The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
Freshman Ayan Chethan performs butterfly stroke.
Athlete of the Week: Ayan Chethan
Sophomore Brayden Coleman sets up the Phoenix offense against the Loudoun County Captains on Jan. 23.
Athlete of the Week: Brayden Coleman
Ethan Duval smiles for a photo.
Athlete of the Week: Ethan Duval
Sophomore forward Shawn Makassi goes up strong in an attempt to dunk the ball.
Athlete of the Week: Shawn Makassi
Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.
Phoenix Freeze at the Hands of the Vikings
Senior Abby Knick prepares to bump the ball.
Phoenix Falter on Senior Night against Panthers
Senior quarterback Xavier Smith clutches the ball as he avoids Tuscarora’s defense.
Phoenix Fall Short Against Huskies
Junior right side hitter Jahnavi Kundoor sets for Junior middle blocker Katelyn Weicker.
Phoenix Volleyball’s Wings Clipped by the Knights
Sophomore Sudhi Gudimettla jumps to hit the ball over the net.
Wolverines Scratch Out a Win Against Phoenix
HRR boys' hockey team gathers together for a group photo. “We were all on the bench, excited. I couldn't wait for the game to end to see the medals,” Freshmen Forward Noah Wilkins said. Photo courtesy of Bhavitha Doma.
Rock Ridge Hockey Wins Big in Provisional Capital Cup Championship
Sophomore Addison Copeland jumps over hurdles during the girls 55m hurdles event.
Sprinting to States: 11 Athletes Qualify for State Meet
Senior Dawson Boupha scores the team’s first 3 points of the game and his last 3 points of the season.
Seniors Put a Lid on the Season and the Patriots
Sophomore small forward Shawn Makassi takes the ball from the tip-off. “We did get some easy buckets, and in the 2nd half, we did do better on defense, so that's what I really like,” sophomore shooting guard Ashwin Rapolu said.
Spartans Storm Past Phoenix
The girls basketball team huddles while Coach Joseph Smith explains the strategy. “Our coach is there for us,” junior Nada Elsayed said. “He definitely knows what he's doing.”
Despite Strong Start, Phoenix Flamed by Pride
Senior David Cheong attempts to stop the Dominion Titans from scoring a goal.
Boys Lacrosse Tumbles to Titans
Number seven, Senior Jackie Malapira attempts to attack the Loudoun County net.
Phoenix Turned to Ashes in 3-15 Loss
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
Senior Sreeram Gourineni tosses the ball high in preparation to serve.
Tennis Seniors Take Their Bow Before Playoffs
Junior Aidan Lita steps up on defense.
Huskies Extinguish an Injured Phoenix Squad
Subhashree Munagala puts in diligent efforts to help animals live a better life.
Leader of the Week: 10 Questions with Animal Alliance Leader Subhashree Munagala
Reagan Sutton performs as Rusty in RRTA’s production of “Footloose” this fall.
Leader of the Week: 9 Questions with RRTA President Reagan Sutton
Debate President Parth Jaiswal manages his time with discipline, friends, and a little bit of fingerpicking.
Leader of the Week: Parth Jaiswal
The Mock Trial club hosts an after school meeting on Mondays. Senior Mahika Talaulicar stands at the front of the classroom, going over Mock Trial’s most recent defamation case.
Leader of the Week: 10 Questions With Mock Trial President Mahika Talaulicar
President Laura Adams takes on new challenges and keeps the Rock Ridge Choir Board running effortlessly.
Leader of the Week: 8 Questions with Choir Board President Laura Adams
Writing not just till the end, but for myself and the people I love.
Chang’s Swan Song: Writing My Way Out
Thank you Newspaper for helping me find my words, on and off the website, and thank you for showing me that my full potential is not just in the words I write on paper, or on a website, but also the ones that I speak out loud and the ones that I share with others.
Challa Swan Song: Finding My Words
To newspaper, the people in my life, and fate, thank you for this unexpected yet thrilling life journey. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kalluri’s Swan Song: Right on Time
Through taking photos, I found a way to share how I felt, even when I didn’t know how to say it.
Gerardi Swan Song: Not Just a Class Assignment
Sometimes life will show you so many light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnels, it becomes an overwhelming and blinding light. All you have to do is figure out which path you want to take, and follow that light til’ the end.
Manchala Swan Song: We Ended Up Alright
Do AP’s matter?
Do AP’s matter?
How Was the American Music Awards In 2026?
How Was the American Music Awards In 2026?
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Wrestler Rex Lawless celebrates a successful takedown during the main title fight.
Virginia Championship Wrestling Visits Rock Ridge
Gas prices remain at significantly higher levels amidst months of Iran-U.S. wars.
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge's Lead Security Officer
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge’s Lead Security Officer
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Latest from The Blaze
The official poster of the movie. Photo courtesy of A24.
Arts & Entertainment
The Backrooms Movie: Out of this World
Arjun Chand, Staff Writer • June 10, 2026
Gas prices remain at significantly higher levels amidst months of Iran-U.S. wars.
Features
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Sriram Chiripurapu and Samantha Chang • June 10, 2026
Cricket club member prepares to bat the bowler’s delivery. Photo courtesy of Sair Sheikh.
Features
Cricket Club Expands, Completes First Match
Dhruvsood Singh, Noah Wilkins, and Aakash Vivek • June 9, 2026
Do AP’s matter?
Multimedia
Do AP’s matter?
Josiah Anderson, Tyla Simpson, Madelyn Tucker, and Devika Goureddy • June 9, 2026
News
Gas prices remain at significantly higher levels amidst months of Iran-U.S. wars.
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Due to the war with Iran, gas prices have soared, leaving student drivers worried.
Sriram Chiripurapu and Samantha Chang • June 10, 2026
The cast and crew of “Hadestown Teen Edition” at the Glamies Gala. Photo courtesy of Raine Surla.
RRTA’s Production of “Hadestown Teen Edition” is “Livin’ It Up On Top” at the Glamies Gala
Megan Marr, Staff Writer • June 9, 2026
Rock Ridge Yearbook wins national awards for its yearbook, which commemorates the tenth anniversary of the opening of Rock Ridge High School. Photo courtesy of Michelle Prince.
Rock Ridge Yearbook Staff Wins Two National Awards
Kaushal Kalluri, Staff Writer • June 1, 2026
From left to right: Tyler Anderson, adviser of The Blaze, poses with the first-place winners of the “Best Podcast” category, Rachel Bhardwaj, Saketh Nandam, and Divitha Mathe.
The Blaze Wins Best Podcast at Loudoun Now Awards
Arjun Chand and Tanvi Challa • May 29, 2026
Three participants showcase their Puerto Rican culture by traditional dance, filling the auditorium with high energy and lots of applause.
Stone Hill Middle School Hosts Annual Culture Night, Uniting Ashburn Community
Lia Davis, Mariia Pecherkina, and Aakash Vivek • May 4, 2026
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Sports
Senior David Cheong attempts to stop the Dominion Titans from scoring a goal.
Boys Lacrosse Tumbles to Titans
In their final home game of the season, the Rock Ridge boys lacrosse team lost 5-14 to the Dominion Titans.
Jasmin Ahmed, Staff Writer • May 29, 2026
Number seven, Senior Jackie Malapira attempts to attack the Loudoun County net.
Phoenix Turned to Ashes in 3-15 Loss
Kaushal Kalluri and Madelyn Tucker • May 22, 2026
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
Jasmin Ahmed, Zahra Hameed, and AJ Aluko-Apata • May 19, 2026
Senior Sreeram Gourineni tosses the ball high in preparation to serve.
Tennis Seniors Take Their Bow Before Playoffs
AJ Aluko-Apata and Aakash Vivek • May 18, 2026
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
Aakash Vivek and Lucinda Eskandar • May 5, 2026
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Arts & Entertainment
The official poster of the movie. Photo courtesy of A24.
The Backrooms Movie: Out of this World
On May 29th, 2026, YouTuber Kane Parsons released the movie “Backrooms” in theatres, earning over $100 million dollars worldwide and leaving viewers hauntingly satisfied.
Arjun Chand, Staff Writer • June 10, 2026
The cast and crew of “Hadestown Teen Edition” at the Glamies Gala. Photo courtesy of Raine Surla.
RRTA’s Production of “Hadestown Teen Edition” is “Livin’ It Up On Top” at the Glamies Gala
Megan Marr, Staff Writer • June 9, 2026
BTS’s “Arirang” explores new musical styles, and the album cover reflects the project's experimental release. Photo courtesy of Spotify.
BTS “Arirang” Soars, Even if it Occasionally Stumbles
Divitha Mathe, Opinion Editor • May 15, 2026
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Features
Gas prices remain at significantly higher levels amidst months of Iran-U.S. wars.
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Sriram Chiripurapu and Samantha Chang • June 10, 2026
Cricket club member prepares to bat the bowler’s delivery. Photo courtesy of Sair Sheikh.
Cricket Club Expands, Completes First Match
Dhruvsood Singh, Noah Wilkins, and Aakash Vivek • June 9, 2026
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge's Lead Security Officer
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge’s Lead Security Officer
Devika Goureddy, Tyla Simpson, and Tanvi Challa • May 13, 2026
Pollen collects on a sports bench at the Rock Ridge stadium. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), pollen levels have significantly increased in Virginia.
Playing Through Pollen
Divitha Mathe and Madelyn Tucker • May 5, 2026
NeeDohs have been becoming more popular at Rock Ridge, but for many students, NeeDohs have become a way to cope with stress.
Squishing Stress Away: The Rise of NeeDohs at Rock Ridge
Lia Davis, Lucinda Eskandar, and Tyla Simpson • March 22, 2026
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Trending Stories
1
From left to right: Tyler Anderson, adviser of The Blaze, poses with the first-place winners of the “Best Podcast” category, Rachel Bhardwaj, Saketh Nandam, and Divitha Mathe.

The Blaze Wins Best Podcast at Loudoun Now Awards

2
Rock Ridge Yearbook wins national awards for its yearbook, which commemorates the tenth anniversary of the opening of Rock Ridge High School. Photo courtesy of Michelle Prince.

Rock Ridge Yearbook Staff Wins Two National Awards

3
The end of the class rank system marks the start of the new Latin Honors System, dividing students into distinct honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.

Removal of the Ranks: LCPS Redefines Student Success

4
Senior Milanah Rudy stares off into space, unable to concentrate on her work.

Senioritis Surges in the Spring – But at What Cost?

5
Senior David Cheong attempts to stop the Dominion Titans from scoring a goal.

Boys Lacrosse Tumbles to Titans

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An image of Biryani Grill’s Ashburn location.

From Hyderabad to Ashburn: The Story Behind Biryani Grill

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Opinion
With six campuses, affordable tuition, and countless programs and degrees, NOVA stands out from other community colleges, making it a good option for higher education.
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
A constant stream of notifications interrupts not only digital reading but also distracts from reading in the real world, making it harder to stay focused.
The mosque before maghrib time, the prayer that marks the end of fasting for Muslims all across the world.
Pictures of warfare and flags show the extreme divide in the region.
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Beginning in Jan. 2025, President Donald Trump has signed three executive orders to prolong the ban of TikTok: Slowly turning the app into his own propaganda machine.
Video
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Sriram Chiripurapu and Samantha Chang • June 10, 2026