![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
From completing and passing final exams, turning in missing assignments, and doing end-of-the-year projects, it can seem like the end of the...
When it comes to sports, the end of the year brings pressure and the stress of making it to districts. This year, boys tennis worked hard during...
On June 7 and 8, Rock Ridge Performing Arts (RRPA) held a revival performance of “RENT” in anticipation of their performance at the International...
Humans have been communicating through writing for as long as we can remember. It’s a key part of every language. Writing is one of the most...
Turning back to 2020, former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden will re-enter the political ring against each other, vying for the esteemed White House seat. Emma Kaden via Creative Commons
TikTok is on death row for nine months as the US government recently passed a bill to ban the use and download of TikTok across the US.
CTE chair and DECA sponsor Ben Stodola has had a lasting impact on the Rock. He is leaving to work in technical education, although he will miss his students and coworkers.
Prior to their final performance, the seniors gave a speech to their audience about the piece they would be playing, and thanked those who attended the performance.
Senior Isabella Lopez (middle) plays alongside peers in the seniors only performance of “Habanera.”
Senior Aryan Dhiman “We weren’t nervous, I wasn’t nervous; we knew the team and we already beat them before, so we were just confident going into the match. I’ve played tennis for all four years of highschool; I have to blame my parents for forcing me to play. During my first year, I was on the bench so I didn’t get to play that much, but I climbed up the ranks and became a starter during sophomore year. Afterwards, my goal was to win as many matches as possible, and so I practiced. After all, the more practice, the better you’re going to get. So now here I am, senior year and ready to graduate, and I’ve accomplished my goals and hyped up to play.”
Sophomore Akash Vangala: “The highlight of my season was definitely winning the regional championship, because we haven’t done that at Rock Ridge in a while, and last year we lost. [For districts,] we just went in like it was any other match. We just hydrated well and practiced well before the match, nothing really special. [To grow in the future,] I’m going to play in the off-season, definitely play during competitions and practice a lot. I play tennis because it really helps me stay healthy, and helps me stay focused, and it’s really fun to play. I love tennis because of the competition and how much fun it is. I don’t have an idol, I just want to be myself, I just play like my own player.” Courtesy of Akash Vangala
Senior Kaushik Muskari: “This might be my favorite season out of all four years because we’ve been winning a lot and I’ve been spending a lot of time with the team and on the court. When we don’t have a match, we usually have morning practice, and it’s a really good time for team bonding and working on everything that we need to on the court. My favorite part of the season has been when I won region doubles with my partner so now we’re progressing to states. I’m planning to continue tennis at George Mason University and major in computer engineering, so I’ve got a long road ahead of me.”
Sophomores Ronald Hodge III, who plays Tom Collins, and Angel LaBosette, who plays Angel Dumott Schunard, star center stage during their number, “Santa Fe.”
