Magnet computer science teacher Samir Paul won the Marian Greenblatt Education Fund Rising-Star Teacher Award. He has been teaching at Blair for two years.
Junior Sandy Hunter drives past a defender.
Junior Josh Agu evades a couple defenders
Junior attack Josh Agu drives down the field.
The Boy's Lacrosse Team won a tight game in overtime over Springbrook.
Junior Sean Tan helped contribute in the Blazers win.
Max Burke and Lytton Xu cofounded a new clothing business, Crown Clothing Company.
This is a test.
Junior long stick middle Joshua Agu catches the ball.
The Blazers' defense struggled under pressure.
A Blair student actually uses his locker.
Representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held events and dialogues at Blair throughout Mental Health Awareness Week, concluding with a movie night screening of "Inside Out".
Many Blazers spent February learning more about black history.
The "Black Lives Matter" movement is important to many of those who recognized or celebrated Black History Month.
Some students gave presentations.
An African American Read-In was held in the library.
Dr. Howard presented about his book.
Blazers work behind the counter at the school store.
Sameer Mehta, an Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinical Supervisor, talks to students during a medical careers panel in the Media Center.
At girls' basketball games, hearing "Lady Blazers" is common.
Field hockey, one of the school's all female sports, requires strength, endurance, and a very specific technical skill set.
The Blazers prepare to box out for the free throw.
Nazea Khan and Yonatan Mengesha dawn prom apparel and pose in front of the senior class for Blair's 1st Prom Fashion Show.
Josephine Yu, pictured here, was one of forty Intel finalists in the nation. She received $7,500 and will compete in the final round in March.
Noah Fang, pictured here, was one of 300 Intel semifinalists in the nation.
Almost 40 percent of Blair students have at some point been enrolled in ESOL classes.
ESOL classes are made up of students from all over the world.
Computer science classes give students a background in computer science that will be essential in the future.
Blair Junior Eleanor Cook weaves through the physical Paint Branch defense.
Senior captain Camille Estrin pulls up for a shot.
"Believe in yourself" adorns the wall of a classroom.
Some classrooms have quotes on posters to motivate the students.
Chromebooks are often incorporated into lessons and teaching in social studies classes.
When students use Chromebooks and their MCPS Google accounts, Google has access to some information on their activities.
Dominic Massimino is considering joining the United States military after high school.
Opportunities to talk to current active duty members of the military and to take the ASVAB test can be found in the career center.
A damaged road patch on Colesville caused traffic Monday morning.
The repairs caused traffic coming into Blair on Monday.
Cars pass the Chipotle in Woodmoor.
Junior forward Lauren Frost looks to take a shot.
Servers at Chipotle in Woodmoor Shopping Center.
Before the show can be put on, months of preparation go in to be show-ready.
The tests will now be replaced with cumulative projects or assignments.
LGBTQ+ youth of color can be subject to a host of different oppressions, including racism, sexism and heterosexism and heteronormativity.
MCPS has voted to eliminate final exams.
Blazers respond to the recent terrorist attacks.
Carlos Smith is the new girls' head basketball coach.
Junior Pedraam Faridjoo talks about his fantasy football team with his friends at lunch.
Tom Brown receives a golden football from the NFL.
Senior captain Jimmy McMillian poises himself for a Blair attack.
Senior Ronaldo Sotelo slides in with a well timed tackle.
Senior Michael Lake puts pressure on Meade's midfielder.
A number of students from other Montgomery County High Schools trespassed onto Blair property.
Senior Chris Green runs back an interception in the second quarter.
Eric Zokouri rushes past the Einstein defense.
Sam Newman as Don Pedro and Lucy Glenshaw as Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing"
The vibrant music and costuming in "Much Ado About Nothing", when coupled with a talented cast and beautiful set, make for a highly engrossing and entertaining production.
A Sherwood player sends the ball downfield.
Blair students throw powder into the air during a football game.
Senior defender Camille Franks prepares to kick the ball.
Blair algebra teachers have more worksheets to grade with the new Common Core curriculum.
Seniors vote for their choice of all red or red and white gowns at graduation.
Ponce DeLeon (13) runs head on into the Springbrook defense.
Chris Green (10) and the Blazers forced six turnovers against the Blue Devils.
Senior Maddie Boyer runs after a ball.
Junior defensive back Kasim Brown (9) prepares to bring down a Paint Branch wide receiver.
The Blazers defense pulls a Paint Branch receiver out of bounds.
Senior running back J'Den Seals (6) breaks through the Panthers offensive line.
Blazers cheer for their home team as Blair pulls ahead for a 41-3 lead.
The marching band puts on a Hogwarts-themed performance during half-time.
Junior Cliff Carter jumps on a loose ball.
Senior Omari Brooks tries to shake off a Northwest defender.
Marianne Benyamin blocks her marker from possession of the ball.
Senior Adina Rombro maneuvers the ball around the Trojan defense.
The online PARCC test will be shortened in Maryland
President Obama reveals American hostages were killed by American airstrikes
Towards the end of the trail lies Pierce Mill, D.C.'s oldest surviving gristmill. The mill is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm Wednesday through Sunday, and visitors can enter the building to see wooden gears, hand-carved support beams, and other relics of 19th century America.
Great Falls is a popular climbing location, with dozens of routes in full view of the raging Potomac.
Despite being so close to the city, Rock Creek has a wide selection of flora and fauna. Water birds, like this wood duck, can be seen along the banks and on rocky outcrops in the creek itself.
A climber negotiates an overhang on a rock face along the river. Roped climbs range in difficulty from 5.0 (easy) to 5.12 (extremely difficult), making it a go-to destination for beginners and veterans alike.
Western Ridge Trail (4.5 mi.): Snaking through Rock Creek Park in Northwest D.C., the Western Ridge Trail is an oasis in the heart of the city. The hike begins near Beach Drive on the Maryland/DC border and ends just a brief walk from the National Zoo. For a shorter hike, park at the Rock Creek Nature Center and head south. Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
On sunny days, keep an eye out for reptiles like this Eastern Fence Lizard basking on exposed rocks along the river. The area is home to a variety of ecosystems which house animals ranging from Bald Eagles and Black Vultures to Eastern Coyotes and Red Foxes.
The round trip offers five different scenic views, all situated at least 1400 feet above sea level. Parking lots evenly spaced along the trail are great emergency extraction points, but note that cell phone service within the park is limited and hikers should plan on being self-sufficient, with pick-up times planned well in advance.
Catoctin Mountain Park Loop (8.4 mi.): Catoctin Mountain Park offers multiple trails for inexperienced hikers, trail-hardened veterans, and everyone in between. Trails lengths begin at 0.2 mi., but to see all of the vistas within the park, opt for the longer 8.4 mile loop that begins and ends at the Visitor Center. Difficulty: Strenuous
Changes in scenery and elevation guarantee an interesting hike. The trail widens and flattens as it merges with local horse paths, but can become steep and rocky as it gains elevation.
Despite being the most difficult of the three Billy Goat trails, section A maintains a high elevation for majority of the hike, offering plenty of panoramic views of the river.
In honor of National Parks Week, Silver Chips Online will highlight some of the most popular hikes in the greater Washington DC Area. While the difficulty and length of hikes may vary, all of the options presented will only require a small daypack with food and drink, as well as a sturdy pair of boots.
Hikers negotiate the infamous 50-foot traverse towards the end of Billy Goat Trail A. Hundreds of visitors are injured on this leg of the trail every year, and are thus advised to take caution and wear shoes with firm ankle support while climbing.
While hiking towards the trailhead, visitors can stop to admire the power of the Potomac as it surges through the narrow choke points that characterize the Great Falls area.
Billy Goat Trail A (4.7 mi.): Arguably the most popular destination on our list and just a half hour from D.C., Great Falls attracts thousands of hikers each year. The "Billy Goat” trail system is well-traveled, and it is recommended that hikers start early to avoid heavy traffic along the footpath. The route is divided into three sections; of them, section A is the most difficult, but also the most scenic. Difficulty: Strenuous
Lyrics of violent music have been shown to increase feelings of aggression in listeners.
Blair junior Aaron Mott does math homework while listening to music.
Teenagers today spend an average of 7.5 hours consuming media every day. How does that compare to your digital usage?
The sun casts a warm glow over the trees lining the Basin.
An athlete performs on a stage near the Washington Monument.
A crowd gathers at the water's edge to watch a beautiful sunset over the Tidal Basin.
Flowers started blooming during early March, and peaked during mid April this year.
Outfielder Andrea Brown swings at the ball.
Pitcher Karylena Cruz, third baseman Mildred Devereux and shortstop Kerry Madden celebrate a great defensive play.
The weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade was one of the busiest days in Washington this year.
Though harder to find, pink cherry blossom trees make for the perfect photo op, especially during sunset.
Senior Yonis Blanco carries the ball into his attacking third.
Senior Ishaan Parikh returns a volley in his game.
Junior Matthew Guerrera winds up for a shot.
Blair disposed easily of the Cavaliers.
Blazers team up to surround Wildcat midfielder.
Captain Albert Wang attempts to get the ball past the block.
Junior Ram Sreenivasan goes up for serve.
The Blazer defense had trouble tightly marking Walter Johnson's offensive line.
Ian Donaldson throws a pitch ofr the Blazers
Blair attempts to block the ball.
Starting pitcher Ian Donaldson delivers a pitch
Junior Richard Moglen takes a swing at a Clarksburg pitch.
Junior Gaurav Dahal reports racial profiling.
Despite all the hard work of training to be an EMT, Guerrera is full of smiles.
Haven't you ever wanted to sleep in a snowbank?
Blair Senior Nino Migineishvili rests with a book.
Blair students relax and sleep in the library during lunch.
Senior guard Liza Curcio-Rudy looks for open players as she keeps the ball out of BCC possession.
Captain Sebastian Rubinstein helped lead the team all season long.
Blair has three science teams: the A, B and C teams.
Blazers prepare for their Spanish 5 class.
The Blazers race down the court to defend Blake in transition
Howard University Student Association president Leighton Watson, organizer of the viral HUSA "Hands Up Don't Shoot" picture, advocated student involvement in key issues like police brutality.
The march characterized the rising public animosity towards police brutality, and was one of many organized during recent months.
Protesters marched from Freedom Plaza to the Capitol.
The mother of Amadou Diallo and family members of the deceased spoke to the crowd, accompanied by Reverend "Al" Sharpton. Congressman Al Green (D-Texas) also made an appearance.
Protesters toted banners and thought-provoking signs throughout the march.
A young boy leads the protest group in chanting the infamous slogan: "No Justice, No Peace".
Protesters block traffic in DC streets.
A man dressed in an orange prison uniform drags a banner reading, "Fight Hate With Love"
National Nurses United handed out picket signs reading, "Racism is a Deadly Disease. Heal America".
After the initial march, protesters from Ferguson and DC led an unsanctioned march through unblocked streets throughout DC.
Buses from across the nation brought people into DC for the march.
The group led by DC/Ferguson protesters interrupted a concert in front of the National Portrait Gallery, eliciting a brief altercation with the police.
DC/Ferguson protesters blocked a four-way intersection to hold a die-in for four and a half minutes, representing the four and a half hours that Micheal Brown's body was left in the streets.
Many protesters held up signs and donned shirts that said "Black lives matter."
Demonstrators staged die-ins in road intersections.
Sherri Thompson answered audience questions throughout the meeting.
The dance line from crowd-favorite Bowie State University drew deafening cheers from the crowd as they led their renowned marching band.
Dozens of scout troops marched with family members during the Parade.
The 17th Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade was held in Downtown Silver Spring, where the parade route snaked through Ellsworth Ave. and proceeded south on Georgia Ave, concluding at Silver Spring Ave. near Fire Station 1.
(From left to right) ABC 7 Meteorologist Brian van de Graff and NewsChannel 8 anchor Kellye Lynn served as event commentators, along with event organizer Susan Hoffman.
Many familiar faces were present during the event, including Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer.
Members of Maryland Youth Ballet performed an abridged version of "The Nutcracker" to commence the parade.
Dancers used their long, flowy skirts to amaze the crowd as they spun down Ellsworth.
The crowd numbered in the thousands, and many stayed on their feet for the entire event.
Flagbearers of the Montgomery County Firefighter Pipes and Drums band march holding tools of the trade.
Silver Spring's trademark penguin was carted down Georgia as mini "penguins" waddled along in front.
A plethora of Central and South American cultures were represented by dance groups of various nationalities.
Many Blair students were represented in various groups and organizations, including Chris Jones of Blair's Marching Band.
Vendors sold various holiday memorabilia along the parade route.
Bolivian dancers pose along Georgia Ave.
Blair graduate Peter Cirincione is now a social studies teacher at Blair.
A teacher poses in a full-on Joker costume
If you live within the continental United States, then diarrhea poses a greater threat to your livelihood than Ebola. So stop worrying, take off that hazmat suit you just bought from craigslist, and eat your fiber.
Sophomore Eleanor Cook keeps the ball away from a B-CC player
Junior Cady Pearson fights to gain possession of the ball as her teammate, senior Mikaela McCleery, looks on.
Luisa McGarvey deftly handles the ball as the sun casts a warm orange glow over the turf.
Co-president Walee Khan, co-president Nazea Khan and vice president Zaafira Elham of the Muslim Student Association.
Freshman Tiffany Mao and Senior Leila Habib attempt to block a B-CC spike
Senior Leigh Cook battles for possession
Color runners danced to music played at the end of the race, as color is thrown to the sky.
An elderly woman smiles during the aftermath of the pink station
The Color Run featured large amounts of color being unleashed into the sky above the large crowd, coating everything in bright hues.
A runner raises her hands before being sprayed with pink powder.
The runners were released from the starting point in "waves" every 5 minutes by the DJ
A child sits on his father's shoulders, his blue cap contrasting sharply with the sea of red runners below him.
Spectacular color throws marked the concert at the end of the 5k
Although the powder is nontoxic and made of corn starch, many runners chose to wear sunglasses to shield their eyes during the race.
It's easy to see why the Color Run has been dubbed "The Happiest 5k on the Planet"
The Child Development classroom looks far different from others at Blair.
High school students teach and observe the children on the colorful preschool side of the classroom.
The Child Development classroom is whimsically decorated for the children.
Senior midfielder Erin Nolan fights for possession with Richard Montgomery defender.
Senior Jenny Bates tutors in Honors Chemistry.
Senior Annaleigh Baremore has been tutoring for two years and is now the Co-Director of BLISS.
A comical interpretation of the Hindu god Shiva as a high school student in 2014.
Anna Reachmack battles with Wheaton defender for possession
A Blazer reviews the new disciplinary regulations released by MCPS.
Sammy Wichansky has to manage her time between field hockey and college applications.
Anna Hukill breaks away from Northwood defender
Sammy Wichansky takes a free hit
Dawning the ever-so-appropriate fedora and tinted shades, a representative from The Jazz Academy of Music welcomes the audience to the 11th annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival
Elliot Levine spearheads an onslaught of piano solos.
Colorful lawn chairs covered Veteran's Plaza during the event.
With dreadlocks flying, a man dances to Marcus Johnson
In light of an incoming thunderstorm, the event was postponed as everyone was instructed to take shelter until the storm passed.
A man shows his approval as Levine adds an electronic twist his solo
The roaring audience gives performers a standing ovation
A vendor prepares a fresh batch of chicken for customers at the festival
A guitarist performs with the David Bach Consort
Hailing all the way from New Orleans, special guests from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band begin their impressive setlist as the audience reconvenes after the storm for the most anticipated performance of the night.
Finishing the night off with a bang, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band perform their top hit, "Thats It"