PAGE 4 •ARTS PAGE 9 • FEATURES PAGE 11 • SPORTS Continuing a New York Student models share For the first time in exhibition, “From A to B their experiences in U-High history, the boys and Back Again” at the modeling, exploring their soccer team advanced to Art Institute of Chicago personal growth in the state finals — and won. will exhibit a collection industry and debunking An early-season loss was of works by Andy Warhol common misconceptions a turning point in the until Jan. 26. about the profession. team’s effort. University of Chicago Laboratory High School

1362 East 59th Street, Chicago,U-HIGH Illinois 60637 MIDWAY uhighmidway.com • Volume 96, Number 3 NOVEMBER 7, 2019 Strategic plan defines community objectives Framework will focus on inquiry, critical thinking by PETER PU ASSISTANT EDITOR A document released in October will set the direction of the Labora- tory Schools for the next few years. The new strategic framework re- leased Oct.17 is the culmination of months of collaboration among students, administration, parents, alumni and faculty from both Lab and the University of Chicago. Reflecting on the critical and collaborative process of devel- oping the framework, Laborato- ry Schools Director Charlie Abel- mann said, “There was an oppor- tunity for us to think about who we are and look at ourselves in the mirror and think about what we want to celebrate and what we want to improve.” The beginning of the document emphasizes Lab’s connection to the University of Chicago such as through inquiry. “Inquiry is critical as a heart of the university. I think the idea of inquiry and critical thinking is re- MIDWAY PHOTO BY KATHY LUAN ally critical here,” Dr. Abelmann SPOOKY SCARY STORIES. Alia Thomas, a senior peer leader, reads a Halloween-themed story to two students from the Earl Shap- said. “It means potentially dif- iro Hall. Junior and senior peer leaders met with the younger students on Oct. 29 for books and haunts in Café Lab. ferent things for a college stu- dent than for a 3-year-old, but we said collaboration will be essential tor Carla Ellis. The councils will be guided by mann said. still really want to value what that in executing the framework. Dr. Ellis said including represen- the Collaborative for Academic, The strategic appropriately con- means.” “We want to make sure high tatives from all schools in estab- Social, and Emotional Learning cludes with “moving forward.” The four themes presented in school students and middle school lishing the portrait of a Lab gradu- framework outlined in the appen- History teacher Christy Gerst at- the framework are building a mod- students are part of the implemen- ate will be equally important as the dices. tended the Designshop retreat Jan. el of progressive education for the tation of some of the items that we portrait itself. CASEL recognizes self-aware- 15-17, which was a meeting in the 21st century; ensuring a healthy have in the framework so that par- Wellness Councils representing ness, self-management, social process of developing the frame- and inclusive community; im- ticipation is a key theme,” he said. each of the four schools and the awareness, relationship skills and work. proving leadership, governance The main priorities of this year entire school have already con- responsible decision-making as Looking into the future, she and decision-making; and secur- will be defining the portrait of vened. In meetings, they identified the five core competencies. said, “It’s only just beginning the ing Lab’s fiscal soundness and an a Lab graduate and promoting priorities for the year, and consid- “Academics are critical and partnership between all of those appropriately-resourced future. health and wellness through the ered the results of the health and we want to be a rigorous school, groups to implement the strategic Similar to the process of creat- newly established Wellness Coun- wellness survey, according to Dr. but we also want a school that’s framework, so everything is on a ing the framework, Dr. Abelmann cils, according to Assistant Direc- Ellis. healthy for students,” Dr. Abel- going-forward basis.” Curriculum feedback system to launch this semester by CALEDONIA ABBEY MIDWAY REPORTER “ We want to make sure that At a glance: Beginning this semester, a new faculty know what students feedback system will provide stu- think about the class, and After five years, Student Council’s dents the chance to give feedback live curriculum feedback system will to teachers and impact the struc- we’re working to rebuild enter a beta phase in December or ture of their courses. trust anywhere we can.” January. The Curriculum Feedback Sys- — BEN CIFU tem, a Student Council project nearly five years in the making, Instead, it will be completely The system aims to grant students will enter a beta phase in Decem- anonymous and teachers will have complete anonymity in their ber or January. access to the student respons- responses to promote honesty. “Often students are not very es from their section. This allows candid in their feedback because feedback to be genuine and target- Feedback submitted by students will teachers know their handwriting, ed for each class. be collected in time to be considered or they don’t want it to reflect bad- “We want to make sure that fac- by teachers before the beginning of ly on them, so Student Council is ulty know what students think the new semester. really working to make it com- about the class, and we’re working pletely anonymous,” All-School to rebuild trust anywhere we can,” President Ben Cifu said. Ben said. He estimates that there will be Initially, the system was intend- Ben emphasized that it will hap- 20 questions for students to re- ed for students to have more in- pen at the end of the first semes- spond to, but there will be slight formation about offered class- ter so that feedback can be imple- variations depending on the sub- es prior to registration. According mented for the rest of the year. ject, so they will be applicable for to English department chair Mark “A lot of teachers collect feed- every course. Krewatch, who has advised vari- back, but we want this to be a stan- Ben said Student Council mem- MIDWAY PHOTO BY ISABELLA KELLERMEIER ous students as they developed the dardized system so every teach- bers also hope to be able to find PHYSICS AND FEEDBACK. Physics teacher Matt Marti- system for several years, said that er can get feedback pretty easily,” trends in the feedback that can in- no instructs an AT Physics I class. Students in his classes as “there were concerns by teachers Ben said. “There will be a set bank form “what discussions can be had well as other departments will soon have the opportunity to about the public nature of it and of questions that students can between students, faculty, and ad- give input on class structure, teaching styles and curriculum. how honest the feedback would know and think about throughout ministration about where we want be.” the year.” classes to go.” THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 2 • NEWS U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO MUN team Club fundraises with string bracelets supports Craft proceeds Woodlawn to be donated to by BERK OTO ASSISTANT EDITOR Comer Children’s The Model United Nations team started an initiative with the Uni- by MADELINE WELCH versity of Chicago Charter School OPINION EDITOR Woodlawn to help that school’s Upbeat music fills Judd C305 team become more competitive. while students carefully braid col- Though the charter school al- orful string bracelets with dan- ready had a team of over 15 stu- gling silver charms. Isha Nayak dents, Director General Sara and Aisha Ziad float around, help- Thomas said the team did not par- ing 10 other club members make ticipate in conferences or have a branded bracelets for a cause. formal practice schedule. Aisha and Isha, juniors, have Sara said the Woodlawn MUN started a new club called Charms members have for Champions with a goal to sell been work- handmade bracelets and raise ing with Lab funds for children with cancer at since Oct. 10 for Comer Children’s Hospital. an hour after For these club school. leaders, the mis- “They have re- sion is personal: ally good base- their inspiration line speaking came from see- skills,” Sara said, Sara ing their family “so I just want Thomas members strug- to refine them gle with cancer. so that they are more confident “My grand- in giving improv speeches, which ma had breast Isha is really important in Model UN. cancer and now Nayak And then also give them better re- has colon can- search strategies so they can have MIDWAY PHOTO BY MIRIAM BLOOM cer. My grandpa more content.” died from lung BRAIDS FOR A CAUSE. With a rainbow of string colors, Isabel Randall of Charms for Champions Secretary General Ananya cancer before I crafts a bracelet. Driven by family experiences with cancer, juniors Aisha Ziad and Isha Nayak cre- Asthana had the idea for the ini- was born, and ated the club, and all funds raised from bracelet sales will be donated to Comer Children’s Hospital. tiative two years ago, but it did not my cousin had become a reality until May 2019 leukemia when with cancer. They wanted to have own ways.” regulations, we couldn’t do that. when she, Caledonia Abbey and she was 16 un- a positive influence. Club members make the brace- So, we decided that we could keep Sara met with a representative of til she went into “I was little when my grandpa lets by fishtail-braiding string and the bracelet idea and donate the the Woodlawn charter school. remission at 19,” was diagnosed with cancer, so I suede material. They also have a money to Comer Children’s Hospi- The U-High Model UN team has Isha said. “In our Aisha didn’t really know what was going silver charm with the Charms for tal,” Isha said. set goals for the Woodlawn team to teenage years we Ziad on — it was just chaotic. But now Champions logo, a crown, on the Charms for Champions meets succeed. are very influ- that I’m older, I kind of feel help- back. The club is selling string Mondays during lunch. Club “We’re going to eventually start enced by others’ opinions of us, so less. He’s taking his treatments bracelets for $3 and the suede members are working to make as to prepare them for the UChicago I thought that must be really hard.” and everything, but I don’t know bracelets for $5. many bracelets as possible to sell Model United Nations conference Isha and Aisha founded their what else to do to help him,” Aisha “Our original idea was to make via Google Form, which they are in February,” Sara said. “My goal is initiative as an outlet for the un- said. “We both felt helpless, so do- the bracelets and give them to planning to host by the end of the just to set them up in the best way certainty of having a loved one ing this makes us feel better in our cancer patients, but because of semester. possible for them to win at a con- ference.” NEWS IN BRIEF HALLOWEEN Dance party tonight will how to sign up for times. Finance Club receives promote Desi community “This is the high school try- large influx of members ing its best with a new model that To bring more attention to the Finance Club has attracted 40- we think will serve all constituent school’s South Asian community, 50 new members this year with an groups well, but that we are always the Desi Culture Group is hosting educational curriculum based on wanting to acknowledge that it’s us a Desi Dance Party Nov. 7 from 6-8 active learning, access to influen- trying and it might not be the best p.m. in Judd C116. tial club speakers and trips, and solution, but we’re hoping it is,” “We were looking to do some- the ability to build skills that can Assistant Principal Arsa Ahmed thing that would benefit the entire be applied beyond finance itself. said. community in a way that would This year’s membership has sur- The new schedule creates a allow us to help raise funds,” said passed numbers from previous shorter work day for teachers and Monika Bahroos, a Lab Schools years. The club’s emphasis and hopes to be more accessible for parent and employee who is help- ability to learn actively is a big part parents. ing coordinate the event. — TÉA TAMBURO of what makes it so unique, ac- The event will be free of charge. cording to Danesh Patel. There is a suggested contribution Peers elect Discipline Finance Club members will vis- of $20 for adults and $10 for kids, Review Board members it Morningstar, a financial services which will help benefit the Lab company, in November and plans The Discipline Review Board Parents fund. to bring in Nobel Prize winner Lars has been reinstated after it was re- In celebration of Diwali, the Peter Hansen as a guest speaker moved from the handbook during party will offer Bollywood and later in the year. a legal review last year. Bhangra dances and South Indian “We don’t necessarily just focus Students elected include seniors drinks and food such as dosas. on finance,” Danesh said. “We al- Eve Grobman, Ioannis Nikas and “Right now we are looking for so learn about a lot of other cool Destiny Strange; juniors Avi Keys- volunteers to help set up decora- things that are related to finance ar and Omar Siddiqui; and soph- tions and help with checking in in some way.” omores Hien An Ngo and William guests,” Ms. Bahroos said. — LUCIA KOURI Trone. Faculty members elect- A photo booth and an instruc- ed for this year are Daniel Calleri, tor teaching the dance moves will Two wellness groups will Sari Harnandez, Sharon Housing- be available at the party. Attendees promote student health er, Naadia Owens, Francisco Javier MIDWAY PHOTO BY KATHY LUAN can come dressed in casual attire, Two new councils with Lab stu- Saez de Adana and Ian Taylor. HAUNTING HORNS. Band members perform in Café Lab and the party hosts will be decked dent representation will provide The Discipline Review Board out in Indian clothing and jewelry. Lab students resources to improve for parading students during the lower school’s Halloween will give students a way to appeal a — ADRIANNA NEHME emotional health. costume parade. The band also performed at Earl Shapiro suspension before their peers and Téa Tamburo, Emily Zhang and Hall, where the celebration was inside due to cold and snow. faculty. The board may remove the Conferences extend to An Ngo have been appointed to suspension, extend the suspen- span two days Nov. 14-15 the All-School Wellness Council. sion, or suggest expulsion to the Unlike past years, Parent-Teach- Noa Appelbaum, Ishani Harip- head of school. ways the administration is trying community that they can trust,” er Conferences will span two con- rasad, Todd Has and Eleanor Skish The nominees were selected by to remedy that. Ana Campos, dean of students, secutive days in November. A com- were appointed to the High School the High School Discipline Com- The councils will be primari- said. mittee made the schedule change, Wellness Council. mittee and voted for by the stu- ly focused on improving the emo- The council intends to achieve in hopes of conferences being The anonymous health and dents. tional health of students. these goals by educating teachers more accessible to parents. wellness surveys from the last two “Anyone has a right to go in front “The two things that [the coun- and other adults at Lab about how Conferences will be Nov. 14 years have shed light on the diffi- of the board,” said Paul Gunty, cil] identified were the perception to identify students who might from 5-7 p.m. and Nov. 15 from culties of many Lab students who High School Discipline Commit- of self, self-esteem, and self-iden- be struggling and then providing 8:30-11:30 a.m. and from 12:30- struggle to find emotional support tee chair. “You have a right to make tity, and also isolation — peo- proper resources to improve their 2:30 p.m. Students will not have within the Lab community. These your voice heard.” ple who feel like they don’t have wellbeing. classes. Parents will be notified on wellness councils are one of the — AMON GRAY a friend group or an adult in the — CLARE O’CONNOR THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO NEWS • 3 NEWS IN BRIEF Handbook commitee brought back after hiatus Teachers go ‘gradeless’ The student handbook commit- tee will be reformed after a two- year hiatus. Ana Campos, dean of Teachers attempt students, will be leading the com- mittee. The committee, comprised to demphasize of students and faculty, had its first meeting Oct. 28 and plans to meet value of grades every other week. “I always found it valuable to by NIKHIL PATEL have conversations with teachers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF and students around the various Teachers across curriculum ar- policies of the school because the eas are implementing “gradeless” students live the policies, the fac- classrooms. Sari Hernandez, Zach- ulty are impacted by the policies, ary Hund and Mark Krewatch be- and certainly I, as the dean, am re- gan this system in their classrooms sponsible for upholding the hand- this year, while Naadia Owens is book,” Ms. Campos said. continuing the system she imple- Students on the committee in- mented in the 2018-19 school year. clude Macy Beal, Ben Cifu, Jeremy Despite using the same de- Ng, Nikhil Patel, Joshua Ravichan- scriptor, there dran, Omar Siddiqui and Donna is a wide variety Tong. of ways it is be- According to Ms. Campos, for- ing implement- mer principal Stephanie Weber ed. According found it difficult to revamp the to Ms. Owens, a handbook while working with history teacher, the large committee, and she ul- there’s a range timately took over responsibility of “gradeless” for the handbook, but Ms. Cam- Naadia that can span pos says she much prefers the fac- Owens from de-empha- ulty-and-student committee. sizing the value Previously, the committee of grades to completely removing helped reform rules about the them. dress code, attendance policy and “In my classroom, there is no freedom of expression. grade ever for anything ever in the “We have had really good out- course. My class is built on growth,” comes of this committee, and I Ms. Owens said. “Throughout the think it is because we’ve been able semester, students complete as- to have everyone at the table,” Ms. signments, they receive very spe- Campos said. “I’ve really seen some cific feedback from me, from their MIDWAY PHOTO BY ISABELLA KELLERMEIER Science teacher Zachary Hund, at right, reviews a quiz with Zach Leslie, his lovely understanding develop.” peers, and from themselves, and REVIEWING WORK. — MAX GARFINKEL they set goals for themselves based Organic Chemistry student. Although it looks different in every classroom, Dr. Hund is among the on trends that they’ve seen from teachers who have implemented the gradeless system in the classroom to reduce stress. Summer Link computer their work, and then they create a science program offered remove stressors.” teacher’s opinion on the work I put portfolio.” For the first time since 2017, a “In theory, our relationship Although this may seem like a in,” Jenna said. In Ms. Owens’ classes, students Summer Link computer science radical change, students say they “The quizzes and tests are still will use their portfolio to illustrate with students is often very program will be offered for rising appreciate the difficult, but bad grades feel a lot their growth and effort and discuss transcational. You give me juniors and seniors interested in focus on learn- less significant without formal a grade that they think that they computer science. something, I give you back ing rather than grading,” Charles Chen, a senior in deserve. For example, if a writer Sharon Harrison, computer sci- something. In my opinion, grades. Senior Dr. Hund’s class, said. “Of course was struggling to get feedback for ence teacher, will run Lab’s part of Jenna Nimer you are still not allowed to com- their work, they could show the ‘gradeless’ asks to change the program, and will work with took Ms. Owens’ pletely fail tests because you still fact that they went to the Writers that. Let’s make student the University of Chicago Center “gradeless” AT have to conference with Dr. Hund Center every assignment, or talk- for Data and Computing as well teacher relationships a lot African-Ameri- for your grade, but it feels more le- ed to Ms. Owens about each as- as other potential organizations in less transactional.” can History class nient than any other classes would signment. Chicago to provide computer sci- — NAADIA OWENS, last year and Dr. be.” Although this system seems Charles ence internships. HISTORY TEACHER Hund’s “grade- “In theory, our relationship with much more fitted to humanities Chen She said the department and less” Organic students is often very transaction- and English classes, where more administration want to provide on this assignment. I’ve removed Chemistry class this year. al,” Ms. Owens said about teaching than one answer can be right, opportunities for juniors and se- that completely from any of the in- “What I really like about the sys- in a typical graded classroom. “You Zachary Hund has found success niors, and strengthen the relation- dividual work, where it’s, you turn tem is that grades are in part deter- give me something, I give you back using a similar system in his Or- ship with the university. it in and I’m going to make com- mined by the students. By being a something. In my opinion, ‘grade- ganic Chemistry classroom. “We’re looking at trying to tight- ments on this work like, ‘Yes it’s part of the process, it feels like the less’ asks to change that. Let’s “The gradeless classroom for me ly align students’ interests and ex- right,’ or ‘No it’s not right’ and say- teacher and I are working togeth- make student teacher relation- is no formal grading,” Dr. Hund pertise with different projects at ing what you have to improve on er to help me learn the material ships a lot less transactional. Let’s said. “Normally you do a home- the university and our other po- and what you’ve succeeded in and become a better student rath- make it more of a learner-to-learn- work assignment, a quiz, a test and tential external entities,” Ms. Har- learning. But it’s a way to hopefully er than feeling like my grade is the er conversation.” you get it back and you have 6.5/10 rison said. ALUMNI SPEAKER Information about the specifics of the program will be distributed Admissions process in the coming weeks, and the ap- plication process will take place in December and early January. experiences changes — LELAND CULVER Students use application by ABIGAIL SLIMMON admissions and financial aid, said. to grasp how they learn EDITOR-IN-CHIEF According to Ms. Reed, the Mindprint is a new application The admissions process for school’s expansion initiative is that helps students understand the next school year has begun, over, so U-High doesn’t have near- how they learn and how they can but it will look ly as many open spots to offer as it apply that self-discovery to im- a little differ- did just a couple of years ago. prove their grades in school. ent than in pre- “The admissions office has add- Learning coordinator Laura Do- vious years. This ed more opportunities to tour, and to advises the use of Mindprint year, only stu- all admitted students will have an and has helped her understand dents who have opportunity to shadow before they how her students learn. already been ac- have to decide to accept our offer This also helps students develop cepted will have of enrollment,” Ms. Reed said. strategies on how they can learn the opportuni- The admissions office added better, whether it be time manage- ty to shadow and five tour dates for prospective stu- ment to learning extra vocabulary. Irene “Over the years, I’ve had ma- Reed spend a full day dents and their families. The tours at Lab. are held during school days, so ap- ny students complete a Mindprint Admissions staff made this plicants can still get a feel for what profile as a means to gauge wheth- change to take the burden off cur- it is really like to be a student at er it makes sense to refer a fam- rent students. Lab. ily for (the more expensive and time-consuming) neuropsycho- “Each year, our student volun- Otherwise, the admission pro- MIDWAY PHOTO BY MARIA SHAUGNESSY logical evaluation with a clinical teers host a number of students cess will remain the same. All ap- RETURNING TO ROOTS. Alumni speaker Jamie Kalven, and we want to be sensitive to the plicants will still get the chance to psychologist,” Ms. Doto said. Class of 1965, speaks to U-High students Oct. 24 about his life Mindprint helps students from number of times a Lab student interview with a faculty member. and career in journalism. Mr. Kalven is the journalist who re- is asked to host, especially when According to Ms. Reed, around elementary to college and has free ported the existence of a police dash-cam video of the shoot- there will be limited seats available 600 people attended an open learning resources such as tutors, in the rising ninth grade class,” house for prospective students ing of Laquan McDonald and fought for it to be released. coaches and therapists nearby. — JULIAN INGERSOLL Irene Reed, executive director of and their families Oct. 26. THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 4 • ARTS U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO World of Warhol Retrospective collection of Warhol’s art encourages new perspective

by OLIVIA GRIFFIN ASSISTANT EDITOR Information: n 2019, Andy Warhol is Born: Aug. 6, 1928; Pittsburgh known to the public as the artist who chose to “paint” Died: Feb. 22, 1987; New York Campbell’s soup cans and bananas, whose work is Education: Carnegie Mellon now featured on Uniqlo University IT-shirts and someone who incor- porated his sexuality into his art Known for: Pop art movement even before the gay rights move- ment. Though this view of Warhol Location: Art Institute of Chicago isn’t necessarily false, the one-sid- ed image of him excludes his oth- Now through Jan. 26, 2020 er, lesser-known works and fails Dates: to capture the full extent of his self-representation in his art. Admission: Special fee of $7 on top However, Warhol’s “From A to of general admission, which is free for B and Back Again,” a retrospec- Chicago teens tive exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago through Jan. 26, 2020, is perhaps the most holistic exhib- of overtly challenge the way we it since his death in 1987. Visitors view art.” can finally see how his self-image Entering the exhibit, visi- transformed during his career. tors experience Warhol’s earli- Warhol began his career in the er days where he wasn’t yet rebel- early 1950s as a commercial illus- ling against the norms of art in the trator. His sketches from school mid- to late- 20th century. Pro- and from ad campaigns, most no- gressing further into the exhibit, tably his golden shoe collages for his methods begin to encourage I. Miller shoes, are shown early viewers to question their self-ex- in the exhibit, demonstrating his pression, the media they consume skills before he developed them. on a daily basis. “From A to B and Back Again,” Warhol is known for incorporat- first shown at the Whitney Muse- ing material sources into his art, um of American Art in New York, which many assume stems from IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO opens with Warhol’s distinctive his work in the media early in his WARHOL’S WAYS. Andy Warhol’s “Self-Portrait” is part of a new exhibit, “From A to B and Back cow-print wallpaper, which cov- career. However, scholars and Again” on display at the Chicago Art Institute until Jan. 26, 2020, and demonstrates the entirity of his ers the entrance’s walls. Moving in- even the public are beginning to work and his influence. Image ©2019 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists to the exhibit, the tone of the art- understand Warhol’s use of media Rights Society (ARS), New York. work featured quickly changes images differently now. from a series of celebrity portraits “The myth of Andy Warhol is ad of a woman he saw in the media. Through this exhibit, Warhol’s ing or what he was presenting to hanging near the ceiling to War- shifting now,” Mr. Dandy said. While he struggled with his self-im- representation of himself in his the world was under his control.” hol’s sketches and advertisements. One of Warhol’s pieces, “Be- age and even underwent nose sur- art is clear throughout his many Moving forward, “From A to B According to Jay Dandy, the Art fore and After,” illustrates a wom- gery himself, he emphasized to his works. and Back Again” should only help Institute’s collection manager for an’s profile before and after having viewers that what the media pres- “He was someone who sort of exhibit visitors understand why it’s the department of modern and surgery to reshape her nose. In the ents to them is not based off of re- lived his own art and he was sort of Andy Warhol’s work on their shirts, contemporary art, Warhol “was an painting, Warhol did not paint his al people, but rather what people his own product,” Mr. Dandy said. and why he was so important to artist who liked to subtly and kind own image of women, but rather an imagined and hoped to be. “So obviously what he was releas- the pop art movement. New political Netflix show proves amusing, satirical by CHRISTIAN GLUTH ASSISTANT EDITOR “The Politician” While some people dream Platform: Netflix about being a rockstar or making big in Hollywood, Payton Hobart, Episodes: Eight with an average the main character in the Netflix length of 47 minutes comedy “The Politician,” started dreaming of the Oval Office at 7 General Summary: High school years old. But to him it was no pipe class president elections go awry dream — it was a wake up call. Af- when politics get personal ter spending his life obsessively re- searching past presidents, record- ing their trends and building an impeccable path to the oval of- itician” is its general episode com- fice, it was time for Payton’s story position. In some scenes, espe- to be written. His first chapter: to cially later in the eight-episode be high school class president. season, there is simply too much In terms of a comedy, “The Pol- going on at the same time to real- itician” is worth sitting down and ly absorb what is being portrayed. watching. But, if you are looking The overall gist of the show re- for a strong storyline, not so much. mained the same, and jokes were Payton, played by Ben Platt well-timed, but the show moved (yes, he does sing in the show), is SOURCE: NETFLIX too quickly through its storyline. mocked by the show through for POLITICS GET PERSONAL. “The Politician,” a comical new Netflix show, describes the process There was too much transitioning his dedication and overconfidence of student government elections for a driven and competent student politician played by Ben Platt. from peculiar situations that make in his linear life plan. Most of these you forget about certain charac- jokes come through in slight de- eryday polish, moxie and statis- of this, some of the plot feels shal- sistent, which several times ru- ters until they actually pop up tails that make a high school sce- tically crafted over-the-top deci- low and unrealistic just so the writ- ins the set up of twists and turns. again. This may be a good strate- nario much more dramatic than it sion-making, he neglects his own ers could pull off a funny scene. As After a few episodes the show be- gy for a mystery but not a comedy. would be in life. internal feelings as a human being protagonist, Payton gets the most comes predictable, but is still gen- Overall, if you are looking for a Because of his commitment to and never really develops his emo- attention in the series, while oth- erally funny. There were moments good laugh without too much ded- his aspirations, Payton lacks a gen- tional core. er characters feel largely undevel- while watching where I could eas- ication to the quality of plot or ma- uine personality — he coordinat- The show is riddled with plen- oped and just seem like situation- ily say what was going to happen terial, “The Politician” is enough to ed everything according to what ty of dark, subtle and ironic hu- al props to be used when needed before it actually did because I be- sit down and enjoy from a satiri- makes him look better for those mor that is really the backbone of to support Payton’s storyline and came aware of the overuse of its cal point of view, despite its lack of around him much like how a pol- the series, which is iconic of a Ry- for humor. filmmaking strategies. depth and on-screen character de- itician would. Because of his ev- an Murphy directed show. Because Each episode’s structure is con- Another problem with “The Pol- velopment. THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO ARTS • 5 Student designer makes it work Anya Gazes, a senior, attended the Art Institute’s fashion course, sparking her interest in designing by ELLA BEISER SPORTS EDITOR “ If I can bring more color “When I was younger, I would and more happiness into get inspired and design clothes that I’d like to own. I never thought the world through my of it as that other people might clothing I want to do that. want to wear it, too,” Anya Gazes Fashion for me is like said. “In high school and in mid- showing you who I am on dle school, I got very shy, and I just wanted to dress like everybody the inside on the outside else and wear what was popular.” too.” The past two years Anya, a se- — ANYA GAZES nior, has begun expressing her fashion sense at school by not you kind of have to make it twice being scared to wear outfits that because you gotta do the rough made a statement. which has draft, and then you have to start helped build confidence in many the process of cutting them out aspects of her life. and sewing them together all over In summer 2019 Anya spent two again but for your final,” she said. weeks at the Art Institute’s Fashion From using stencils to measuring Design and Construction course fabric to the numerous drafts, the designing a boxy, light blue two- workload was intense. piece suit. Anya’s design was elab- At the end of the camp, Anya orate. participated in a runway show to “We all had to present like three exhibit their work from the sum- options second day of class for, mer. Walking down the runway, like, what we were going to make, Anya posed for photographers and I think I went a little more out and smiled at cheering friends and there than other people did in my family in the crowd. She wore her original designs,” Anya said. completed light-blue, boxy two- In the end, Anya simplified her piece with white buttons. design, so she could focus on im- Since finishing the camp, Anya proving the quality of her work. has found her new skills very use- For two weeks she and her fellow ful. “I’ve offered to like design stuff design campers worked on their or alter stuff for my family and projects while receiving instruc- friends since I know how to sew. tion on the basics of clothing de- And sometimes I would cut apart sign and construction. old clothes and try to hand sew,” PHOTOS BY BRIAN WILDEMAN. USED WITH PERMISSION “It was brutal. I thought it would Anya is applying to design ‘60s STYLE. Above: Anya Gazes poses with her hand-made pant- go a lot faster than that, but it felt schools and hopes to major in suit. After browsing online, she was inspired by a ‘60s-type pant- like we were all on ‘Project Run- fashion design. Ultimately, her suit with a boxy fit. She designed this outfit at the Art Institute’s way,’” Anya said. goal is to create her own fashion Fashion Design and Construction course this summer. Anya said that she was so line. stressed that she felt like she was “If I can bring more color and Left: Anya’s prospective sketches from the fashion course were working harder than she did at happiness into the world through elaborate. She considered these designs, but opted for a more ba- school, as the steps involved in my clothing I want to do that,” sic approach. The two-week course prompted many late nights, making clothes were foreign to her. Anya said. “Fashion for me is like hard deadlines and a “Project Runway”-esque atmosphere. By the “I didn’t realize that in hand- showing you who I am on the in- end of the course, she was inspired to pursue fashion in college. made clothes, not factory-made, side on the outside, too.” Campus sound show provides new art experience Sound show uses unique ambience to Sound installations Most of these sound enhance surrounding soundscapes installations are just a by PETER PU cording to Dr. Pluta. few blocks from Judd Hall. ASSISTANT EDITOR Music teachers Bradley Brickner 1. David Wallace Haskins: While the ventilation of the Sear- and Andrew Norte took their stu- “Breath,” 2019: This allows visitors le Chemistry Laboratory blasts dents to experience the sound in- to physically experience the unheard in Snell Hitchcock Quad, pairs of stallations. parts of the University of Chicago. speakers on six nearby benches According to Mr. Brickner, the play subtle accompaniments to sounds presented by the installa- 2., 3. Sam Pluta: “Parallel/ A single harmonic expose the beauty in the industri- tions share common themes with Series,” 2019: series emanates from speakers along al sound. other types of music. a wall. Each pair of speakers plays a dif- “I think a lot of music boils down ferent sound and presents a differ- to emotion: communicating an 4. Stephan Moore: “Six ent experience that provides lis- emotion or emotions,” Mr. Brick- Accompaniments for Solo Voice,” teners a new outlook on the loud er said. 2019: Six benches are outfitted with ventilation. At the same time, Mr. Brickner speakers, providing accompaniment “Six Accompaniments for So- said the sound installations also for the Searle Chemistry Laboratory’s lo Voice” by Stephan Moore, and possess qualities that differentiate ventilation system. eight other sound installations lo- them from other types of music. cated around the University of Reflecting on the effects con- 5. Katherine Young: “Resonance, Chicago Campus, will be featured veyed by the sounds, Mr. Brickner and the Inhibition of,” 2019: This daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. un- said, “Those composers are really celebrates female-indentifying sci- til Dec. 29 in The Chicago Sound in a way forcing you to think about entists by extracting fragments of Show. Organized by the Smart your environment, and in a way text from their writings. Museum of Art, each installation they are forcing you to be more in seeks to complement its location the moment or present.” 6. Nomi Epstein : “Quiet and enhance the ambient sounds. Noticing the musical expression Qloister,” 2019: In Swift Cloister “Parallel/Series” by Sam Plu- of the sound installations requires Garden’s sonic space, this work ta, assistant professor of music at taking the time to listen, according echoes the sound of the cloister’s the University of Chicago, flanks to Dr. Pluta. fountains. Cobb Gate. Single harmonic series “The expression here is how tuned to the buzz of the surround- so many ideas and worlds can be 7. Olivia Block: “Indiana Karst,” ing vents play through speakers in portrayed through sound,” Dr. 2019: The recording references the the passageways on each side of Pluta wrote in an email because Indiana limestone that is used as a the gate. he is in Europe for several months. building material in much of the ar- The tone is brighter or duller in “Each piece begs a bit of time from chitecture on campus. different parts of the passageways the listener so that they can figure due to the low-to-high arrange- out what the composer is saying. It 8. Andy Slater: “Unseen Re- ment of the harmonic series, so in is not a simple journey, but if the heard,” 2019: A durational piece order to fully perceive the sound, listener puts in a bit of time, it is a composed of sounds collected on the University of Chicago campus. listeners must move around, ac- beautiful one.” SOURCE: SMART MUSEUM OF ART THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 6 • IN-DEPTH U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO IN-DEPTH • 7 More than a

MIDWAY PHOTOS BY JULIAN INGERSOLL MIDWAY PHOTOS BY NIKHIL PATEL, MADELINE WELCH, BERK OTO, MINGHIN CUISINE AND BERK OTO TASTES OF CHICAGO. Left: Pollo en mole verde, a traditional Mexican dish, served at 5 Rabanitos, a restaurant in Pilsen. 5 Rabanitos serves great food and is located only a block northeast of the National Museum of Mexican Art, making it an excellent place for a lunchtime excursion. Right, clockwise from top left: arni fournou (Greek lamb loin), grillowana Polska kielbasa (Polish sausage), sarma (Ukrainian stuffed cabbage), and barbecue pork buns from MingHin Cuisine. These are just a few of the selected dishes that Midway writers sampled in ethnic neighborhoods around the city. Greek Islands, Staropolska, Tryzub, MingHin Cuisine and Artopolis are all restaurants the From Chinatown to Logan Square, Midway recommends. Mealstudents use Chicago’s varied ethnic neighborhoods to connect with their heritage 5 Rabanitos: Polish spot provides comfort by MADELINE WELCH speak Polish — and the cuisine is bacon bits on top and sour cream OPINION EDITOR purely traditional Polish food. on the side. The savory dumplings hidden gem for The heavy, black Speaking to the waiter in Polish, made of potato encased warm, chandeliers dimly Gabby orders tatar po polsku (steak creamy cheese and potato mixture. light the walls with tartare), placki ziemniaczane (po- Gabby bonds with her family over Greektown provides taste of home faded paintings of Po- tato pancakes), Ruskie (potato and making pierogies at home. land. A wooden ladder hangs sus- cheese pierogies) and grillowana Finally, we had grilled Polish sau- by NIKHIL PATEL long hallway, with fish laying in ice said. “They do a great job of recre- country’s team.” Mexican food pended from the ceiling above the polska kiełbasa (grilled Polish sau- sage with fried onions, pickles and “I really like the atmosphere EDITOR-IN-CHIEF on a fake hawker’s stand on one ating the flavors for foods that we Galaktoboureko and meloma- tables. Animal sage). horseradish. The sausage was a Nestled in a corner and the music in the side and a shelf filled with ampho- ordered. If you get some other stuff karono are just a few traditional hides and ant- The steak tartare is presented in a combination of pork and beef, and of the I-90 and I-290 background that reminds ras and other jars on the other. The it would be better, and for others, greek pastries served at Artopolis. “From taco dinners to Pollo lers accessorize neat patty with a raw egg yolk with was grilled to a golden brown. It had expressway, conve- me of Greece. And of course restaurant had little wait at 6 p.m. worse, but for what we got, it was The galaktoboureko, a pas- Great location, en mole Verde, they have the walls with- finely chopped onions and pickles a strong garlic flavor and the horse- niently wedged into on a Friday, and Ioannis conversed solid.” try made of custard between two perfected their recipes after out illustrations. on the side. Gabby ate it as a sort of radish added some light spice. a one-block wide the food only makes this in Greek with the host. “My favorite thing about it is that sheets of pastry, and the meloma- decor, food This is Staropols- meat spread atop bread. “Polish cuisine ties into my cul- stretch, and with- feeling stronger.” “Since I’m Greek, being in a place I really feel like I’m in Greece for a karona, a traditional honey cookie years of practice. The food ka, a rustic Polish “You can’t tell that the meat is ture and heritage because it is what in walking dis- — IOANNIS NIKAS, where so many people speak the little moment,” Ioannis continued. with an almond inside, were Ioan- makes Rabanitos is always laid in aesthetic restaurant in Lo- raw because of the olive oil, season- brings my family close,” Gabby tance from Grant SENIOR language makes you feel at home Just a block and a half south lies nis’ choices. forms that equal the gan Square and ing, lemon and vinegar in it,” Gab- said. “From a young age, my bab- Park, Greektown in a way,” Ioannis said. “I really like Artopolis, a self-described “bak- Although he doesn’t go to Arto- a great choice Gabby Gruzska’s by said. cia (grandma) and I would peel po- intensity of the flavors...” Gabby is one of the most go once or twice a year for cultur- the atmosphere and the music in ery, café and agora.” With an open polis very often, he recommends it favorite Polish Next are potato pancakes with tatoes, make pierogies and make accessible of Chi- the background that reminds me of seating plan and stands for coffee, as a good choice for a casual Greek by JULIAN INGERSOLL — JULIAN INGERSOLL Gruzska al events. For example, every year MIDWAY REPORTER restaurant in all applesauce and sour cream for dip- other Polish food together. That’s cago’s many eth- there is a parade there for Greek in- Greece. And of course the food only baked goods and Greek gifts like dining experience. of Chicago. ping. Gabby prefers this Polish way In an unassuming But given the already small size of why it is so important to me. Eat- nic villages. Filled dependence day.” makes this feeling stronger.” honey, olive oil and marinated on- For Ioannis, Greektown serves as For Gabby, a senior of Polish de- of serving them because it makes building on a street the restaurant and the exquisite fla- ing Polish food reminds me of be- with restaurants, Greek Islands, at the corner of We ordered tirokafteri (feta ions, Artopolis fulfills all three of a great place to enjoy his Greek her- scent, Staropolaska reminds her of the potatoes less heavy. Gabby’s corner in Pilsen, one vor of the food, it is always a chal- ing in Poland with my family and boutiques, and Ioannis Halsted and Adams streets, is a cheese blended with peppers) and those descriptors. Ioannis goes for itage and not just eat good Greek her family and happy memories of largest complaint of Polish food is block northeast of lenge to find a table at 5 Rabanitos. all the good times that we had sit- other shops with Nikas restaurant where Ioannis often melitzanosalata (eggplant blended the food and the community. food. The people and the places re- spending time with them in Poland. that its extremely filling, so varia- the National Museum of Mexican And, if you do find a table, don’t be ting at the table for lunch, enjoying a Greek twist, it’s goes for delicious Greek food. In with garlic, potatoes and olive oil) “They are probably the best mind him of his Greek heritage. Gabby’s father found Staropolska tions like these make traditional Art, lies 5 Rabanitos, a lively lunch surprised if it is unsettlingly close a ‘typical Polish meal.’” become a place for senior Ioan- fact, he goes so often that he knows alongside grilled octopus and fried Greek bakery in the city, so that’s “Like this stuff [is tradition- when he first moved from Poland. meals more enjoyable for her. and dinner restaurant and a great to another group; the atmosphere, nis Nikas to connect with his Greek the family that owns the restaurant. zucchini with skordalia, a tradition- enough for me to love the place,” al Greek food]” Ioannis said. “Sea- The ambiance is comforting — all The next dish was pota- Staropolska: 3030 N. Milwaukee place to eat au- while friendly and inviting, can be, heritage outside of his home. “It’s a family-owned business,” al garlic sauce. For a main meal, we Ioannis said. “On top of that, the soned meat and seafood.” the staff and most of the customers to-and-cheese pierogies served with Ave., staropolskarestaurant.com thentic Mexi- at times, claustrophobic due to the “Most times [I go] for food,” Io- Ioannis said. “They own both the had saganaki (fried cheese) and ar- place is usually filled with Greek can food. From restaurants location, size and pop- annis said. “Either we actually sit stores, here and in the suburbs.” ni fournou (a lamb loin served with people since it’s a café as well. Greek Islands: 200 S. Halsted St. the moment you ularity. down at a place to eat or we go to As soon as we entered, it felt as potatoes). All-in-all, the meal came During events like the World Cup, greekislands.net walk into the 5 Rabanitos is also very close to this small supermarket that has though we were transported to a down to about $20 a person. places like it are an awesome en- Artopolis: 306 S. Halsted St. Tryzub offers Ukrainian taste restaurant, you the National Museum of Mexican imported stuff. However, we do different place. The entrance is a “It’s definitely good,” Ioannis vironment to be in to support your artopolischicago.com are greeted by Art, which is a very important part the sights, smells of Pilsen and Mexican art through- Place captures “ We all have similar the same thing,” Vaso said. and sounds of a out the country. These ingredients include pork, ingredients that we work mushrooms, cabbage and peppers different world: Julian The menu includes a variety of home through with. Countries in that which make up much of the menu A cacophony of Ingersoll Mexican meats and dishes, satisfy- Table hard to find at MingHin Cuisine bilingual chat- ing both those familiar with Mexi- food, ambience region just have different at Tryzub. ter, the sizzles of can cuisine, as well as first-time vis- names for the same thing.” As a starter, we ordered stuffed by NICKY EDWARDS-LEVIN my culture,” Zach said. “It definite- bilingual hubbub of the restaurant, Once seated, the service is any- carne asada and the gobbling of itors. From taco dinners to pollo by BERK OTO cabbage, and for the main course, ASSISTANT EDITOR — VASO MICIC, SOPHOMORE ARTS EDITOR “ Being Chinese makes me feel ly makes me appreciate the restau- repeat a number four or five times. thing but stressful — you are greet- satisfied customers. en mole verde, they have perfected Vaso ordered shashlik (chicken ka- Situated just at the as if my experience with the rant more.” If nobody comes forward, the next ed with the option of a selection of Pilsen, the main neighborhood their recipes after years of practice. Colorful interi- bobs) and I ordered sarma (stuffed entrance of China- restaurant is me getting in MingHin is a hub of Chinatown number is called without hesita- hot herbal teas as well as an easy- of the lower west side, has devel- The food is always laid in aesthetic or, old-timey por- on the wall — that make this place cabbage). traits and the sound so representative of Eastern Europe- town, MingHin Cui- touch with some aspects of and is always crowded according to tion. to-read menu. The servers are po- oped into a mecca of Latino culture forms that equal the intensity of the “I taste a mustard-like season- sine is one of the Zach. We went during the dim sum If you do get a table, the stressful lite and helpful, despite the clear — translating into beautiful art- flavors of all the dishes served. of Ukranian being an culture. I guess it kind of reminds ing on the chicken,” Vaso said. “My most popular restaurants in one of my parents and my culture.” hours, when customers can order wait will have been worth it. rush they are in. work, incredible museums and, of The pollo en mole verde is popu- spoken among staff at high-speed me of my grandmother’s house.” grandmother used to serve a simi- Chicago’s most popular neighbor- — ZACHARY GIN, small plates like special dumplings, “The food is great: it has a ton of The food is both inexpensive and course, delicious food. All around lar for its earthy flavor and the dark- wash over me as I walk into Try- After being seated, we noticed lar seasoning with her shashlik.” hoods. For some, SOPHOMORE potstickers and buns, and we had traditional Chinese dishes, along delicious, but also has very large the building and the surrounding ness it adds to the chicken it comes zub Ukrainian Kitchen in Chicago’s that people around us were speak- Though kebabs are not tradition- the environment to wait for a solid 20 minutes. The with other more unique dishes,” portions. Often, many of the plates neighborhood, beautiful murals with. The mole sauce was spread at Ukrainian Village ing a symphony of various lan- ally considered Serbian, the dish may feel foreign wait was, surprisingly, anything but Zach said. are made for the purpose of shar- depict aspects of a variety of cul- the bottom of the plate while a pyra- with sophomore guages. Though the restaurant was is very popular in the country, ac- — perhaps even “Of course, I love the variety of boring. We tried dim sum plates, the ing, so are bite-sized. Many food tures. mid of chicken concealed arroz a la Vaso Micic. Ukrainian, there were plenty of din- cording to Vaso. This is likely due to hostile. To Zach Chinese foods, like the dim sum, The atmosphere was electric. highlights of which included bar- items are easy to take to go. Inside, the walls of the restaurant Mexicana and black beans. The orig- “As soon as ers speaking other Eastern Europe- 400 years of Ottoman influence and Gin, a frequent and the normal dishes are all really Waiters scrambled, scribbling or- becued pork buns, fried potstick- So the next time you and your scream Mexican culture with their inal flavor from Oaxaca is unique I walk in, I was an languages. occupation in the area. customer, it’s an good,” Zach said. “But since I usu- ders, and the chatter of the chefs ers and short ribs with honey sauce. family are considering a night in rustic beige, green and blue color and perfected by 5 Rabanitos. transported into a Vaso was able to recognize some “The sarma you are eating re- extension of his ally go to Ming Hin with my whole was audible in the dining room. The meat was the highlight of Chinatown, take a page out of and varieties of Mexican art. The If you are in the Pilsen area, 5 Ra- new world which of them because even though he minds me of my dad because it’s his dining room. family, every time I go there it is kin- Most surprisingly, though, was the afternoon. All three dishes were Zach’s book (or menu), and give restaurant never fails to impress banitos is a great place for a quick is more familiar was born in Indiana, he has spent favorite food. Though I’m not real- to the Eastern Eu- a lot of time residing in both Serbia Zach, who eats Zachary da like a reminder of all the experi- the “you snooze you lose” mental- cooked to tender, flavorful perfec- MingHin Cuisine a try. As long as with the bursting, spicy flavor of the snack or to hang out with friends — ly a fan, he always wants to have it ropean portion and Russia and is familiar with lan- at MingHin once Gin ences I’ve shared with my relatives.” ity when waiting for a table. Up- tion, barely requiring any addition- you can claim your table, it’ll be salsa and the tender, juicy texture of if you can get a table. Vaso when he comes to visit from Rus- or twice a month, “Being Chinese makes me feel as on checking in, you get handed a al sauce. For a vegetarian option, well worth it. the meat. The warm, crunchy torti- of my identity,” Micic guages in the region. sia,” Vaso said. says it isn’t just a spot for great if my experience with the restau- handwritten yellow Post-It with a the pan fried vegetable roll was lla chips secure 5 Rabanitos’ status 5 Rabanitos: 1758 W. 18th St., said Vaso. “It’s the “We all have similar ingredients Chinese food — it’s a reminder of rant is me getting in touch with number. sublime, although it was the slight- MingHin Cuisine: 2168 S. Archer as a Mexican food fanatic’s heaven. 5rabanitosdotcom.wordpress.com small things — the way the photos that we work with. Countries in that Tryzub: 2201W. Chicago Ave., his heritage, culture and family. some aspects of my parents and The waiters, shouting above the est bit greasy. Ave., minghincuisine.com arranged, the designs on the plates region just have different names for tryzubchicago.com THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 8 • FEATURES U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO NO EASY ANSWERS By encouraging growth, Math Team sustains interest, success by AUDREY MATZKE FEATURES EDITOR It’s a well-understood equa- tion: the more effort something re- quires, the more satisfied you’ll be once it’s finally finished. For members of the Mathemat- ics Team, there’s nothing like the thrill of unraveling complex pat- terns and — after working for hours — discovering a solution. But math is a lifelong journey, and they say they’re only getting started. At the American Mathemat- ics Competition last winter, one student beat the entire U-High math team, a group that achieves among the top in Illinois and the nation. The student was Jeffery Chen, then a Lab eighth grader. He said he’s always enjoyed math, but experiencing this level of success helped to feed his passion. “After I did well, I liked it more,” Jeffery, now a U-High ninth grader, said. “If you get good at some- thing, you defi- nitely will like it.” For most stu- dents, spend- ing lunch pe- riods writing proofs sounds, at best, like a chore. Julia MIDWAY PHOTO BY KATHY LUAN For Julia Anite- Anitescu MORE THAN ONE SOLUTION: Surrounded by collaborating Mathematics Team members, freshman Jeffery Chen works through scu, however, questions on the white board. He said he enjoys coming up with creative ways to solve to difficult locgic problems. Math Team meetings are a unique and valuable bonding experience students would expect to find on a “It definitely helps me with test says that math has a delayed satis- tions and not a creative work,” Jef- for the dozens of students in the test. In school, exam problems are taking in general. There’s a lot faction factor. In order for math to fery said. “If it were taught more group. meant to be understood, and are more time pressure in competi- become applied to something, you creatively, maybe like art or mu- “It’s fun to talk to people who are written to — with enough prepara- tions,” Jeffery said. “If I don’t know have to keep working at it in order sic, more people would probably like-minded about nerdy things,” tion and studying — be easily solv- how to do a problem, I skip it, then to get to something that’s even re- like it. I probably would give them Julia, a junior said. “Math nerds able. Competition problems are a come back to it at the end.” motely enjoyable,” Julia said. a pretty hard problem, and they’d are kind of hard to find. It’s people little less straightforward. Both Jeffery and Julia say they’ve In the adult world, however, have to really think through it. It’d who think the same way you do, “Math in competitions is a lot been studying math since they math is less about competitions probably take hours, maybe days, and at the very least, have a similar more about the answer. You’re be- were young. For Julia, it took some and more about solving real-world to solve it, but once they solve it, it outlook on life. It’s a bunch of peo- ing scored on whether or not you time to love. problems. Acknowledging this, will be really satisfying,” ple who are really committed and get the right answer, not how you “I went to math team, initial- Jeffery hopes to one day become Julia is less certain about where driven, and they understand oth- got there,” Julia said. ly and primarily because my dad a math professor, where he plans math will lead her. No matter what, er people who are committed and Jeffery echoes this sentiment, said, ‘You know what, I think you to help students experience math she said her skill and passion will driven.” but adds that the strict time lim- should do more math because as a joyful process, not a grueling inform everything she studies. During competitions, Julia said its and frantic rush to finish prob- you’re good at it and I think you means to an end. Julia said, “Math is, inevitably, students are given problems quite lems helps to improve his test-tak- could like it.’ I’m gonna use my “In most schools, mathemat- everywhere, and I find it kinda different from the ones most math ing skills. dad’s metaphor here, because he ics is taught as a set of instruc- cool.” Friend-finding apps can be paradoxically isolating Apps like Yubo and Omegle have the power t0 bridge situational and geographical gaps — but at what cost? by LELAND CULVER Omegle. base can, like with Omegle, con- ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Omegle anonymously connects tain adult predators or even teens Settling down in the library for a user to one other person through exhibiting questionable behavior. her free period, Lành Matelski video or text chat. The site has no “Even when the people on there pulls out her phone like so many restrictions on who can use it, and are real,” Stella said,“You don’t others around her. She opens up although there is a moderated vid- know exactly what they want from Snapchat and sends off a meme to eo chat, it is still possible to run in- you until you’re with them.” one of her friends. A few minutes to inappropriate or upsetting con- The swiping function can also later, her phone buzzes with the tent. make some feel objectified or like reply. She opens it and smiles at “You don’t get to choose who they are objectifying others. the return joke, happy for the extra you see,” Stella said, “so you might “Part of it feels good, because bright spot in her day this friend get somebody playing their gui- there’s the validation that people provides. tar, just trying to brighten some- think I’m attractive,” Lành said, But Lanh isn’t chatting with one body’s day…or sometimes you’ll “But then also part of it feels weird, of her U-High friends, she’s mes- get something really messed up. because it’s like I’m judging these saging with a new friend from far Yubo, another friend-finding people who, if I knew them in re- away. platform marketed to teens, has al life, I might not even want to talk This is the promise offered by users users select and filter their to them “friend-finding” apps and web- interactions with a swiping func- Both Lành and Stella felt that sites such as Yubo and Omegle, tion, similar to dating apps like their experiences on these sites the promise of non-romantic per- Tinder. Indeed, according to Lành, were ultimately hollow. Lành said sonal connection both nearby and many users treat the app as a dat- that she started using the app to far away. Yet some people are dis- ing app. feel more connected during a dif- covering the reality of these sites “I’d say about 50% of people are ficult time in her life, but ultimate- is much more complicated, from a looking for romantic relationships, ly felt ashamed and more discon- feeling of isolation and objectifica- 40% of people are looking for just nected. tion to outright danger. friends or for people to send them She said, “I honestly think that “It can be really heartwarming memes, but then there’s this really the people who don’t use apps like when something sweet comes up, shady 10%, that you just can’t tell,” that are lucky because they don’t but you never know,” said Stel- Stella said. feel a need to resort to apps like MIDWAY ILLUSTRATION BY ACE ZHANG la Heon, a junior who used to use That shady portion of the user- that to make friends.” THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO FEATURES • 9 A WHOLE NEW ANGLE Traditionally, signing with a modeling agency meant losing control over your own image. Nowadays, young models are starting to take that power back. by MIRA COSTELLO “I would say the NEWS EDITOR healthiest way to enter t an age where self-image can the modeling industry is be fragile, it’s hard to imag- by branding yourself in a ine being styled, posed and way that truly shows your photographed by a team of individuality,” she said. near-strangers. For some peo- Zuzana said that when ple,A the modeling world looks cutthroat she models, it feels freeing and toxic. to be transformed and re- But what is the industry really like for turn to herself again. teenagers, and what does this visual cu- “I walk into a photoshoot ration mean for their self-perception? thinking that I’m going to be These high school models agree: it’s not looked at and stared at by ev- what people see on “America’s Next Top erybody, and people don’t Model.” care. I am a canvas. As dehu- Zuzana Jenkins has pursued profes- manizing as it sounds, it’s actu- sional modeling since August. She said ally very comforting,” she said. her mother, who also modeled, knew her “I’m more comfortable being daughter would follow in her footsteps — faced by 10 cameras than I am and after years of resisting, it happened. being faced by 10 students, be- “I guess I saw a closer look into the in- cause I know the cameras aren’t dustry,” Zuzana, a U-High sophomore, going to hear my opinions, or how said. “You know, from the outside it looks I’m doing in class. High school is like pure competition, and once I saw much harsher.” this agency I realized that it was more of Drayona said she feels comfort- a ‘work together to bring each other to able as an African-American girl, the top’ kind of thing.” too, especially as the industry has Zuzana said her agency, Genesislev- progressed beyond solely Eurocen- el, has unexpectedly provided her with tric standards. an affirming experience. While bigger “Today in our commercial world, agencies can be more intense, she said, diversity has become a very import- it’s best for aspiring models to start small, ant key that companies want to dis- especially if they’re dealing with insecu- play,” she said. “Every person who en- rities. ters the modeling industry will face ob- PHOTOS USED WITH PERMISSION “I originally thought that it was going stacles at some point in time — it is all BY MN GALLERY, (ABOVE) AND to give me horrific body issues. I realized about how we can overcome these ob- TRACY FRUGOLI (RIGHT) that actually, instead, it was validating. In stacles and change things for the better.” STRIKE A POSE. the agency I work for, there is no ‘cut your Zuzana also encouraged anyone inter- U-High sophomore Zu- hair this way. Do your makeup this way.’ ested to try out modeling, because repre- zana Jenkins (right) and It’s a much more personal, much more sentation outside of the tall, white, thin Drayona Rollins, a senior healing experience,” she said. stereotype would be positive. at De La Salle Institute Drayona Rollins, a senior at De La Sal- “Everybody else has been told that le Institute, agrees. they shouldn’t even apply,” she said. (above) have recently “Honestly, I think modeling and tak- “And if those people did, the industry begun persuing profes- ing pictures for fun has helped strength- would actually change.” sional modeling. Though, en my self-perception because it helps While Zuzana said her self-confidence from the outside, the me gain more confidence in my appear- hasn’t changed drastically since model- industry can appear ance and understand what works for my ing, her outlook has. problematic, they both body,” she said. “It made me consider myself in differ- Drayona has not yet signed with an ent lights, but none of them are neces- say the modelling world agency because of her other commit- sarily good or bad,” she said. “It just gave is changing for the better, ments, but she models for up-and-com- me an outsider’s perspective. You know, allowing for more di- ing businesses and beauticians. if I was looking at this as someone who versity, individuality and Part of Drayona’s motivation, she said, didn’t know me, what would I think? It freedom of expression. is becoming more secure in her unique- provides us a way to learn, change and ness and self expression. grow.” THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 10 • OPINION U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO Gradeless classes encourage dialogue With no grades, As the Midway sees it …

classes focus on than their specific performance. A students’ growth gradeless classroom is intended to lower stress and help students de- by CRISTIAN GLUTH velop good learning habits rath- ASSISTANT EDITOR er than binge-studying for assign- magine walking into your En- ments and glish class on the last day of tests in order “ These the semester. Instead of taking to succeed. classerooms a final exam, you have gath- Some may I believe that allow for ered together your work from this semester into a portfolio that you students are increased will show your teacher. With this more con- conversation portfolio, you must discuss what cerned with and the learning grade you deserve, depending on colllaboration your work ethic and improvement experience throughout the semester. There rather than between are no uses of numbers or percent- grades. How- teachers ages whatsoever in this process. ever, due to the U-High’s and their In the past year, U-High teach- students. ers and students have experiment- prestige and ed with these so-called gradeless reputation, However, classes. These classrooms allow there is nat- these courses for increased conversation and urally a ca- MIDWAY ARTWORK BY JASMINE TAN chet and cul- need to collaboration between teachers implement relationship between student and biguity surrounding grades. al, a student could very easily con- and their students. However, these ture around teacher. In addition to allowing for a stu- tinue this trend throughout the courses need to implement strict getting good strict To properly evaluate the growth dent to develop as part of the de- year, which is why it is crucial for guidelines to ensure that students grades. Be- guidlines to and work of a student, the teacher sign of the class, it must be expect- the teacher to step in and create cause of this, don’t slack off to take advantage of ensure that needs to fully understand how the ed that some students will attempt guidelines. the absence of motivation and ac- a gradeless students don’t student learns through an open di- to take advantage of the system Students need to apply them- countability grades can provide. system can alogue. to slack off, even at a prestigious selves into gradeless classes to the Effort and improvement in a be less effec- slack off...” This only works if students are school. point that they’re recognizing the given subject — rather than the tive and even willing to put effort into the class If they are not pushing them- learning experience for what it is achievement of points for individ- harmful if and communicate about where selves and giving care to each in- in order to set a standard and suc- ual assignments — is the goal in the student has to worry about a they’re at, whether it’s a success or dividual assignment, even without ceed. gradeless classes. The key differ- teacher’s thought process and ob- a loss. If not, it results in a gray ar- number grades, the system is ex- Teachers, in turn, need to hold ence between this and tradition- jectivity grading an assignment. ea that relies on the student’s gen- ploited and loses its potential val- students accountable by commu- al classes is the focus on an indi- Going gradeless makes room for eral relationship with the teacher ue. nicating when they do not meet vidual student’s growth rather a stronger, more conversational and creates more tension and am- Without external motivation- their standards that they set. Make space for Latinx culture in history curriculum by JULIAN INGERSOLL tion Review, 31.7 percent of Chi- riculum, the signal sent to Latinx tation and inspire them to learn REPORTER “ To create a more educated cago’s population is Latinx, mak- students is that their culture isn’t the significance of their culture About a week into my histo- society, it is important to be ing Latinx culture an important as important as the ones present- in America. This will also prevent ry class, I stand aware and to understand part of the city’s history and an im- ed to them in class. This leaves stu- the continuation of stereotypes re- up in my AT Af- portant topic for students to learn dents in an environment that per- garding Latinx people, as people of rican-American how people’s perspectives about. Yet Latinx people make up petuates stereotypes as a result of other cultures will get the chance History class to are influenced by culture. ” just four percent of U-High’s pop- being uneducated, such as think- to be properly educated. present my so- ulation, and Latin American cul- ing that Latinx families at home Whether or not people like it, cial identifiers ed and where students are not ed- ture is overlooked at the school. are in fear of being deported or Latinx culture will find a way to and what they ucated about my culture. To create a more educated society, making thousands of tamales for affect you and your family and mean to me. I There should be at least one Lat- it is important to be aware of and their increasingly many family friends. So to become familiar with explain how be- inx-oriented history class available understand how people’s perspec- members. the culture, education is the best ing the son of a Julian in the high school curriculum. tives are influenced by culture. To prevent misconceptions and way to do this. Mexican wom- Ingersoll Some people might say Latinx Of even greater importance, false images of Latinx people, stu- In conclusion, the history de- an and a Euro- culture isn’t relevant to them be- when students feel well-represent- dents need to be educated on the partment can make a big cultur- pean-American man impacts me. cause it doesn’t affect them. But, if ed in a curriculum, they are more culture of South and Central Amer- al difference by allowing students As I sit down, I start to think about you live in Chicago, you are affect- invested in the class because of its ica and how it affects the United to be more inclined to reading and the need to talk about my race in ed by the large Latinx presence. relevance to their lives. Without States and Chicago, which would learning about their culture, or a school, where I am not represent- According to the World Popula- representation in the U-High cur- give Latinx students full represen- culture they haven’t heard about. Friends should exercise empathy, not competition by AMANDA CASSEL it, yet somehow I have witnessed ourselves into them. it is something notable enough for nized for whatever it is they are MANAGING EDITOR it, been Person A and, much to my I couldn’t count the number Person A to want to unload about struggling with and get the sup- “I am SO tired. I went to bed at 2 own disappointment, been Per- of times I have sat in a classroom and Person A has every right to do port from their friends they de- a.m. last night,” Person A says. son B. where the teacher has told us to so. serve without feeling like it’s a “Well, you As teenagers, now is the time to “listen to listen, not to respond.” It Person B is then invalidating competition to be the “most” trou- think you’re form the right habits in treating seems like the type of thing that is anything Person A says by com- bled. tired? I went to others, so we need to step up, be implied. paring their own experiences and It seems simple enough, yet as bed at 3 and then empathetic and hear people with- If we’re listening just to respond, suggesting that their struggle is teenagers, we still have this back- got up at 5,” Per- out feeling the need to compare we’re not listening at all. Even “bigger” and more relevant. wards notion that we have to son B says. ourselves or compete to be the though listening is something It may feel like Person B is try- speak our minds and constantly Looking at “most troubled.” we’ve been working on since we ing to make Person A feel as if they make the world aware of our every this dialogue, Being students, it’s no surprise were little, we still struggle with it have a common experience, but feeling. We don’t. I can swap out we’re tired, stressed and busy — more than 10 years later. it’s substantially better just to ex- So, the next time a friend is vent- amount of sleep Amanda just look at the wellness surveys. Yet, Person A’s experience is still press that sentiment rather than ing to you, recognize whatever for stress, busy- Cassel Beyond that, it’s no surprise we common, and this is a prime ex- bring in comparison. they are experiencing, be empa- ness, anxiety, de- look to our friends for help when ample of our failure to be empa- But really, it doesn’t matter how thetic and don’t make it about you. pression or any the going gets tough. thetic. much Person B is sleeping in this And if someone does the oppo- other variety of problems and still But, it should be a surprise when Often, Person A is asking for scenario. It is an entirely separate site to you, call them out on it be- feel like its an example at U-High. we struggle to recognize our own help in one way or another. It may issue. cause, most likely, they won’t have It’s obvious what’s wrong with friends’ issues without inserting simply be a call for attention, but Person A deserves to be recog- known what they were doing. U-HIGH MIDWAY Published 10 times during the school year EDITORS-IN-CHIEF*.Abigail Slimmon, BUSINESS MANAGER...... Max Garfinkel ARTISTS...... Risa Cohen, Ace Zhang, EDITORIAL POLICY: In a time when the by journalism and photojournalism press is criticized, the U-High Midway seeks Nikhil Patel ASSISTANT EDITORS.... Christian Gluth, Jasmine Tan students of University High School, to inform, educate and serve the community MANAGING EDITOR* ...... Amanda Cassel Olivia Griffin, Berk Oto, Peter Pu .... Isabella Kellermeier, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. PHOTO EDITORS of University High School. The Midway is ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR, ...... Caledonia Abbey, Maria Shaughnessy 1362 East 59th Street REPORTERS created by students, for students...... Leland Culver Chicago, Illinois 60637 ONLINE* Noa Appelbaum, Grace Brady, Abe Callard, PHOTOJOURNALISTS...... Macy Beal, CORRECTIONS Phone 773-702-0591 FAX 773-702-7455 NEWS EDITOR* ...... Mira Costello Anathea Carrigan, Ryan Clark, Kia Dutta, Miriam Bloom, Kathy Luan, ISSUE 2, Oct. 10, 2019: Email [email protected] FEATURES EDITOR* ...... Audrey Matzke Amon Gray, Caroline Hohner, Grace Elliott Taylor, Malcolm Taylor • Page 4: Yannik Leuz’s name was Holleb, Julian Ingersoll, Lucia Kouri, misspelled. Copyright 2019, Journalism students, ARTS EDITOR* ...... Nicky Edwards-Levin ADVISER ...... Logan Aimone , mje University High School Meena Lee, Colin Leslie, Chloe Ma, • Page 5: Chappelle was misspelled...... Ella Beiser ...... Jayna Rumble, cje Printed by Grace Printing, Chicago, Illinois SPORTS EDITOR* Gretchen Matzke, Kajus Nakas, Adrianna PHOTO ADVISER • Page 11: Gabriela Gruszka did OPINION EDITOR* ...... Madeline Welch Nehme, An Ngo, Clare O’Connor, Ben Rich- not play this season because of a ardson, Ethan Swinger, Téa Tamburo uhighmidway.com *Members of the Editorial Board shoulder injury, not a wrist injury.

THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO SPORTS • 11 First time for first place In title game, boys soccer team ‘rides the wave’ to overcome rocky start, earn historic championship by NICKY EDWARDS-LEVIN and CRICKET GLUTH “ The past two years losing Early in the season, the U-High in sectional finals has just Boys Soccer Team lost 0-3 to Tim- been emotionally awful othy Christian. That game secured on the team. I think that’s a fact that most players already knew: the season was off to a bad kind of been the fuel for the start. past couple years and this After that game, according to year especially because we midfielder Sean Zhang, the play- couldn’t lose three years in ers decided they needed to make some changes. Not to their lineup, a row on that field.” but to their mentality. — JADEN LYNCH, FORWARD “We were pretty scared about what was happening in the sea- and this year especially because son,” Sean said. “We knew we had we couldn’t lose three years in a to pick things up.” row on that field.” Pick it up they did. After a rocky They would not be stopped at start to the year, their momentum Elmhurst, the built as they won 14 out of their site of the sec- next 15 games, propelling them to tional champi- a conference championship and, onship. Senior ultimately, to make school histo- Mickey Claffey, ry as the first soccer team to win a who missed a state championship, beating Mar- decisive penalty quette Catholic 2-1 at the EastSide kick at last year’s Centre in Peoria Nov. 2. sectional cham- After finishing the conference pionship, was Jaden season undefeated and riding a the hero Oct. 25 Lynch six-win streak, the team’s momen- after he deliv- tum carried into the postseason ered the game-clinching penalty with considerably one-sided vic- kick to beat Timothy Christian 2-1 tories over Noble Street and Mon- and send the team into super-sec- tini, where U-High scored an im- tionals for the first time in history. pressive combined 10 goals. “It wasn’t until I placed the ball MIDWAY PHOTO BY MACY BEAL This led them to a rematch with down that I realized the potential SNAGGING THE STATE TITLE. The boys soccer team celebrates after winning state final game Timothy Christian in the section- magnitude of what I was about to against Marquette Catholic High School 2-1 on Nov. 2. After being down a goal in the first half, the al finals, the same stage and sta- do,” Mickey said. “I thought to my- Maroons answered with goals from Stanley Shapiro and Alex Bal. In the semifinal game Nov. 1, the dium where they lost the previous self, ‘Wow, this would be incredi- Maroons beat North Shore Country Day School 3-0. two years. ble,’ so I decided to score.” “The past two years losing in From then on, U-High’s style sectional finals has just been emo- of play was decisive and one-sid- cise passing and smart movement cruised past North Shore Country first half was a little rough, but tionally awful on the team,” said ed. In the final three games of the into space that set up multiple Day School 3-0 in the state semi- after an inspirational halftime leading goalscorer Jaden Lynch, a season, the Maroons dominat- goal-scoring opportunities. The final Nov. 1. speech, we came out and did what senior. “I think that’s kind of been ed possession and controlled the Maroons hammered Joliet Cath- “Overall we played good,” mid- we have been doing all season and the fuel for the past couple years flow of each game with quick, pre- olic Academy 6-0 on Oct. 29 and fielder Miles Rochester said. “The fixed it.” MAKING HISTORY Friendly and focused at least three sets of identical goggles, caps Addition of diving and swimsuits. Their uniformity in the pool extends even further into to their team dy- team allows for more namic. “Some of the divers used to be on the competitive scoring swim team, and some of the swimmers used to be on the diving team. Since there by OLIVIA GRIFFIN is this overlap, that allows for a lot of con- REPORTER nections between the two The girls swimming and diving team groups and we mesh pret- members are silent in the pool at Ratner ty well because of it,” se- Athletics Center while they complete their nior Ava McKula said. coaches’ drills at practice. As the girls swim, While noise from the their arms and legs break the surface of the occasional bounces off water, their heads move in sync with their the diving board from bodies, and their feet kick visibly and quick- University of Chicago ly in the bubbles. students sometimes dis- Focused and driven, the girls swim quick- Lea tracts the U-High girls, the ly through the pool, while enduring the hu- Rebollo Baum swimmers focus on im- midity and overwhelming smell of chlorine proving their skills in the in the Ratner pool. pool and making sure that everyone on the The diving team has five new mem- team feels welcomed. bers. This addition is already improving the “I was nervous about joining at first,” team’s overall scores. Efforts to integrate the ninth-grader Maya Herron said. “But they new divers began during pre-season and all immediately took me under their wing have continued throughout the rest of the and made me feel super welcome.” season. Lea credited the diving team as an im- “We would switch up lane assignments portant asset to the overall swimming and during practices so that we would get to diving program, particularly when it comes swim with the people we hadn’t before,” ju- to overall team rankings. Divers are judged nior Lea Rebollo Baum said. on a scale from one to ten. That score is then Without a diving team, the scores that the multiplied depending on the difficulty of swimmers received at past meets were not their dive for their final ranking. accurate comparisons to other teams. Now, At the meet against Victor J. Andrew MIDWAY PHOTO BY ELLIOT TAYLOR the added points from the diving team help School on Oct. 16, all the divers’ scores, 118 TENNIS TROPHY. Senior Macy Beal hoists the girls tennis team’s state determine the outcome of swim meets and being the highest, contributed to U-Highs championship trophy after school during rally Oct. 28 on Kenwood Mall. The give the team a better sense of how they will win. place in the postseason. “I think it’s definitely a challenge to keep team won the trophy two days earlier at Buffalo Grove High School, becoming Preparing for meets and sectionals means a whole team dynamic as we don’t always the first U-High girls sports team to win a state championship, according swimming every day during the school practice together,” Lea said,“but it definitely to Athletics Director David Ribbens. They scored of 33 points with multiple week and sharing the pool with Universi- helps to spend time with them at pasta par- players and doubles teams contributing. See more at uhighmidway.com. ty of Chicago swimmers. The U-High lanes ties and at meets, when we all cheer for each take up half the pool, each lane filled with other no matter the swimmer or diver!” THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 12 • HEALTH U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO School pushes for balanced lifestyles Schoolwide push for mindful wellness choices causes panel by ABIGAIL SLIMMON EDITOR IN CHIEF t a highly-competi- tive high school like U-High, some students opt to compromise their overall wellness byA pushing themselves too hard in pursuit of good grades. But what really is wellness? Many will say it’s taking care of yourself by doing things like taking time to relax and exercise. Others will say it’s finding a greater connection to your work and a deeper internal motivation drive to do it. At the end of the day, how should high schoolers find the time to get a good night sleep and put themselves first with the constant pressures of homework, standardized testing, grades and college? These are all questions that U-High has beenis trying to an- swer through wellness surveys, panels, systematic change, forums and wellness councils to advise the administration and teachers.in many ways. Along with the wellness survey taken by student’s the past two years, the Lab Schools have creat- ed an All-School Wellness Council along with a U-High council con- sisting of students, faculty mem- bers, administrators and parents. ILLUSTRATION BY RISA COHEN The Wellness Council’s overall goal cess and a Fulfilling Life: Exploring much better job at explaining this is to improve the overall emotion- Challenges Facing our Communi- idea to teens. She rattled off a list “There is no silver bullet. This is going to require a lot of al health of Lab students. ty,” was held in Gordon Parks Arts of achievements, everything from silver bullets….We need to do something that is really Student council hosted student Hall Oct. 29. The panel featured Dr. being “the smartest kid in kinder- simple, but is not easy at all, which is to truly, truly commit forums addressing the topics of Elizabeth Kieff, psychiatrist and garten” to getting into a top med to this. We need to not just say we care about health and homework load, classroom en- parent; Melina Hale, member of school — then she reminded lis- vironment and competitiveness the University of Chicago admis- teners that none of these success- well-being in evenings like this.” Oct. 22 and 24. Although student sions community and parent; and es will necessarily lead to a happy — NOAH RACHLIN, DEAN OF TEACHING AND LEARNING turnout was low, the goal to give Noah Rachlin, Dean of Teaching and fulfilling life. students the opportunity to dis- and Learning at U-High. “The ‘gold stars’ don’t measure ily the oneone that’s the most fa- tance of continuing the conversa- cuss their views on these topics More than 100 parents, admin- up to ultimate happiness,” Dr Kieff mous or prestigious. tion about wellness. was achieved. istrators, faculty members and said. “In fact, they don’t matter at “There are lots of options and He said, “There is no silver bul- “Having discussions is the best students attended the wellness all.” paths that can be terrific but also a let. This is going to require a lot way to start coming up with ideas panel and approximately 70 view- Dr. Hale’s presentation focused bit different,” Dr. Hale said. of silver bullets….We need to on what we can change and how ers watched on the live-stream. specifically on college, and how ex- Mr. Rachlin highlighted an up- do something that is really sim- student council can support the During her presentation, Dr. cessive pressure to attend top uni- ward trend in mental health issues ple, but is not easy at all, which is student body” Ben Cifu, All-School Kieff put a wellness-themed spin versities is harmful toharms stu- among teens, especially those at- to truly, truly commit to this. We President, said. on an old proverb: success can’t dents. Higher education, she said, tending high-achieving schools need to not just say we care about A wellness panel titled “Promot- always bring happiness. Accord- should be about finding a school such as Lab. During the Q&A ses- health and well-being in evenings ing Wellness for Academic Suc- ing to her, adults need to do a that fits the student, not necessar- sion, he emphasized the impor- like this.” Happiness podcast rises in popularity, success

Throughout her podcast, none comfortable with unhappiness are Course by Yale of Santos’ ideas seem particularly Recommendations: some of Santos’ ideas about how shocking. Instead she used the lat- The podcast has several to promote a happy lifestyle. professor claims est in scientific studies to back up recommendations Throughout the podcast, Santos her advice and make it more than to increase your mood. analyzes different people who get to improve mood what she calls “hippie dippie B.S.” 1. Express gratitude and kindness benefits that are typically associat- The amount of positive feed- ed with happiness –– promotions, Take time to connect with the back from Santos’ students is 2. an idealized spouse, winning the and happiness people you care about. enough to prove she knows what lottery, medals in the Olympics by AMANDA CASSEL she is talking about. and more. 3. Count your blessings MANAGING EDITOR Since teaching her first section, Santos uses scientific studies “Just don’t worry about it.” Santos has heard back from many to draw the conclusion that the 4. Be more accepting of the bad “Get more sleep.” WWW.HAPPINESSLAB.FM of her online and in-person stu- things in your life without becom- things we think will make us hap- “Take care of yourself.” ly grew to be Yale’s most popu- dents who have thanked her for ing complacent or comfortable py actually don’t. And the things While this advice is supposed to lar class in its more than 300-year her work which made a substan- with your unhappiness. we think will make us unhappy lead to better mental health and history. The intended small class tial impact on their lives. can make us less so. Essentially, wellness, it is easier said than do- turned out to be a concert hall full In Episode 1, Santos describes 5. Find comfort in the idea that you she uses her podcast to tell listen- ne. of students eagerly awaiting San- that happiness is intentional. She don’t have to be completely happy ers how to reorient their goal-fo- Yale University psychology pro- tos’ guide to the secret of happi- characterizes it as much as it is not all the time. cused lives. fessor Laura Santos’ podcast, “The ness. about chasing an ideal or a life, Santos describes happiness as Happiness Lab” approaches well- Today, more than 18 months lat- and she has specific actions you 6. Applying these techniques and something that doesn’t just occur ness with concrete advice for how er, hundreds of thousands of peo- can take to help happiness come practices for an extended period and stays forever. Constant hap- people should define, understand ple have taken the class either in more easily to you. of time. piness, in Santos’ mind, wouldn’t and seek happiness in their lives person or for free online, while Santos defines happiness as mean anything. and it really does bring new in- thousands more have listened to having two components: being To feel and appreciate happi- sights into the science of achieving her podcast. happy in life (the experience of ness, we also need to experience happiness Santos speculates that the positive emotions) and being hap- prove their overall happiness. Ac- other human emotions. But, to In January of 2018, Santos de- course got significant press on py with life (the sense of being sat- tions such as expressing gratitude attain happiness, it takes a con- signed and launched her course, campus, because much of the stu- isfied). Much to Santos’ chagrin, and kindness, taking time to con- scious effort and intention to- Psychology and the Good Life, dent body genuinely was notably there isn’t a quick, five-minute fix nect with people you care about, wards positive behavior and San- for about 30 students whom she unhappy and the same observa- to unhappiness. Nevertheless, she counting your blessings and being tos believes, it is possible for any- would closely monitor throughout tion extends to the greater popu- does say there are some simple ac- more accepting of the bad things one, just a matter of the right plan the semester, but her class quick- lation. tions people can take to slowly im- without becoming complacent or and methods to achieve it.