![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)
Phoenix Celebrate Homecoming With a Victory
On Oct. 21, the Phoenix won the annual Homecoming game against the John Paul the Great Wolves with a score of 28-20.
![During halftime of the homecoming football game, senior Jack Capobianco wins homecoming royalty and is officially crowned by junior Maggie Miller. “I wasn’t expecting [winning homecoming royalty] at all,” Capobianco said. “I was very surprised but very excited.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0911-900x600.jpg)
During halftime of the homecoming football game, senior Jack Capobianco wins homecoming royalty and is officially crowned by junior Maggie Miller. “I wasn’t expecting [winning homecoming royalty] at all,” Capobianco said. “I was very surprised but very excited.”
November 4, 2022
With suspense building from a successful spirit week week, the Phoenix football team met the John Paul the Great Wolves on the field on Oct 21 in hopes of a homecoming win. After a come-from-behind win and a strong second half, the Phoenix took the game, winning 28-20.
The first half of the game started off with a strong lead for the Wolves. The first quarter ended with a score of 6-0. In the second quarter, despite the strong effort from the Phoenix, the Wolves were able to score twice, bringing the score to 20-0 and leaving the Phoenix to play catch-up going into the second half.
The student section and coaches, who packed the Phoenix Pit with Blackout gear for the spirit theme, encouraged their players from the sidelines with screams and cheers. In the 3rd quarter, the Phoenix gave them something to celebrate as the score jumped from 0 points to 7 with a touchdown, leaving them with a 13 point difference with the Wolves.
In the 4th quarter, the Phoenix pulled through with another touchdown by senior Malachi Tomlin-Younger, leaving them with the win for this game. “It feels great, coming in with my boys to take home the last victory,” Tomlin-Younger said. With a minute left of the fourth quarter, Senior Christopher Young intercepted the ball, allowing the Phoenix to maintain the lead. Students rushed to the football field, congratulating the team on a Homecoming win. The game ended with a Phoenix win of 28-20.
Before the game, SCA hosted a tailgate to get students pumped and ready for the Blackout in the Phoenix Pit. Food trucks served ice cream sandwiches, fried oreos, funnel cakes, and french fries. Students could participate in activities like poster making, face painting, basketball, and an inflatable race course.
This was the last homecoming tailgate for seniors, so many of them tried to make the most out of it. “It’s bittersweet, knowing that it’s the last time I’ll be able to experience this,” senior Namrata Hari Naryanan said.
Freshmen Arjav Iyer and Shaun Sahayadarlin enjoyed the tailgate and game because they were able to hang out with friends. “[My favorite part is] meeting a lot of people and seeing people when it’s been a while since seeing them,” Sahayadarlin said.
At halftime, the senior homecoming court walked out onto the field as students waited eagerly to hear who the first person of homecoming royalty would be. After all nominees were introduced, senior Nina Lal and junior Maggie Miller announced senior Jack Capobianco as a homecoming royal. This was his first time on homecoming court. “It’s a great honor to be voted for by all my classmates,” Capobianco said. “I’m glad because my parents are here and all my friends.”
The next Phoenix football game will be at home on Nov. 4 against Light Ridge Bolts.
![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)