![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)
Running from your fears at the Haunted 5k
Rock Ridge hosts the inaugural Haunted 5k, which helped bring the Rock Ridge community together & promoted Rock Ridge clubs & activities all in the spirit of Halloween.
November 4, 2019
Students of all ages and their parents arrived to Rock Ridge to run the Haunted 5k on Oct. 26. Kids came in their own unique costumes. This event started with a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot. Each club had its own trunk that had candy and games, such as “Find the Gummy Worm,” a ball toss, and hopscotch.
Everyone then gathered at the starting line for the race. Runners were buzzing with energy to start. Principal John Duellman gave the countdown, and they were off. Teachers and families were cheering everyone on, waving flags. There was a twist to this 5K, however; students jumped out of the forest to scare the runners. “It was fun, I enjoyed getting ready and seeing their expressions when I jumped out,” scarer freshman Keerthi Kasaraneni said.
Freshman Jett Cooper poses in front of the 5k finish line. Cooper was awarded first place winner at the Haunted 5K. “I felt pretty good. It was tiring, definitely, but I’m proud of what I did,” Cooper said.
The first person to cross the finish line was freshman Jett Cooper. He earned a time of about 17:50. “I felt pretty good; it was tiring, but I’m proud of what I did,” Cooper said.
Principal John Duellman awards winner Alaina dressed as a giraffe of a costume competition.
The event ended with a costume contest and the award ceremony for the winners. Overall, the event was filled with laughs, screams and smiles.
Junior Rebekah Lott, sophomore Eveline Josselyn, freshman Sneha Khandavalli, junior Alex Gomez, junior Jacqueline Le, junior Finesse Jones, junior Courtney Bergeron, and senior Anjali Mehta, members of Rock Ridge Performing Arts, promote the new play “Peter Pan” next to their decorated trunk.
Sophomores Alexa Kim, Maya Guffey, and Carly Davis and senior Yuca Chen, members of Global Ambassadors, congratulate the winner of a whipped cream competition.
Sophomore Gayathri Kavitha, a member of the Leo Club, cheers a Stormtrooper on as he plays a game.
PE teacher Annamika Hacikyan and Mr. Phoenix walk hand in hand during trunk or treat.
Sabrina, winner of costume competition, stands proudly on the platform with her prize.
Sophomores Anurag Gottipati and Ankitha Kasavaraju pose at their trunk station. Gottipati and Kasavaraju represent Health occupations students of America at the trunk or treat. “What was super cool about this was that we actually got in contact with the Loudoun volunteer coordinator person at the 5k who said he’ll help provide opportunities for us to volunteer,” Kasavarju said.
Freshmen Zymora Dean, Nicolas Biernacki and other racers prepare to start the 5K race.
