48 | APRIL 4 • 2024 
J
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E

lla Blank doesn’t sit on the sidelines.
A three-sport athlete who played golf, basketball and softball at 
Birmingham Groves High School and the recipient of a Michigan 
High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award, she was named a 
2023 Jewish News High School Athlete of the Year.
An accomplished musician who played in the Groves marching band 
for four years, the 18-year-old University of Michigan freshman plays 
mellophone in the U-M marching band. 
Thanks to her frequent success in the band’s weekly auditions, Blank 
performed at a majority of the U-M football team’s 
home games last fall and all three post-season 
games — the Big Ten championship game in 
Indianapolis, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., 
and the national championship game in Houston 
— in December and January as the Wolverines 
won Big Ten and national titles.
“I dreamed for a long time about being in the 
U-M marching band. Playing at the Rose Bowl 
with the band was so cool,” she said.
More on the Rose Bowl later.
Blank, a caring person who by nature looked 
out for the welfare of her teammates, became 
a campus captain for The Hidden Opponent 
organization in her senior year at Groves.
The not-for-profit international advocacy 
group provides resources and offers a safe space 
for high school and college student-athletes who 

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY

University of Michigan 
freshman Ella Blank’s 
passions include sports, 
music and helping 
others — and her 
parents have a great 
story to tell.

 A
Happy 
 
 
 
 Note

FAMILY PHOTO

Ella Blank 
pauses during 
a University 
of Michigan 
marching band 
performance at 
a U-M football 
game last fall.

HOWARD BLANK

A Hidden Opponent 
logo is on Ella Blank’s 
arm as she plays in a 
2023 softball game for 
Birmingham Groves 
High School. 

Ella Blank graduated from 
Birmingham Groves High School in 
2023. Here she is in her graduation 
attire on the Detroit International 
RiverWalk.

HOWARD BLANK