Students in Suzanne Linder's Social Advocacy class decided to learn first hand how teens could help out in these tough times. In doing so, they wanted to show other young people how they could make meaningful contributions as well.

Uni students never seem to have enough time — but surely an extra half hour every day can't hurt. As an experiment for the first semester of the 2009-10 school year, Uni is considering a shorter daily schedule, running from 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. All class periods would be trimmed to 45 minutes while lunch would be expanded to that same length.

Recent studies have indicated that cheating is on the rise among high school students. Teachers and administration have expressed concern about cheating at Uni, but how does Uni compare to other high schools? The Gargoyle conducted a survey of roughly one-third of Uni's student body to find out — and then consulted with an expert to assess the results.

It's estimated that 93,500 high school students in America have used steroids by their senior year. In the fall, the IHSA began testing postseason athletes for steroids and other performance enhancers. What led to this decision, what were the results, and what's the reaction at Uni? Elaine Gu introduces us to the new era facing Illinois athletes.

It's not even spring yet, but many summer camps and programs have already started taking applications for this year's sessions. Whether you seek academic enrichment, outdoor adventure, or anything in between, there's something for practically every interest. In this guide, the Gargoyle examines 11 meaningful programs that Uni students attended in recent years.

No one can analyze the present like someone who knows the past. With Barack Obama's inauguration just a month away, Uni's own history experts are here to put the ground-breaking Election 2008 in perspective. What does Obama's victory say about where we are and where we're heading? Read on for the views of Uni High's social studies faculty.

Most people in the Uni community know of Ellen Lindsey, the registrar in the Student Services Office, but not everyone has met Joey, her son. Joey is an adorable blond 4-year-old who has Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects everything from cognitive skills to physical appearance. But that hasn't stopped Ellen from making sure her son lives as full a life as possible.

Don't cross Kickapoo State Park off your weekend getaway list just yet. Along with three other Illinois state parks, Kickapoo was given a new lease on life when Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill providing the funds needed to keep it open. But seven other state parks weren't so lucky. Read on for an update about the governor's decision.

Can a state park suddenly vanish? Can political magicians suddenly make it reappear? Kickapoo State Park, along with 10 other state parks, is slated to close at the end of November. Kickapoo has long been a favorite recreation site for Uni families. Read Hadley Hauser's article about the impact of Kickapoo's impending closure.

As of July, the Uni High soda machines stopped dispensing regular sodas and sports drinks. Students now have a choice of Coke Zero, Diet Sprite, and Diet Barqs. It hasn't been an especially popular change. Maritza Mestre asks: Why did this happen, and is there anything that can be done about it?

Uni's own Ellen Lindsey, mother of Down syndrome son Joey, has been involved in making the public aware of the film's treatment of the disabled. Katherine Allen recently talked with Ellen and disability advocate Jennifer Schrad to learn more about the controversy over "Tropic Thunder."

Many people would agree that sleep is a crucial part of student achievement. Why, then, do students at Uni seem to make it a low priority? Students, parents, teachers, and experts agree that poor sleeping habits affect students' lives in many ways. Maritza Mestre crunches the numbers and examines why students at Uni never seem to get enough sleep, what the cost is, and how student sleeping habits can be improved.

What do you do if the colleges you were accepted to aren't right for you? Senior staff reporter Bethany Hutchens tells her story, and reflects on her mistakes in the college decision process.

Senior Dana Al-Qadi brings together family photos from the West Bank with her own narration to depict what life under occupation is like for Palestinians.

In early April, a series of events marking Palestine Awareness Week took place on the University of Illinois campus. One Uni student for whom that week had special meaning was senior Dana Al-Qadi, whose family is from Nablus in the West Bank. In this interview, Al-Qadi discusses her experiences of life in Palestine.