Representative Morella is grad speaker

Congresswoman Connie Morella will be the guest speaker at Blair's graduation ceremony, which will be held on June 3 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center.

Morella, currently serving her eighth term in office, represents Maryland's eighth congressional district, which was reshaped this year to include Blair.

Parents suggested Morella should be the speaker because of her importance to the community as a local politician. "It is fitting to have a local member from Congress speaking at our graduation," said Senior Class Advisor Norman Stant. "She has rearranged her schedule, and she is delighted to speak to the class of 2002."

Morella, a moderate Republican, is known for voting with Democrats on many issues. However, she will face tough opposition from Democrats this fall when she runs for re-election.

Some teachers are glad Morella is this year's speaker. "It's good to have a politician come and speak—maybe a little controversial in an election year," said social studies teacher David Swaney.

Morella, who has been Congress for 16 years, is unknown to much of the Blair population. According to an informal poll of 100 students taken during the week of May 6, 57 percent of students do not know who Connie Morella is.

Swaney hopes that Morella will heighten political awareness among Blazers who can vote this fall. "Hopefully [Morella's presence] will raise interest in this fall's elections for graduating seniors," Swaney said.

Last year's graduation speaker was Carl Bernstein, the legendary Washington Post reporter who worked with Bob Woodward to uncover the truth behind the Watergate scandal during Nixon's administration.

Past speakers include Congressman Albert Wynn, former Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry and Blair graduate and celebrity Ben Stein.