Despite losing their only all-state runner this decade in graduated senior Malcolm Taylor, the Illineks are hoping to have one of the best seasons in school history. The season begins Tuesday with the Kickapoo Kickoff Classic.

The Uni girls begin their season Tuesday at the Kickapoo Kickoff Classic. With more than twice the number of runners they had last year and a dynamic duo in senior Elizabeth Russell and freshman Sarah Vaughen, the Illineks have the depth and talent to make their fourth trip to the IHSA state finals in five years.

The annual subbie retreat took place today, giving the school's newest students a chance to get to know each other better. Rain prevented the Class of 2014 from going to Meadowbrook Park for the day, so they had to make do with Uni Gym and assorted classrooms. Still, with the help of their subbie buddies, they had a great time!

This summer, a group of Uni students led by history teacher Chris Butler headed off to the beautiful mainland and islands of Greece for a two-week trip. They explored archaeological sites and the gorgeous islands, getting a full immersion of Greek history and culture. Check out their pictures, Animoto style!

Featuring the voices of Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, and Tina Fey, "Ponyo" is the latest release from legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. As with any Miyazaki film, the visuals are stunning, but is that enough? Katherine Allen weighs in.

Uni High's first dance of the year took place Friday in the North Attic, and the free event was a great way to have fun with friends after the first week of school. Kahlilah Cooke & Co. were there snapping away on the camera when they weren't dancing. Take a look at what they came up with!

Last season, the Uni boys ended their season on a disappointing note with a loss to Judah Christian in the Class 1A regional semifinals. On top of that, the Illineks lost a good portion of their defense to graduation, though their offense is in good shape as senior Dan Lilly enters his final season at Uni. How will the defense hold up? Who will fill their diminished ranks? Check inside to find out.

Sen. Edward Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer Tuesday night. The senator was famed for his family as well as for his extensive work on health care during his 46 years as member of the Senate. Today, many in Washington, D.C., mourn the end of an era and the loss of a great political figure.

You might know Elizabeth Majerus as the most recent winner of the Ella Leppert Award for outstanding teaching, and you might even know about her published poetry. But there's probably a lot you don't know about the head of Uni's English department. Sindha Agha met with Majerus to discuss everything from her Midwest childhood to life in L.A. to her passion for music and literature.

The man who made millions from the simple idea of helping students prepare for standardized tests died Sunday in Manhattan. But how will Stanley Kaplan be remembered: as an entrepreneur who saw a niche and filled it, helping countless students in the process, or as a symbol of much that went wrong with American education in the post-World War II era?

This summer was jam-packed for Sindha Agha; with trip after trip, it's a miracle she had time to stop and look for new music. But she did, and to get you pumped up for school she's selected 14 of her favorite tracks from this summer. Hopefully this cheerful mix will help erase any of the dread you might still be feeling. Welcome back!

Whether you're a fresh-faced subbie or a wizened senior, let the OG be your guide to all things Uni and otherwise. Read on for welcoming words of wisdom from the Online Gargoyle senior editors.

The popular TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" arrived last week in the small town of Philo, about nine miles south of Urbana, to give a local family a new home. Gargoyle editor Will Fernandez was there on Saturday, along with hundreds of others, and he brought back this report, including an Animoto video.

With the return of school comes Cheers & Jeers, the Online Gargoyle's pithy and always good-humored look at the highs and lows of life at Uni High. We've only been back for three days, but already there's plenty to talk about. Senior editors Laura Dripps and Maritza Mestre do the honors.

The new school year began this morning with an opening-day assembly in Uni Gym. Some 300 students greeted the school's new director, Dr. Jeffrey Walkington, who takes over from the retired Steve Epperson. Check out our first slideshow of the year as we look back at the beginning of the "Doc Walk" era.