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Branson School News, Sports, Life and Opinion

The Blazer

Branson’s student-run newspaper
Branson School News, Sports, Life and Opinion

The Blazer

Branson School News, Sports, Life and Opinion

The Blazer

Olivia Ritter

Olivia Ritter, News Editor

Olivia Ritter serves as news editor and first joined The Blazer in 2023.

All content by Olivia Ritter
Springtime means time for a spring refresh

Springtime means time for a spring refresh

By Olivia Ritter April 14, 2026

Spring is officially in full swing, and to accompany a season of transitions, you will need fresh music. Here are a couple of my favorite recent albums.   Complete with strong guitar lines and catchy choruses, I’ve been returning to The Killers 2004 release “Hot Fuss” for the perfect...

My January Wrapped

By Olivia Ritter February 14, 2026

  “Do You Remember The First Time?” — Pulp “Dakota” — Stereophonics “Hot Blooded” — New Constellations “Bonehead’s Bank Holiday” — Oasis “Sleepyhead” — Passion Pit “In The Light” — The Lumineers “Everybody Knows” — The Chicks “Favourite”...

Dominic Fike cures seasonal blues

Dominic Fike cures seasonal blues

By Olivia Ritter December 9, 2025

The transition to daylight savings and winter has, to quote Ishmael in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” caused a “damp drizzly November in my soul.” My savior has come in the form of music, specifically the sunny alternative rock of Dominic Fike. Fike released his 5th album, “Rocket,” in...

4 albums for fall

By Olivia Ritter November 11, 2025

“Siamese Dream” by The Smashing Pumpkins (1993)   If you like listening to The Smashing Pumpkin’s hit “1979” when the leaves start to change, you’re likely to enjoy their third album: “Siamese Dream.” Complete with The Smashing Pumpkins’ signature full, haunting instrumentals...

Class of 2026 take their class photo at pre-prom. (Photo courtesy of Maitland Wais)

Senior Man-on-the-Street Advice

By Olivia Ritter, Editor in Chief August 25, 2025

What do you wish you could tell your freshman self? Michael Penczak ’26: “Don’t procrastinate. Get your work done ahead of time. That’s something I still tell myself.”    Grant Kruttschnitt ’26: “Do as many things as possible. When I was a freshman, I was worried that doing...

BottleRock preview

By Olivia Ritter June 3, 2025

From Sublime to Justin Timberlake to Noah Kahan, BottleRock Music Festival in Napa Valley is ripe with headliners sure to draw packed crowds. However, I want to encourage those attending to start studying the music of some artists who aren’t headliners.  In my experience, knowing just one song...

Song recommendation: "This Is The Day" by The The

Song recommendation: “This Is The Day” by The The

By Olivia Ritter April 2, 2025

Anita, the wife of my dad’s best friend, Rob, exited the stage at the end of Rob’s celebration of life service by saying, “And, finally, I’ll wish you off to his theme song.” The lights came on to reveal an auditorium of wet faces as the twinkling synth of “This Is The Day” by The The began...

7 song recommendations

By Olivia Ritter, Columnist January 30, 2025

While nothing compares to the experience of listening to an album start to finish, I recognize that takes time, and some would rather listen to a single song. In light of this, I have gifted you seven of my recent favorites.

Dire Straits album hits NorCal vibe

Dire Straits album hits NorCal vibe

By Olivia Ritter, Columnist December 19, 2024

Commencing with a haunting, foggy bass and an angelic guitar solo by lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits’ eponymous 1978 album leaves its listeners wanting more. I have grappled with how to adequately describe the magnetism of this album to someone who has not yet listened to it....

Clairo comes into her own with 'Charm'

Clairo comes into her own with ‘Charm’

By Olivia Ritter, Columnist October 22, 2024

On July 12, the world was blessed with the release of “Charm” by Clairo: a collection of 11 lilting, joyful songs. I am writing this to ensure that if you have not sampled the true joy that is now yours to experience, you get up from where you’re sitting, plug in your headphones and listen to this...

English Department Chair Giles Scott and Head of School Chris Mazzola at Convocation. Scott was nominated by the community to speak at Convocation this year.

Convocation features community-nominated faculty speech

By Olivia Ritter October 22, 2024

“The obvious thing to focus on would be the election, right? Yes? No? The adults are all ‘No.’ The students are like, ‘An election, what election? There was nothing about an election on TikTok rizz party. What are you on about?’” joked beloved English teacher Giles Scott in his Convocation...

Paul Buckley, pictured above, was a new addition this semester to the Branson English department.

Branson English department adds Paul Buckley to the staff

By Olivia Ritter April 9, 2024

After an English teaching role opportunely opened up this recent winter break, Paul Buckley, a potential candidate, sprang at the opportunity. He was remodeling houses in a brief stint of carpentry when he heard of a job opening at Branson. Buckley applied for the job and conducted interviews with...

Cyrus Allen ‘25, plays the drums. Allen and the band have been building their repertoire for their first performance.

Rock Band, a safe haven from Branson students’ stressful lives

By Olivia Ritter November 11, 2023

Every Branson Rock Band class starts with each student ranking their mood on a scale of one to 10. Claps, hoots and hollers greet every 10, and for every low number, teacher Jaimeo Brown tasks each student with raising that number before the end of class. Brown said this practice “started from me...

Aimee Yang readies for a shot during a game against Tamalpais, Oct. 6, 2022.

Varsity girls golf aspires to maintain golden MCAL legacy

By Olivia Ritter October 20, 2023

Branson varsity girls golf, the defending 2022 MCAL champions, now look toward the 2023-24 season and a handful of pivotal matches to further solidify the team’s legacy. Riding on the confidence of a victorious start to the season, captain Aimee Yang ‘24 declared that the team has more determination...

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Branson School News, Sports, Life and Opinion
Olivia Ritter