![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)
Orchestra Celebrates the Holiday Season with Winter Concert
On Dec. 14, the orchestra performed holiday-themed songs at their first concert of the year, finishing off with their annual finale piece, a Transiberian Orchestra rock arrangement called “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24.”
Orchestra Director Teresa Gordon directs the musicians to play softly while conducting the third piece of the winter concert, “Holiday Salute,” arranged by James “Red” McLeod.
December 19, 2022
With holiday lighting, festive sweaters, and a large snowman inflatable, the Rock Ridge Orchestra’s annual winter concert on Dec. 14 got everyone in a festive mood and excited for the upcoming holiday season.
The orchestra performed four songs: “Overture to William Tell: Finale,” composed by Gioachino Rossini and arranged by Sandra Dackow, “The Pink Panther,” composed by Henry Mancini and arranged by John Caponegro, “Holiday Salute,” arranged by James “Red” McLeod, and the finale, “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” a Transiberian Orchestra Rock Arrangement.
“The Pink Panther,” featured guest percussionist Patrick O’Rourke on the drum set, and “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” also featured sophomore Andrew Takach on the electric bass and eighth grader Maneesh Getni on the electric guitar. “It felt crazy playing with a high school orchestra,” Getni said.
A lot of hard work went into preparing for this concert. With multiple periods of practicing these songs, as well as some after-school practices, the musicians showed great effort in making this concert enjoyable for all. In addition to the music, director of orchestra Teresa Gordon also planned a scavenger hunt for guests in the audience. Guests had the opportunity to find little paper Christmas trees hidden around the auditorium and they had the chance to win presents, such as a Starbucks gift card and a Regal gift card.
This concert allowed people to come together and listen to light-hearted holiday music performed by the orchestra and have fun listening to these students’ hard work in preparing for this concert.
![On Nov. 22, students and staff competed against each other during the ninth annual Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game. The game ended with a 36-30 victory for the students, marking their third consecutive win and bringing the overall series to 6-3 in favor of the students.
The game was competitive, drawing significant anticipation as the teachers sought to even the score after last year’s loss. “We kind of know the strengths of people,” social sciences teacher Steven Mobley said. “There's a lot of staff emails actually going on about it, like who wants to play where and who wants to play when. So we're communicating a lot more this year than previous years.”
While members of the staff team focused on playing strategy and communicating with each other, the students walked into the game with specific goals they wanted to achieve. “I’m not violent, [but] I want to try to get Mr. Clear, and if not him, I want to get Ms. Leach,” senior Rishit Choudhari said. “I want to see Mr. Clear upset and frowning.”
The game began with the students and staff tying with a score of 10-10 in the first set. However, the students edged ahead during the second set, having a strong lead of 25-19. The final set saw both teams exchanging points in a close contest, but the students pulled away in the final minutes to secure the 36-30 win.
Senior Mihir Peta was crowned MVP for the second time, his first after the 2022 Students vs. Staff Volleyball Game for his dedication to ensuring the student team won. “I don't want to sound cocky, but it was expected, to be honest,” Peta said. “I won it sophomore year, I should have won it junior year, but I couldn't play. So I came back for redemption senior year.”
✏️ and 📷 by Ananya Karthik, Sophie King, and Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)