![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)
![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)
School Spirit At An All-Time High During This Year’s Homecoming Pep Rally
Students show immense school spirit at their homecoming pep rally.
Senior Kayla Davis screams with senior Jordan Cox on her back during the pep rally. Davis was participating with other seniors in the class cheer of the pep rally.
November 25, 2019
Seniors Darius Mayo and Samal Khosravi cheer with their class at the Homecoming pep rally on October 11. The two varsity football players expressed their excitement for the game along with the rest of the senior class to win the spirit stick.
Senior Kayla Davis screams with senior Jordan Cox on her back during the pep rally. Davis was participating with other seniors in the class cheer of the pep rally.
The powderpuff cheerleaders jump into a split in the air while performing. They performed for the pep rally after their game on October 7.
Sophomores Prince Amarante and Christine Choung come out with their handshake during the pep rally. The pair, along with Aakash Mehta, Neha Krishna, Shalom Williams and Alexa Veneros, made up the sophomore homecoming court.
Marching band performs as students enter the gym for the homecoming pep rally last Friday. The band performed again during the pep rally with color guard. “I wasn’t as nervous because I felt like they would support me no matter what; it was a lot of fun,” freshman Abhishek Sharma said.
Freshman Elise Irvin, junior Nicki Oberoi, and sophomore Tatiana Conrow (left to right) cheer at the Homecoming pep rally on October 11. The varsity cheerleaders performed with their teammates to get students ready for the Homecoming game later that night. “It was really cool to cheer at the pep rally because we could hear people saying our cheers with us,” Oberoi said.
Seniors Chris Canfield and Kendra Yetter wave to the crowd at the Homecoming pep rally. Canfield and Yetter were voted onto the Homecoming court by peers for the class of 2020. “It was fun to represent the senior class and all my friends who voted for me,” Yetter said.
DJ Mario performs at the Homecoming pep rally on October 11. Mario brought out Rock Ridge’s school spirit by leading cheers and setting the mood with lively music.
The sophomore section cheers in victory as their representative Prince Amarante wins the pep rally game.
![In a historic presidential election, voters nationwide turned out to make their voices heard. Virginia’s 10th congressional district had three key national positions up for election: president, senator, and representative.
In the race for the House of Representatives seat previously held by Democrat Jennifer Wexton, the Republican Party nominated Mike Clancy, while the Democratic Party put forward Suhas Subramanyam, a former Virginia General Assembly Senator. Subramanyam won the seat with a 52% majority.
For one of Virginia’s Senate positions, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao faced off. Kaine took the position with a 54% majority.
For the White House, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fought to obtain the 270 electoral votes needed to get the bid. News outlets worldwide tracked the results live, with close attention to seven key battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump ultimately crossed the 270-vote threshold early on Nov. 6, with the swing states playing a pivotal role in his campaign’s success.
This election was the first presidential race for many Gen-Z voters, who entered a sharply polarized environment. Adela Booth, mother-in-law of Representative-Elect Subramanyam, traveled from Connecticut to support his campaign, encouraging young voters to engage in the political process. “Vote,” Booth said. “Get involved in politics. Even [if] you don’t think it applies to you, it applies to you. You will carry this debt. It will affect your grandchildren and you have to do something about it. You can’t sit back and watch anymore.”
✏️ and 📷 by Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)