![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.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0042-1200x800.jpg)
On Feb. 20, the Rock Ridge Student Council (SCA) hosted the third annual Phoenix Pheud. This was an intense battle between four juniors (the grey team) and four seniors (the red team). The hosts were seniors Angel Labosette and Shaun Sahayadarlin who kept the audience of students entertained with jokes and quips.
The junior team was made up of juniors Eren Buyuk, Sam Saini, Yash Yarlagadda, and Vishaal Omkaram. The senior team had seniors Lucas Wilsey, Sophie Custard, Ronit Mhatre, and Jayden Haynes.
The game consisted of six questions in total, ranging from “Name a place a ghost hunter goes looking for ghosts,” to “Name an excuse a friend gives you for not helping you move.” To prepare for such varying questions, SCA held practice sessions beforehand with both teams. “For the last two advisory days, we were in Ms. Prince’s room doing a practice round, and then we actually got here like an hour early to warm up,” Wilsey said. “So, you know, a couple rounds, but nothing too much.”
As for hosting, Labosette found it challenging but enjoyable. “It was definitely a little bit stressful,” Labosette said. “It was more fun, though, than I would say stressful. [There were] some questions where we didn’t know if an answer counted or anything; it was kind of like last-minute, quick decisions. It could be a little bit stressful in that regard, but overall it was really fun.”
Even though the planning was stressful, both hosts, Labosette & Sahayadarlin, believed the effort was worth it. “This is my second time hosting the Phoenix Pheud,” Sahayadarlin said. “Even last year, I was very excited to host Phoenix Pheud, as it was our second time ever running the event at Rock Ridge. I greatly enjoyed the experience and was more excited to host again this year.”
For the hosts, players, and audience, the game was often seen as memorable and enjoyable. One of the highlights was when Haynes responded with “celery” to the question, “Name a food that you wish was fat-free.” “My mind blinked, and I just thought of celery,” Haynes said. “The thought of celery was the first thing I thought of, so I had to say it.”
This year’s Phoenix Pheud actually had some minor and major changes to improve the show. “The major changes for this year from the [previous years] is the enhancement of the audio and lighting,” Sahayadarlin said. “As hosts, we now got to use Lapel mics, and the stage had revamped lighting scenes thanks to Rock Ridge Theatre. Additionally, the game’s software that presents the questions, shows the score, etc, on the main projection was designed by me.”
Overall, the third annual Phoenix Pheud was a success. “It’s an event that is truly unique to Rock Ridge and not replicated by any other school,” Sahayadarlin said.
