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

Rundown Politics: Government Shutdown Impacts Students

Samantha Chang
Byline photo of Samantha Chang
Byline photo of Kaushal Kalluri
Byline photo of Zach Miller
Samantha Chang, Kaushal Kalluri, and Zach Miller • December 5, 2025

Welcome back to Rundown Politics. In this episode, we’ll be discussing the recent government shutdown and how it’s impacting federal workers, Loudoun County citizens, and Rock Ridge families. Today’s guests will be senior Acziel Goodhart and junior Siyona Gupta.

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Wrestler Rex Lawless celebrates a successful takedown during the main title fight.
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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
From left to right: Tyler Anderson, adviser of The Blaze, poses with the first-place winners of the “Best Podcast” category, Rachel Bhardwaj, Saketh Nandam, and Divitha Mathe.
The Blaze Wins Best Podcast at Loudoun Now Awards
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.