Maximillian Foley-Keene

Name: Maximillian Foley-Keene
Position: Online Editor-in-Chief
Graduation Year: 2016

Hello! My name is Max and I'm an Editor in Chief for SCO this year. I like writing about what I think, especially current events, American foreign and economic policy. I also like music (jazz and 2000s post-punk are my favorites), art (Wassily Kandinsky is the man), sports (New England teams) and Netflix (West Wing, How I Met Your Mother, Sherlock and Parks and Recreation). I'm excited to be editing SCO!

Stories (45)

Primary Predictions: Maryland, April 26

By Eleanor Cook, Charles Lott, Maximillian Foley-Keene, Neida Mbuia Joao | April 25, 2016, 9 p.m. | In Local »

This race has been nearly unpredictable from the start, but SCO's team of experts, featuring seniors Max Foley-Keene and Neida Mbuia-Joao and juniors Eleanor Cook and Charlie Lott are here to break down the races and predict the unpredictable.

March 15 primary predictions

By Eleanor Cook, Charles Lott, Maximillian Foley-Keene, Neida Mbuia Joao | March 14, 2016, 9:23 p.m. | In National »

Super Tuesday primary predictions

By Eleanor Cook, Charles Lott, Maximillian Foley-Keene, Neida Mbuia Joao | Feb. 29, 2016, 8:29 p.m. | In National »

Happy Super Tuesday! More states vote today than at any other point in the primary contest. A huge amount of delegates are awarded and candidates who do well on Super Tuesday tend to win the nomination.

Primary Predictions: South Carolina Democrats

By Eleanor Cook, Charles Lott, Maximillian Foley-Keene, Neida Mbuia Joao | Feb. 27, 2016, 8:51 a.m. | In National »

Donald Trump and the rise and fall of white nationalism

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Feb. 17, 2016, 2:35 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

There's plenty to fear about Donald J. Trump. He's a bully, a sexist and a narcissist. But what's even scarier is the rising movement he represents: white nationalism--a movement defined by white identity and opposed to forces of economic and demographic change.

What's happening with the Democratic presidential race?

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Jan. 29, 2016, 9:50 a.m. | In Op/Ed »

While not as flashy or entertaining as the GOP campaign, the Democratic primary has been plenty contentious and raises interesting questions about the Democratic Party, liberalism in America and the appeal of pragmatism.

What's going on with the 2016 GOP race?

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Jan. 29, 2016, 9:30 a.m. | In Op/Ed »

The 2016 presidential campaign has been the most unpredictable and entertaining race in recent memory. In the Republican race, a reality TV star and a senator widely despised in his own party lead in the polls.

Construction on Four Corners water main disrupts morning traffic

By Maximillian Foley-Keene, Eleanor Linafelt | Jan. 13, 2016, 5:32 p.m. | In Local »

A scheduled repair on a Colesville Road water pipe caused congested traffic near Blair on Monday, Jan. 11.

Students trespass onto Blair property

By Maximillian Foley-Keene, Eleanor Linafelt | Nov. 10, 2015, 1:10 p.m. | In Local »

Montgomery Blair experienced three security breaches by students who attend other Montgomery County high schools between Oct. 7 and Oct. 12. Two of these breaches led to physical confrontations between the Blazers and the outside students.

Words ringing in your ears

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 27, 2015, 12:46 p.m. | In Features »

In a community like Blair, one that prides itself on tolerance, how do Blazers relate to the words coming in through their headphones?

Blair ends playoff run in tough loss to Gaithersburg

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 21, 2015, 1:17 p.m. | In Blair »

The Blair baseball season ended Friday afternoon in a painful 6-3 loss at Gaithersburg High School. Blair struggled against Gaithersburg's pitcher Anthony Felitti, a commit to the University of Virginia.

"Pitch Perfect 2" sings

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 20, 2015, 12:31 a.m. | In Movies »

"Pitch Perfect," a quirky comedy about all-girls a capella group the Barden Bellas, took critics by aca-amazement by becoming one of the biggest hits of 2012, fueling a renaissance of collegiate a capella enthusiasm. Now the Barden Bellas are back, and they're better than ever. "Pitch Perfect 2" is a hilarious and worthy sequel, filled to the brim with gags and female empowerment.

Baseball wallops Whitman to advance in the playoffs

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 15, 2015, 1:56 p.m. | In Blair »

In a dramatic victory Wednesday, Blair baseball defeated Walt Whitman High School 15-4, avenging last year's loss that knocked the Blazers out of the playoffs. After falling behind early in the game, Blair scored twelve runs in the fourth inning to call the mercy rule.

In first playoff game, baseball comes out strong against WJ

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 15, 2015, 12:46 p.m. | In Blair »

On a beautiful night, in front of an energetic crowd, Blair baseball entered the playoffs with a bang. Behind solid pitching, excellent defense and a powerhouse offensive performance, Blair looked unstoppable, beating Walter Johnson High School after the mercy rule was called in the fifth inning with a score 12-1. The Blazers now move on to their second playoff game against Walt Whitman, the team that knocked Blair out of the playoffs last year.

Gender-segregated tables in Media Center cross a line

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 12, 2015, 1:31 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Although the Media Center staff separated its tables by gender for the good intent of creating a more peaceful and learning-conducive environment, the tables lead to gender discrimination and stereotyping.

Blair seniors shine against Blake on Senior Night

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 8, 2015, 12:55 p.m. | In Blair »

Everything seemed to come together for Blair baseball on senior night. The last home game of the regular season was rife with strong defensive plays and quality pitching performances, all backed up with strong offensive play. Performing for a packed house of ardent fans, Blair took down Blake High School 6-1, to improve their record to 13-3 on the season.

Baseball trounces Wheaton

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | April 30, 2015, 2:04 p.m. | In Blair »

Blair Varsity baseball won its seventh game in a row Wednesday night, taking down the Wheaton Knights 10-0 to improve to a record of 12-3 on the season. This game comes after Tuesday night's division clinching 5-4 victory at Walt Whitman High School, the team that knocked Blair out of the playoffs last year.

Baseball defeats Magruder

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | April 30, 2015, 1:07 p.m. | In Blair »

Blair baseball soundly defeated the Magruder Colonels (8-7) Monday night 11-5 to improve to a record of 10-3 on the season. The Blazers rode their momentum to extend their winning streak to five games.

Blair Baseball demolishes RM

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | April 30, 2015, 12:59 p.m. | In Blair »

Blair Varsity baseball thoroughly defeated the Richard Montgomery Rockets Thursday night in a 11-1 blowout. The mercy rule was applied in the sixth inning, after Blair acquired a ten-run lead.

Save the planet: Have fewer children

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | April 22, 2015, 3:11 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Overpopulation is a critical and under-discussed issue. To address it, humankind needs to undergo a cultural and biological shift. We need to stop having so many children.

A talk with Intel winner Michael Winer

By Maximillian Foley-Keene, Ben Lickerman | April 22, 2015, 1:24 p.m. | In Local »

This year, Blair Senior Michael Winer won first prize in the Innovation category at the Intel Talent Search Finals. He won $150,000 in prize money for his project about the interaction between phonons and electrons in a crystal.

Varsity baseball beats Clarksburg with dramatic, extra-inning walk off

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | April 15, 2015, 1:58 p.m. | In Blair »

Blair Baseball (5-2) defeated the Clarksburg Coyotes (3-3) Tuesday in a 4-3 nailbiter, scoring the walk-off run in the eighth inning. Blair relied on solid pitching to keep them in the game and clutch hits to pull ahead after falling behind early. Blair improved to a record of 5-2 for the season with Tuesday's win.

Far from eight hours

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | March 14, 2015, 3:32 p.m. | In Features »

Not everyone stays awake for the same reasons. While some stay up for homework or extracurriculars, others stay up to relax and have fun; and others can't sleep no matter how hard they try.

Picking a SMOB

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | March 10, 2015, 6:24 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

As MCPS students prepare to vote on the nest Student Member of the Board (SMOB), we should consider the most important issues that will face them. In evaluating our choice for SMOB, we should consider how they will address the achievement gap, PARCC and other standardized testing, and communication between the SMOB and the student body.

Don't walk in the PARCC

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Feb. 24, 2015, 5:16 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Common Core and PARCC will undermine education at Blair, Montgomery County and states across the U.S. In order to prevent such an educational fiasco, Maryland should drop out of the PARCC consortium.

As PARCC testing approaches, teachers voice frustration

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Feb. 10, 2015, 1 p.m. | In Local »

As Blair prepares for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) tests, Blair teachers expressed frustration and anger at a test they view as overly difficult, time-onsuming and representative of educational policies that delegitimize public education.

Flipping the classroom on its head

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Jan. 9, 2015, 12:58 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

So how do we make sure that students know 100 percent of the foundation of a subject and 100 percent of all the concepts after? By flipping the lecture-test model of schooling on its head.

In "Annie," the sun is always out

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Dec. 24, 2014, 2:06 p.m. | In Movies »

"Annie" is two-dimensional, goofy and very cheesy. This film will not be sweeping at the Academy Awards. But if you're ready to embrace the feel-good silliness and fall into a world in which it really is always better tomorrow, "Annie" is for you. Be ready to sing along.

The rise of the religious left

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Dec. 5, 2014, 10:31 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

With a growing community of religious progressives among young people, we may be about to see the political and religious tide turning back toward a message of economic equality and social tolerance.

Winter Sports Preview

By Amalia Chiapperino, Maximillian Foley-Keene, Brian Le, Robert Pfefferle | Dec. 5, 2014, 12:58 p.m. | In Blair »

Blair's winter sports teams look to continue their success from previous years.

The greatest editor of his day

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Nov. 12, 2014, 9:30 p.m. | In Features »

On Oct. 21, the journalistic and political world mourned the death of one of its giants. Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee served as the Washington Post's Editor-in-Chief during the Watergate scandal.

A vote for corruption

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Nov. 9, 2014, 9:43 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

If the American people are able to accept knowing less about their political system, the federal government will be able to address pressing issues with more ease.

Midterms debrief: 2014 election results and what they mean

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Nov. 5, 2014, 6:42 p.m. | In News Blog »

Alumni of Blair: Love and loss at Blair

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Oct. 14, 2014, 10:35 a.m. | In HOB »

"The best day of my life was at that Blair basketball game."

Girls' varsity soccer disposes of Paint Branch

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Oct. 8, 2014, 2:38 p.m. | In Blair »

Girls' varsity soccer (3-5) dominated the Paint Branch Panthers (2-7-1) Tuesday afternoon, taking their first divisional win in a 5-0 rout.

Building bridges at Blair

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Oct. 5, 2014, 12:39 p.m. | In Features »

BLISS assigns upperclassmen tutors with younger and lower level classes, giving academic assistance to students and an extra hand to teachers. But BLISS accomplishes much more than an academic mission.

Blair junior won gold medal in martial arts

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Oct. 1, 2014, 9:45 p.m. | In Local »

Blair junior Amy Li won a gold medal for the Chinese martial art Wushu last August at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

MCPS institutes new code of conduct

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Sept. 15, 2014, 1:57 p.m. | In Local »

On August 14, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) released a new disciplinary code of conduct aimed at decreasing suspensions and expulsions while increasing administrative discretion in disciplining students.

The tuition is too darn high

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Sept. 11, 2014, 1:50 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

If a college degree is ever going to be a commodity students of all economic statuses can obtain, states and the federal government must end their reliance on college loans and make a renewed investment in student aid programs.

Why the war on terror failed

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Sept. 11, 2014, 12:40 p.m. | In ‎Latest »

The blame for this global disrepair can be principally attributed America's failure nation-build in Iraq and Afghanistan by working with the people to create benevolent governments.

"The Giver" of nothing new

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Aug. 18, 2014, 11:39 p.m. | In Movies »

Some movies seem to come out at the perfect time, striking a chord with the emotions and experiences of the audience. Other movies come out following the release of a litany of similar films, seeming unoriginal and boring. "The Giver" is that second kind of movie.

The brokenness of American democracy, in one poll

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Aug. 14, 2014, 7:32 p.m. | In News Blog »

For the first time in the history of the survey, the majority of Americans disapprove of their own Representative. And the scary thing is that this finding doesn't matter one bit.

A need to lead in the Israel-Palestine conflict

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Aug. 13, 2014, 4:52 p.m. | In News Blog »

The United States must make a change in its Middle East policy by working to rebuild the broken Palestinian economy and putting pressure on the Israeli regime to work for a lasting two-state solution.

In Syrian war, strength through neutrality

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | July 24, 2014, 11:40 a.m. | In Op/Ed »

The continuation of Assad's power in Syria brings the country closer to becoming ground zero of an all-out battle between the two major sects of Islam, Shia and Sunni, spanning the entire Middle East.