![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)
Scared Silly: An Opportunity For Everyone
Student directors took the control of the stage as they executed the different “Class Acts” in Rock Ridge Performing Arts’ first show of the season
In the act ‘Caf Zombies,’ freshmen Tenlee Czarny and Lily Bridges play characters Zantac and Tagamet. The act “Caf Zombies” was the first of the two freshman acts in the play. “I was extremely nervous, I messed up some words, but other than that [it was good],” Czarny said.
November 16, 2021
Rock Ridge Performing Arts’ kicked off the year with “Scared Silly,” a performance consisting of six different acts separated by grade, all directed by students. There were two plays involving the freshmen, two involving the sophomores, one involving the juniors, and the last involving the seniors. The first night of the production began on Oct. 21 with three more shows in the following two days. The play involved many unique aspects including having the audience sit on the stage, brand new actors, and student directors.
The class acts not only consisted of the members of the Rock Ridge Performing Arts classes, but also it gave people who have never been on stage before the opportunity to perform. The cast was open to any student of Rock Ridge regardless of their involvement in a theatre class. The RRPA veterans agree that this was a good opportunity for people who have been a part of a theater production. “A lot of people from my cast have never even been on stage before, so it was really exciting to introduce it to them because this is something I’m really passionate about,” senior student director Ellie Schubert said.
Underclassmen who were performing in Rock Ridge theater had a positive outlook on their experience and their performance overall. “I felt like the audience was very interactive, so it made it very fun,” Mitchell said. “ It was cool to experience a Rock Ridge Performing Arts event.”
Returning RRPA cast members saw the Class Acts process as something new. “The process is definitely different, but the show felt the same. It felt good to run it. I felt super confident,” senior Maggie Cantwell said.
Many upperclassmen, who had undertaken the role of directing, expressed nervousness for their actors. “Directing was definitely different because you’re a little more nervous for your actors than for yourself,” Schubert said.
Their efforts in preparing their fellow classmates paid off, as students who had never participated in theater got to experience the thrill of being on stage. “I can’t explain it, it’s a feeling you get, the adrenaline rush you get from being able to go on stage in front of people. I love it,” freshman Tenlee Czarny said.
