![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)
Lunchtime Games, Spirit Day Celebrate Director Jordan Markwood as Washington Post Teacher of the Year
On April 22, the SCA hosted a lunch game and spirit day to celebrate Choir Director Jordan Markwood’s accomplishments in winning Washington Post and LCPS Teacher of the Year.
Photo courtesy of Katy Greiner
Choir Director Jordan Markwood receives the Washington Post and LCPS awards for Teacher of the Year, as Mentoring and Coaching Supervisor Julie Baye applauds him. Looking back at receiving the award, Markwood said he was humbled. “I don’t do any of the things I do to receive recognition, it’s more about sharing a passion for what I love, and helping my students,” Markwood said.
May 11, 2022
As students chatted away and lunch lines slowly shuffled through the doors, students gathered around one long piece of poster paper, awaiting their turn to congratulate Choir Director Jordan Markwood. The SCA organized a special edition of lunch games and a spirit day and a congratulatory poster to honor Markwood’s accomplishment of being named Washington Post and LCPS Teacher of the Year.
The award is given annually to encourage excellent school leaders and those who contribute to the improvement of education in the D.C. metropolitan area. Markwood was selected as the 2022 Teacher of the Year for his inspiring love for music, and for creating a classroom environment which is welcoming, supportive, and inclusive. In addition to his contributions in the classroom, he was noticed for sponsoring many extracurricular programs, such as the a capella club and Music Honor Society, as well as volunteering in the community.
Markwood’s students were happy for him and thought he deserved the recognition for always being patient, encouraging, and understanding with them. “One thing that [Markwood] always tells us is ‘if you make a mistake, do it loud and proud because then you’ll know what you did and we can fix it together,’ [which is] really encouraging,” sophomore Anisha Rapolu said.
When Markwood found out about the spirit day and lunch game in celebration of his award, he was appreciative and overwhelmed. “Students who I’ve never had in my classes have been coming up and saying congratulations,” Markwood said. “It’s been really nice of them and the whole school community.”
The spirit day theme was “Rock the Red and Gray,” and students were encouraged to sport school colors to show their school spirit and support for Markwood. SCA facilitated a game during lunch blocks called “Finish the Lyric” where competitors would listen to a five second clip of a song and would be required to sing and recite the next few lines. This would continue for three rounds until only one competitor remained.
In A lunch, the winner of the game was a group of boys including freshmen Aditya Mukkamala and Mihir Peta, as well as five others of their friends. In B lunch, sophomores Sarayu Varanasi and Mariah Waters took the crown. In C lunch, the winners of the game were freshmen Dylan Jenkins and Harmony Dickerson. Finally, during D lunch, the winner was freshman Jiya Chadha. Chadha said she is very familiar with songs and listens to a variety of music. “I was kind of nervous, but I listen to a lot of music, so I was hoping I would win,” Chadha said. “At first, I didn’t want to go [compete], but all my friends encouraged me to, so I was really excited.”
![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)
