features
Silver turns green
By Deepa Chellappa | April 1, 2009, midnight | In Features »
I stood in the dark recesses of my room one Thursday night struggling to hang on to the five light bulb packages in my arms as they began to slip. A crack, yelp and frustrated sigh later, my third bulb in only two weeks had broken as it hit the floor. So far, I had only changed five bulbs and about 20 more remained, mocking me.
Recruiting rollercoaster
By Greg Kohn | March 27, 2009, midnight | In Features »
As the clock ticked down for Blair in the first round of the basketball playoffs on Feb. 27, senior Mike McClain faced not only the pressure from the game but also from a man seated in the third row - a college scout watching his every move. For many of Blair's top athletes, applying to college is a whole different beast than the one that tortures most seniors. Their quest to find the right college has more sides than just an ego-boosting glam show. First, they must gain the attention of college coaches - often a long, tension-filled process. Then, after building personal relationships with those coaches, they must make the hard decision of choosing only one.
The people's house
By Lucas Alvarado-Farrar | March 23, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Monday morning was off to a chaotic start for senior Edith Leiva. Her dog Milano had broken loose from the house and Leiva had just spent the last 10 minutes trying to rein him in. After getting control of the terrier and now a half hour late for school, a text from her sister popped up on her phone: "Go IMMEDIATELY to room 342." Leiva assumed the worst.
The art of expression
By Sophia Deng | March 20, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Up until age 16, junior Maddy Ruvolo's parents forbid her to watch TV. Yet after she became ill with Dysautonomia all of last year, Ruvolo replaced her schoolgoing hours with "House" and the classroom with "The Office." As Ruvolo began to spend more and more hours in front of the television, she started to feel guilty about her lack of productivity. That is, until a solution emerged - blogging.
"Sweeney Todd" shaping up to be a sensation
By Fran Djoukeng | March 19, 2009, midnight | In Features »
An ominous organ plays. Red velvet curtains spread apart, revealing a dark and scary set. A fog machine's mist permeates the stage as an ill tune begins to sound. It's not a horror movie, but glimpses of the opening act of Blair's upcoming stage production, "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."
Beard-growing bonanza part two
By Fran Djoukeng | March 13, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Rounding into the second week of competition since six Bushy Blazers began growing beards in a Student Government Association (SGA)-sponsored challenge to support a children's charity, some have made visible progress around their chin areas while others claim to be "pacing" their facial hair growth. As contestants continue to train and trim - the latter a source of controversy - the competitive air is becoming as thick as the first place beard.
BLAIR PAIR: Is 2009 the lucky year?
By Alisa Lu, Anika Manzoor | March 13, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Ah, springtime. The weather is warming up and the flowers are beginning to bloom - as is luuurve, hopefully. Sophomores Kirstyn Ross-Roach and Amir Gorjifard kick off this season of Blair's own dating game - will they bond over burritos or will your Blair Pair matchmakers need to find a new gig?
Fit and fine for 2009
By Jenna Bushnell | March 10, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Sophomore Gardi Royce and his father, Jimmy Daukas, lock eyes from across the dinner table. They are both enticed by the delectable desert in front of them. Not willing to give in to the allurement or the calories, Royce pushes it aside and smirks at his father. Royce's dad, too, refuses to yield to the tasty temptation. After all, this is a competition.
Bundled up Blazers take on climate issues
By David Tao | March 9, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Despite the season's most intense snowfall on March 2, thousands of young people from across the country dressed in layers and huddled together for warmth on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. They wore green hard hats and carried signs with slogans such as "Yes to Climate Action" and "No More Coal" as they marched towards the coal-burning Capitol Power Plant. This scene was the culminating event of Power Shift 2009, a grassroots environmental summit mobilizing thousands to take a stand on environmental policy.
Among the fast and furious
By Rose Wynn | March 7, 2009, midnight | In Features »
"On your mark, get set, begin." Heads bowed in intense concentration. Pencils flew across papers. Packed together like the squares on a crossword puzzle, ambitious solvers hunched over the puzzles in front of them, scribbling furiously. The air was dense and thick with concentration, and the scratching of pencils on paper was the only sound that penetrated the silence. The clock ticked.
"Chips" gets dipped in salsa
By Anika Manzoor | March 3, 2009, midnight | In Features »
"Alright, everyone," junior Laura Sirbu eagerly commanded. "Girls on this side, boys on that side." I moseyed over to the right and glanced around the room, noting with some amusement that the girls nearly doubled the boys. Sirbu and English teacher Michelle Edwards, our bubbly instructors, immediately launched into a demonstration of the basic salsa step, and in minutes, the room was filled with sounds of shuffling feet and the occasional giggle as dancers watched each other stumble.
Bushy Blazers grow long for donations
By Fran Djoukeng | Feb. 25, 2009, 2 p.m. | In Blair Connection »
A variety of forms and contours roam the Blair hallways. Some don prickly spots, whereas some sport patchy areas. Others go thick and dark, red and curly, and scruffy and wild. Some barely measure a few centimeters in diameter and few are lengthy. A small number are well-kept and untangled, while furry, shaggy borderline unsightly ones can be found. No matter the volume, shape, trim or surface, these hairy chins will unite together for charity.
Hyder is a fighter
By Susie Branson | Feb. 21, 2009, midnight | In Features »
There are deadlines, responsibilities, meetings and pressures. Organizing a rigorous campaign is just the beginning of it. Three years ago, current junior Andrew Hyder sat in class, eyes glued to the television screen as two candidates running for the Student Member of the Board outlined their respective platforms. Listening to high school hopefuls debate, Hyder knew he wanted in.
From the front board to the student desk
By Rose Wynn | Feb. 14, 2009, 1:18 a.m. | In Features »
As Dr. Allan Wigfield peruses his classroom, his eyes scan the 17 faces at the desks in front of him. They grip their pencils at the ready as they wait for his lecture on human development to begin. A level of knowledgeable understanding is visible on the students' faces, a level of professionalism is unwonted in the normal college environment. Then again, the students aren't living in dorm rooms and aren't underage - they are teachers from Montgomery County schools, hoping for county recognition for their extra efforts to improve their teaching.
Shiver chic
By Susie Branson | Jan. 30, 2009, 5:33 p.m. | In Features »
Despite the growing urge to remain curled up under those warm sheets wrapped in that favorite pair of sweats, Blazers have continued to burn up the hallways in the latest winter fashions. Silver Chips Online now brings you the hottest winter trends to keep us sizzling through the winter weather. The resident SCO fashion expert calls on colorful hats, pea coats, thermal long johns and cheery moccasins to brighten up the average dreary winter outfit. However, beware the articles of clothing that are on the way out. Stay classy, Blair - read on to learn more.
Friending the folks
By Sophia Deng | Jan. 25, 2009, 10:27 a.m. | In Features »
"How many of you have Facebooks?" research teacher John Kaluta asks his class. Too many hands shoot up for him to count. "Better question, how many of you don't have Facebooks?" Kaluta's eyes sweep twice across the room, only to see empty space.
Munoz is change in action
By Jenna Bushnell | Jan. 20, 2009, midnight | In Features »
Cecilia Munoz, mother of junior Tina Munoz-Pandya, has been appointed Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Obama administration and as of Tuesday, will be one of the highest-ranking Latina women in government. Munoz believes that this opportunity will help solidify "a place at the table" for the United States' ever-growing Hispanic population, as well as strengthen the relationship between local and national government for all Americans.
A whole lot of holiday happening
By Fran Djoukeng | Dec. 23, 2008, midnight | In Features »
If the holiday season has you desiring a whimsical winter wonderland, but the failing economy has you pinching pennies, fill up your calendar with free affairs that will fill a holiday attitude and leave you filled with holiday gratitude.
One more for the road
By Jenna Bushnell | Dec. 20, 2008, midnight | In Features »
It was 1 a.m. on a weekend night last June when Adrian, a senior, heard his phone ring. His mom was in the hospital. Adrian stood up - and stumbled over. He was intoxicated at a graduation party. Desperate to be with his family during their emergency, he dropped his drink, hopped in his Nissan Ultima and headed down University Blvd.
Pre-cal pal up for award
By Julia Wynn | Dec. 16, 2008, midnight | In Features »
Magnet math teacher William Rose is known up and down the third floor side hallway for mooching baked goods, popping into student conversations and being a generally good-humored guy. Sherman Leung honored Rose's reputation by nominating him for the local Gazette newspaper's "My Favorite Teacher Contest," a competition for teachers of all grades in 10 designated regions of Montgomery County.
Nifty gifties, SCO-style
By Jenna Bushnell, Katie Sint | Dec. 8, 2008, midnight | In Features »
As fun as it is waiting in line for 35 minutes at The Gap to get your mom that cable-knit sweater that she already has in every other color, we at Silver Chips Online have created a holiday gift guide to make this festive season filled with creative and thoughtful packages.
The cunning crossword crew
By Deepa Chellappa | Dec. 5, 2008, midnight | In Features »
"Quiet!" yells math teacher David Stein, staring menacingly around the computer lab in room 316. A hushed, reverent silence envelops the room. Taking a seat at his computer, Stein looks right and then left at his fellow teachers, who have their fingers eagerly poised over their keyboards. "Ready?" he asks. "One...two...three...go!" The day's notorious crossword puzzle has begun.
Step into the "Twilight"
By David Tao | Nov. 28, 2008, midnight | In Features »
From the outside, it seems like a normal late Thursday night at the Majestic 20 in Downtown Silver Spring. It's past 11 p.m. on Nov. 20 and the box office line is almost nonexistent. But a journey up the escalator towards the theaters reveals hordes of energetic, talkative teens donning collector's jewelry from Hot Topic and promotional t-shirts emblazoned with images of black book covers or a pale-white vampire with glowing golden eyes.
They know the game like they reffin' it
By Katie Sint | Nov. 24, 2008, midnight | In Features »
Donning sneakers and crisp uniforms, they step on the court or the field and stand ready for another game. The stadium lights glare and the scoreboard is keyed up as fans wait anxiously for the first kick, the first serve or the first fight between two teams. Up front and center, they see every goal, every basket, every ace and every Blair victory. Witnesses to glory or to heartbreaking defeat, they are as influential a part of the game as Blazer athletes, and often, the fate of the game rests on their shoulders. Under the spotlight, referees make decisions that can either send stands erupting in cheers or fans reeling in frustration.
Silver Quill offers thrills
By Jeremy Gradwohl | Nov. 23, 2008, midnight | In Features »
The juniors sat in front of a crowd at least one hundred strong. Alex Denton instructed the crowd to clap along with his next song, a cover of Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane." But the eager crowd started clapping before an antsy Denton, with Ezekiel Leeds on guitar, could begin. "No, you guys aren't supposed to clap until we start," Denton said, and the crowd tittered. Denton gave a signal as Leeds opened the soothing melody on his acoustic guitar. The crowd started clapping again. This time, they got it right. And they liked it.
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