![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)
A Happily Ever After Homecoming
On Oct. 9, Rock Ridge hosted its first outdoor homecoming dance on the football field, inspired by a Disney theme. In the 40’ x 110 tent, snacks, refreshments, corn holes, a photo booth, a life size chess board, DJ, and a seven foot inflatable movie screen playing Disney movies for attendees to enjoy.
Senior Kylie Miller sings along to the music with her peers. The dance floor filled as the DJ played songs like “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo, and “Baby Shark” by Pinkfong.
October 26, 2021
On Oct. 9, SCA hosted its first ever outdoor homecoming. The dance, usually held in the gym and cafeteria, was held on the football field under a tent to allow for a larger area due to COVID-19 concerns. The tent is presumed to be the biggest in the county to SCA sponsor Michelle Menna’s knowledge. “[Our tent] was 40’x110,” Menna said. “Some schools may have had the same size as ours, but I do not believe that anyone had one bigger than that.”
Per usual, refreshments, snacks, DJ, dance floor, and games were offered as well as a new addition — an inflatable screen displaying Disney movies featured outside the outdoor tent. The photo booth was also available where students could have their pictures taken with the provided props.
Many students liked the unique theme and additions to the dance. “I think [the decor] was really well done for the outdoors and brought people a little more into the land of Disney,” junior Hannah Adnan said.
Homecoming was also a chance for students to connect with friends that attend different schools. “My favorite part was when my friend from Riverside [High School] was able to attend as a guest; prior to the dance, I hadn’t seen her in person since she moved schools during freshman year,” junior Sydney Pascual said.
According to Menna, the planning that went into the event was “more [work] than ever before” for the SCA, and included keeping track of the permission clicks, online ticket sales, and county paperwork. But, Menna says that she enjoyed “seeing the event come together” on the night of. “I’ve never felt so much excitement and admiration for the dance,” Menna said. “It all came together better than I hoped and it looked truly magical being outside with the tent and the decorations.”
Future outdoor homecomings are a possibility, but the difficulties of planning an outdoor event, including weather unpredictability, remains an important factor. Additionally, an outdoor homecoming is more expensive, so the early ticket prices may rise to $25 if this format is continued into next year. “If we keep it outside, I would like to continue to have the tent, dance floor, DJ, and movie screen that we had, and perhaps add more games and even more lights,” Menna said.
Selling 1,032 tickets, the school’s first outdoor homecoming dance attracted many for a night of music, dancing, and games. “I am so glad that we were able to have the dance, and that it all came together so well,” Menna said. “I am extremely proud of all the work the kids put in to make it a success and am so glad that everyone seemed to enjoy it and that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
![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)
