features


D. Leyder arrives at Blair, the intersection of cultural crossroads

By Emmy Song | Sept. 27, 2018, 6:11 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

"As a bilingual and bicultural teen, there were times that I felt that I didn’t fit in. It was as if I had one foot in each country."


Dear Mom

By Neva Taylor | May 13, 2018, 12:09 p.m. | In Lifestyle »

It is that time of year again! The time of year when you have a whole day dedicated exclusively to you. Today is Mother's Day, and oh are we here for it. We have so much to say to you and only one letter to say it all in. But if you'll read nothing else but this opening paragraph, please know that we love you, and we thank you for your never-ending care and support.


Augmented Reality: a new way to see the world

By Sneha Ojha | April 26, 2018, 7:53 p.m. | In Lifestyle »

On April 6 and 7, thousands of people across America gathered at the Washington Convention Center for the biennial USA Science and Engineering festival expo.


Teachers fight for fair wages

By Tiara Oldfield | April 8, 2018, 4:37 p.m. | In Features »

Why West Virginia's teachers went on strike for nine days


Why Online School?

By Emma Markus | April 5, 2018, 8:42 p.m. | In Features »

"At the time I was dealing with a combination of depression, anxiety, an eating disorder and an unhealthy relationship," explains sophomore Ruby Farber who recently returned to Blair after a semester of online schooling.


Women make history

By Mahnaz Habib | March 22, 2018, 3:09 p.m. | In Features »

An account of the unrecognized and influential women in honor of Women's History Month


The come up of eSports

By Tiara Oldfield | March 16, 2018, 2:04 p.m. | In Features »

The inevitable rise of competitive video gaming


Girls' advocacy at Blair

By Sneha Ojha, Tiara Oldfield | March 8, 2018, 7:50 p.m. | In Features »

A look into the girl empowerment clubs at Blair


New Year, New Classes

By Reethi Padmanabhan | March 8, 2018, 10:36 a.m. | In Features »

A closer look at the most recently added elective courses at Blair


Dedication to animation

By Absa Fall, Madeleine Tilley | March 3, 2018, 11:43 p.m. | In Features »

Behind the scenes of films such as Mulan, Toy Story, and Coco, there is a team of artists who put their noses to the grindstone in order to achieve the animated prowess displayed in these films. Even the lighting of a candle requires tedious work and close attention to detail. Animating a flame to look even somewhat realistic is a skill that few people have as it is not easy to master, and requires a lot of time and devotion in order to become proficient.


Losing Lockers

By Tiara Oldfield | Feb. 24, 2018, 9:32 p.m. | In Features »

As the number of students at Blair is expected to surpass 3,000 students next year and the overcrowding problem is anticipated to grow throughout MCPS, it is clear that the schools must clear the space that lockers take up and use it in a more productive manner.


Seven fun ways to spend Valentine's Day if you're single

By Arthi Thyagarajan | Feb. 14, 2018, 6:55 p.m. | In Lifestyle »

For those in love, Valentine's Day is a time to embrace your relationship and reflect on all the reasons why you love one another. But for some of us single people, there's no better holiday to get us bummed out about being alone. Even if you're not doing that great in the romance department this year, that doesn't mean you can't go out and enjoy yourself!


Snowy solutions

By Tiara Oldfield | Feb. 14, 2018, 6:48 p.m. | In Features »

While snow falls and students are sound asleep, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) administrators are up at 3 a.m., racing around and checking the weather forecasts. The seemingly small notification that pops up on the MCPS website before school starts has a big decision making process behind it, and even wider impacts on the community.


The backbone of Blair

By Mahnaz Habib | Feb. 12, 2018, 8:02 p.m. | In Features »

"I think sometimes students think they have to do it alone now that they're in high school, or their friends are the only one they can go to. But there's a reason that they have a support system, we're always here to help," says Ms. Binnick, one of the many counselors at Blair, here to provide that extra support that everyone sometimes needs.


DMV athletes to compete in the 2018 winter Olympics

By | Feb. 4, 2018, 12:25 a.m. | In Features »

The weather is chilly, snow is falling and the Winter Olympics are back. This year they are being held in Pyeongchang County, South Korea, from Feb. 9 to Feb. 25. Sports such as bobsled, hockey and short track speed skating will be a part of this worldwide sporting event, featuring some athletes from the DMV.


Part Three: What Happens Next?

By Rebecca Wessel, Oreet Zimand | Jan. 28, 2018, 11:49 a.m. | In Features »

Despite the increased media scrutiny of sexual misconduct in the workplace, several groups of people have gotten woefully less coverage of their experiences. This series of investigations reveals the unique struggles that teenagers face in reporting sexual misconduct by teachers and authority figures, and the ways in which their voices were silenced.


Blazer Social Media Stars: Youtube Edition

By Eric Feigen, Nene Narh-Mensah | Jan. 25, 2018, 9:43 a.m. | In Features »

Diane Dao bobs her head as she listens to BTS. She ponders possible dance routines in her head over and over for her next video. Meanwhile, Ayse Erbas, junior, sits on her bed and considers different challenges she could do for her next video and who to collab with.


Stepping up the game

By Mahnaz Habib | Jan. 24, 2018, 6:54 p.m. | In Features »

Sophomore Justin Haddad comes home on a Friday afternoon, packs his fencing gear, and hops on a plane to Portland for his next competition.


Part Two: What Happens Next?

By Rebecca Wessel, Oreet Zimand | Jan. 21, 2018, 1:09 p.m. | In Features »

Despite the increased media scrutiny of sexual misconduct in the workplace, several groups of people have gotten woefully less coverage of their experiences. This series of investigations reveals the unique struggles that teenagers face in reporting sexual misconduct by teachers and authority figures, and the ways in which their voices were silenced.


What Happens Next?

By Rebecca Wessel, Oreet Zimand | Jan. 21, 2018, 12:59 p.m. | In Features »

For Olivia, a Blair freshman, church has a powerful presence in her life. Her uncle is a priest and her mother is a well respected congregant. Yet, two years ago, the arrival of a new deacon changed her view of the church entirely.


Lifting for the thrill

By Sneha Ojha, Madeleine Tilley | Jan. 2, 2018, 2:50 p.m. | In Features »

Greer walks into the store. She looks around, scouting for security cameras and roving employees. When she's sure that nobody is looking, she shoves three tubes of lipstick and a bottle of nail polish into her purse, then walks out of the store.


Prime real-estate at Four-Corners

By Rebecca Wessel | Dec. 1, 2017, 9:40 a.m. | In Features »

A new school supply is becoming essential in many classrooms and offices at Blair. It often sits on the floor under desks and near crevices, but some are found higher up in cabinets or by sinks. They come mainly in the form of a wooden rectangle, with a spring loaded wire and a tasty treat placed just in the right position. In some cases, they're activated and the treat is gone, replaced by a once-hungry critter who was hoping to get a bite to eat.


On the other hand

By Emma Markus | Dec. 1, 2017, 9:13 a.m. | In Features »

Freshman Nicole Frank takes ambidextrousness to a completely new level. Frank is such a skilled violinist that you wouldn't notice the difference between her left hand and that of the other violinists in Blair's Symphonic Orchestra at first glance. However, Frank was born with very short fingers, often referred to as "nubbins," on her left hand. "Many people tell me they look like toes," Frank says.


An assist to El Salvador

By Rebecca Wessel | Dec. 1, 2017, 7:52 a.m. | In Features »

For many Salvadorans, soccer is much more than a hobby, it's a lifestyle. After a long day's work, it's customary to meet up with friends and family at la cancha , or the field. Unlike in the United States, most people stay on their community teams well into adulthood. And if people don't play, they certainly go to watch the games.


A Lively performance

By Eric Feigen | Nov. 30, 2017, 8:01 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Engaging high students is one of a teacher's greatest challenges. Robin Lively, the latest addition to the Blair math department, uses acrobatics as way to motivate her class and foster good study habits in and out of school. If all of her students receive a least C on a major assignment, Lively performs a cartwheel as a reward for the class' hard work.

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