When Agnes Chapski P’25 started her career more than two decades ago, women were fighting one another to advance to the top of the publishing field. Her mission was to change that narrative. Today, as a leader in the industry, she advocates for and encourages other women to succeed, with a firm belief that women should be boosting one another up instead of tearing them down. This weekend, Ms. Chapski visited Blair with other fierce women to share that message—along with others—to the future generations of female powerhouses.

Exploring the call to “Be Bold,” Blair’s third annual Women’s Symposium last Saturday consisted of conversations and panel discussions on the topics of boldness, strength, values and financial health as they apply to women’s personal and professional lives. The event commenced in the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration forum with Blair’s 20th—and first female—Board Chair, Maria Vinci Savettiere P’17, welcoming attendees and sharing gratitude for the ability to come together as a community.

“I strongly believe that it is so important that women motivate and mentor future generations of leaders and changemakers,” Mrs. Vinci Savettiere told the audience. “With such a talented and experienced range of female speakers and panelists, I know we will all leave here armed with invaluable knowledge and connections.”

Since the 50th anniversary celebration of the return of coeducation at Blair, the Women’s Symposium has brought members of the Blair community together to motivate, uplift and connect through conversation and networking opportunities to learn from diverse, insightful speakers and panelists around topics that affect women today. This year’s program consisted of panel discussions, exercises in defining personal values and how they relate to boldness, as well as Q&A from the audience.

The day’s first panel, “Tactical Boldness: Strength in Self,” focused on what boldness means to Mrs. Vinci Savettiere, Ms. Chapski, Melissa Levinson ’15 and Raleigh Dierlam ’09. The speakers addressed the challenges they have faced in their professional and personal lives and how the ability to be bold in the face of adversity meant something different to each of them.

“You’ll hear the word pivot a lot today,” Ms. Chapski said. “Being bold means not being afraid to make changes and embrace changes in your life.” Each of the panelists had at least one “pivot moment” in their careers to offer the audience, along with advice and personal experiences to share.

After the first panel, Dr. Emily Cherenack ’08 took the stage to connect her studies in psychology with the call to “Be Bold” through a values-based exercise where she asked the audience to clarify their personal values, differentiate personal from societal values and use personal values to help them to act boldly. Audience members engaged in the process, voraciously scribbling notes and sharing thoughts on what society has deemed a “perfect woman” should care about. Before lunch—when guests had the opportunity to network with one another and the panelists—Anita (Ricketts) Sarate ’88 gave a motivating presentation on turning courage on the inside to boldness on the outside.

With an audience of students, faculty, staff and Blair parents in attendance, the symposium concluded with a final panel of all speakers, moderated by Carolyn Conforti-Browse ’79. Attendees were not shy to ask the group questions, hoping to capitalize on the culmination of experience in the room. The panel represented courageous females at all stages of their career who didn’t hesitate to share what they could about their successes and failures.

“At Blair, you are swimming in opportunities to build your confidence,” Ms. Ricketts told the students in the room. “Seize those opportunities.”

Click "play" below to watch a recording of the 2023 Blair Women's Symposium.

Over the past 175 years, many athletes have come to the hilltop to further their academic studies and hone their athletic skills. Thanks to their talent, tenacity and sportsmanship, each year a few standout graduates continue contributing to their sport and competing at the highest levels. The Blair Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to honor those individuals and announce the athletes and coaches chosen for the Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2023: Robert H. Dalling Sr. ’29, A. Jon Frere Hon. ’74, Christian C. Passannante ’92, David T. Low Jr. ’89, Sarah (Marcincin) Hartman ’07, Kellen Russell ’07 and the 1984-1985 Girls’ cross country team.

“It is a privilege to induct this year’s class into Blair’s Hall of Fame to honor their love and dedication to their passions,” Director of Athletics Paul Clavel ’88 said. “These coaches and alumni gave so much of themselves to the School and to their sport during their time on the hilltop and beyond, and they truly represent the excellence of the Blair Academy athletic program.”

To recognize and celebrate the outstanding athletic achievements of its alumni and coaches, Blair established an Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. In order to be considered for Hall of Fame membership, nominees must have exhibited the highest caliber of athletic accomplishment during their time at Blair and have been outstanding members of the School community in the areas of scholastic achievement, citizenship, integrity and moral character. Selection is based primarily on athletic accomplishments while a Blair student or coach, although subsequent achievement in athletics or other areas may be considered. Finally, alumni nominees become Hall-of-Fame eligible in the 10th year following their graduation, while coaches become eligible after their retirement from Blair.

Robert H. Dalling Sr. ’29

Bob Dalling Sr. was, no doubt, one of the founders of New Jersey wrestling. Nicknamed the “Father of Blair Wrestling,” he was known for his great sense of humor and became widely respected for his integrity and humility. Born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, before moving to Stillwater Township, New Jersey, Bob came to the hilltop in 1924, the same year the first scholastic wrestling program in New Jersey started at Blair. Bob served as captain of the Blair Academy team in 1929, then matriculated at Lehigh University, where he captured two Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association titles, while achieving a winning percentage of .895 at 126 pounds. 

While wrestling as a prominent member of the Lehigh University team during their first golden era, Bob began coaching at Blair. Coach Dalling nurtured, built and led Blair for 32 years over a 42-year period that spanned the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, coaching Blair’s first NCAA title winner and Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 inductee Michael Lieberman ’71. He was known as a strict disciplinarian, a superb teacher and a strong proponent of sportsmanship. In 1933, he engineered a 23-consecutive win streak, and throughout his career, his team won eight National Prep titles and had 28 place-winners in the National Prep Championships. 

Bob was inducted into the Sussex County Hall of Fame in 1993. After his passing in 1995, the New Jersey chapter of the National Hall of Fame posthumously honored him with the Lifetime Service Award to Wrestling.

To honor Bob’s legacy at Blair, the Robert H. Dalling Prize was established in 1972, awarded to the outstanding male athlete who best represents Blair Academy in athletic competition. In 2005, the Robert Dalling Sr. Wrestling Scholarship was established to honor Blair’s storied wrestling history in a way that Bob himself most certainly would have endorsed: a scholarship providing one deserving student the opportunity to attend Blair to study, wrestle and prepare for the future.

A. Jon Frere, Hon. ’74

Jon Frere joined the Blair Academy faculty in September 1966 as a full-time member of the language department, dormitory advisor and assistant coach. In the summer of 1970, he was appointed head football coach and Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Blair until 1984, when he founded the school’s lacrosse program.

As former Headmaster James R. Kelly wrote in 1987, “Virtually every one of (Jon’s) fourteen seasons as head coach were winning ones, but more important than that was the sense of spirit, of accomplishment, of pride, and of camaraderie which he was able to develop in his teams.” In 1994, Jon established the A. Jon Frere Scholarship to be awarded to a student in good academic standing whose involvement in all aspects of school life enhances the quality of the academic, athletic and extracurricular programs at Blair Academy.

Christian C. Passannante ’92 

As a newcomer to Blair, Christian Passannante quickly caught the attention of his coaches as a three-sport athlete, participating in soccer, swimming and lacrosse. Turning his focus to swimming, he excelled in the pool throughout his time on the hilltop, and his coach, the late Dr. Richard E. Clarke Jr., took notice. “He is one of the most enthusiastic, talented and hard-working swimmers that I’ve ever had and I certainly look forward to another successful season for him,” Dr. Clarke wrote.

Christian broke multiple pool and school swimming records and still holds the current school record for 200m freestyle set in 1991. During his junior and senior years, he earned the title of High School All-American in the 200m freestyle and 50/100m freestyle and was named to the top 15 national high school list for the 200m freestyle in Swimming World Magazine.

Christian matriculated at the University of Tennessee, where his swimming legacy continued. He was a multiple All-American, leading his team to two third-place finishes and one second-place finish in 1995 in the SEC. Christian’s senior year culminated in a first-place team finish in the conference and a spot on the SEC Scholar Honor Roll.

David T. Low Jr. ’89

Dave Low Jr.’s tenure at Blair started well before he stepped foot in a classroom, moving to the hilltop at the age of 8 with his family, when his father, Dave Low Sr., took the role of Assistant Headmaster. When it came time to join the Class of 1989, Dave hit the ground running as a three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. The latter swiftly developed into a passion, and Dave became a top-scorer for Blair Lacrosse, becoming the New Jersey state career scoring leader—and holding that title—for two decades. In the 1980s, he was even selected as New Jersey’s “Player of the Decade.” Dave’s leadership on and off the field led to three captain titles in his respective sports and membership to the Cum Laude Society at Blair.

As a college sophomore and junior, Dave helped Middlebury’s lacrosse team secure two Eastern College Athletic Conference championships, and he led the team in goals his senior year with 42 in 15 games. In 1993, Dave won Middlebury College’s John P. Stabile Award, presented annually to a member of a men’s team who best exemplifies the Middlebury spirit. 

Dave’s love of lacrosse led to him coaching Bainbridge High School’s boys’ lacrosse team in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and he served as a longtime board member of the Washington State Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse. He was inducted into the Washington State Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2013.

Sarah (Marcincin) Hartman ’07

At the time of her graduation, Sarah (Marcincin) Hartman’s field hockey and lacrosse coach said, “She’s the most amazing athlete in both sports I’ve ever seen.” Her college counselor echoed those sentiments, sharing an anecdote from the time Sarah hit a ball so hard in a field hockey game that it actually broke, grounding play to a halt as players, coaches, referees and spectators looked on in disbelief.

“Not surprisingly, Sarah Marcincin is one of the top field hockey players in the country, and perhaps the best female athlete ever to attend Blair,” she said. During her career, Sarah garnered nine varsity letters, four in both field hockey and lacrosse and one in basketball. Sarah is the School’s all-time scoring leader for lacrosse with 223 goals and 101 assists from 2004 to 2007, winning back-to-back Lacrosse Prizes in 2006 and 2007, and earning First Team All-Prep and All-MAPL for lacrosse from 2004 to 2006. Sarah scored 50 goals and 45 assists from 2003 to 2006 in field hockey, receiving the Field Hockey Prize and earning First Team All-Prep and All-MAPL for field hockey from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, Sarah received Blair’s William Zester Prize, given to the female athlete who best represents Blair in competition. Sarah’s legacy continued through college as a four-year starter at Northwestern University, where she was selected captain as a junior, Second-Team All-Big Ten her senior year and earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition. 

Kellen Russell ’07

During his senior year, fierce competitor and dynamic leader Kellen Russell was described as a shining example for other high-level athletes at Blair Academy. Throughout his four years, he won three National Prep Titles, received invitations to prestigious senior events such as the Dapper Dan and Dream Team Classic, captained the wrestling squad and won a Senior National title at the National High School Coach’s Association Nationals. Kellen was the 2007 recipient of the 2007 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award and was a member of the Wrestling USA Dream Team. Among his other accolades, Kellen earned championship titles at major tournaments, including the Junior Freestyle Nationals, Cadet Freestyle Nationals, Beast of the East and Walsh Jesuit Ironman Tournament. 

Kellen’s wrestling success took him to the University of Michigan, where he was a three-time NCAA All-American, winning two NCAA Championships and four Big Ten Championships. Boasting an overall college record of 134-12, Kellen went undefeated his junior year and was named the University of Michigan’s Athlete of the Year twice. He won the 2012 Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten Championships and the 2008 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award. After college, he continued to train on the international scene with the hopes to make the World and Olympic teams. Currently, Kellen is an assistant coach at Cornell University.

1984-1985 Girls’ Cross Country Team

In the fall of 1984, the girls’ cross country team became the first at Blair to take home the state championship for their sport. Despite the years that have passed, former head coach and history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, Hon. ’81 still remembers the day the girls’ team won the state championship on Blair’s course fondly.

“Certain moments resonate in a coach’s memory,” Dr. Miller said. “It was almost 40 years ago when our leading runners emerged from the hills in the top three positions.” Sisters Dana (Post) Murray ’85 and Christine Post ’86 had led the team throughout the 1984 season along with Lyn (Avery-Jones) Brabant ’89. On that day, four decades ago, they were poised just one lengthy, rectangular field away from victory. “As they rounded the soccer fields, I can still picture Lyn’s dad, the Rev. Peter Amerman, Blair’s longtime chaplain, coaching soccer and being distracted by his daughter racing by with abandon. Our athletes held their places to the finish line and garnered the first such trophy for the girls’ cross country team; it was a good day,” Dr. Miller recalls. 

Christine Parker ’85, Jennifer (Kapp) Spinks ’86, Theresa (Colton) Rooth ’88 and Anita (Ricketts) Sarate ’88 rounded out the squad that fall. With an undefeated dual season, the team also won the Newark Invitational Championships. Individually, Dana finished the season undefeated.

Learn more about the Athletic Hall of Fame selection process and view bios of Athletic Hall of Fame inductees here.
Suggest nominees for the Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2024 here by December 31, 2023.
 

Michael Weaver has a gift that extends beyond the physical representation of his artwork. His talent is not only creating mixed media pieces, but also showcasing the juxtaposition of his subjects. The “(Un)Common Threads” that bind life and death, fine art and craft, darkness and light, and so much more of our daily lives are the connecting ties symbolized in Mr. Weaver’s upcoming exhibition in the Romano Gallery from March 22 to April 21.

Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Weaver crafted his skill at Kutztown University, where he received a BFA in crafts with a focus in fibers and a BS in art education. Most recently, he earned his graphic design certification at the California Institute of the Arts. Now a Philadelphia resident, Mr. Weaver is most comfortable focusing on his work in his home studio filled with multiple pieces at various stages of completion as each new idea inspires him.

“In my upcoming exhibition, I hope students see that growth and change is important for any artist,” Mr. Weaver said. “You may look back at your oldest work and imagine what you may have done better, but without that first step, you would not be where you are now. It's that first knot in the embroidery that acts as the anchor for a piece to hold on to. Without it, you risk it all falling apart.”

Mr. Weaver often uses the vestiges of life forms as inspiration, and in this exhibit, skulls emerge as a recurrent motif. Beginning with an illustration, the artist delicately embellishes each piece with embroidery, exploring the meaning that his subjects hold with each layered composition.  “Since college, I have continually explored the combination of fiber embroidery with what are considered very traditional mediums for fine art making,” Mr. Weaver explained. “I explore different base mediums and substrates, as well as different subjects, before finding my muse in the remains of the creatures I use as subjects.”

Mr. Weaver’s collection of fine art embellished with embroidery has been showcased in exhibits across the country and in Australia. During his exhibition in the Romano Gallery, an artist’s reception will be held on March 30, beginning at 7 p.m., and members of the public are welcome to attend.
 

Outside the student life office in Clinton Hall, students can learn about the early life of Malcolm X and his views on injustices that are still poignant today. Travel farther down the halls to understand Ida B. Wells’ work in the anti-lynching campaign and how James Meredith helped secure fundamental human rights—such as sharing a classroom today with students of other races.

These projects scattered on the bulletin boards through Clinton mark the first signature assessment in history teacher Anna Raley’s Race in America course that examines the question “What is race?” through the lens of American history. To lay the groundwork for this signature assessment, the class first discussed what activism is, along with why it is vital to society. From there, each student had the opportunity to make the project their own by selecting an activist to research and a medium to present their work. 

“For some historical figures, students had heard their names and wanted to know the full story,” Ms. Raley said. “There are things we never learn about, and this project gave students a chance to go beyond the known narrative.” They were able to learn more about some of the historical figures they had only scratched the surface of in previous classes or choose someone they had a cultural or personal connection to for their research topic.

As a fellow athlete, Royce Mulholland ’23 researched legendary baseball player Hank Aaron and highlighted his work as an activist and the adversities he endured during his career. For her project, Ari Albino ’23 created a website outlining the activism and achievements of U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Ari chose her for all she has accomplished at a young age and her ability to stay true to herself through her work.  

“She leans into her culture rather than shutting it out,” Ari explained. “Coming from a Hispanic family in a predominantly white community, it can be difficult to appreciate what my culture has to offer, but seeing important figures like AOC do it, makes it easier to appreciate.”

Empowering students to make decisions in their learning endeavors is fundamental to the Blair experience. Teachers like Ms. Raley find students are more engaged in the subject matter and eager to participate when they have a voice in the direction it is taking. Faculty foster dialogue rather than relying heavily upon lecturing and students learn to feel comfortable sharing their insights and opinions.

“They’ve all been amazing,” Ms. Raley said. “They want to exchange ideas, and they’re willing to do the work.” Through current event discussions, Ms. Raley guides the class in connecting the lessons they are learning from the past with their everyday lives. As students see or read news stories on their own time, more of them are sharing these topics with her to spark conversation or ideas for the next class.

Signature programs at Blair, like J-term and Black History Month seminars, encourage students to fully comprehend the material they are learning and share it with the community. Projects like these reaffirm that mission and challenge students to share their newfound knowledge with others at Blair. The class will continue discussions of Race in America throughout the yearlong course, considering issues such as immigration, labor, crime, wealth, education, and ever-shifting legal identifications along racial and ethnic lines.
 

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blair Academy Symphony Orchestra and Singers will set sail on a European performance and cultural tour March 2 to 11. With stops in London, Cambridge and Paris, the performers will take in the sights and sounds of England and France, including tours, museums and shows. At each location, Blair students will share their music at public performances in historical venues open to Blair families and alumni.

“I am so excited for Blair’s music students to showcase our hard work on tour at beautiful venues in London and Paris,” harpist and singer Chloe Lau ’23 said. “We’ve got a wide repertoire lined up for the orchestra, from the magnificent Dvořák’s ‘New World Symphony’ to the calming ‘The Road Home’ by composer Stephen Paulus.”

The troupe’s first visit is London, England, where they will embark on guided tours of the British Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe and Westminster Abbey. Students will have the opportunity to attend a West End show, opera or concert during their stay as well. To cap off their trip to the capital city, the Symphony Orchestra and Singers will perform at Stationer’s Hall, one of the few ancient Livery Halls remaining in London, completed in 1673. 

From London, the group will venture on to Cambridge, with a performance at Cambridge University’s Great St Mary’s Church. When they aren’t performing, students will take in the world-famous King’s College Choir singing Evensong, a 470-year-old monastic tradition that promotes quiet contemplation at the end of one’s day. Tours of Cambridge University and The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial at Madingley, the only permanent American military World War II cemetery in the United Kingdom, will follow. Of course, the adventure continues on the Eurostar Chunnel train to Paris!

An afternoon on a Seine River cruise and the chance to study DaVinci’s “Mona Lisa” and the ancient Greek “Venus de Milo” in person at the Louvre Museum will be highlights of the cultural tour in Paris. Before returning to the States, students will take part in a final performance at the Gothic Chartres Cathedral. As part of the cathedral’s International Concert Series, Blair’s choir members and instrumentalists will take the stage within the church’s soaring interior, under stained glass windows that have survived since the Middle Ages. They will experience the magic of hearing their notes fill spaces that once held the coronation of kings, and if they are lucky, students may even have time to wind through the cathedral’s labyrinth before they leave….

“We are so excited to be challenging our students to grow through this first-hand experience,” notes Director of Instrumental Music Jennifer Pagotto, who is leading the trip along with Director of Vocal Music Ryan Manni. “The chance to experience some of Europe’s most historic performance spaces and share repertoire they have spent months rehearsing is just incredible.” 

After the tour, Blair will share with our community a behind-the-scenes look at the trip as a whole, so stay tuned!

(Note: Image above is from a previous year.)

The Headmasters’ Societies Games started at Blair back in the winter of 2004. The brainchild of former Dean of Students David Vachris, the games were intended to create a week of physical and mental competitions that allow students, faculty and staff to go head-to-head to see which team would emerge victorious. Each team or “house” is named after legendary former Heads of School Dr. Charles Breed, Reverend Jim Kelley, Dr. Jim Howard and Dr. John Sharpe. Events vary quite a bit, ranging from dodgeball and volleyball to Oreo stacking and rock/paper/scissors; they culminate in the massive tug o’ war at the end of the week and the ever popular Talent Show that has, in the past, decided the overall winner.

The week is a highlight for many faculty as it offers a great chance to do something completely different from their normal Blair life. Kate Sykes, chair of the fine arts department, has been the faculty leader for Team Sharpe for several years and routinely dresses in her finest purple and gold garb that week (her team colors), while Latta Browse, math department chair, is so connected to his team that he went so far as to legally change his car’s license plate to “Breed.” 

Former students tune in all week, following the daily points and cheering on their team, indeed proving these games exist at the core of many Blair alumni. Team Breed currently has the lead overall with six wins, but Team Sharpe is at their heels with five and Teams Howard and Kelley with four each. Will this be a year for the underdogs? Tune in and see!

Follow along on Blair's Instagram all this week for a Senior Class Council takeover to catch the live action from an insider perspective!

At Blair, students are afforded multiple opportunities to showcase their artwork across campus. A student exhibit is hosted during the fall and spring semesters in the Romano Gallery, weekly “Art Stars” are presented at School Meeting, and displays in The Black Canteen, Clinton Hall and the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration provide a visible example of Blair’s integration of art across our curriculum and campus. But occasionally, captivating artwork is propelled beyond the hilltop to reach a broader community and garners the praise these young artists deserve.

This year, several Blair fine art students submitted artwork in The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers’ Scholastic Art & Writings Awards—ranging from pottery to photography—for the northern New Jersey art region. In total, Blair students received six Gold Key awards, five Silver Key awards and 10 Honorable Mentions.

“Contests are a great way to put yourself out there and see how other people respond to your work,” fine arts teacher Tyson Trish explained. “The Scholastic Awards offer students a bigger audience for their art.”

The Gold Key award recipients’ artwork will be showcased in an exhibition at Gallery Aferro from March 4 through March 25, 2023. A platform for the exchange of ideas in service of advancing human dignity and beauty, Gallery Aferro focuses on the visual arts and is proudly located in Newark, New Jersey. Blair’s student entries will advance to the national competition, where they will be considered for Gold Medal, Silver Medal with Distinction, Silver Medal and scholarship awards, which will be announced on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards website Wednesday, March 22, at 5 p.m.  

Congratulations to all of our outstanding artists!

Gold Key Award Recipients
Maya Ciminello ’23
Oscar Wan ’24
Angela Wang ’24
Alice Xu ’26
Clara Yan ’24
Lily Yao ’25

Silver Key Award Recipients
Tania Lau ’24 (2)
Kas Strunk ’23
Oscar Wan ’24 (2)

Honorable Mention Recipients
Maya Ciminello ’23 (3)
Serena Khanna ’25 (2)
Tania Lau ’24
Oscar Wan ’24
Angela Wang ’24
Lily Yao ’25 (2)