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
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
“As I am signing off in EB Garamond, I notice that I didn’t find the belonging I came here to find; I found an identity. My experience in newspaper wasn’t defined by staying in room 1400, but by the confidence to leave this room, connect to the community at Rock Ridge, and find myself.” – Waas Swan Song: Belonging
Waas Swan Song: Belonging
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Suess
King Swan Song: One Last Time
“Even if the people who come in and out of this classroom don’t know me, these four walls always will.” — You’ll Always Know Me Courtesy of Kate Gutshall
Coleman Swan Song: You’ll Always Know Me
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
Media by the Minute: The Grammys Really Weren’t That Bad
Media by the Minute: The Grammys Really Weren’t That Bad
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
Three participants showcase their Puerto Rican culture by traditional dance, filling the auditorium with high energy and lots of applause.
Stone Hill Middle School Hosts Annual Culture Night, Uniting Ashburn Community
Surrounded by excited students, Harlem Wizards players turn the game into an interactive experience, filling the gym with laughter, energy, and spirit.
Harlem Wizards Bring Tricks, Laughter, and School Spirit to Rock Ridge
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE

Do PJs Affect Productivity?

On this month’s edition of The Spark, we will be discussing the effects of wearing pj’s on your performance in school and whether the clothes you wear impacts your productivity. We will have speakers from two different stances giving their reasons why they think clothing does or not affect students in school
Tyla Simpson
Byline photo of Tyla Simpson
Byline photo of Lucinda Eskandar
Byline photo of Sophia Dabre
Byline photo of Devika Goureddy
Tyla Simpson, Lucinda Eskandar, Sophia Dabre, and Devika Goureddy • May 5, 2026

Welcome to “The Spark”, a podcast where members of The Blaze review and discuss debatable light-hearted topics that impact the student body of Rock Ridge High School. In today’s episode, staff members Lucinda Eskandar, Sophia Dabre, Tyla Simpson, and Devika Goureddy will be discussing if wearing PJ’s affects students’ performance in school.

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About the Contributors
Tyla Simpson
Tyla Simpson, Staff Writer
Tyla Simpson is a freshman and a first-year staff writer for the Blaze. Tyla’s motivation to write for the Blaze began with her striving to improve in writing and finding her own voice. She has a piqued interest in event-based coverage and photography, with her primary goal of capturing the energy of Rock Ridge’s student life. Outside of the Blaze, she runs for the Phoenix Cross Country team and participates in Care4Kiddos, which reflects her passion for teamwork and volunteering. She also has an aspiration of becoming a nurse. During her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and relaxing in her bedroom with a TV show on. This year, Tyla is excited to bring her enthusiasm to the Blaze, contributing to the stories that highlight the people and events that shape the community.
Lucinda Eskandar
Lucinda Eskandar, Staff Writer
Sophomore Lucinda Eskandar is a second-year staff writer on the Blaze. She joined journalism again this year because she enjoys the collaborative aspect as well as the freedom to write about what she likes. Her favorite stories to write are opinion and A&E, because she enjoys voicing her opinion. This year, she plans to join a public speaking extracurricular like debate club and mock trial because she wants to pursue a job in law in the future. She plans to join gymnastics for the second year and tennis. Outside of school, she enjoys going for walks, listening to music, and playing Roblox. This year, she wants to focus on more hard news stories and try new story formats like videos and podcasts. Lucinda is looking forward to improving her writing skills and writing about what she loves this year.
Sophia Dabre
Sophia Dabre, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Sophia Dabre is a sophomore this year and starting her second year of journalism at The Blaze as the arts and entertainment editor. In her free time, she likes to go on walks with her friends and listen to her favorite music artist, Drake. She loves watching movies, her favorites including Harry Potter and rom-coms. She plans on joining debate, DECA, gymnastics, and soccer this year. She loves writing opinion, arts and entertainment, and feature articles. Her goals this year are to join more extracurriculars and write articles about sports. In 10 years, she sees herself either being a student in medical school or being an oncologist. In her opinion, journalism is the truth and spreading the truth.
Devika Goureddy
Devika Goureddy, Staff Writer
Devika Goureddy is a freshman this year, starting her first year as a new staff writer on The Blaze. She is excited to get comfortable with the camera and explore her interest in photography through taking many photos in event coverage, especially sports games. To diversify her skills, Devika wants to take on other forms of journalism, such as creating videos and podcasts, as well as writing opinion pieces. By joining The Blaze, she is enthusiastic to be a part of the journalism community and make lasting memories, along with improving her writing skills, to produce strong, good-quality articles. Outside of the newsroom, Devika is the freshman class president of the Student Council Association and is on the Rock Ridge volleyball team. She is also planning to join the basketball and tennis teams for future seasons and participate in clubs such as Model UN.