A group of ten mobs the SAC stage, angling for a turn on the microphone. The cafeteria is about to burst with anticipation, the near-capacity crowd cheering and jeering as the next brave soul lets his rhymes fly. "Look at this fool, man, he thinks he's nice. He bought a fake ID so he could get lunch twice!" The crowd whoops in pleasure and the verdict is: officially fried.
Senior Sally Hardin is no stranger to the quiet anxiety that precedes most auditions. She's been playing the tuba seriously throughout high school, most recently gracing the pit orchestra for the school's production of "Beauty and the Beast," while simultaneously balancing practice for the All-State competition earlier this March. But even if she's got the knack of appearing externally cool while standing in a crowded pit or showcasing skills for an audition board, Hardin has got to have one thing to really nail it: her little pink sock.
There was once a time when video games were for little boys who came home from elementary school each day determined to advance to the next level in Duck Hunt, beat the next boss in Donkey Kong and save Princess Peach from the evil Bowser. A grown man who played was considered a dismal loner with no girlfriend, an introvert who lived with his parents or a couch-potato who ignored life's problems by gluing his eyes to the computer screen.
When Dewey Finn (Jack Black) walks into a private school classroom of fourth graders in the 2003 release "School of Rock," his students have no idea that their temporary teacher spends his time playing in a hardcore rock band. While Blair Boulevard may not be graced by wild substitutes who moonlight as punk stars, the teachers of Montgomery Blair carry an impressive, varied resume of personal hobbies.
Board games aren't just for the bored, as sophomore Robert Wallace can testify. With his eyebrows knitted in concentration and his eyes sparkling with energy, he recounts his last quest to conquer the territory of a 19-by-19 board from his opponent. Strategy is essential – as are an open mind, quick decision-making skills and a cool temper – but Wallace says that these skills come with practice. Go, a Chinese board game and Wallace's favorite hobby, is certainly more than the average game of checkers.
In the back of Blair's Career Center, a woman with straight brown hair sits patiently in front of a group of five eager girls. Spread before them is a wide variety of colorful flyers and pamphlets addressing a topic that will eventually affect every American. As a warm smile spreads across her face, registered nurse Megan Matthews begins to share the passion and experiences of her career and the reason for her visit - to help curb the shortage of nurses.
The Baby Boomers had the Beatles — four dashing young Brits in matching suits — to hold their hands. For Generation "Me" Blazers, fond childhood memories are be conjured by none other than the Spice Girls — five stylish, harmonizing ladies from across the pond proclaiming girl power. The Beatles never reunited after their 1970 break-up, but luckily for Blazers, the Spice Girls proved that even after a six-year hiatus, their "friendship never ends;" the group reformed late last year for a reunion tour.
Once upon a time, Saint Valentine wrote a letter to his love while in jail, signing it "Your Valentine," a tradition that has evolved into the beloved Valentine's Day. While Saint Valentine's act of love may just be a legend, the Valentine's Day of today is characterized by all things romantic: couples, candies, roses and the occasional poem. Contributing to the festive spirit, Blair teachers recount their romantic proposal experiences, teaching that while there is no one proper way to propose, some basic steps are recommended.
Traversing the slippery sidewalks of Takoma Park Tuesday morning, senior Breton Sheridan tiptoes up a treacherous front walk that is quickly developing a sheer coat of ice to deliver a simple, friendly message: "vote."
When former Olympian Dominique Dawes and then-Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend visited Blair on March 25, 2002, they were greeted by a red creature with black hair and silver horns — the Blazer. Luckily for the young gymnast, the figure in the Blazer suit was trying to flirt with her. But unfortunately for social studies teacher Lansing Freeman, men with red tails and horns probably were not her type.
Sophomore Nicolette Harley was playing cards with her brother when she heard the news. "Did you hear what happened?" her mother asked a bemused Harley, who replied, "No, what?" Hesitantly, her mother told her the news - Harley's all-time favorite actor had just been found dead. After checking CNN for verification, she found out that on Jan. 22, Heath Ledger had passed away from an overdose of drugs, leaving fans across the world heartbroken.
Junior Aaron Kozloff zeroes in on the 13-foot wall before him. His eyes strain towards the obstacle and he hesitates momentarily. With a final resolve, Kozloff runs up the barrier in order to vault himself over the top ledge, but narrowly misses. "Only half-an-inch more," the four others surrounding him say encouragingly.
With holiday festivities past and exams upon us, the urge to roll out of bed and begin the trudge to school without changing out of those cozy sweat pants may be overwhelming. But despite the cold, many Blazers are still sizzling in the latest fashions, which will keep you toasty and trendy through ice, snow and scantrons.
The cacophony of guitar strings and gossip suddenly ceases as music teacher Paul Newport holds up a hand for silence. Then, only harmonized voices and suppressed giggles can be heard as Newport runs through scales with the choir, occasionally making jokes and replacing the standard "fa-la-la-la-la" with names of students in the room. Conversation rises up again as Newport stops to tune the guitars but quiets once more as he holds a finger to his mouth and says, "Can you do this for me, everyone?"
When 2003 Blair alumna Nora Toiv was in the fifth grade, she got to visit the White House on "take-your-daughter-to-work" day. Her dad, Barry Toiv, who was Deputy Press Secretary during most of the Clinton Administration, took Nora on a special tour through the different-colored rooms and past the security guards to the Oval Office, where he introduced her to the president at his desk.
Young people en route to the real world are inheriting a country that faces a number of challenges. Voting is "one of the big steps to taking responsibility for the society you live in," according to State Senator Jamie Raskin, who represents Takoma Park and part of Silver Spring. "Many of the great social movements in American history were led by young people."
Behind a small counter, a student furiously fills in paperwork as more is passed up. Another student digs through mounds of forms and records information on a deposit log-sheet. Money passes through hands and makes its way securely into a cash box. As the first student completes the paperwork, a teacher in the background gives an approving nod.
With the minutes ticking down in 2007, SCO takes you through the unforgettable stories that made the year. From Blair's changing of the guard to Hillary's presidential run to the New England Patriots' crack at NFL history, take a walk down memory lane with SCO's collection of Blair-related, national, local, entertainment and sports stories posted this year.
Senior Javier Vaca spotted the imposing white-columned Kennedy center after running for 10 miles, jogged past the limestone-and-marble Lincoln Memorial after 11 miles and passed the domed US Capitol after 13 miles. Tired, sore and with a cramp in his leg, when Vaca finally reached the finish line 13.2 miles later at Hains Point, he decided that finishing the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon was worth the endless effort and hours of training.
Juniors Sam Barth, Greg Friedman, Peter Myers, Russell Ottalini and Joe Gilbert emerge on-stage to enthusiastic applause, ready to spread Christmas cheer in this year's SGR Spectacular. While they set up, it becomes apparent that the boys are not equipped with any musical instruments or even microphones. And as the Christmas song "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" begins playing in the background, "pianist" Ottalini emphatically mimes the action and other group members begin imitating other instruments. These boys are in an air band, known as "Action Jackson and the Go Getters."
Each year, director Kelly O'Connor challenges young thespians to assume alternate identities. After months of rehearsal, the ordinary student may change their mannerisms to channel the inner princess, cowboy or pirate that the director is coaching her to embody onstage. In the coming months, students throughout the school will take on the demeanors of lively teapots, flirty feather-dusters and playful foot-rests.
Fighting off the "Z"s during first period is a challenge many students have sought to master over the years. If a good breakfast won't help, then a cup of Starbucks coffee must. But for students in Robert Gibb's first period, staying awake is not a problem. No heads are on their desks in this Modern World History class, as every eye is glued to the projector screen where a Roman battle scene rages. After several minutes, the YouTube clip concludes and Gibb continues lecturing his students, who are now eager, awake and experiencing a rejuvenated interest in the Roman Empire.
Muchos jóvenes no pueden esperar el momento en el cual se escapan de sus padres. Gabriela Formento, una estudiante de tercer año en Blair, está a más de 4,500 millas de los suyos- pero no para escaparse de ellos.
While the trudge up to room 243 for the last forty-five minute chunk of the school day is no stranger to Communication Arts Program (CAP) students in Kevin Shindel's eighth period research class, a gang of less than twenty kids, the hall is abuzz on this Tuesday. Shindel stands outside as the final bell rings, to motion groups of stragglers into the room. Inside, the desks are arranged in a wide square. The tables sit in the middle. The room is crawling with students from every year and every dynamic. The class has visitors.
Cuando Elissa Fischel, estudiante del duodécimo grado, entró el primer dÃa de la escuela en el amplio y extendido edificio de la escuela secundario, era obvio que ella resaltaba en un mar de estudiantes. Siempre que ella caminaba por los largos pasillos, los estudiantes se paraban y la miraban fijamente. Fischel no tenÃa una señal pegada en su espalda ni nada parecido; ella era distinta porque era estadounidense, una extranjera en Brasil.
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