Dear Blair Families,
All of us at Blair are sending you our very best from the hilltop for a happy, healthy and joyful year ahead! We look forward to celebrating with you Blair’s 175th anniversary as we mark this historic milestone throughout the weeks and months to come. Thank you for your support and partnership as we prepare for more festivities celebrating our demisemiseptcentennial, which will culminate with Alumni Weekend on June 9-11, 2023. We hope to see you there and have the opportunity to honor the occasion together.
As we look toward this new year, we will continue to embrace all that we have learned over the past 175 years as we prepare our students for the ever-changing world beyond Blair. What has always been most unique about our School—the meaningful relationships we build here with students, teachers and colleagues—continues to distinguish Blair and make our community a place where everyone feels a deep sense of connection and belonging.
We have doubled down on our mission of knowing our students well and inspiring them to be intellectually curious learners who take smart risks, step outside of their comfort zones, and contribute meaningfully to their professions and communities. Of course, we also look forward to our graduates building transformative relationships with their peers and teachers who become lifelong mentors and friends. That is the Blair difference, and we are excited to celebrate our School’s history and bright future together.
Six Blair Alumni on How They Chose Their Institutions of Higher Learning
By Paula Hong ’16
Blair students matriculated to a wide variety of renowned schools of higher learning last year, some among the most competitive in the world. From Ivy League institutions to schools for the arts and the United States military service academies, the Class of 2022 includes 33 recruited athletes, four service academy appointments, 15 Ivy League scholars and students with merit scholarships to Duke, the University of Virginia and Northeastern, among others.
Despite an increasingly competitive college admissions landscape, Blair’s seniors found new four-year “homes” where they will grow and thrive just as they did on the hilltop. Blair alum Paula Hong ’16 sat down with some of our recent graduates to discuss the college admissions process and how their time at Blair helped them find the postsecondary school that would best fit their interests and abilities.
The question I got asked most, and heard others get asked most, during my first year of college was “So, why did you end up choosing [school name]?” Truthfully, I hadn’t expected to have an immediate response. By no means did I feel prepared in the sense that I knew which major or career I wanted to pursue, but I did feel confident that I knew what kind of college experience I wanted. After all, I had just spent the last four years at a miniature, preparatory version of a college known as Blair Academy.
I knew that although I loved the tight-knit community Blair provided, for college, I wanted a school with a bigger student population—but not too big because I valued a smaller teacher to student ratio. Though I loved the outdoors, for college, I wanted to be closer to a major city. Last but not least, I definitely knew I wanted a community as genuine and welcoming as Blair’s.
Looking back now on my college admissions and decision process, I realize just how invaluable the experience at Blair was in helping me choose my next “home”—just as Class of 2022 graduates Schuyler Anderson, Laila Davson, Etka Ayhan and Sophia Papadopoulo are beginning to realize and just as alum William Pemberton ’16 did.
For Schuyler Anderson ’22 (Duke University—Class of 2026) from Albany, New York, the most important quality she looked for in a boarding school, and ultimately college, was a welcoming community.
“I visited a few schools, but none of the campuses felt warm or ‘just right,’” Schuyler recalled. “Then, my dad told me about his time at Blair and how they were some of the best years of his life, so I decided to visit and apply. Truthfully, I was a little frightened when I first visited Blair because everyone I passed said ‘hi’ or gave me a smile. I came to realize that their doing so was not fake or forced—everyone on campus was genuinely kind and welcoming.”
Fast-forward four years since touring and the very reason why Schuyler chose Blair was the quality that helped the 19-year-old choose her next institution of higher learning, Duke University. Nearly 50% of Blair seniors joined Schuyler in securing an admissions offer at a school with an admit rate of 15% or less, finding potential homes at their-best fit schools, regardless of the selectivity.
“Relationships and connections were really important to me [when choosing my school] because I realized that relationships and connections are some of the most important parts of life and help your learning experience by leaps and bounds. I was lucky enough to learn and experience that at a young age at Blair,” Schuyler said.
For Laila Davson ’22 (Yale University—Class of 2026), in addition to a warm and welcoming community, having an abundance of opportunities in and outside the classroom to explore her life’s passions and interests was an important characteristic when choosing which school to attend.
At Blair, she found that those interests included developing her saxophone expertise, contributing to both the Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, and championing her voice and opinions in student-led activities such as Model UN and the Belonging & Equity Committee.
For her next academic institution, she sought a place where she could expand her horizons and become more involved with community-oriented service groups.
“When choosing which college to go to,” Laila explained, “I was most excited to find a place where I could look for a new set of opportunities for community service, learn more about topics I truly care about, and discover more about who I am as an individual. Currently, I’m inclined to major in a subject focused either on human rights or policy areas. Overall, though, I plan to let my experience lead me to clarity when the time is right.”
For Etka Ayhan ’22 (U.S. Naval Academy—Class of 2026), learning how to build a legacy for himself was the most important attribute in choosing his next school of higher learning.
“My brothers and I are first-generation Americans, and family has always been important to me, to the point where I’ve always wanted to set up a strong legacy. I knew I wanted to choose a school where I could set up a good path for myself,” recalled Etka.
A day student who grew up in neighboring Hackettstown, New Jersey, Etka felt that Blair helped solidify his yearning for a school with a strong history and legacy, and he looks forward to strengthening his abilities at The Naval Academy.
“The Naval Academy [and other service academies] were most appealing to me because they know how to prioritize well. I was lucky to be able to get into the Naval Academy early on, but even then, it wasn’t a quick decision. I had to think about the questions, ‘Do I want to go to a school for sports? What about academics? Do I want to live a normal college life or do I want to go through one rough year but end up with a Naval career that will set me up for success in life?’”
Ultimately, Etka decided that the latter option made the most sense for him. Now, the recent Blair graduate has gotten the infamous “Plebe summer,” known for its intensity, out of the way and is eagerly beginning his next chapter.
For Sophia Papadopoulo ’22 (Tufts University—Class of 2026), the fact that she would attend boarding school was pretty much a given. Her older siblings had decided to attend The Taft School, but she had felt most welcomed by Blair.
“I toured Taft, Suffield and a couple of other schools, but the feeling I experienced when I stepped onto Blair’s campus was unmatched. I felt really welcomed and as if the community wanted to get to know me. The experience really made my decision an easy one,” Sophia said.
Fast-forward four years and Sophia officially committed to attend Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. There, she began taking advantage of the university’s five-year dual degree program, which lets students interested in the arts earn a bachelor of fine arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) in downtown Boston while simultaneously obtaining a bachelor of arts degree from Tufts University.
“This seemed like a perfect fit for me because it would let me balance both having a regular undergrad experience while also going to art school.” Sophia had become an integral part of the fine arts department, completing three AP art portfolios and contributing to countless shows in the Romano Gallery. Because of its special dual-degree program, the decision to attend Tufts was easy for Sophia.
For William Pemberton ’16 (Lehigh University—Class of 2020), the qualities that sold him on Blair were the School’s appreciation for diversity and inclusion and the kind interactions he had with the individuals he spoke to during his admission interview.
“After having a successful interview with a Blair admission representative, I was invited to campus for a two-day visit with my mom and that completely sold me on Blair. The people I interacted with were quick to welcome me with open arms and treat me like family,” William said. “The diversity of the community made it clear that becoming a member would open my eyes to a whole new world, and the academic rigor and opportunities presented were a great complement to all the community had to offer.”
From day one, William knew that he would form lifelong relationships that would only positively impact his future.
When the time came to choose his next institution of higher learning, William thought back to what, from his Blair experience, he wanted a college to replicate. In addition to the welcoming community, he discovered his profound appreciation for a school that offered multiple, diverse opportunities.
“I was most excited about being able to explore a business curriculum at Lehigh University and be exposed to coursework specific to the industry I saw myself thriving in professionally one day. While at Blair, we had been exposed and introduced to various topics that served as a foundation for a liberal arts education, but going to Lehigh, I was excited to explore coursework outside that realm of academia.”
To learn more about each graduate's journey to higher education, click the button below.
Promoting a Lifetime of Learning
Blair became the first school in the country to roll out a pioneering new academic program for students this fall. From St. Andrew’s Episcopal School’s Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, the Neuroteach Global program is a self-paced, online course that helps young learners develop better strategies for studying—both at Blair and beyond.
Hardwick Teaching Fellowship: A Family Legacy Continues to Support Blair Teachers
All of us remember the teachers from high school who impacted our lives, providing guidance during critical times and inspiring us to reach further to achieve our goals than we thought possible, and the majority of Americans agree. An impressive 98% of respondents surveyed in one study believe that a good teacher can change the course of a student's life. Teachers, in short, play a pivotal role in our children’s lives, which is why Gerard and Margery Thomas established the Hardwick Fellowship in 2007.
Lifelong believers in education, Gerry and Marge Thomas were raised in families that understood the value of scholarship. Gerry was the only child of two school teachers from upstate New York and, after earning scholarships to Phillips Andover Academy and Harvard, he later served as the president of the school board in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There, the Thomases shepherded the implementation of Reading Recovery, a literacy program for children needing specialized help learning to read, throughout the Kalamazoo public school system.
In 2007, the Thomases established the Hardwick Fellowship at Blair, an award given annually at the Opening of School dinner to one faculty member new to teaching. Today, the Thomases’ daughter Monie Hardwick and her husband, Chan, continue to carry forward the family’s commitment, adding to and supporting new teachers through the fellowship. Mrs. Hardwick, who developed Blair’s teacher training program during her tenure at the School, feels strongly about the contributions that new teachers make to the community. “Young people with a passion for education and a genuine interest in students are so important to boarding schools,” she notes. “Schools need talented young teachers, who bring an energy and enthusiasm vital to boarding school life.”
As recipients of teaching fellowships themselves, the Hardwicks understand how valuable awards can be as a tool to attract and retain new educators. “It was a turning point at the beginning of our careers,” Mrs. Hardwick recalls. “Chan and I both started our teaching careers at the Taft School—Chan with the Carpenter fellowship and I with the Maillard fellowship. We each made $5,000 our first year, but we appreciated those awards and loved the opportunity to teach at a great school.”
The recipient of this year’s Hardwick Fellowship, English and history teacher Amira Shokr, could not agree more. Inspired by her college professors who embraced different learning styles, she remembers that the teachers who stood out to her fostered a welcoming classroom culture and made every student feel heard. “It’s an honor to be a part of this fellowship,” Ms. Shokr noted. “It gives me the opportunity to work at a school that believes in that kind of inclusive community and that embraces teachers at the beginning of their pedagogical journey. I really appreciate that.”
Today, the Hardwicks hope that their dedication to supporting educators through philanthropy will inspire others to do the same. “The fellowship is a way to honor and recognize excellent potential teaching talent,” says Chan, whose nearly quarter century of leadership as Blair’s Head of School was marked by the growth and creation of a faculty culture that did much to attract and retain exceptional boarding school educators. “We hope others will continue to support teaching fellowships.” Monie adds, “It’s an amazing opportunity to help people pursue teaching and education.”
Blair Dedicates Hoby House & Sigety Alumni House
Blair Academy dedicated two new faculty residences in downtown Blairstown to support its mission of attracting and retaining outstanding faculty. Blair is purposeful about attracting the best and brightest educators to teach and work with students. Additions like these, funded entirely through generous philanthropic gifts, aid that mission and help make Blair not only a distinguished school for our faculty, but a home.
Highlights from the Hilltop
In addition to panels and performances, exhibitions and games, Blair offers a variety of events each weekend to keep students active, engaged and broadening their horizons. In this visual essay, photography teacher Tyson Trish and his students share highlights from the hilltop this fall, which included visits with loved ones, performances from Blair's orchestra, Singers, jazz band and Players, and more than a few sizzling matchups on the field.
For more photos of happenings across campus and beyond, please check out Blair Academy on Photoshelter, where we regularly post images.
Community Weekend Kick-Starts Blair’s 175th Year
There’s no better way to kick off the start of the school year, and bring students and faculty together, than Blair’s Community Weekends. In this video, two jam-packed weekends of activities showcase some of Blair’s favorite traditions, including Soccerfest, the Kon-Tiki boat race and the much-anticipated Soap Slide.
Click “play” below to watch a video highlighting a few of the memorable moments we shared as a community at the start of the 2022-2023 year.
Blair Athletes Make College Commitment
On November 9, family and friends, coaches and trainers gathered to celebrate National Signing Day, the occasion when many of Blair’s student-athletes commit to attending an NCAA, DI or DII institution. Congratulations to those Blair athletes taking their talents to the next level.
Claude Johnson
Founder, BlackFives.org; Author, The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball's Forgotten Era
Dr. David Robinson
New Jersey State Climatologist, Rutger's Department of Geography
Maggie Doyne
Founder, The BlinkNow Foundation; Author, Between the Mountain and the Sky; 2015 CNN Hero of the Year
Loung Ung
Cambodian-American Activist; Author, First They Killed My Father
Ralph Jerome
Venture Partner, The March Fund; Mars Distinguished Fellow; Former Global R&D Vice President, Mars Global Chocolate
Jason Howk
Director, Global Friends of Afghanistan; Islamic and Afghan Studies Interfaith Leader
Cass Gardiner ’07
Filmmaker, Former Programs Coordinator @ Tribeca Film Institute
Dr. James Basker
President, Glider Lehrman Institute of American History Professor of Literary History, Barnard University
Dr. Keisha-Kahn Perry
Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania
Creativity Abounds at This Year’s Fall Student Art Exhibition
The annual Fall Student Art Exhibition provides Blair’s student artists an opportunity to showcase their work in the Romano Gallery for their peers and community members to enjoy. The gallery walls were filled with paintings, photographs, sketches and architectural drawings, cyanotype prints and more, while the center of the gallery featured pedestaled sculptures and ceramic works of art. The exhibition acts as an extension of the arts at Blair, where students learn to appreciate various forms of art.
Click “play” below to watch a video featuring some of Blair’s finest illustrators, sculptors, portraitists and artisans, and hear what art means to them.
Professional Artist Exhibitions Featured in the Romano Gallery in Fall 2022
The Blair Fund immediately benefits every corner of Blair Academy—every program, every student and every teacher. Philanthropic support of the School helps sustain its mission of educating young people—a mission that is vitally important in today’s increasingly global and complex world.
Questions? Contact Emma Barnes O'Neill, Director of Annual Giving, at (908) 362-2045 or barnee@blair.edu.
Credits:
Douglas Benedict & Tyson Trish