![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)
![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.jpeg)
![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)
CLASH OF THE CLASSES: Don’t Stop Ball-ieving
On Oct. 18, seniors and juniors were pitted against each other in the second annual “Clash of Classes” kickball game. Towards the end of the game, seniors pulled through with a 9 point comeback, ending the game 16-7.
Senior Srikar Bangaru runs to homebase as the Juniors chuck the ball at him to get him out. “I wanted to play because it is my senior year and I want to make the most out of the opportunities I have left in high school to have fun and make memories,” Bangaru said.
October 20, 2022
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, seniors and juniors competed in the second annual clash of classes kickball game. Despite the chilly weather, the atmosphere was full of adrenaline, as both classes wanted to come out on top.
The juniors started strong with powerful kicks and speedy sprints to the bases, creating a nice cushion between themselves and the seniors with a score of 5-0. As the game progressed, seniors stayed a couple points behind. At the beginning of the 6th inning, the score was 6-4, juniors still in the lead. Then, after a team huddle, a change in game plan resulted in a turn around for the seniors.
“We started a strategy where we’d bunt the first [ball] to get a few people on the bases, and then we’d have one of our players kick the ball as far as they could to give the other players a chance to score,” senior Taylor Cheek said. This play allowed the seniors to eliminate the score gap, putting them ahead of the game ending the sixth inning 9-7.
As the game gained a rhythm, seniors Ilias Cholakis and Brandon Kilfeather “made some great plays and kept the team hyped up, even when we were losing in the beginning,” Cheek said.
The seventh inning grew more intense as the seniors were on a point streak. “The comeback felt amazing,” senior Srikar Bangaru said. “Just as all of us gave up and the other students and teachers assumed the juniors would win, we went on a scoring run.”
Seniors won the game with a comeback of 16-7. “It was a rather humbling experience,” junior Keyaan Bashir said.
![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)
