counterparts, allow female athletes to display emotion during competitions

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Honorable mention, commentary writing

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, photo gallery or slideshow (with Audrey Matei, Kaden Moubayed, Henry Benton, Patrice Graham, Matthew McGehee, Ishani Hariprasad, Sarah Abdelsalam), Photos: ArtsFest 2023

2023 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, alternative storytelling (with Amon Gray, Chloë Alexander, Audrey Matei, Téa Tamburo, Ainsley Williams, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu), Rising Stars, Jan. 24, 2023

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, San Francisco convention: Honorable mention, news writing

All content by Victoria Washington
Ninth graders Isaac Sutherland and Priya Yamada perform a rendition of “Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles at Labstock, which took place May 31 afterschool on Scammon Garden.

Community unwinds together at Labstock gathering

Victoria Washington, City Life Editor
June 3, 2024
Spend your summer exploring the city of Chicago with 12 different festival recommendations.

[Photo] 4 ways to summer soiree

Naomi Benton, Lila Coyne, Sinziana Lazar, Dina Letko, David Li, Ari Novak, Ari Novak, and Mira Reddy
May 30, 2024
Students were asked a question about social media having an enforced age limit.

Vox Pop: Enforced social media age limit

Victoria Washington, City Life Editor
May 28, 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. 

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

Victoria Washington, City Life Editor
May 24, 2024
After many isolated months indoors, some people have developed a green thumb, providing an outlet for relaxation and stress reduction.

Green thumbs: Students, faculty create comfort and connection with houseplants

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
April 23, 2024
After a recent art competition, seven U-High students had their work featured at the Bridgeport Arts Center. Reid was inspired to make the ergonomic camera prototype, in the photo, an easier alternative to the cameras currently on the market.

Artist show their work in recent competition, Bridgeport exhibit

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
April 22, 2024
From April 7-16, the French exchange students from Lille explored Chicago, trying food, activities, and bonding with U-High students.

French exchange students explore Chicago, make memories

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
April 22, 2024
The Laboratory Schools has hired a new director of safety and security. Michael McGehee began his new role on March 1.

Alumnus and experienced school resource officer hired as new director of security

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
March 29, 2024
Twin sisters Haley Sturgill and Stella Sturgill have played soccer together on the same team for almost their whole lives. They are seen by their teammates as leaders for their commitment to the sport. Next year they will play soccer at the collegiate level, but on different teams for the first time.

These twins win: On and off field, Sturgill sisters provide support

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
March 29, 2024
Opinion editor Victoria Washington argues that even though Beyoncé is an R&B singer, she should be allowed to branch off into the country music genre.

Beyoncé’s shift to country music pays homage to history of genre

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
March 25, 2024
To provide a commercial salon space, Sheila Dantzler works closely with stylists including Savanna Finely to create a positive work environment. She believes creating work environments like the Suites will inspire the entrepreneurs of Bronzeville.

Hair check: Sheila Dantzler

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
February 21, 2024
Students pass around candy, and other treats to celebrate Valentine's Day. Some classes even require their students to make Valentines to embrace the spirit and spread love during the day.

Teens celebrate Valentine’s Day in untraditional ways

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
February 19, 2024
On Feb. 1, the Math Team hosted the fourth competition for the North Suburban Math League (NSML) at Lab, where the team placed third.

Math Team places third in NSML competition hosted at Lab

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
February 7, 2024
Guest speaker Michelle Hoereth, assistant provost and a leader in DEI initiatives at the University of Chicago, spoke about different forms of activism at the school-wide assembly on Jan. 11.

Encouraging cultural awareness: Affinity groups collaborate on schoolwide assembly

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
January 18, 2024
A customer decides how much to tip employees for their meal at Plein Air Cafe in the University of Chicago.

After years of advocacy, Chicago ends subminimum wage for tipped workers

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
November 29, 2023
Café Lab has implemented multiple measures to promote sustainability, including a new system to recycle cooking oil, which turns the waste product into biodiesel. Additionally, Café Lab reduces food waste and uses fresh ingredients, particularly at the stir fry bar.

Cafeteria implements new sustainability practices

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
November 29, 2023
You and AI: Your new reality

You and AI: Your new reality

Sahana Unni, Skye Freeman, Victoria Washington, Edward Park, and Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu
October 25, 2023
Opinion Editor Victoria Washington argues Laboratory Schools students are encouraged to spend a lot of time reflecting on DEI topics through workshops, assemblies and a mandatory middle school DEI course. As a result, students are much more conscious and sensitive to their own implicit biases, but not much has changed in actuality.

DEI overhaul: students don’t need more workshops

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
October 13, 2023
Lab students arrive at school before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Two weeks into the 2023-24 school year, students express a wide variety of thoughts and opinions regarding the schedule changes.

New schedule prompts mix of convenience, irritation

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
September 21, 2023
A student views their ballot confirmation after voting in the May 1 Student Council election.

Election circumstances spark concern, feelings of distrust

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
May 29, 2023
CARING COMMUNITIES. Phillip Matsikas (who insisted on being photographed from the back), Loretta Palmer and Michael Moses will retire at the end of the year after decades of facilitating welcoming communities.

Other cherished faces will retire

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
May 26, 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
Everyday Energy: Hana Javed

Everyday Energy: Hana Javed

Victoria Washington, Opinion Editor
May 19, 2023
The Nat King Cole mural, a significant part of the Bronzeville neighborhood, was recently the subject of a fundraising campaign for much-needed repairs. 

Artist raises $2,000 to restore Bronzeville mural

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
April 19, 2023
Audience Engagement Manager Victoria Washington argues that just as male athletes are praised for their sportsmanship and display of emotion during the game, women, especially black women, should be allowed the space to trash talk their fellow competitors.

Like their male counterparts, allow female athletes to display emotion during competitions

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
April 13, 2023
The U-High Jazz ensemble allows for student expressiveness and creativity. 

Audio: Through Jazz Band, students demonstrate musicianship

Amon Gray and Victoria Washington
April 6, 2023
Junior Poppy Beiser practices starts on Jackman Field. Poppy's passion for and dedication to running has propelled her to to success.

Sprinting to success: Poppy Beiser perseveres, finds joy

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
March 28, 2023
At the end of their final year, U-High seniors walk through the school as younger students cheer and celebrate their journey.

Through traditions, Lab fosters community

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
March 6, 2023
Photos: ArtsFest 2023

Photos: ArtsFest 2023

Victoria Washington and Audrey Matei
March 3, 2023
Thinking twice about purchasing decisions and taking initiative are necessary for a more sustainable world.

Wealth disparity among consumers sustains environmentally detrimental fast-fashion industry

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
March 2, 2023
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES. The Smart Museum at the University of Chicago will be displaying the exhibit “Not All Realisms” through June 4, 2023. The goal of the exhibit is to show the relationship between people and media in African countries during the 1960’s.

Museum exhibit reframes reality through photography

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
February 20, 2023
Nana Akoto

Nana Akoto

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
January 24, 2023
Rising Stars: With winter sports underway, athletes demonstrate potential

Rising Stars: With winter sports underway, athletes demonstrate potential

Chloe Alexander, Audrey Matei, Téa Tamburo, Ainsley Williams, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, and Victoria Washington
January 24, 2023
Audience Engagement Manager Victoria Washington argues individual ownership of social media platforms increases the danger of misinformation and disinformation.

Individual ownership of social media platforms threatens access to reliable information

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
January 12, 2023
Students may begin submitting proposals for Artsfest workshops, T-shirt and mural designs.

Artsfest submissions due second week of January

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
December 1, 2022
Senior Maile Nacu throws a kick into the air. Maile trains in karate at the top level four to five times a week. She is a part of her family's Enso Karate school.

Maile Nacu applies skills and values of karate to everyday life

Victoria Washington, Audience Engagement Manager
November 29, 2022
Despite a star-studded cast list and a significant budget, "Blonde" ultimately takes too many inaccurate, sexist creative liberties in documenting Marilyn Monroe's life.

‘Blonde’ fails to depict Marilyn Monroe’s life, reinforces stereotypes

Victoria Washington, Reporter
October 31, 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
Seniors Charlotte Henderson and Gretchen Matzke pose in the Sherry Lansing theater during the homecoming dance on Sept. 24.

Homecoming dance engages, entertains students

Victoria Washington, Reporter
September 27, 2022
Over 13 years after Barack Obama took office, the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn promotes civic engagement and gives new hope to Chicago's South Side.

Audio: As Obama Presidential Center takes shape, South Side has high hopes

Victoria Washington, Reporter
June 1, 2022
Chicago has a diverse range of food and activities to explore this summer.

All over the map: Explore something new this summer

Kiran Collins, Milo Platz-Walker, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, Evan Lok, Victoria Washington, Olivia Adams, and Chloe Alexander
June 1, 2022
ENGAGING EXHIBITS. The DuSable Museum exhibits African American history distinctively.

[Photo] Murals, museum express culture, stories

Evan Lok, Victoria Washington, Reporters
June 1, 2022
“Live, Learn and Achieve.” A dynamic series of posters by international artists is showcased in a virtual gallery by the Kellogg University Art Gallery. The exhibition, inspired by Hillary Clinton’s proclamation, “Women’s Rights are Human Rights,” remind viewers of the realities of gender-based violence and discrimination.

Virtual art gallery provokes conversation about gender-based violence

Victoria Washington, Reporter
May 27, 2022
A page from Eleey Farrell and Govan Norse Rondeau’s book on Barbra Kruger’s exhibit at the Art Institute Of Chicago: “Thinking of you I mean me I mean you.” The statement,“I need therefore I shop” is a still from the video version of “Untitled (I shop therefore I am), 1987/2019.” The phrase is a play on Rene Descartes’ philosophical concept “I think, therefore I am” with a classic Kruger twist. Ms. Kruger is known for social commentary on consumerism and these stills demonstrate the irony in the Supreme Swipe.

Supreme Swipe: Supreme logo spurs ethics controversy

Victoria Washington, Reporter
May 20, 2022
Those interested in preforming at the Awards Assembly should fill out a form by May 5.

Applications open for Awards Assembly performer

Victoria Washington, Reporter
April 26, 2022
Schools must work towards providing healthier school lunches for students, writes reporter Victoria Washington.

Prioritize programming of healthier school lunches

Victoria Washington, Reporter
April 15, 2022
Misinformation on social media must be countered, argue a group of beginning journalists.

Opinion: Social media users should combat misinformation of Ukrainian invasion

Olivia Adams, Chloe Alexander, Toshiro Chin, Kiran Collins, Evan Lok, Sandra Mordi, Milo Platz-Walker, Katie Sasamoto-Kurisu, and Victoria Washington
March 7, 2022
A little boy pets Puka, the family dog of students Ace and Chloe Ma, on Kenwood Mall. Parents with dogs have been taking advantage of pickup time to get to know each other.

Come for pickup, stay for puppies: Dog-owner parents socialize on Kenwood

Victoria Washington, Reporter
February 28, 2022
Sophomores volunteer at their service site during retreat.

Changes made to sophomore service learning requirement

Victoria Washington, Reporter
October 26, 2021
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