![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)
MSA: Student-Run Club for Muslim Students and Allies
The Muslim Student Association is utilizing the Red Day meeting times during Activity Period and plans to attend MIST in DC once again.
Courtesy of Joshua Persson via Instagram
The MSA celebrates at the Final Iftar on May 1, 2022 in the school cafeteria with friends and family.
November 16, 2022
Led by senior co-presidents Sarah Baig and Rayyan Ansari, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) strives to build a sense of community among Muslim students at Rock Ridge. Not only does the club appeal to Muslim students, but it also appeals to non-Muslim students and close allies of the community. Inclusivity is one of the agendas the club hopes to push for. “I think we created a good environment for everyone to join and feel welcome,” Ansari said.
According to club sponsor Corinne Sanna, the club hosts bake sales and charity events. The MSA takes pride in the events they hosted last year, such as their Afghan hygiene drive and the Eid goody bag assembly. Both of these events gave members of MSA the opportunity to serve their community.
Last year MSA members attended DC Muslim Interscholastic Tournament, or MIST. In order to be accepted into this event, MSA members crafted and submitted a student-made short film. For three days, they participated in various competitions with other high school students in the region. The event facilitates the discourse, networking, strategizing, and learning between high school students. MSA plans to take part in DC MIST this year as well.
This school year’s goals were set by Baig and Ansari. At the top of their list is growing membership, finding strength in numbers. The club had approximately 35 members last school year. Their attendance at this year’s meetings have been upwards of 50 members, upperclassmen making up the majority.
Ansari and Baig attribute this growth in membership to the addition of the activity block. They find this to be increasingly convenient for members. However, to avoid being confined to the 30 minute meetings, they plan on utilizing after school meetings to host guests and events.
Ansari said that the group plans to host Iftar in the months of March and April. Iftar is the meal that breaks one’s fast during Ramadan. Last year, MSA hosted many potluck-style Iftars, and some were held in combination with other local high school MSAs from Independence, Briar Woods, Riverside, and Stone Bridge.
Plans have also been made to have members volunteer at a local mosque, All Dulles Area Muslim Society, in Sterling.
MSA meets on Red Days during activity period in L210.
![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)
