Blazers in the press

Five Blair students were mentioned in the Gazette articles, "Meet the mayor of Blair" and "Delegate, students working to reduce toxic mercury."

Juniors Karima Tawfik, Shannon Egan and Caitlin O'Brien were honored for their CAP Change Project in which they researched the issue of toxic mercury in Maryland's waste water. Through a partnership with State Delegate Karen S. Montgomery (D-Dist. 14), the students developed a relationship with local area dentists to create new methods of responsibly recycling dental amalgam, which contains mercury.

Tawfik, Egan and O'Brien prepared a brochure entitled "Dentists' Disposal of Mercury in the Environment: Negative Effects and Proposed Solutions." Montgomery and a group of students from both Blair and Sherwood High Schools are cooperating with area dentists to properly dispose amalgam.

Montgomery praised Tawfik, Egan and O'Brien, as well as Sherwood seniors Amanda Partington and Erika Rao for their work on the project. "I am pleased with the initiative, research skills and capability of these five Montgomery County students," Montgomery said.

In the article "Meet the mayor of Blair," Gazette reporter Meredith Hooker followed Principal Philip Gainous throughout a day at Blair. The article focuses on Gainous' interactions with Blair students and his duties as the principal of Montgomery County's largest high school.

Later in the article, Hooker describes two conversations between Gainous and Silver Chips reporters Kristina Hamilton and Betsy Costilo, both juniors. Hamilton "peppered" Gainous with questions, and is later quoted as saying that she thinks "Gainous really does a good job."

Costilo, who was interviewing Gainous for a story on a Blair attendance policy, said that "[Gainous] has to focus his attention more on kids who need it," she added, "I don't need it as much. I see him out in the hall lots of times at lunch, telling people to clean up and talking to people."

"Meet the Mayor of Blair" can be read here. "Delegate, students working to reduce toxic mercury" can be read here.