latest

MCPS Superintendent's Leadership Program encourages students to apply

By Feza Kikaya | March 7, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The MCPS Superintendent's Leadership Program (SLP) invites rising high-school seniors to apply to participate in its humanities-oriented, year-long honors internship. Applications require three short essays, an official transcript and two letters of recommendation, which are all due by March 15.

Travolta's "cool" comeback

By Christopher Consolino | March 7, 2005, midnight | In Print »

After being a Miami loan shark and Hollywood movie producer, Chili Palmer (John Travolta) has decided that neither of his previous occupations suited him. On the prowl for a new career, he settles on the music business after hearing the R&B sounds of Linda Moon (Christina Milian). Declaring that Moon's previous contract with the notorious record producer Nick Carr (Harvey Keitel) is void, Palmer teams up with Edie Athens (Uma Thurman), the widow of another record producer, to send Moon to the top of the charts. Now just add an Ivy League-educated gangster-rap producer (Cedric the Entertainer), a white band manager who thinks he is a hustler (Vince Vaughn), a homosexual bodyguard (The Rock), the Russian Mafia and viola! You get a sequel to the cool 1995 film "Get Shorty."

Tragedy in Guyana

By Zahra Gordon | March 7, 2005, midnight | In Print »

It was hard for me to picture the cozy house in Friendship Village (where I had spent my Christmas vacation of 1996) drenched in rainwater. It was harder still to think about the difficulties my aunt, uncle, cousin and his family must have faced in being forced to leave this house and move miles away.

Sankofa performance cancelled

By Kelly Ferguson | March 6, 2005, midnight | In Print »

The annual Black History Month performance sponsored by Sankofa has been cancelled. The show is usually held during the month of February. Sankofa is one of the many clubs here at Blair, and it focuses on tracing the past and learning from your roots. This is the first year that the Blair community will not be able to enjoy the show.

Blair fails to meet AYP for 2004

By Luke McQueen | March 6, 2005, midnight | In Print »

For the second consecutive year, Blair failed to achieve the minimum required percentage of passing scores on standardized tests to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

"Once Upon a Mattress" springs into action

By Tiffany Yee | March 6, 2005, midnight | In Print »

On opening night, the lights dim and the curtains part to reveal a skillfully painted set and actors and actresses dressed in intricately designed costumes. Stress, excitement and effort have built up in the directors, cast, crew and orchestra for this very instant, as they all contribute to this long-awaited moment. The entire production only lasts two and a half hours from the first sounds of the overture to last beat of the epilogue, but it took months to prepare for this night.

Silver Quill recognized by national literary organization

By Seema Kacker | March 5, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Silver Quill, Blair's literary magazine, was awarded the highest honor possible for student-produced literary magazines by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for their 2004 publication.

Photo: NFTY Convention - Blazer closeup

By | March 5, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

From left to right, Blake Freshman Micah Harrison, SCO staff writer Alex Gold and Louis Weil on a bus near Universal Studios at the NFTY convention.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Ross.

Photo: Teen Forum 1

By Fidan Karimova | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Students from the conference

Photo: Silva Skating 3

By | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Camila Silva skating in one of her first races in Saratoga, New York.
Photo courtesy of Camila Silva.

Photo: Teen Forum 2

By Fidan Karimova | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Students from the conference

Photo: Silva Skating

By | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Camila Silva skating in one of her first races in Saratoga, New York.
Photo courtesy of Camila Silva.

Israeli students come to Blair

By Jeremy Goodman | March 4, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Four Israeli university students spoke after school to a group of approximately 20 Blazers and teachers for two hours to present a new perspective on Israeli life. The event was sponsored by the Jewish Culture Club on Tuesday, March 1.

Photo: Silva Skating 2

By | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Camila Silva skating in one of her first races in Saratoga, New York.
Photo courtesy of Camila Silva.

M is for mature

By Alexander Gold | March 4, 2005, midnight | In Print »

D.C. legislators, including many city council members and Mayor Anthony Williams, announced a push to ban selling video games that depict violence and sexual acts to minors in early February. In Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) announced his support for a similar ban in mid-December of 2004. These legislators and others like them are on the right track.

Skating on the edge

By Tiffany Yee | March 4, 2005, midnight | In Print »

Speed skating, the sport that offers the fastest means of human travel without the aid of mechanics or gravity, requires only a moderate amount of balance and coordination. However, it takes a lot of hard work and determination to become the world's fastest speed skater - exactly what senior Camila Silva is currently striving to be.

Photo: Silva Championships 2

By | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Silva competing in the 2005 US Jr. Championship & Jr. World Team Trials in Bay City, Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Camila Silva.

Photo: Silva Championships

By | March 4, 2005, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Silva competing in the 2005 US Jr. Championship & Jr. World Team Trials in Bay City, Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Camila Silva.

Foreign exchange students in America

By Fidan Karimova | March 4, 2005, midnight | In Print »

On a cloudy Sunday morning they congregated, students representing countries of the world: Switzerland, New Zealand, Morocco, Zambia, India, Germany and many others, to discuss topics such as relocation, education, making friends, learning the culture of their host country and their new school.