Jennifer Roloff (oboe), Lucy Zhang (violin I), Ethan Berl (tenor I), and Daniel Borup (bass I) spent Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 in Peoria, surrounded by some of the best high school musicians in Illinois. The occasion? The annual Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference — new to one of the Uni musicians, old hat to the others, but challenging and exciting for all.

After much anticipation, United for Uganda's junior/senior lock-in is to take place this Saturday and Sunday at Uni. Originally scheduled for Dec 8-9, the lock-in was postponed due to nasty weather. Starting at 9 p.m. Saturday and continuing through 8 a.m. Sunday, the lock-in will feature many of the same events promised for the December date, and more. It will kick off with a dance DJ-ed by senior UFU officer Marika Iyer until 11:30, with food, performances, and activities to follow.

Uni High's own United for Uganda will host an assembly Friday afternoon in Uni Gym to raise awareness about the situation in the East African country. Classes will be shortened for the event. UFU is a student organization dedicated to helping the “invisible children” of northern Uganda. Topics expected to be covered at the assembly include the rehabilitation of child soldiers, the role of nongovernmental organizations, and the use of microfinancing to serve the poor.

[UPDATED with audio and photos] Uni's six graduating players went out with a 66-44 victory Wednesday night over Georgetown Notre Dame de LaSalette in their final home game. Uni also extended its winning streak to 10 games, raising its record to 19-5 overall, 8-1 in the ECIC. The Illineks have three more games before the IHSA Class 2A playoffs begin, and if they win all three, they will likely win the conference.

[UPDATED with audio and photos] The Illineks finished their season Wednesday night with a 50-38 loss to Georgetown-Ridge Farm in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A regionals. Junior Jessi Sullivan led Uni with 11 points. Classmate Rachel Skoza added 8 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. With the loss, the Illineks end up 12-13 overall, 9-3 in the East Central Illinois Conference.