Picnic greets incoming freshmen


June 8, 2006, midnight | By Alex Hyder | 18 years, 3 months ago

Blazers-to-be get a taste of high school


Blair's administration organized a picnic Tuesday night in the SAC for incoming freshmen in which the students were introduced to Blair and told of the many extracurricular opportunities available at Blair.

The event, which ran from approximately 6:30 to 8:30, allowed incoming freshmen to meet each other and their families. SGA President Eric Hysen estimates that 100 to 200 incoming freshmen and their families were in attendance.

After ninth grade administrator James Short opened the event and introduced many of the administrators present, including Principal Phillip Gainous. PTSA Co-President Dave Ottalini also introduced himself and encouraged the parents present to become involved in the PTSA.

The event opened with a performance by members of Blair's Marching Band. Instrumental Music Director Dustin Doyle introduced himself and the band before describing the many ways freshmen can become involved with Blair's music programs. The band performed several songs, including the Blair fight song and its rendition of ABBA's 1970s hit, "Dancing Queen." The county champion drum line was given a solo between tunes. Doyle said that only "a fraction of the band" was there, joking that "we didn't want to knock [the incoming freshmen's] socks off too much." Afterwards, Drum Major Zach Ambrose went around the SAC, stopping to talk to interested parents and students about the band and orchestra options available to Blair students.

The students were then given free hot dogs and potato chips to enjoy while administrators and others present went around the SAC and introduced themselves to parents.

Football Head Coach Adrian Kelly was present to represent Blair athletics. He hosted an athletics table, distributing information on sports teams to interested students and parents.

Blair's SGA also hosted a table in the SAC, where sponsor Rondai Ravilious told interested students about opportunities for freshmen in the SGA. Hysen also walked throughout the SAC, introducing himself and encouraging students to consider serving in student government.

The night concluded with the incoming freshmen divided into four groups to meet with current freshmen to discuss the transition between middle school and high school and life at Blair.




Alex Hyder. Hyder, as he is affectionately (or, as is often the case, not-so affectionately) known, is thoroughly enthused about his position on SCO. A junior in Blair's Magnet Program, he is too lazy to write a more extensive bio but nonetheless finds the energy to write … More »

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