• Important Dates -->
  • 11/10--Winter Sports Tryouts
  • 11/21--Students vs. Staff Volleyball game
  • 11/26--NO SCHOOL
  • 11/27--NO SCHOOL
  • 11/28--NO SCHOOL
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Ariel Moore (sophomore Emersyn Moskal), Ren McCormack (senior Ryan Hart), and Rusty (senior Reagan Sutton) dance to the song “I’m Free / Heaven Help Me.”
New Director, New Brand: RRTA Shakes it Up with “Footloose”
Food is passed around and given to the seniors.
Waffles and Friends: Seniors End the First Quarter of the Year with a Class Breakfast
As a result of a change to Policy 5030, formatives are now worth a percentage of a student’s grade, along with minor and major summatives.
When A’s Don’t Weigh the Same: Loudoun County Revamps Grading System
There's been a noticeable drop in Celsius consumption in the classroom since its discontinuation in the vending machines.
Celsius Discontinued: The Buzz Behind the Ban
A set of retakes are marked at 70 percent to reflect the new policy.
Retakes Redone: LCPS Implements Updated 70% Reassessment Policy
Rundown Politics: Students are Concerned About the Rise of Political Violence
Rundown Politics: Students are Concerned About the Rise of Political Violence
Attendance Secretary Mary Howard hands a student a late pass while pausing to talk to her about her day. “I have kids who stop by every single morning or at least just walk by and say good morning,” Howard said. “It’s fun, and I love it. I’m by nature a caretaker, and I want everyone to be happy and everyone to have what they need.”
Codes, Calls, and Care: Howard Turns Routine into Relationships
New Year, New Faces: Meet The New Staff for the 25-26 School Year
New Year, New Faces: Meet The New Staff for the 25-26 School Year
Anderson claps after the Phoenix executes a play, winning a point.
From Middle to Mentor: Meet Coach Maddie Anderson
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
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
Red Cross club president Varnika Miryala leads her members with the intention of helping her community through a medical sense.
Varunika in Charge: 11 Questions with the Red Cross President
Vice president Vijeta Arora takes charge of all new members of her organization and keeps it running smoothly.
10 Questions with PASTA Vice President Vijeta Arora
Senior Nitya Matcha advises underclassmen to “try everything” and find activities they’re passionate about. Photo Courtesy of Nitya Matcha
Seven Questions with Nitya Matcha: A Master of Managing it All
PEER club leader senior Rishit Choudhari leads with a goal of making the act of being nice a common courtesy in Rock Ridge. Courtesy of Rishit Choudhari
10 Questions with Rishit Choudhari, Co-Leader of PEER
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
Anderson claps after the Phoenix executes a play, winning a point.
From Middle to Mentor: Meet Coach Maddie Anderson
Junior right side hitter Jahnavi Kundoor sets for Junior middle blocker Katelyn Weicker.
Phoenix Volleyball’s Wings Clipped by the Knights
Freshman quarterback Nesai Phok steps back into the pocket and attempts a deep pass against Justice High School.
Athlete of the Week: Nesai Jordan Phok
Senior Eleser Santos running on the track during his race.
Senior Elieser Santos Shines on the Track Stage in Preparation for States
This week’s athlete of the week spotlights a lacrosse player: sophomore Sehejdeep Kaur.
Athlete of the Week: Sehejdeep Kaur
Sophomore Anjali Gay posing for a pre-game picture. Courtesy of Anjali Gay
Athlete Spotlight: Anjali Gay
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
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
Senior Rodrigue Gomado runs the boys 4x400 meter relay event.
Sprinting to Success: Rock Ridge Hosts Indoor Regionals Track Meet, Launches Two Teams to States
The team comes together for a cheer as they run back on the court for their last period. “Breaking their press was our biggest challenge,” sophomore Simone Diby (2) said. “We struggled to handle their defensive pressure, which led to a lot of mistakes”
Phoenix Girls Basketball Put Up a Commendable Fight Against the Pride
Senior and captain Will Beck defends his opponent and tries to stop the Pride guard from getting closer to the Phoenix basket.
Phoenix Fall to Pride in Hard Fought Battle
Racing for the puck, junior Connor Bultema and a Knights/Colts player sprint for a loose puck.
Pride/Phoenix Steal Crown from the Knights/Colts
Senior William Beck protects the ball from the opposing team.
Vikings Extinguish Phoenix Flame in Close Contest
The Phoenix varsity soccer team huddles together during their timeout.
Phoenix Soccer Clawed by Wolverines in Final Minutes
Freshman Christian Bhide serves a ball during his singles match.
Rock Ridge Boys Tennis Team Triumphs Over Dominion Titans
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.
Phoenix Shows Resilience in Loss Against Titans
Freshman Emerson Hagler (18), passes the ball to her teammates while attempting to move the ball away from her goal. “The season has been good; we obviously haven't won all the games we wanted to but we’re working hard,” Hagler said.
Phoenix Girls Soccer Gets Their First Win of the Season
Junior Riya Cherukuri locks into her target at home base. “Personally, I want to improve on my timing on the plate,” she said. “As a team, we could improve our consistency and execution of plays and putting the ball in play.”
Phoenix Fall Short Against the Captains
Ariel Moore (sophomore Emersyn Moskal), Ren McCormack (senior Ryan Hart), and Rusty (senior Reagan Sutton) dance to the song “I’m Free / Heaven Help Me.”
New Director, New Brand: RRTA Shakes it Up with “Footloose”
Several of the movie posters are shown. Starting from the top left and continuing down the rope, the movies are “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Black Phone”, Smile 1, Smile 2, Insidious, IT, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
The Perfect Halloween Horror Flicks for 2025
Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” contains 12 tracks that describe her view of what being a showgirl, a girl who loves being in the spotlight, is really about.
Taylor Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” Will Be The Death Of Her Career
The album cover of “More Chaos” features a faceless Ken Carson in a blood-spattered shirt, visually capturing the album’s violent, chaotic tone, though the music rarely lives up to the image.
All Volume, No Vision: Ken Carson’s “More Chaos”
Warner Bros’ latest game-turned-movie adaptation released on Friday, April 4 with a rather destructive response for a more-or-less forgettable movie. “A Minecraft Movie” promotional poster by Mojang
“A Minecraft Movie” Explodes in Theaters, Literally and Figuratively
In the midst of all the end of year chaos, state testing can divert focus off of more important exams and activities and lead to an overly stressful time for students and faculty.
Get Rid Of State Testing in Middle and High Schools
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
An image of the software TestNav that students use to take the Standards of Learning test.
State Testing: A Necessary Evil? Balancing the Burden With the Benefits
The album cover of “More Chaos” features a faceless Ken Carson in a blood-spattered shirt, visually capturing the album’s violent, chaotic tone, though the music rarely lives up to the image.
All Volume, No Vision: Ken Carson’s “More Chaos”
Rundown Politics: Students are Concerned About the Rise of Political Violence
Rundown Politics: Students are Concerned About the Rise of Political Violence
The Art of Being an Upperclassmen
The Art of Being an Upperclassmen
Community members gather together at the Sept. 13 power line rally, wearing shirts that read “No Power Lines Near Homes.”
A Community Charged in Controversy: Voices Raised Over Dominion Energy’s New Proposed Route
Classroom Conversations: AI in Classrooms
Classroom Conversations: AI in Classrooms
Classroom Conversations: What Do We Know About Title IX?
Classroom Conversations: What Do We Know About Title IX?
Community members gather together at the Sept. 13 power line rally, wearing shirts that read “No Power Lines Near Homes.”
A Community Charged in Controversy: Voices Raised Over Dominion Energy’s New Proposed Route
People with their family members celebrate Holi by throwing powder color at each other.
Ashburn Celebrates Holi, A Festival of Colors
Recognizing the theme of ‘hope’, Keynote speaker and women’s rights activist Katherine Spillar held a speech about legislative milestones and the importance of community engagement. “We can’t put our heads under the pillow and say we’re going to wait it out because without the pushback, without us fighting, we can’t hold the line,” Spillar said. “We have to be organized and strong so when an opportunity becomes available to make forward movement, we're there to seize it. Begin the fight now, wherever you are.”
Women Inspire and Find Hope at Sixth Annual “Rise To” Summit
Students roast marshmallows over the fire pit, ready to make smores and watch “Home Alone 2” during the Frost Fest.
Freezing Fun: Annual Winter Frost Fest Brings Chilly Cheer
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE

Rundown Politics: Students are Concerned About the Rise of Political Violence

Samantha Chang
Byline photo of Samantha Chang
Byline photo of Kaushal Kalluri
Byline photo of Zach Miller
Samantha Chang, Kaushal Kalluri, and Zach Miller • November 4, 2025

Welcome back to Rundown Politics. In this episode, we’ll be covering the rise of political violence and the impact it has on politicians, the general public, and even high school students. Today, we are joined by AP Government teacher Kathryn Taylor, and junior Siyona Pisal.

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Attendance Secretary Mary Howard hands a student a late pass while pausing to talk to her about her day. “I have kids who stop by every single morning or at least just walk by and say good morning,” Howard said. “It’s fun, and I love it. I’m by nature a caretaker, and I want everyone to be happy and everyone to have what they need.”
Codes, Calls, and Care: Howard Turns Routine into Relationships
New Year, New Faces: Meet The New Staff for the 25-26 School Year
New Year, New Faces: Meet The New Staff for the 25-26 School Year
Anderson claps after the Phoenix executes a play, winning a point.
From Middle to Mentor: Meet Coach Maddie Anderson
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About the Contributors
Samantha Chang
Samantha Chang, Managing Editor
Samantha Chang is a senior, and this is her fourth year on The Blaze. As the managing editor, her job is to oversee the new staffers and to make sure they can be the best journalists they can be. Sam is looking forward to writing stories about the community and recording podcasts about politics. Sam hopes to win journalism awards for her writing and finish off her last year at Rock Ridge strong. When Sam joined The Blaze her freshman year, she never expected such a welcoming community. Sam stayed on The Blaze because she loves the environment, the work, and the teachers like Ms. Greiner and Mr. Anderson. She wants to major in journalism in college and cover stories for the rest of her life. Outside of The Blaze, Sam is the arts and marketing director for the Criminal Justice Club.
Kaushal Kalluri
Kaushal Kalluri, Staff Writer
Kaushal Kalluri is a junior and a new journalist for The Blaze. His experience with writing and his beliefs in free press led him to join the newspaper, and he has enjoyed the class immensely thus far. For The Blaze, he is ecstatic to start taking photos and videos, along with getting started with podcasts. As for article making, he plans on getting involved in articles related to politics on a local, national, or global scale. Outside of journalism, he enjoys writing-related work, preferably any that doesn’t require boring reading. But in the end, Kaushal is looking forward to working for the Blaze this year.
Zach Miller
Zach Miller, Staff Writer
Zach Miller is a freshman this year, entering his first year on The Blaze. As a freshman, Zach enjoys the freedom and independence high school gives him. His love for writing stories and making podcasts guided his path to newspaper. The Blaze appealed to Zach, since journalism was a new opportunity filled with different fields to explore. Additionally, his mom’s love for reading and writing was another factor as to why he decided to become a writer at The Blaze. Outside of The Blaze, Zach is a part of the rowing team and also plans on joining baseball in the spring. He also hopes to join Model UN and The Law and Criminal Justice Club during his time in High School. By joining The Blaze, he is trying to accomplish his goal of diversifying the view, while also making sure everyone’s voices are heard.