Hours before a Uni play, you'll find your favorite thespians backstage applying their makeup, putting on their costumes, and getting into character. Student Productions 2008 was no exception. Check out this audio slideshow as cast members Lauren Piester and Lor Sligar take us behind the scenes at opening and closing night.

When December rolls around, there's one thing local music lovers can be sure of: The Uni High Madrigals will be out and about bringing song and good cheer to Champaign-Urbana. The 16-member singing group, under the direction of Rick Murphy, had another busy holiday season, highlighted by Saturday night's "Baroque Christmas" program at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

One of Uni's unique characteristics is that some students may enter from the sixth grade. As a result, every grade level can have an age gap of almost three years. Are students who skip a grade expected to grow up too fast? What negative impact does this have on the student and the Uni community as a whole?

This past summer, Elaine Gu and her friends would sometimes just randomly burst out and exclaim, "We're going to be seniors!" However, the reality of it all hasn't sunk in on her yet. "An entire semester has passed by, but everything seems to be a blur," she writes. "Sundays seem to blend into Mondays, and I just haven't had the time to stop and take it all in."

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.

Freshman Jamie Blue and senior Rachel Skoza combined for 38 points as Uni had little trouble beating nonconference visitor LeRoy. Blue recorded her second straight triple-double, adding 13 rebounds and 10 assists to her game-high 21 points. The Illineks dominated the first half, building a 40-16 lead.

Despite a slow first start, Uni pulled away from Oakwood in the second quarter and never looked back, outscoring the Comets in every quarter en route to a 24-point victory. Junior Dan Lilly scored a game-high 27 points and added five rebounds, eight assists, one block, and seven steals

With all the great feats accomplished by Uni varsity athletes during the fall semester, it was easy to overlook a remarkable subfreshman who is poised to become the latest in the long line of outstanding Illinek female runners. Meet Sarah Vaughen, who has already established herself as one of the top up-and-coming runners in the state.

Earlier this month, The News-Gazette capped off junior Lisa Boyce's spectacular debut season as a high school competitor by naming her the area's Swimmer of the Year. If she swims again for Uni next season, she will be one of the favorites to win a state title. If she doesn't return, then that means she will have qualified for USA Swimming's national junior team. Either way, the future is glowing for this phenomenal student-athlete.

In their first year in the newly formed Illini Conference, the Uni High subfreshman boys have shown they belong at the top of their class. The Illineks won the inaugural Illini Conference eighth-grade tournament Tuesday night after a hard-fought 27-21 win over host Judah Christian.

Not sure what to do this winter break? From Will Ferrell in "Elf" to Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone," here are some movies that can help pass the time away! Some of these are cartoons, others comedies, and one is even a stop motion. No matter what, these movies are all great, and they will definitely help you de-stress from finals.

On Saturday, the Uni chess team played against some of the biggest and best schools in Illinois, placing eighth in the 20-team West Chicago Invitational Chess Tournament. The leader of the team, senior Gordon Ruan, won all of his games to finish in second place individually.

Senior Rachel Skoza poured in 21 points and freshman Jamie Blue had a triple double as Uni evened its conference record, defeating crosstown rival Judah Christian handily Monday night. Senior Joy Shapley added 14 points and had a monster game on the boards, grabbing 17 rebounds.

Take away the second quarter, and Uni would have emerged the winner in Monday night's nonconference road game against Georgetown Notre Dame de LaSalette. Unfortunately for the Illineks the second quarter counted, and that was the difference in LaSalette's 53-45 victory.