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 Welcome to the third installment of Around the Arch, Blair's montly admissions newsletter aimed at giving you - the prospective student - a peek into the daily life of the Blair community. The students and faculty recently returned from Thanksgiving vacation and embarked upon a short three week push to the end of the Fall Semester. Prior to the break, our fall athletic teams and performing arts groups showcased their talents during the final games and performances of the season. Although December always proves to be a busy month for our teachers and students, the month also adds a festive, sprited air to campus. In this issue of Around the Arch, we feature several recent highlights including the annual Fall Concert, the exciting Peddie Day competitions, as well as the individual athletic, artistic, and community service accomplishments of several students.
The Blair Admission Team |
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What's Happening on Campus?
On Saturday, November 10th, the entire Blair community traveled to the Peddie School to celebrate its annual Peddie Day. The rivalry between the two schools began with football in 1903, but the tradition has grown into a day-long event during which every Blair team competes in a quest to win the Kelley-Potter Cup, a points trophy. The competition alternates each fall between the campuses of the two schools, and the week leading into the competitions showcases our strong school pride and spirit. A grand pep rally and bonfire on Friday evening kick off the weekend in which everyone participates, as a team player, coach, or cheering spectator. This year, Peddie retained the Kelly-Potter Cup for overall athletic supremacy, but with a 42-17 win over Peddie in football, Blair claimed the Big Three Trophy for which Lawrenceville, Blair and Peddie compete annually. Well done, Bucs! |
Blair on Stage 
Blair's musicians featured their impressive talents during the fall choral and instrumental music concert on November 16 th. The evening began with a performance by the Blair Academy Singers, our choral music group conducted by Mr. William Hammer, the Grammy-Award winning head of the vocal music program at Blair. Blair's numerous instrument ensembles, including the Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and String Ensemble, followed the Blair Singers with an impressive array of modern, classical, and ancient pieces from around the world. As always, students, faculty, and parents filled the auditorium for a wonderful night of music. You can watch a brief clip of past musical performances at following link - Instrument Music. |
Athlete in the Spotlight 
The fall athletic season came to a close on November 10th with the annual Peddie Day competitions. Bringing home wins for Blair were Varsity Football and Girls' Cross Country, as well as an outstanding upset against Peddie by the Girls' Varsity Tennis team! Leading this group of talented girls to victory was Kelsey, the lone freshman on this year's team and also this month's "Athlete in the Spotlight." In the number one singles spot, the win against Peddie brought Kelsey's personal season record to 7-3; she was recently named All MAPL (Mid-Atlantic Prep League) Team, singles, a high honor to receive as a freshman. On Peddie Day, along with partner Francesca '10, Kelsey also won a stellar match in the number one doubles slot.
An avid athlete, Kelsey gave up soccer to play tennis this fall, two sports she had been playing side-by-side since the 5th grade. Depending on her springtime athletic pursuits at Blair, Kelsey will re-join the USTA (United States Tennis Association) tournaments for the spring and summer 2008 competitions. As for now, tennis season is over which means that Kelsey can turn her attention to downhill skiing! After a six day winter trip to Colorado with the Blair ski team, Kelsey will make her debut appearance as a Buccaneer on January 7th! |
A Closer Look at the Community 
Throughout the school year, work by student artists appears regularly in the Campus Center, also known as "The Can". In November, an art exhibit by Tallarie '08 was on display on the beloved campus centers' walls. This is the first show exhibited in the can this fall, filled with paintings and drawings that range from self-portraits to stillifes. While many of the pieces were completed at Blair, Tallarie also included figures that she worked on this summer at the Skidmore Summer Program. Except for one abstract oil painting, Tallarie works directly from nature, observing natural forms and light. Rita Baragona, who has been Tallarie's teacher for the last four years, helped Tallarie put together the show, commenting that "Tallarie says her best pieces are created when she uses her feelings to express the depth of what she sees. As a four year senior who has been in drawing, painting, or portfolio classes every semester she has been at Blair, Tallarie is an incredibly talented and dedicated art student who has always worked her hardest to improve her skills and express her ideas creatively." |
Every year, Blair encourages its students to develop their leadership skills as well as serve the community. Deven '08 exemplifies Blair's expectation that its students become leaders at and beyond Blair. Deven spent his last two summers in Kenya spreading knowledge about the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. While in Kenya Deven resided in Nyumbani village, a town comprised of orphaned children who live with elderly citizens within the community. Most of these children lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, and many also suffer from the disease. In addition to educating the Nyumbani and Blair communities, Deven has also raised more than $7,500 to construct basic facilities within the village, including a multi-purpose recreational building. Through his efforts Deven also hopes to make the village completely self-sustainable, one of the first of its kind in Eastern Africa. Deven recently offered to speak in Chapel to describe his experiences and to encourage his peers to become engaged in their own service efforts. As Deven explained to the Blair community, "I'm speaking to you in order to help control and perhaps eliminate this world-wide epidemic. It is our responsibility to lead informed lives while striving to give back to the global community." | |
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We hope you enjoyed this monthly update from Blair. As the snow begins to fall over Blairstown we prepare for the end of the semester and the holiday vacation that is just around the corner. We will be in the office through December 13th, then on vacation until January 3rd. If you would like to schedule an interview please call Ms. Constantino at (908) 362-2024 ext. 5611. We hope that you and your family enjoy a happy and healthy holiday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Haase, Mrs. Eckert, Mr. Posner, Mr. Pearce, Ms. Machabanski, Mr. Clavel, Mrs. Findlay, and Ms. Constantino |
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