This year's edition of Agora Days took place Feb. 17 to 20, and Uni was once again filled with the sound of students enjoying the four-day break from their regular curriculum. Photographer Sindha Agha chronicled some of the classes, ranging from Tapas to Guitar Hero to Hip-Hop. Here's a selection, with one more photo essay to follow next week.

First-year sensation Jamie Blue has been named the state's top newcomer of the year among small schools by Illinois Basketball Services, a national scouting and recruiting agency. During the 2008-09 season, the 5-9 Blue demonstrated an ability to do just about anything on the basketball court and do it well.

Uni ExploraVision students have received more good news. At the start of this week, they found out that one of their teams had won first place in its region and will compete in the final round. Now they've learned that their three remaining teams have earned honorable mention in the prestigious science and technology competition.

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.

No more Uni Gym? No more Math House or Hue House? On Thursday, students and faculty got a glance at what the school could become, as representatives from the architectural firm Wight & Company presented computer models and floor plans of their ideas for renovating and expanding Uni. Check inside to see the plans in detail.

Students for a Better World hosted a benefit dinner Feb. 13 to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The event featured handmade pasta and other hearty foods, with live music. Dinner-goers got to hear librarian Frances Harris and her klezmer group, and they also got a sneak peek at Shmoopie, prepping for the upcoming Battle of the Bands at the Virginia Theatre.

What happens when "Leave It To Beaver" meets modern standards of surface diversity and the raging conflict over our twisted notions of morality in 21st-century American life? What about when "7th Heaven" is regurgitated except there's a really freaky middle-aged version of Molly Ringwald? You get "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"!

The Class of 2009 will be heading off to the Wisconsin Dells on Friday for three nights and two full days of living on their own (chaperones provided, of course), with a little skiing and swimming and lots of bonding thrown in. It's the annual senior trip, and it's a tell-tale sign that the end of the school year is finally within sight.

We all know what happens to Uni students when they hear that free stuff is available during the annual Engineering Open House or career fairs at Siebel or special promotions at Campustown restaurants. But Uni parents? Hadley Hauser recently found out just how strong the lure of freebies can be, thanks to a recent promotion at the new County Market.

Uni students have traditionally done well in the Insect Fear Film Festival's annual poster contest. But this year they've outdone themselves. Four students have won first-place awards, and two have earned second place.

The Illineks' season ended Tuesday night with a 63-37 loss to rival St. Thomas More in the Class 2A playoffs. Uni finished with a 16-8 record and a share of the East Central Illinois Conference title. Junior Dan Lilly went out on a high note, setting Uni's single-season points record for boys (483), breaking Tim Monahan's 14-year-old mark by a single point.

Even though Agora Days has drawn sadly to a close, we still have lots of things to cheer this week — and, of course, plenty to jeer. From approval of the director candidates to general grumpiness toward the closed elevator, seniors Isaac Chambers and Lor Sligar share their opinions on it all. And just remember: less than four weeks to go before spring break!

Seniors Daniel Borup and Greg Atherton have been selected as candidates in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Only 2,600 students are invited to be candidates each year. The invitations are extended on the basis of students' SAT or ACT scores. In mid-April, 500 semifinalists will be chosen. In May, 141 Presidential Scholars will be named.

Twenty Uni seniors have been named National Merit Finalists, according to college counselor Lisa Micele. Only 15,000 seniors nationwide earned the distinction out of some 1.5 million students who took the PSAT in the fall of 2007. As finalists, the students are eligible for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards, worth about $36 million.

Local high schoolers have long called Uni the nerd school. We're known for our academic rigor, strong SAT scores, and large Asian population. Interested in finding out if you're a true-blooded Uni student? Well, take this quiz and discover how much of a classic Uni student you really are! A bonus Joy Shapley cartoon awaits you inside.