![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)
![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)
Tailgate Festivities Ignite School Spirit For Homecoming Football Game
On Oct. 8, Rock Ridge held a tailgate for the student body which offered food like chicken tenders and fried oreos from food trucks, an inflatable obstacle course, and games, including cornhole and basketball, before the homecoming football game. During the halftime show, the senior homecoming court was escorted onto the field with the people of their choice and Naomi Cho was crowned homecoming royal.
Smiling and lifting up mini purple basketballs, juniors Rishita Valluru and Bhargavi Alluri attempt to shoot the balls into the inflatable basketball hoop.
October 26, 2021
With large crowds of students and their families filling the grass behind the bus loop, the Oct. 8 homecoming tailgate had games, face painting, and food trucks for attendees of the biggest tailgate of the year to enjoy.
Following the tailgate and the first half of the football game, the homecoming court was escorted onto the field with escorts of their choice.
The 2021 homecoming court consisted of seniors Sarina Amiri, Sri Avula, Atri Bathula, Maggie Cantwell, Naomi Cho, Shivoy Nagpaul, Preyonty Rabbani, Dylan Sams, Alexa Veneros, and Shalom Williams. As each member of the court walked down, Principal John Duellman shook hands with them and congratulated them on their accomplishment. They received a sash with the words “Homecoming Court” on it.
In order to become a homecoming royal, students nominate themselves or their peers and go through a voting process in order to move on to the next voting round. After they are voted on by the student body, finalists move on to the final round where they are voted on for the title of homecoming royal.
As each member of the court walked down, Principal John Duellman shook hands with them and congratulated them on their accomplishment.
Cho was crowned as the first homecoming royal of the night. “I’m actually surprised, I didn’t expect to win,” Cho said. “I appreciate all my friends that voted for me and I’m really excited about it.”
Cantwell was crowned the second homecoming royal at the homecoming dance the following night.
![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-600x400.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_3870-600x471.jpeg)
