![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)
![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)
PTSO Plans For Senior Graduation Party
At the March PTSO meeting, members and students discussed the seniors’ graduation party and developments regarding the courtyard project. The PTSO also reviewed ways to find new members who can contribute to their growing online presence.
The PTSO members discussed plans for an end of the year party for seniors and what activities to include in the celebration.
March 22, 2022
On March 2, the PTSO met to discuss ideas and fundraising efforts for the end of year senior party, consider the next step towards the courtyard renovations, and prepare to advertise open PTSO board positions. Around 20 parents, students, and teachers were in attendance over Zoom, prepared to hear the organization’s upcoming plans.
The main focus of the meeting was preparations for the seniors’ graduation party. Both students and staff members expressed their excitement for the party. “I am really looking forward to the party,” senior and SCA member Kylie Miller said. “I appreciate the work everyone is doing to make this possible.” There are still many aspects of the event to consider, including the cost, needed materials, and which activities the seniors would enjoy. Volunteers were also welcomed to help with planning the meeting, so if you would like to help, please reach out to the PTSO.
To raise money for the party, the PTSO plans to use the money from senior yard sign sales as well as by selling LED lights to raise money during lunch blocks and in the school store. Miller believes this idea will be successful.
The PTSO is also actively recruiting students and parents who are interested in remodeling the school and PTSO websites, provided they have exceptional IT skills. They also plan to seek out parents who are able to help with the upcoming courtyard project.
According to Tiffany Ahmed, the PTSO executive board president, the main goal for the party is to make it as fun as possible and do “whatever it takes” to have a good party, which is why funding for the party is extremely important so there are items that seniors will enjoy.
The next PTSO meeting will take place on April 6.
![On Nov. 22, students and staff competed against each other during the ninth annual Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game. The game ended with a 36-30 victory for the students, marking their third consecutive win and bringing the overall series to 6-3 in favor of the students.
The game was competitive, drawing significant anticipation as the teachers sought to even the score after last year’s loss. “We kind of know the strengths of people,” social sciences teacher Steven Mobley said. “There's a lot of staff emails actually going on about it, like who wants to play where and who wants to play when. So we're communicating a lot more this year than previous years.”
While members of the staff team focused on playing strategy and communicating with each other, the students walked into the game with specific goals they wanted to achieve. “I’m not violent, [but] I want to try to get Mr. Clear, and if not him, I want to get Ms. Leach,” senior Rishit Choudhari said. “I want to see Mr. Clear upset and frowning.”
The game began with the students and staff tying with a score of 10-10 in the first set. However, the students edged ahead during the second set, having a strong lead of 25-19. The final set saw both teams exchanging points in a close contest, but the students pulled away in the final minutes to secure the 36-30 win.
Senior Mihir Peta was crowned MVP for the second time, his first after the 2022 Students vs. Staff Volleyball Game for his dedication to ensuring the student team won. “I don't want to sound cocky, but it was expected, to be honest,” Peta said. “I won it sophomore year, I should have won it junior year, but I couldn't play. So I came back for redemption senior year.”
✏️ and 📷 by Ananya Karthik, Sophie King, and Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)