![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Alex Alkhal pitches the ball. “[I] just let it go and keep practicing so we can focus on our goal for the next game to get better as a team,” Alkhal said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0013-1-1200x929.jpg)
On Monday, Aug. 18, Rock Ridge High School opened its doors to welcome rising freshmen and future Phoenix parents for Freshman Orientation. The event, lasting from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., was a way to introduce the new members of Rock Ridge and their families into the school’s community and make sure that they are well set for the 2025-2026 school year. It was organized by members of Rock Ridge’s Student Council Association (SCA), with support from faculty and staff.
The event began in the auditorium, where Principal John Duellman introduced the counseling department and administration while also highlighting the school’s expectations and values of RISE: Respect, Integrity, Service, and Empathy. Then, freshmen were split into four groups, each led by a couple of SCA officers. The four groups all had different rotations, with each rotation leading them into a different area of the school, with its own respective activity.
One activity was a scavenger hunt throughout the school’s campus, where students were given a sheet with guiding phrases towards the locations they were supposed to find. All of the locations listed were essential places where students could find assistance from, such as the counseling department. This event was particularly enjoyed and found helpful by students, such as freshman Sai Peddiraju. “The scavenger hunt helped me out a lot because I got to see a lot of my classes,” Peddiraju said.
In the main gym, SCA members gave a presentation about extracurricular life. Activities Director Bradley Burzumato and Assistant Athletic Director Michael Mullins encouraged students to participate in one of the several clubs or sports the school has to offer. In the library, a presentation by SCA members, student support advisor Elizabeth Bush, and assistant principal Calvin Adams gave upcoming freshmen advice on managing their academic life.
Many questions that the students had were answered during the Q&A panel, another one of the rotations during the event. Led by members of the SCA, and held in the cafeteria, this activity involved upperclassmen giving key, valuable advice and information to freshmen. The reassurance provided, not only during this panel but throughout the whole day, really stuck with freshman Aashritha Pondugula. “So far, [my favorite part has been] the welcoming teachers and staff; they answer all your questions if you have any,” Pondigula said. “The older kids, the juniors and seniors, really help you out a lot too.”
While the students participated in these rotations, parents remained in the auditorium to receive information on the support systems at Rock Ridge and how their child will be helped in their transition into high school. This especially stood out to Prem Peddiraju, the father of a rising freshman.“The other thing that I like [about orientation] is the way that they are trying to ensure that kids are getting help,” Peddiraju said.“That’s good to know, that they are not just leaving them [the students] by themselves.”
After all the rotations were completed, a tutorial pep rally was held in the main gym for students to partake in. The pep rally was energetic and festive, with games that students could volunteer to participate in. Aside from playing games, SCA members taught the rising freshmen popular cheers and the class chant.
To make the event a success, SCA’s involvement during this event required a lot of effort on their part. Executive President Shaun Sahayadarlin highlighted the effort it took to run such a smooth event. “As the Executive President of SCA, I was tasked with leading the planning, organization, and execution of SCA’s involvement in this year’s orientation,” Sahayadarlin said. “This involved things such as planning who would be checking in the freshmen and leading certain stations.” Sahayadarlin viewed the orientation as crucial for the integration of the incoming freshmen. “The orientation definitely helps in providing information about the tools and resources they have available at Rock Ridge, as well as a way for them to feel comfortable and explore the opportunities that await them.”
