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

10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones

Sophomore track runner Daisan Jones shares his history and his goals for his track & field career.
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
Byline photo of Aakash Vivek
Byline photo of Lucinda Eskandar
Aakash Vivek and Lucinda Eskandar • May 5, 2026

A returning athlete to the Rock Ridge sports program, sophomore track runner Daisan Jones has quickly become one of the key leaders on the team. Off the track, Jones likes to play basketball with his friends and play video games like NBA 2k.

In this Q&A, Jones shares a little about himself while also sharing his goals for not just the Phoenix track team but the whole Phoenix sports program.

Story continues below advertisement
More to Discover
More in Athlete of the Week
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
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More in Sports
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 Sreeram Gourineni tosses the ball high in preparation to serve.
Tennis Seniors Take Their Bow Before Playoffs
About the Contributors
Aakash Vivek
Aakash Vivek, Staff Writer
Aakash Vivek is a freshman and a new staff member at The Blaze. When he is not working for The Blaze, he is interested in being part of the basketball program here at Rock Ridge. Aakash was also elected as the secretary for the 9th grade SCA. When he was young, he never wrote and disliked having to write in school, but as he got older, he really started to appreciate writing, finding that it helps him find peace. He comes to The Blaze interested in photography and covering sports, particularly basketball and football, since he is a huge fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. Aakash is ready for any opportunity that comes his way, and he is excited to cover the Ashburn community as a Blaze staffer.
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.