![Standing center stage, senior Ananya Akula conducts the Phoenix Chorale. “[Conducting and teaching] is really fun,” Akula said. “Music education is what I want to do.” On the day of the choir assessment, Akula found out that she received the President’s Music Scholarship – a full ride to the University of Miami Frost School of Music.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ananya-1200x800.jpg)
![Senior Fatima Qaderi grew into the person she wanted to become when she was younger and continues to work towards growing more confident in using her voice when it matters. “I didnt get treated the way I wanted to be treated, and I realized that it wasnt just them treating me the wrong way, it was me treating me the wrong way,” Qaderi said. “I forced them to like to look at me in a way where Im someone who needs to be respected; they cant just disregard me, they cant just look over me because I have a different opinion, because Im a woman, because Im Afghan, because Im Muslim, or whatever. It just took going through different experiences to figure out how [I wanted to] be heard.” Photo courtesy of Fatima Qaderi.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_3870.jpeg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
![Gracing stages, football games, and even the big screen, Taylor Swifts popularity doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon as she’s been almost everywhere on social media, and just this December, [Swift] won TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year award. This brought along magnificent pictures of Swift, articles praising her, and some controversy between Swifites (Swifts most devoted fans), and other people on whether or not she should have won this award.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taylor-swift-person-of-the-year-1-1094x1200.png)
Why I don’t like Halloween
This spooktacular holiday isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
October 27, 2019
When it comes to American holidays, there are four big ones I think of: Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas. Throughout my entire life, my opinions of these holidays have only heightened…except for one. Over the past couple years, my opinion on Halloween has been waning. I’m not into trick-or-treating or dressing up as some figment of pop culture. Nowadays I just stick to handing out candy to babies — but why? Why has my opinion on Halloween worsened but the other three holidays haven’t? Well, let me explain.
What really kills it for me is that Halloween doesn’t have a definitive identity. Is it about candies and costumes, or spooks and scares? I’ve only seen people define Halloween as either one of those two. I’m not sure exactly what it’s about, and it kills the holiday for me. The Fourth of July is about celebrating independence, Valentine’s Day is about showing your affection for others, and Christmas is about giving back to others. All of those holidays are easily defined, but not Halloween.
Another thing I hate about Halloween is that it’s geared towards kids, and I’m not talking teens or tweens. I’m talking young kids, ages 4-10. This is made obvious with the abundance of marketing for candy and Halloween costumes, as well as Halloween specials. Not to mention, teens don’t usually go trick or treating.
I think the biggest reason for me not enjoying Halloween is because there isn’t something significant for me to enjoy. I can go and buy candy at the grocery store, or take some from friends. I’m not big on costumes because I look like a meatball with arms, and unless that’s my costume, I wouldn’t fit many others. Why should I play a horror game on Halloween when I could play it any other day? Maybe I’m just not in the spirit of the season, or maybe I have nobody to hang out with!
I should note that I’m not out to ruin your fun; I’m just giving my opinion on a holiday I don’t enjoy as much. If you enjoy Halloween for any reason, that’s great, and I hope you can continue to enjoy it again this year.
![Gracing stages, football games, and even the big screen, Taylor Swifts popularity doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon as she’s been almost everywhere on social media, and just this December, [Swift] won TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year award. This brought along magnificent pictures of Swift, articles praising her, and some controversy between Swifites (Swifts most devoted fans), and other people on whether or not she should have won this award.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taylor-swift-person-of-the-year-1-547x600.png)
