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

Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet

Rock Ridge athletes enjoyed numerous wins during their Senior Night.
AJ Aluko-Apata
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Byline photo of Jasmin Ahmed
Byline photo of Zahra Hameed
Byline photo of AJ Aluko-Apata
Jasmin Ahmed, Zahra Hameed, and AJ Aluko-Apata • May 19, 2026

On Tues. April 21, Rock Ridge High School hosted the Loudoun Valley High School Vikings, the Potomac Falls High School Panthers, the Dominion High School Titans, and the Stone Bridge High School Bulldogs in a five-team meet. 

The Phoenix placed third overall, with many athletes putting up strong performances.  Notable performances include Sophomore Daisan Jones, who placed first in the boys 200-meter dash, alongside sophomore Leeona Walker, who placed first in the girls 200-meter dash. Freshmen Jada Payton and Adwoa Akenteg both placed in the girls’ 100-meter dash, with Payton coming in first and Akenteg second. Senior Kendrix Singleton secured first place in the boys high jump, while Junior Adriene Lwanga placed first in the girls high jump. Additionally, both the girls’ and boys’ 4×4 and 4×8 dash teams came in first. During Senior Night, seniors were recognized and acknowledged for their achievements and their accomplishments over the duration of their track career.

The Phoenix will next travel to Broad Run on May 13 to take part in the Spartan Weekday Meet.

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About the Contributors
Jasmin Ahmed
Jasmin Ahmed, Staff Writer
Jasmin Ahmed is a junior and in her first year at  The Blaze. While she grew up in New York, her family is actually from Bangladesh, and she grew up around multiple cultures. Her interest in The Blaze sprouted after she volunteered at the Rise To summit for women earlier this year. Her experience with writing comes from her love of reading and annotating the classics. While she’s eager to improve her writing, she would like to explore video making and editing. This year, she hopes to strengthen her interviewing skills. Outside of journalism, her hobbies range from learning about her extensive culture to listening to hip-hop and R&B.
Zahra Hameed
Zahra Hameed, Photography Editor
Zahra Hameed is a sophomore and the photography editor of the Blaze. With a passion for politics, writing, and photography, she loves using journalism as an outlet to connect with people and share their stories. Zahra’s favorite part of the journalistic process is interviewing new people and capturing photos that bring her articles to life, especially for sports pieces. This year, she hopes to expand her skills by writing more analytical and political stories. Outside of newspaper, Zahra participates in Lincoln-Douglas debate, Model UN, FBLA, and MSA. She also enjoys reading, hanging out with her friends, and spending time with her cat, Freya. She is excited to contribute to the newspaper’s mission of representing diverse voices of the school community.
AJ Aluko-Apata
AJ Aluko-Apata, Staff Writer
Aj Aluko-Apata, a sophomore this year, is a new staff writer for The Blaze. Despite not having any previous journalism-related experience, he joined due to his knack for writing. Interested in sports like basketball and football, he hopes to write opinionated sports articles about his favorite sports teams: the Washington Wizards, Manchester United, and the New York Giants. Outside of school–when he’s not playing basketball for Rock Ridge or doing homework–you can find AJ playing NBA 2K or FC 25. This year, AJ wants to win some awards for his writing. Not only that, but he wants his niche opinions to reach audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and opinions. In the future, he hopes to major in sports journalism.