![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)
Leesburg Restaurants Protect Employees With “Ask for Angela” Program
Leesburg restaurants conducted an employee security initiative in April, “Ask for Angela,” a program meant to protect employees from assault by saying ambiguous, coded phrases.
Courtesy of Cate Magennis Wyatt (via Creative Commons)
Through “Ask for Angela,” Leesburg restaurants have begun providing support for their employees and ensuring their safety at their workplace. In the program, used only in emergency situations where employees are at risk of assault, employees say a phrase to call for help and receive it from another trained staff member.
June 8, 2022
“Ask for Angela” was founded by the Lincolnshire County Council in England in 2016 to protect employees at work. The Lincolnshire County Council observed that many of their employees felt uncomfortable in their workplaces, so they decided to create a solution that would protect employees against the worries of sexual assault. That’s when “Ask for Angela” was born — a program for employees who feel harmed or threatened, and its purpose is to help employees when they are in danger.
“Ask for Angela” is being implemented at Delirium Cafe and Loudoun Kitchen and Bar in Leesburg, Va. “Ask for Angela” allows employees to use an ambiguous phrase to call for help if they feel endangered or harmed by customers. When employees are threatened, simply saying the word “Angela” will alert surrounding people that the employee is in danger. The program is scheduled to be effective from April to mid-May.
According to Loudoun Kitchen and Bar manager Ellie Kosovic, this program was successful at the Loudoun Kitchen and Bar. They partnered with the Loudoun Abused Shelter, Local Police Department, County Sheriff Department and Sexual Assault Response Team to launch the initiative. Staff members were trained at the beginning on how to spot signs, intervene in uncomfortable situations, and help to have a safe bar atmosphere. “I really enjoyed the experience from the ‘Ask for Angela’ program,” Kosovic said. “It was very helpful for the employees, especially intervening in uncomfortable situations.”
Employees study the codewords and phrases on a poster so they can easily memorize and call for help when needed. The codewords should only be used at a time when employees are being assaulted or in danger.
The ‘Ask for Angela’ program seemed to workout well. The employees were thankful for the protection they received, even if it was for a limited time. According to Kosovic, everyone in the Loudoun Kitchen and Bar seemed happy after working with the program and hoped to work with other programs which provide the same protection.
“The employees are also thankful for this opportunity to work with this marvelous program,” Kosovic said.
![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)