IN THE NEWS

Blair Trustee and entrepreneur Ashley Thompson ’08 co-founded MUSH, a better-for-you consumer packaged goods company, in 2015 with the conviction that better outcomes in life begin with better food.

The company has come a long way in seven short years. Starting locally, Ms. Thompson initially sold MUSH, a plantbased, ready-to-eat breakfast food made with clean, natural ingredients, at farmers’ markets. In 2017, Ms. Thompson and her business partner appeared on Shark Tank and secured the backing of investor Mark Cuban, helping to build the brand’s national recognition and followers. The company has continued to grow exponentially since then and is now sold at Whole Foods, Amazon, Costco and Target, among other major retailers across the United States.

Now the company has one more feather in its cap: In June 2022, MUSH won “Breakfast Product of the Year” from Mindful Awards. An independent recognition platform, the Mindful Awards Program honors companies helping to create a better world environmentally, economically and from a human perspective. In 2022, an independent panel of industry experts selected winners from more than 1,650 nominations. Congratulations, Ms. Thompson and MUSH! ■

For the greater Blair community, Joe Mantegna has become a household name synonymous with excellence in athletics and leadership. The head boys’ varsity basketball coach and associate dean of college counseling is often seen and heard around the world, leading teams to victory and training upcoming players through basketball programs. In April, he was seen on the national stage. On April 8, 2022, Coach Mantegna led the 2022 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team in Portland, Oregon, as they faced off against the 2022 World Select Team, according to a USA Basketball press release. This was the first time the Nike Hoop Summit has been held since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team Committee, the 2022 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team featured 12 top-recruited athletes from across the nation. “I coached the 12 best seniors in the USA against some of the world’s best junior players,” Coach Mantegna said. “Every NBA team was on-site scouting, and this was a wonderful opportunity to coach and learn from these future pros.” The team was led by assistant coaches Scott Fitch and Chet Mason, in addition to Head Coach Mantegna. According to the statement, the contest has been held annually since 1995 (with the exception of 2001-2003 and 2020-2021). The Blair community congratulates Coach Mantegna on his success in Portland. For more information about the nationally televised Nike Hoop Summit, visit www.nikehoopsummit.com. ■

Coach Joe Mantegna.