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Greetings from Blair Academy!
We are pleased to release the second issue of Around the Arch, Blair's monthly admission newsletter aimed at giving you - the prospective student - a peek into the daily life of the Blair community. The brilliant folliage seems to be the only sign of fall as the community has enjoyed pleasantly warm weather throughout the last month. Athletic teams competed for the first time on our newly completed fields and outdoor facilities in front of huge crowds during homecoming and Parents' Weekend. Another event, Poetry Fest, organized by Mrs. Carolyn Conforti-Browse, featured everyone from novice rhymesters to English Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion. On September 25th, Mr. James P. Jenkins '66, Chairman of the Blair Academy Board of Trustees, announced a $50 million goal for Ever Always: The Campaign for Blair during the Celebration Kick-Off at the Central Park Boat House in New York City. Meanwhile, the community eagerly awaits the ground-breaking of the new student activities center. In this issue, you will hear more about the dedication of our new fields, the highly anticipated Society of Skeptics speakers, and myriad of other unique elements of the Blair community.
The Blair Admission Team |
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What's Happening on Campus? 
On the evening of October 6th, Blair celebrated its annual Homecoming celebration against Mercersburg Academy. The weekend competitions culminated with the Blair football team's 41-6 victory over Mercersburg under the lights, which brought the team record to 4-0 (1-0 in MAPL). Not to be outdone, the girls' varsity soccer team beat Mercersburg the following afternoon by a score of 7-2. To begin the football game, Christine '08 (above) sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" in front of a monstrous crowd which included students, alumni, parents, faculty, and friends. At halftime Headmaster Chan Hardwick dedicated Hampshire Field, Blair's new all-weather turf, during a ceremony which included emotional speeches from alumni and parents. The event marks the completion of the new outdoor facilities which also include a new all-weather track, stadium seats, a tennis house, 10 new tennis courts, a junior varsity baseball field, and additional practice fields. |
Blair On Stage
The Blair Academy Players open their theatrical season with Dracula on Halloween night, followed by performances on November 2 and 3, all at 7:30 p.m. in the DuBois Theatre of Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts. The version presented is adapted by Crane Johnson from the novel by Bram Stoker. The play is student directed by Katrina '09 with faculty member Kaye Evans as assistant director. Performing Arts Chairman Craig Evans, director of the production, said "Dracula is sure to be bloody brilliant." Please join us for this spooky theatrical performance! Tickets are available at the door. |
Athlete in the Spotlight
The "Athlete in the Spotlight" this month is Dymon, a 16-year-old post-graduate student who has made her mark on the Girls' Varsity Soccer team. Coming to Blair from Las Vegas, Nevada, Dymon graduated from her local high school last spring and is spending a year at Blair before attending West Point next fall. As the starting center forward, Dymon has joined an impressive group of players who are strong, fearless, and determined on the soccer field. At her previous high school she was awarded The Most Valuable Offensive Player and received a "Black Letter" as an athlete who played at the varsity level all twelve seasons of her high school career. This exceptional athlete will continue her Blair athletic career this winter and spring as a member of the swimming and lacrosse teams. The fall athletic season wraps up in early November as Blair athletes compete against our rivals in the traditional "Peddie Day," full of festivities and sporting events that will take place at the Peddie school on November 10th. |
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A Closer Look at the Community
Sponsored by the history department, The Society of Skeptics presents weekly speakers and events that keep the Blair community in touch with contemporary issues. The Skeptics lecture of the previous evening becomes the topic of discussion the next day in class and at the dinner table. There is a great line-up of speakers for the Skeptics coming up this fall semester, including:
October 30: Ann Ellis Woolley, Founder of a school in Nairobi, Kenya; Representing the Clinton Foundation in Southern Africa, "African Health Issues"
November 13: Mike Wiener, Major League Baseball Association Lawyer; "Baseball Issues"
November 27: Peter Gibbon, Author, A Call to Heroism: Renewing America's Vision of Greatness, "Why Study History?"
December 11: Doug Bandow, Author, Foreign Follies: America's Global Empire
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Measures of Excellence 
While they are known for their work as teachers, administrators, deans, and coaches of varsity sports, Blair faculty and staff should also be recognized for their skills in a variety of artistic mediums. An exceptionally talented group of faculty and staff display their work this month in the Romano Art Gallery, a space located on the first floor of the Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts. While the walls of Clinton Hall and the Campus Center are host to student art work, the Romano Gallery allows members of the Blair community as well as local and national artists to exhibit their work throughout the academic year. On October 11th, the gallery held a reception for the faculty art exhibit featuring paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, drawings, and more. Featured artists include members of the art department-Rita Baragona, Susan Morley, Kate Sykes, Melissa Erne-as well as an English teacher, Librarian, Math teacher, Associate Dean of Admission, Physics teacher, Video Production Director, and several faculty children and spouses. Come check out the 27th Annual Faculty Art Exhibition, a display that will be on exhibit through November 13! | |
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We hope you enjoyed this monthly update from Blair. With Thanksgiving just around the corner the students and faculty are keeping busy around Blair! You are welcome to come to campus any time, whether you would like to catch a performance of Dracula, are interested in a Skeptics lecture, would like to watch a football game under the lights, or just to walk around campus. If you would like to schedule an interview please call Ms. Constantino at (908) 362-2024 ext. 5611. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Haase, Mrs. Eckert, Mr. Posner, Mr. Pearce, Ms. Machabanski, Mr. Clavel, Mrs. Findlay, and Ms. Constantino |
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