![Junior Diya Arun stares out a window. For Arun, the winter season brings out the holiday blues. “ I think [the winter] has a negative effect on my mental health because I feel like the cold weather and people around me are also sadder [and] that affects me,” Arun said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_8047-1200x800.jpg)
![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
The Battle of the Ridges
On Jan. 12, the Phoenix boys varsity basketball team and the girls varsity basketball team played against the Lightridge Lightning. The girls varsity basketball team lost 38-20 and the boys varsity basketball team won 70-46.
![Junior Deric Gomado (1) dribbles through the Lightning defense and makes a slam dunk, adding two points to the Phoenix’s score. “I was a little nervous [for our first home double header game], but no [that did not affect me],” Gomado said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC_0222-e1643921652217-600x900.jpg)
Junior Deric Gomado (1) dribbles through the Lightning defense and makes a slam dunk, adding two points to the Phoenix’s score. “I was a little nervous [for our first home double header game], but no [that did not affect me],” Gomado said.
February 3, 2022
On Jan. 13, the “Battle of the Ridges” commenced with the Phoenix’s first at-home double header. The theme was “Blackout” and the Phoenix girls and boys varsity teams faced the Lightridge Lightning in two intense games.
The girls varsity team started off the double header. The score was close in the first quarter, with senior Aleeza Sadiq making a key shot late in the quarter. The first quarter ended with a score of 6-5 with the Lightning in the lead. The Lightning continued to lead throughout the rest of the game. Even with junior Sruthi Dacherla’s three point shot in the fourth quarter, the game ended with a Phoenix loss of 38-20.
After the girls varsity game ended, the varsity boys came into the main gym and students began to pack the student section. After warming up with drills, the boy’s game started and the Phoenix immediately took a quick lead with Bill Djan (22) making the first shot with a free throw.
The first quarter ended with a Phoenix lead of 9-4. The boys varsity team would continue to keep a strong lead through all four quarters with the help of senior Aditya Kamath and junior Basit Qadri. Together, both players scored a total of 44 points for the team.
With a strong lead, efficient teamwork, and an energetic student section, the Phoenix were able to win with a final score of 70-46. “I think we worked well as a team and we will continue to do so,” junior Deric Gomado said.
![On Friday, Dec. 19, seniors filled the library for the winter senior breakfast event, put together with the help of administrators and parent volunteers. Excitement and joy filled the atmosphere as the Class of 2025 filed into the school library to celebrate their four years of accomplishment as students.
The menu for this breakfast was an assortment of sweet treats: donuts, apple and orange juice, coffee, hot chocolate, and gingerbread cookies. Students were able to decorate their own gingerbread cookies with a variety of different icing and sprinkles to choose from. The tables were decorated with blue tablecloths to celebrate the winter season. Plates and napkins also followed the holiday theme.
Senior Blessing Amuga attended the event for her friends and the food. “This time [the breakfast was better because] there were many activities,” Amuga said.
In the midst of the festivities, students were provided with the opportunity to vote on one of four designs on the front and two designs on the back for their senior class shirt design. They are able to submit their designs by Dec. 18 for a chance to be selected as the winning design.
✏️ and 📷 by Ryan Desiderio, Rachel Bhardwaj, Sitwat Mian](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)