Estefany Benitez Gonzalez
GPA 3.96 Will attend the University of Maryland next year

“In my Senior year I was able to be a Blair Ambassador, giving school tours, hosting events, and mentoring other students. I also was part of the Student Government committee that planned events such as Homecoming and International Night.” ...“In my community, I have been part of the Stepping Stone tutoring organization, which focuses on helping tutor students in need of academic support throughout the county. I also participate in the Montgomery County DOT Ride On Transit Advisory Group, to engage with the DOT Program Manager in helping establish ride on policies.” “One of my favorite activities has been being one of the Editors-in-chief on the Silver Chips print editions, where I focused on assigning, directing, and editing 12 student journalists’ new stories. Being a part of a student newspaper that was started in 1937 has been amazing. In a time when we rely more on digital news, it is rewarding to see how a newspaper that is still running after 86 years continues to bring a community together and brings value to keeping this decades-old tradition going at Blair. We see it all the time when students and alumni go through each newsletter and are fascinated by it.” “I believe that when I started advocating through journalism, I was able to help build new communities at Blair. We were able to bring a level of awareness to groups such as the SGA of the need for Blair’s resources to be shared by more students, making Blair a friendlier, more welcoming school for everyone.”

Nina Butler
GPA 3.95 Nina Will attend the University of Maryland

“I’ve played piccolo in the Blair Pride Marching Band for four years, marching in city parades and volunteering at football games. I am the treasurer for the Music Honor Society, and this year I planned a fundraiser where all proceeds are for the Blair Music Department.” ...“I also frequently volunteer for the Old Takoma Business Association. I’ve helped run Earth Day clean-up festivals, art festivals, and other community events. I am the Community Impact person for the Takoma Park Youth Council, working with other Blair students on clothing drives and other projects.” “During my time at Blair, I’ve immersed myself in the music program. I’ve been in band classes, the captain of my section in the marching band, and played in the pit for the spring musical. I also participate in activities to reach out to potential future band members and play for the public whenever I can. Making sure there is a future for the Blair music program is important to me because of its support, amazing faculty, and memories that I will take with me forever.” “Because my father went to Blair, I hear many stories about his experiences there in the 90’s. Two years after he graduated the University Boulevard Campus opened, providing opportunities for students from all backgrounds to have access to a quality education in a then state-of-the-art high school. I’m so thankful for the community Montgomery Blair has worked tirelessly to create.”

Oliver Jackson
GPA 3.92 Attending Hamilton College next year

“I became a member of the Spanish Honor Society this year. That was a real accomplishment for me, since I had been ready to quit Spanish a couple of years ago. But I loved the language and the culture, so I stayed persistent. Now, whenever I get the chance, I try to boost other students’ confidence about a new language, and I hope that will keep their passion alive.” ...“During the pandemic I knew a lot of people were struggling, so I looked for some non- profit organizations that I could support, and I found a food bank. I would spend an entire day making 100 sandwiches, and then the next day delivering them to food banks. It was great to feel that I was making a contribution.” “Swimming has been a big part of my life, and I was Captain of the Blair Swim and Dive Team. I thought I could use my expertise to teach kids how to swim, and how to enjoy the pool rather than fearing it. My passion for swimming has just grown larger during these volunteer activities.” “At school, just doing the little things like helping a student who drops a book, or showing a new student how to get to a classroom, is important. In addition to helping someone else, it allows you to contribute to Blair’s welcoming environment.” “The pep Rallies were among my favorite things at Blair. They allowed all the students to get together in one collective group, rather than being in a lot of small groups. It got us back to one of Blair’s mottos; “One History. One Legacy. One Blair.”

Lydia Noyes
GPA 3.90 Attending the University of Delaware next year

“I have been involved with varsity sports for all four years at Blair. Being a part of the Blair softball community has brought me many positive experiences that I will cherish in the future. The environment this school creates around its athletics program is one that I imagine is unique.” ...“I hope to study athletic training in college. I spent time interning with the athletic trainer here at Blair, and it was an awesome way to get exposure to what is hopefully my field of work. I also participated in the volunteer working student program at my local horseback riding facility. My duties required a lot of maturity and responsibility, and I’m grateful that I got to learn proper work habits and initiative early.” “Blair is part of my family’s history. My grandpa, Harry Packard, was a graduate of Blair’s class of 1955. He was a member of the football team that went 8-0 his senior year, and he was inducted into the Blair Athletic Hall of Fame last December as part of that championship team. I was lucky enough to be at that event, and it was really special. Seeing the players reunite with their teammates after decades was incredibly special. It was as if no time had passed.” “I give my grandpa’s tile a little tap whenever I walk past the Alumni Wall outside of ALUMNI HALL. It would be an honor to one day have a tile of my own next to his.”

Noah Stenzler
GPA 3.93 Will attend Penn State University

“I am a member of the National Honor Society, where I was very active in activities supporting the school and, especially, the faculty at all levels. I made appreciation banners for the bus drivers, appreciation cards for teachers, and helped raise money for school projects. I was also a proud member of multiple different clubs here at Blair, including Key Club, the Jewish culture club, and the anatomy club.”...“Blair’s diversity is easily the most meaningful part of the school’s history and traditions. Being a multi-racial individual, I thought I would have a hard time fitting in with people my freshman year, but it was easy to find people from different backgrounds at Blair. I think the greatest thing about Blair is that we have not only a diverse group of students, we also have a diverse group of faculty members.” “I played two years of varsity baseball and was a part of the Blair baseball program before I was even in high school. I dedicated countless hours to improving my skills and doing whatever I could to help the team win. I also participated in a number of community service activities. I worked at the Takoma Montessori school supervising 25 kids from ages 2-5. I am also involved in my Jewish Temple.” “Giving back to the community has always been a huge part of what I am. I started volunteering at food kitchens and at Wider Circle in elementary school and have been going ever since. Blair’s values of helping others and giving back align with my own, which is why I joined so many clubs. I like to think that I have been a hard-working student athlete at Blair.”

Maya Britto
GPA 3.94 Will continue her education at Johns Hopkins University

“When I entered Blair, I barely knew anyone. But freshman year I became part of the music program by joining the 12 orchestra. I recognized this as an opportunity to communicate with unfamiliar people through a familiar language. Many of my peers in the orchestra did not look like me, but we played Bruch and Mozart in class, we exchanged Drake verses in the halls, and with the jazz band students we hummed Coltrane and Davis after school. Strangers became part of a school system I grew to rely on.” ...“To me, improving social justice means working towards a more equitable, inclusive, and educated society. A society must ask if its practices allow everyone to acquire the tools to succeed in a way that gives them the best opportunity to lead a fulfilling life. Making this possible necessitates a level of individual responsibility. Each one of us has a responsibility to consider the impact of our actions on others.” “In the future I hope to contribute to society through a career in medicine. A career in health care requires more than an avid interest in biology. It also requires a genuine concern for others, and the ability to communicate effectively.” “Having worked as a tutor, and as an editor-in-chief for two of Blair’s publications (including Blair’s online newsletter), I know how valuable my skills in communication can be. I do believe that marrying my strengths as a communicator and my passion for the sciences and social justice I will make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.” “Having worked as a tutor, and as an editor-in-chief for two of Blair’s publications (including Blair’s online newsletter), I know how valuable my skills in communication can be. I do believe that by marrying my strengths as a communicator and my passion for the sciences and social justice I will make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.”

Lina Romero-Fabian
GPA 3.95 Lina will be continuing her education at the University of Maryland

“I’ve spent my Blair summers and breaks volunteering at Nourish Now, where I classified produce, snacks, and pack foods that would go to other Montgomery County schools. I’ve also volunteered at Montgomery County Parks, serving as a clean up leader. It was my job to lead people to places that needed attention as we worked to keep the environment clean and safe for everyone.” ...“Being the daughter of two immigrants who came to the U.S. with nothing, I feel like it is my job to help those with similar backgrounds in any way I can. I became a part of Blair’s student-to-student tutorship, BLISS (Blair Leaders Interning for Student Success). I tutor ESOL ‘English Bridges 10,’ trying to build a connection to those in my community. I explained everything to them, and walked every single one them who wanted to be a part of Blair’s athletic program through the registration process. I helped them understand what documents they were going to need and how to get to their doctors to get their physical.” “I was a part of Blair’s varsity girls’ soccer team for all four years that I was at Blair. In addition, I played varsity co-ed volleyball for three years. My oldest sister had previously played varsity soccer for Lina Romero-Fabian GPA 3.95 Lina will be continuing her education at the University of Maryland Blair and I remember my father dragging me to her games, telling me I was going to play here someday. Now, as I run on the field in my cleats, I see my coach waving to my younger sister, waiting for the cycle of our family tradition to continue.”