 Profile
Blair Hornstine is a successful young woman who has overcome the most difficult of odds. In 1998, when she was just about to begin high school, Blair was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease that ravaged her body. In addition to painful physical symptoms, she suffered from chronic fatigue that left her unable to do the normal things that teens her age do, including attending classes on campus. While Ms. Hornstine was ultimately forced to complete high school through home study, she did not let the disease that had attacked her right to a normal life stop her from achieving amazing things. One year before graduating from high school, Blair Hornstine was an honorable Torchbearer for the 2002 Summer Olympics in Salt Lake City. In 2003, she became Moorestown High School’s class valedictorian, and accepted a spot at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She completed her Master’s degree in Classical Studies with distinction in 2006.
Ms. Hornstine’s success hasn’t been limited to her own life. She has continuously dedicated her time and effort to charitable endeavors, including the organization she co-founded in 1994, MAGIC. Through MAGIC, Blair provided assistance to the young women, the elderly, and the underprivileged of her community.
Upon returning from Scotland in 2006, Blair Hornstine spent a year studying vocal and musical performance at New York City’s prestigious Juilliard School. Fulfilling her childhood dream of helping those less fortunate than her, Hornstine is now working toward her Juris Doctor. Once finished, she plans to work for the causes that have inspired her throughout her life; human rights, equality and freedom.
Additional Information
In addition to her dedication to continued learning despite the obstacles presented by her health issues, Blair Hornstine has also proven her commitment to community service. Blair Hornstine is the Co-founder of MAGIC (Moorestown Alliance for Goodwill and Interest in the Community). Blair and her brother formed MAGIC to help meet the needs they perceived within their own community. Although MAGIC was specifically formed by the brother and sister pair to address issues related to the elderly, the disabled, the underprivileged, and young women, few individuals in the Hornstines’ community went unaffected by the work of the young volunteers.
Between 1994 and 2003, the Moorestown Alliance for Goodwill and Interest in the Community led by Blair Hornstine raised public awareness regarding issues like hunger and illiteracy. MAGIC is also responsible for the organization and implementation of a number of local revitalization and beautification projects, such as the removal of graffiti from buildings. MAGIC regularly assisted in the efforts of other community organizations in the building of playgrounds, the planting of trees and flowers, and the implementation of computer literacy programs.
At the start of 2000, MAGIC aligned itself with The Smile Train, a non-profit organization dedicated to correcting the cleft lips and palates of young girls in the People’s Republic of China. From 2000 to 2004, the Moorestown Alliance for Goodwill and Interest in the Community led by Blair Hornstine raised enough money for 16 cleft operations, and Blair Hornstine was even invited to attend a conference in the People’s Republic of China dedicated to the issues surrounding young Chinese girls.
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