An outstanding celebration of Blair camaraderie and community was on display during Alumni Weekend 2018. Blair grads representing eight decades registered to attend, and a full schedule of time-honored and unique events provided many opportunities for alumni and their guests to see the campus and connect with classmates, teachers, and old and new friends.

Director of Alumni Relations Shaunna Murphy noted that one of the highlights of the weekend was the Friday-night all-alumni Welcome Back party. While members of the Old Guard (50th reunion and above) enjoyed the traditional dinner in the Romano Dining Hall, alumni from all other classes gathered under a tent on Hardwick Hall lawn to enjoy catering and beverages provided by Tom Kehoe ’83 (Yards Brewing Company), Mark McLean ’98 (Remarkable Cuisine, LLC), Shaun Mehtani ’02 (Mehtani Restaurant Group), Matt Gallira ’08 (Big Mozz, Inc.) and Steve Abrams ’75 (Magnolia Bakery). A 10:30 p.m. fireworks display capped off the event that Mrs. Murphy said truly brought the Blair community together. “Everyone on campus, from the oldest alum to the youngest faculty child enjoyed the fireworks that night!” she said.

Of course, there was plenty to do throughout the entire weekend. Sports enthusiasts had their pick of activities, including a guided hike through the Siegel Property and the Blair Cup golf scramble on Friday; the coed alumni soccer game in memory of Ryan Newton ’08 and the alumni lacrosse game on Saturday; and the “Verdant Hills” road cycling tour on Sunday. And Bucs of all ages filled the bleachers in Hardwick Hall’s performance gym on Saturday morning for the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony honoring Craig Scott ’68, Milton (Skip) Waddell ’73, Stacey (Gorski) Spring ’95, John Giacche ’98, Nicole (Armano) Weston ’98 and Charlie Villanueva ’03.

Saturday’s Alumni Parade, Head of School Assembly, family picnic luncheon and dinner dance were as enjoyable as ever, while Dick Boak ’68’s “Skeptics” presentation offered an exclusive look at “Designing Guitars with Legendary Musicians.” Alumni also took advantage of opportunities to tour the Chiang Center for Innovation and Collaboration, gather for their reunion class photo, and just spend time catching up with friends and classmates.

“Every year, Blair enjoys celebrating its graduates at Alumni Weekend, but this year, we really tapped into the talents of our alumni,” Mrs. Murphy said. “Even Sunday’s breakfast featured an alumni business, with Ashley Thompson ’08’s MUSH Overnight Oats on the buffet. From start to finish, it was an exciting weekend, and we can’t wait to welcome alumni back to Blair again next year.”