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Homecooked competition serves the ultimate friendship

By Eliza Wapner | June 7, 2011, 12:02 p.m. | In Print Sports »

Sophomore Puck Bregstone leaps to snatch a Frisbee out of the air. As he catches the disc, he lands hard on the ground, accidentally pushing a member from the opposing team down. The time is stopped, not by a referee, but by the players.

Spirits ‘flii' at Puzzle Palooza

By Eliza Wapner | June 7, 2011, 11:52 a.m. | In Print Features »

Senior CJ Argue hangs another blue beaded Mardi Gras necklace around his neck. His face and body are already caked with blue and white face paint, giving him the appearance of a retro superhero; a blue and white Israeli flag drapes proudly over his back.

A new school of thought

By Stella Bartholet | June 7, 2011, 11:51 a.m. | In Print Features »

Like any typical Blair student, sophomore Conlan Mayer-Marks grudgingly wakes up at six in the morning, brushes his teeth and gets dressed. But instead of throwing on the standard t-shirt and jeans, Mayer-Marks neatly buttons up a military uniform.

Off the wall at Walmart

By Helen Bowers, Simrin Gupta | June 7, 2011, 11:40 a.m. | In Print Entertainment »

Whether you're a fan of the low prices and vast selection or if you greatly oppose the environmental impact and harsh mistreatment of their workers, there is no denying that Walmart is one thing and one thing only: a playground. With vast, unattended spaces and a labyrinth of shelves of objects to be misused, it is almost impossible to resist temptation. And how better to prepare ourselves for the incoming Walmart branches in the DC area (one on Georgia, New York, New Jersey Avenues and another on East Capitol Street) than to try out some of the online tips for having fun at Walmart. So your two daring, brave Silver Chips star reporters decided to breech the rules of consumer etiquette and wreak havoc at Walmart.

Non-profit hosts media festival

By Stella Bartholet | June 7, 2011, 11:28 a.m. | In Print News »

The Gandhi Brigade, a local non-profit organization, hosted its fourth Annual JustUs Youth! Media Festival in Downtown Silver Spring on May 21. Blair students participated in activities related to social justice issues at the festival, including film competitions, workshops and performances.

Losing weight, finding community

By Eliza Wapner | June 7, 2011, 11:14 a.m. | In Print Features »

For the past eight weeks, every Friday, 44 teachers nervously filed into the nurse's office all day. Each one slowly steps onto a scale, hoping that the number is lower than it was the previous week. The Biggest Loser competition has come to Blair.

Spring Sports Update

By Claire Sleigh | June 7, 2011, 11:09 a.m. | In Print Sports »

Despite the fact that the girls' lacrosse team (2-4) has lost to two teams, B-CC and Whitman, that it beat last year, the team remains confident that it can rebound, said senior co-captain Tessa Mork.

Pro/Con: Are academy programs at Blair effective at motivating students?

By Helen Bowers, Eliza Wapner | June 7, 2011, 11:08 a.m. | In Print Opinions »

Blair has five academies: Entrepreneurship, Media Literacy, Human Services Professions, International Studies and Science and Math and Technology. Academies allow students to take classes in fields that interest them. However, the academies program has faced criticism for ineffectiveness and lack of focus.

Frequent turnover hinders learning

By | June 3, 2011, 11:49 p.m. | In Print Opinions »

This article was written by the Silver Chips Print Editorial Board and is intended to represent the official views of the newspaper. Principal Williams's "exciting and sad news" that he will leave Blair to take the position of community superintendent has largely left teachers and students disappointed and skeptical.

A detour to success

By Srividya Murthy | June 3, 2011, 1:14 p.m. | In Print Features »

Our society has etched the story of the successful student: they advance through elementary, middle and high school, working hard and achieving good grades and finally standing proudly as high school graduates. Adorned with a cap and gown, diplomas in one hand and admission letters to top colleges in another, they are completely prepared to meet the future ahead. While this trajectory is common for many Blazers, it conceals the paths of who do not follow this story: the paths of Blair dropouts.

Getting the upper hand in the standardized test system

By Maggie Shi | June 3, 2011, 11:42 a.m. | In Print Features »

With the onset of summer, students are dreaming of lazy days by the pool and warm, homework-free nights. But standing between them and the bliss of summer vacation is a formidable obstacle to overcome: exams.

Representation hindered by miscommunication

By Maggie Shi | June 3, 2011, 11:39 a.m. | In Print Opinions »

Whenever someone at Blair says "student government,” it usually comes with an acknowledgment of the irony of calling it a "government.” The administration knows, the teachers know and the students know that in the end, the adults are the ones in control.

Johnson named new Blair principal

By Stella Bartholet, Maureen Lei | June 3, 2011, 11:35 a.m. | In Print Features »

The MCPS Board of Education (BOE) confirmed Renay Johnson, the current principal of Takoma Park Middle School (TPMS), as the new Blair Principal on May 23.

Long-serving Blair teachers to retire

By Maggie Shi | June 3, 2011, 11:33 a.m. | In Print News »

Six teachers, each of whom has worked over 20 years in the school system, across several departments will be retiring from Blair after the 2010-2011 school year.

Starr signs MCPS Superintendent's Contract

By Maureen Lei | June 3, 2011, 10:09 a.m. | In Print News »

Joshua Starr was officially appointed the next MCPS Superintendent by the MCPS Board of Education (BOE) on May 10. Starr visited Montgomery County to sign the Superintendent's Contract on May 11. According to BOE President Christopher Barclay, Starr will begin his tenure as superintendent on July 1. Starr will replace Jerry Weast, the current MCPS Superintendent.

Award program terminated

By Srividya Murthy | June 3, 2011, midnight | In Print News »

Maryland General Assembly will not offer the Maryland Distinguished Scholar award for the high school class of 2012 and beyond, but will continue to fund recipients in the class of 2011 and those who are already enrolled in college.

Kids Ride Free program reinstated

By Srividya Murthy, Maureen Lei | June 3, 2011, midnight | In Print News »

Beginning in July, MCPS students will have free access to Ride On and Metrobus services on weekdays between 2 and 7 p.m. The Montgomery County Council passed the Kids Ride Free program on May 26 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 after suspending it for FY 2011.

Pro/Con: Weast's Retirement

By Simrin Gupta, Claire Koenig | June 2, 2011, 11:30 a.m. | In Print Opinions »

Summer Sounds

By Simrin Gupta | June 2, 2011, 10:57 a.m. | In Print Entertainment »

With school finally winding down and summer right around the corner, some of the hottest artists are busy prepping for some sweet summer shows. If you're sticking around this summer, quit looking for ways to beat the heat - listen to some great beats instead. Some scorching tours are happening close to home.

University System of Maryland to consider linking College Park and Baltimore campuses

By Maureen Lei | April 14, 2011, 5:16 p.m. | In Print News »

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents will consider merging the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), as proposed in a bill introduced by President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-27) on March 21. The bill is currently in the Conference Committee and has been approved by both the House and Senate, according to USM Chancellor William Kirwan.

Outside the lunch box

By Claire Boston | April 14, 2011, 12:35 p.m. | In Print Features »

For Blazers, a lunch period is much more than just time to eat. It's 45 minutes of nearly complete freedom; a time when students are free to do almost anything they please. It might be a time to catch up with friends, review class notes or just relax and take a break from the monotony of classes. While it's common to see students in the SAC, along Blair Boulevard or outside as the weather gets warmer, students spread all across Blair, forming pockets of culture as they pursue their activities of choice.

The truth behind the challenge

By Maggie Shi | April 14, 2011, 11:27 a.m. | In Print Opinions »

As students, we have certain key numbers that seem to sometimes define our lives. We spend endless hours studying obscure words to try to boost our SAT scores, taking endless practice AP tests, or trying to edge our way closer to (or at least not get farther away from) that golden 4.0.

Blair faces staff cuts

By Maggie Shi | April 14, 2011, 11:20 a.m. | In Print News »

Blair may face possible staff reductions for the 2011-2012 school year.

Witnessing devastation at home, Japanese Blazers remain strong

By Srividya Murthy | April 14, 2011, midnight | In Print Features »

They watched it happen nearly 7,000 miles away. A 9.0 magnitude earthquake, accompanied by hundreds of aftershocks, brought entire buildings to the ground, flooded the land with several tons of seawater and expunged thick, dark smoke into the air. They saw an earthquake, a tsunami and nuclear plant explosions taking place in Japan and finally absorbed the heartbreaking reality: This was happening to their home.

Blair improves recycling initiatives

By Srividya Murthy | April 14, 2011, midnight | In Print News »

Student members of the Green Club are currently collaborating with building service workers to reduce recycling contamination, an issue highlighted by this year's School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) inspection. Recycling contamination occurs when trash is mixed with recycling and damages the recycling, causing Blair's recycling to be discarded with trash, according to SERT's recycling manager, Richard Benjamin.