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

Teacher Recommendations Rejected, Students Choose Their Own Way

Rachel Bhardwaj
Byline photo of Rachel Bhardwaj
Byline photo of Divitha Mathe
Byline photo of Saketh Nandam
Rachel Bhardwaj, Divitha Mathe, and Saketh Nandam • December 25, 2025

In this episode, we discuss the reasons behind why students decide to take courses that conflict with their teacher-recommended courses. At the end of the first semester, teachers enter course recommendations for the next year, but students often argue that those recommendations don’t always align with what they want to take because of various pressures weighing down on them, like college admissions, peer influence, and parental pressure. Joining us today are Counselor Whitney Leach, English teacher Samuel Colston, Math teacher Nicole Turner, senior Adya Jha, and senior Nihitha Yerram.

Music provided by WeVideo.

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About the Contributors
Rachel Bhardwaj
Rachel Bhardwaj, Multimedia Editor
Rachel Bhardwaj is a junior and a third-year staff member. She currently serves as the co-multimedia editor of The Blaze. She enjoys sketching, drawing, and exploring DIY projects. As co-multimedia editor, she is excited to capture broad reactions through her videos and hopes to create more in the future. She has also lived in India for most of her life. Rachel is passionate about helping people and raising voices that often go unheard. Her favorite thing about The Blaze is interacting with people, and she enjoys the welcoming environment.
Divitha Mathe
Divitha Mathe, Opinion Editor
Divitha Mathe, a junior this year, is the opinion editor. Divitha has worked in The Blaze since her sophomore year. Her initial interest in The Blaze stems from her love of writing and reading; this has led her to continue on into journalism in college. Outside of The Blaze, you can find Divitha either in Model United Nations or dancing in the Bollywood Dance club “against [her] will.” She also aspires to be part of the National English Honor Society. Her favorite subjects include history and English. This year, she hopes to help new staffers find their love of journalism.
Saketh Nandam
Saketh Nandam, Website Coordinator
Saketh Nandam is a junior this year, and he is the website coordinator for The Blaze. He’s looking forward to continuing his passion for writing as well as podcasting for the newspaper. Saketh also has interests in the computer science field; this led to him joining the AI club and TSA. He’s also won multiple awards for robotics, including the Create Award for the math division at the VEX World Championship, and a plethora of state awards. Saketh also debates for Rock Ridge, mainly through Lincoln Douglas. His hobbies mainly include reading and coding. Outside of school, Saketh enjoys watching TV shows like Suits and White Collar, along with movies like Interstellar. Ultimately, Saketh’s goal is to win an SNO Award for The Blaze.