"Homosexuality and teen sex are each a reality. High school students have children at the age of 16, much before they are ready. If use of birth control is taught, these unwanted pregnancies may be avoided. When a parent births a child before they area ready, it impacts both the parent and the child. Homosexuality regarded as a sin or otherwise, does occur in our society. People are much more likely to intolerant toward things they do not understand. However, whatever students believe homosexuality is acceptable or not, it is the educators' responsibility o teach students how their fellow citizens live." -freshman Laura Mirviss
"My favorite video game is Metroid Fusion. This game is probably the most engaging action game I've played that doesn't have any blood or gore. Another reason I love this game is that it takes about two to three hours to beat the game, but to completely max it out, you need about two more hours. After that, it's fun to just sit around, shooting everything in sight." -freshman Malcolm Foley
"Over the summer I read this novel and I must say, it is one of the few books with lots of writing that I actually wanted to finish. Lots of controversy surrounds this novel due to the excessive use of the N-word. If a single book is going to be condemned because of a bad word, they may as well remove all books from the curriculum. The truth is, these books are historically accurate in the environment setup, and in order to show our history we must show the truth, and the truth is ugly." -freshman Daniel Quang
The annual District Two Band Festival was held in Blair's auditorium yesterday, March 24. Eleven high school bands from around the county, including Blair's Symphonic Band, played in the festival. Blair received the highest possible rating in both stage performance and sight-reading.
Delegates from countywide middle and high schools nominated Junior Sebastian Johnson as one of the final two candidates for the 28th Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) on Tuesday, March 15, 2005. He will be running against junior Nadia Sicard from John F. Kennedy High School during elections held on April 26 and 27.
On opening night, the lights dim and the curtains part to reveal a skillfully painted set and actors and actresses dressed in intricately designed costumes. Stress, excitement and effort have built up in the directors, cast, crew and orchestra for this very instant, as they all contribute to this long-awaited moment. The entire production only lasts two and a half hours from the first sounds of the overture to last beat of the epilogue, but it took months to prepare for this night.
Speed skating, the sport that offers the fastest means of human travel without the aid of mechanics or gravity, requires only a moderate amount of balance and coordination. However, it takes a lot of hard work and determination to become the world's fastest speed skater - exactly what senior Camila Silva is currently striving to be.
The Blair Blazers returned to home court today, falling to the Magruder Colonels 46-39 and adding to their three game losing streak. The Blazers (7-6) trailed their opponents during the entire game, only stepping up during the fourth quarter.
"I don't buy gifts for the holidays at the dollar store. I make my gifts and fill them with love." -senior Lillian Rosen"
Blair fought to the finish tonight, first leading, then trailing, and finally leading again. The Blazers brought their record to 5-5 in a heated duel with the Sherwood Warriors (3-8). The two evenly matched squads were neck and neck during most of the game, but it was the Blazers who fully utilized their strong defense and nailed their free throws to win the game 61-59 in overtime.
"No, Cyber-bullying doesn't really have the same impact as real bullying. Since there are no physical effects of bullying, "victims” can just ignore a cyber-bully's verbal assault. If someone tries to cyber-bully another, that person can just sign off the internet anyways, or even create another identity and get revenge of the bully." -senior Michael Li
"Yes, I think a lot of athletes at Blair violate the drug and alcohol contract because I know about 10 of them. A signed contract doesn't mean a lot to many of the players." -senior Rachel Bowles
"My favorite teen show would have to be "One Tree Hill"! The show is full of drama and it is so exciting. Plus there are so many cute guys there. I mean, what girl would not want to watch Chad Michael Murray?" -freshman Juliet Huang
"Anything that can save lives is necessary and stem cell technology currently has the potential to be the most effective treatment method for some of the world's deadliest diseases." -sophomore Justin Vlasits
"Blair's athletes should not be required to stay at school for a study hall. A mandatory study hall only keeps the athletes from home for a longer period of time. A stunt hall makes the difference between getting home at 7:00 pm and getting home at 6:00 pm. That extra hour gives us more time to do homework at home. Blair's athletes should be mature enough to take responsibility for their homework after practice. Besides, it's already been made clear that the athletes need to keep their grades up."?-senior K. J. Bonhomme
The Blazers fought hard tonight, but inconsistency led the team to lose 61-43 to the Blake Bengals (7-2). Blair, currently 4-5 on the season, was no match for the Bengals' better ball handling and offense. Despite Blair's second quarter lead, Blake gained momentum as the Blazers trailed for the remainder of the game.
Three days after Watkins Mill beat the team in a close match, the JV girls' basketball team was significantly outplayed by the undefeated Damascus Hornets (3-0), and lost 30-57. The Blazers dropped to 4-2 for the season. Blair's inconsistent offense and passive defense caused the squad to trail the Hornets the entire night.
In a close game today, the Watkins Mill Wolverines narrowly defeated the JV girls' basketball team 47-49. This upsetting loss came after four consecutive wins-tarnishing the team's previously undefeated record by dropping to 4-1 for the season.
After winning two games during the pre-season, the JV girls' volleyball team launched into the regular season with a disappointing 1-2 match loss. Although Blair started strong with a 25-17 win during the first set, the Quince Orchard Cougars defeated the Blazers in the second and third sets 25-12 and 9-15 respectively.
Silver Chips Online writers share the site with visiting Irish school officials.
Silver Chips Online Managing Editor Seema Kacker shares the SCO site with Eugene Martin, principal of Ulidia College in Northern Ireland.
Silver Chips Online Staff Writer June Hu shares the SCO site with Harpur.
Students gathered at the SMOB Nominating Convention.
The Seven SMOB candidates. Johnson, second from the left, and Sicard, center, are the final two candidates. Click the above picture to see a gallery of photos.
Johnson shaking hands with a delegate.
Senior delegates Tigisty Berhe and Shewitt Woldu cast their first ballots.
Candidates Sicard and Johnson
Johnson and current SMOB Sagar Sanghvi.
One of the final rehearsals for the spring musical, "Once Upon a Mattress," concludes on the day before the teasers, Tuesday, March 2. Click the above picture to see a gallery of rehearsal pictures.
CORRECTION: "Once Upon a Mattress" runs for two weeks: March 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and March 6 at 2 p.m.
The cast of the spring muscial, Once Upon A Mattress, prepare for Friday's opening night.
Sophomore Ebony Winfield reaches during the tip-off against a Blake opponent.
Freshman Sarah Ramsay about to tip off against Watkins Mill.