![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)
The Battle of the Birds
The Phoenix girls varsity soccer team went up against the Briar Woods Falcons on March 24. The Phoenix lost 8-0 after a strong effort.
![Senior Aidie Bell (3) defends the ball from Falcon Taylor Price. “I think I did pretty well. [I just wish] I had scored,” Bell said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC_0190-e1649349847291-600x900.jpg)
Senior Aidie Bell (3) defends the ball from Falcon Taylor Price. “I think I did pretty well. [I just wish] I had scored,” Bell said.
April 7, 2022
On Thursday, March 24, the Phoenix girls varsity soccer team went against the Briar Woods Falcons. Within the first half, the Falcons established themselves as a strong opponent and were able to take on an early lead. The first half ended with the Falcons leading 8-0, and after, a mercy rule gave the victory to the Falcons.
After the game, the girls reflected on their performance and thought about how they could improve in future games. “I feel like something that we have to improve on going forward is to take advantage of those practices that has everyone [who aren’t injured]…because that is the only way we can fully practice in a game-like scenario,” senior Aarushi Raghupathi said. “Another thing is a lot of people on the team this year are new, and so we haven’t really been able to build those relationships that well yet just because we were rushed into the season.”
The next girls varsity soccer game will take place on April 18 against the Loudoun Valley Vikings.
![In a historic presidential election, voters nationwide turned out to make their voices heard. Virginia’s 10th congressional district had three key national positions up for election: president, senator, and representative.
In the race for the House of Representatives seat previously held by Democrat Jennifer Wexton, the Republican Party nominated Mike Clancy, while the Democratic Party put forward Suhas Subramanyam, a former Virginia General Assembly Senator. Subramanyam won the seat with a 52% majority.
For one of Virginia’s Senate positions, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao faced off. Kaine took the position with a 54% majority.
For the White House, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fought to obtain the 270 electoral votes needed to get the bid. News outlets worldwide tracked the results live, with close attention to seven key battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump ultimately crossed the 270-vote threshold early on Nov. 6, with the swing states playing a pivotal role in his campaign’s success.
This election was the first presidential race for many Gen-Z voters, who entered a sharply polarized environment. Adela Booth, mother-in-law of Representative-Elect Subramanyam, traveled from Connecticut to support his campaign, encouraging young voters to engage in the political process. “Vote,” Booth said. “Get involved in politics. Even [if] you don’t think it applies to you, it applies to you. You will carry this debt. It will affect your grandchildren and you have to do something about it. You can’t sit back and watch anymore.”
✏️ and 📷 by Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)