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

Leaving Behind a Legacy: Markwood Promoted to Performing Arts Specialist

Ananya Karthik
On Nov. 5, 2025, chorus teacher Jordan Markwood announced to his students of his promotion to the LCPS performing arts specialist along with his resignation as a teacher in RRHS.
Byline photo of Samantha Chang
Byline photo of Megan Marr
Byline photo of Gavin Fortuno
Samantha Chang, Megan Marr, and Gavin Fortuno • November 29, 2025

On Nov. 5, 2025, chorus students were met with shock as chorus teacher and Rock Ridge Sings founder, Jordan Markwood, not only informed them of his promotion to Loudoun County Performing Arts Specialist, but also of his departure from the school.

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New Gas Prices, New Issues
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
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
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From Ashes to Innovation: Rock Ridge Juniors Engineer an AI Fire Helmet
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Virginia Championship Wrestling Visits Rock Ridge
The switch from chloramines, which are a compound of ammonia and chlorine, to free chlorine is distinguished by its unique, undeniable smell.
Flushing Season: The Chlorine You Smell in Spring is Normal
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.
Megan Marr
Megan Marr, Staff Writer
Megan Marr is a junior and a new staff writer on the Blaze. A VA native and theater lover, Megan was recommended by her English teacher, Scott Schwarz, to the program, where she hopes to cover as many arts and entertainment events as possible, with her dream job being an arts and entertainment reporter. Apart from the newspaper, she is a part of Rock Ridge Performing Arts as an actress, sings as an alto at Rockapella, and writes for the Literature Magazine. However, outside of school, Megan can be found walking in the great outdoors, enjoying the trees, sky, and animals.
Gavin Fortuno
Gavin Fortuno, Graphic Editor
Gavin Fortuno is a senior in high school this year and a skilled graphic designer/artist at The Blaze. He’s originally from Fairfax County and grew up in Ashburn. He hopes to hone his skills to further pursue his graphic design career in college. He has dreams of going to Greece, likes playing basketball with his friends, and enjoys making art. His goals are to expand his horizons and skillset with graphic design, as well as to be admitted to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Ananya Karthik
Ananya Karthik, Editor-in-Chief
Ananya Karthik, a senior this year, serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Blaze. Since moving from Cincinnati, Ohio in 2021 and joining The Blaze her sophomore year, Ananya has had the opportunity to express her passion for writing. Her other extracurricular activities include being the president of the National Honor Society and Rho Kappa. Over the summer, Ananya had an internship with the Loudoun Times-Mirror, where she published numerous stories and was able to collaborate with a talented group of people who helped grow her skill in writing. Outside of school, Ananya spends her free time scrolling through social media, reading books, fangirling about Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, and still managing to perfect her college applications. Ananya dreams of pursuing journalism in university and beyond as her future career.