|
Important Admission Dates
Upcoming SSAT Testing Date: February 4th February 1st: Applications Due March 10th: Decision Notification April 5th and 9th: Revisit Days |
Boys' and Girls' Varsity Basketball compete in the MAPL championships February 10th at the Hun School
Blair Academy
Players Present
Sweeney Todd
February 16th, 17th and 18th at 7:30 p.m. in the DuBois Theater
Headmasters' Societies Competition
February 20th-24th
|
|
|
|
 Welcome to 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. In this newsletter, you will learn about recent and upcoming events as well as student achievements throughout the various realms of Blair life. It is our hope that you find Around the Arch both exciting and informative. Please enjoy this special January issue!
The Blair Admission Team
|
|
WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS?
During the last week of January, students and faculty celebrated Health-A-Palooza, an event dedicated to the discussion of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Blair students participated in faculty-led seminars relating to topics such as "Nutrition for Sport: How to Maximize your Energy at the Right  Time," "The Politics of Health-care," and "Laughter is the Best Medicine." Earlier in the week, Blair students also listened to a presentation about the benefits of sleep by Dr. Judith Owens, the Director of Sleep Medicine at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Throughout the week, the dining hall also made an extra effort to serve even more healthy options than are normally available, such as mixed berry smoothies, quinoa with roasted vegetables and fresh fish. It was truly an enjoyable (and tasty) week had by all!
In another effort to emphasize the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle by improving the health of the planet, the Blair Academy Green Ninjas motivated students to participate in the annual intra-school competition focused on reducing campus-wide energy-use. This is the 4th year that Blair has competed in the month-long competition. The Green Cup Challenge increases awareness and reduction of electrical consumption by enlisting and educating students and faculty to various ways of reducing electrical use. Last year, Blair was able to reduce its electrical consumption by 8%, beating Peddie! This year, with the new solar panels in place, students and faculty anticipate an even higher reduction of electricity use. During the day and at night, Green Ninjas circulate around the dormitories and encourage the students to turn off lights and to unplug appliances that they aren't using. Earthshine filmed a video describing the Green Cup Challenge to students. To view the video, click here! |
In other news, a special Skeptics speaker, Mohamed El-Erain, CEO and co-CIO of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), came to campus this past Monday to speak about the transforming global economy and what these changes mean for Blair students. Dr. El-Erian advised students that "education matters, and it matters a great deal," as they move ahead in their lives and urged them to be intellectually agile, to think globally, and work to understand other people's motivations. To read the article detailing Mohamed El-Erain's speech which also contains a video, click here. |
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY
This January, Blair held its 7th annual International Weekend to celebrate the cultural differences and global diversity of Blair. The dining hall hosted an international food bazaar with student dishes from the Philippines, China, India, France, Korea, Germany and South America followed by an international fashion show of traditional garments from countries all over the world. Students from different countries taught others their local dances, like the Bachata from the Dominican Republic. The evening ended with international karaoke in the Canteen. Boys and girls from nearly two dozen countries attend Blair and this event allows them the opportunity to showcase their traditional cuisine and attire and feel a bit closer to home.
The Sadie Hawkins Dance, another much anticipated winter event took place last weekend. The dance coinc ided with the first snowfall of the month, which transformed the campus into a glittery winter wonderland. The ladies of West Hall and a group of dedicated parent volunteers decorated the "Candyland" themed dining hall. Following mocktails with the headmaster and his wife, students enjoyed dinner and dancing in the dining hall complete with life-size gingerbread men, a chocolate fondue station, cotton candy clouds, and candy-studded centerpieces. |
MEASURES OF EXCELLENCE
From January 12th-15th, seventeen Blair student delegates, along with history teacher Dr. Marty Miller, traveled into Manhattan to attend the 2012 Columbia University Model United Nations Conference. This annual four-day international affairs conference for high school students is one of the most successful Model UN experiences in the United States.  Current UN committee work and historical simulations were the focus of daily sessions where students from all areas of the United States discussed and debated a wide range of issues. The goal was to create resolutions to address various world problems, much like the function of the United Nations itself. The World Health Organization and the Security Council (China) were complemented by such committees as the Arab League (Oman) and the Yalta Conference 1945 (Franklin Roosevelt). The strong Blair delegation garnered four individual awards: Celia '13, Brian '14, Kyle '13 and Caterina '13. Last weekend, 26 Blair delegates attended the Ivy League Model UN (University of Pennsylvania) in Philadelphia.
Earlier in the month, six Blair students took to the stage to compete in Poetry Out Loud, a nation-wide competition. The students had to memorize a poem from the Poetry Out Loud anthology and recite it in front of faculty judges. They were evaluated on their ability to memorize the poem and their performance. The winner progresses to a regional or state competition which leads to the national finals. This year's winner was Megan '13. She goes on to compete in the regional finals on February 15th at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ. |
ATHLETES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This season, the Boys' and Girls' Varsity Basketball teams have enjoyed a strong winning streak, both currently holding a 12-2 record.
Highlights of the Boys' season include an exciting win against Peddie with a score of 59-51 and a win against Lawrenceville later that week.
The Girls' Varsity Basketball team recently secured the #1 seed in the
upcoming MAPL competition in their game against the Hill School,  with the score 61-50. Throughout the season, the Girls' team has enjoyed a winning streak with the help of their impermeable defense and their aggressive offense. Both teams will participate in the MAPL tournament beginning on February 10th at the Hun School. |
|
We hope this edition of Around the Arch, provided you with an informative glimpse into the Blair community. We look forward to reading and reviewing your applications. Good luck and we hope to see many of you at our Revisit Days in April!
Sincerely,
Mr. Pagotto, Ms. Paul, Ms. Machabanski, Mrs. Eckert, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. Clavel, Ms. Rose, Mrs. Klein, Ms. Tillman |
|
|
|
|
