In the concourse of the United Center at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, student reporter Clare McRoberts interviews Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on Aug. 21, 2024, about the importance of young people participating in the election and voting. Clare is a senior and an editor-in-chief of the U-High Midway. Photo: Logan Aimone
CSPA Blog
By Light Dohrn
U-High Midway, University of Chicago Laboratory High School Journalism
On Aug. 22, the final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as thousands of red, white, and blue balloons fell from the ceiling onto the exuberant crowd, U-High journalists looked on with grins on their faces, notebooks in their hands, and cameras around their necks.
One was Eli Raikhel, photojournalism editor-in-chief, who described the “excited nerves” that came with standing in the packed United Center during the balloon drop.
“It was such a surreal moment, and so cool to be there,” Eli said.
For the six journalists from the U-High Midway print/online newspaper and photojournalism teams who covered the DNC throughout the week, it was more than just an assignment—it was a crash course in real-world journalism. From interviewing political figures to navigating the crowded convention floor, they experienced the challenges and excitement of reporting firsthand on a major political event.
Managing Editor Mia Lipson recalls the experience of watching iconic political figures take the stage in front of her after years of following their journeys on screen and paper.
“The energy was kind of electric. We got to see AOC speak, we saw Hillary Clinton speak, and Biden was kind of the main attraction of the night,” Mia said, referring to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Joe Biden. “It was a really great experience to be able to look around and see all these people that I have watched on TV for years.”
Several of the student journalists also said the event forced them to branch out and gain rare and valuable experience. Olin Nafziger, also a photojournalism editor-in-chief, believes the convention gave him many opportunities to try out new aspects of journalistic work, like more interviewing and reporting.
“I got a lot of practice doing field work that I wouldn’t normally get,” Olin said. “I was standing in the hallway on Monday and Stacey Abrams came up, and I just went for it and interviewed her, kind of trying interviewing for the first time.”
The trial-by-fire means of reporting a major event like the DNC is bound to have some stressful elements, and they weren’t lost on the Midway editors. News editor Taariq Ahmed recounted the feeling of being overwhelmed while covering the event, and overcoming stress by using organized note-taking and confidently approaching sources.
“Sometimes you would have a question prepared, but sometimes you would have to ask something on the spot,” Taariq said. “It was a lot of balancing your notes and trying to figure out who would be best for your story, and a lot of being aware and a very high level of attentiveness.”
Despite the initial challenges, the journalists eventually found their rhythm, adapting to the fast-paced atmosphere and seizing every opportunity to report. Editor-in-Chief Clare McRoberts said the chaos eventually became manageable, and she learned to thrive amid the high-energy crowd.
“At first, it was a little stressful to get acclimated because there was just so much going on,” Clare said. “I was super nervous when we actually got into the United Center. But then, you get used to the environment and you’re able to just take it in.”
The DNC not only tested the team’s abilities but also affirmed their potential. Editor-in-Chief Jaya Alenghat realized just how naturally her skills kicked in when the pressure was on.
“I was really surprised by how much I knew how to do from instinct and memory, and it really just came naturally after, like, the first interview,” Jaya said, whose first interview on Aug. 22 was with activist David Hogg.
By the time the final speeches wrapped and the last balloon had fallen, the U-High journalism team had grown considerably as journalists and as people. With their new experience tackling real-world reporting in a high-stress environment, the editors who covered the DNC feel that they gained tools that extend beyond their high school newspaper work and will prompt them to branch out with their journalistic endeavors in the future.
“From now on, I’ll be more comfortable with interviewing on a greater scale,” Jaya said. “I think I’m more ready for real-life situations outside of just high school reporting—and I’m really grateful to now have that experience and these abilities.”
More U-High Midway Coverage from the DNC
About the Author
Light Dohrn is a member of the Class of 2026 at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, where she serves as the arts and entertainment editor for the U-High Midway. She joined the journalism family as a ninth grader in the 2022-23 school year and previously served as an assistant editor. Outside of journalism, she enjoys classic books and Tarantino films.
About the CSPA Blog
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