![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)
![Gracing stages, football games, and even the big screen, Taylor Swifts popularity doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon as she’s been almost everywhere on social media, and just this December, [Swift] won TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year award. This brought along magnificent pictures of Swift, articles praising her, and some controversy between Swifites (Swifts most devoted fans), and other people on whether or not she should have won this award.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taylor-swift-person-of-the-year-1-1094x1200.png)
Phoenix Dominate the Patriots on Senior Night
On October 11, the Phoenix girls volleyball team held their Senior Night game against the Park View Patriots. The game ended with a Phoenix win of 3 sets to 0.
Senior Karis Adnan sets off the point by serving the ball to the opposing team. The Phoenix kept the game lighthearted as they continued to lead. “We have been on a really good winning streak, so that was really fun,” Adnan said.
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Phoenix girls volleyball team honored their seniors with a win against the visiting Park View Patriots at the last home contest of the regular season. Before the game, the team’s two seniors, Karis Adnan and Annika Engen, were acknowledged with their own ceremony.
As the oldest of the group, Adnan and Engen have led their teammates through this season as district champions. Their night of celebration had a melancholy tone as the seniors took to their home court one final time. “The weird part of senior night [itself] was realizing that I’m a senior and that this is my last high school year,” Adnan said. Their strength and leadership over the past year has proved beneficial for the Phoenix, as they currently enjoy a 16-3 overall record and the top spot in the Dulles District standings.
After teammates, loved ones, and the student body celebrated the two seniors, as they ended the night with a great win. “It was a lot of fun! A lot of my family and my best friend was there, which made it really special,” Engen said.
The game itself had a steady momentum as the Phoenix continued to have a commanding lead. The first set began with the usual starters setting the tone, not leaving room for the Patriots to score, as it ended 25-4.
As the team had solid ground, they began to experiment with their lineups. Their top priority of senior night was naturally to let Adnan and Engen shine, but this also opened up the opportunity for defensive specialists to play the striker position, and others to enjoy increased playing time. These changes did not affect the Phoenix’s flow, as they took the 2nd set 25-9, and the 3rd 25-10, ending the game with an intimidating score of 3-0.
The Phoenix preseason is ending and they are district champions. They will begin their postseason play on Oct. 24 at home.
Tanishka Enugu is a senior and this is her fourth year on The Blaze staff! A passionate writer who appreciates the community the newspaper brings, she loves being able to represent the student body through...
Shaila Patel is a senior in her second year on the newspaper staff, fueled by her strong sense of curiosity. Since a young age, Patel has been aiding people close to her. Whether it be through PEER or...
Nadia Shirr is a junior and this is her second year on The Blaze. She joined so she could have a more fun, and chill class. When there's a new event to cover, she likes to write about it so she can give...
![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-600x411.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_5383-600x449.jpg)
![Freshman Daniela Rojas attempts to steal the ball from the opponent. “This game was kind of an off day, but it happens. [We’ve] definitely had a lot of improvement since our first game.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_5600-600x400.jpg)
![Throughout the season, senior Dillon Brooks (left) and junior Aiden Patel (right) have been regularly practicing to improve their skills. The rest of the golf team has been doing the same. “Nine times out of ten, [practice] is with all of [the golf team] collectively, “ Brooks said. “And then, some people might go out to the course, and some people might stay back. Its dependent on what our coach has for us to do that day.” This year, golf is coached by physical education teacher Jason Geyer, along with Mark Sheptock, who volunteers to coach the team.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-28-at-1.50.38-PM-600x407.png)
