![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)
Phoenix Celebrate Unique Traditions This Holiday Season
As the weather continues to drop and the holiday season continues, traditions of all sorts come to life. From baking cookies to hanging up ornaments, students participate in a variety of rituals celebrated around this time of year.
Shaila Patel via Adobe Express
Many students at the Rock participate in something creative and unique to celebrate the holidays.
January 4, 2023
Holiday cheer kicked off after Thanksgiving came to an end. Students, staff, and their families came together to celebrate the holidays of the winter season. With winter break right around the corner, the aroma of tradition fills the air. Family get-togethers are coming up soon as everyone prepares to go home or travel for the holidays.
Sweet Rolls And “It’s A Wonderful Life”:
Math teacher William Driggers spends the holidays surrounded by his family.
Q: What holiday do you celebrate around this time of year?
A: [My family and I] celebrate Christmas around this time of year.
Q: Do you have any traditions that your family does together?
A: We always watch ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ on Christmas morning, and my mom has a recipe for sweet rolls – they are frozen dough that have a syrup all over the top.
Driggers loves his mother’s baking, especially her sweet rolls. “Technically, I have the recipe but I, myself, have not made it…she does it best,” Driggers said.
Decorating And Baking:
Junior Haley Sutton spends the holidays with her family at home, baking and decorating together.
Q: What holiday do you celebrate?
A: I celebrate Christmas.
Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition?
A: My family and I like to make Italian cookies; [the recipe is] passed down through my family. My grandmother made them and her mom taught her how to make them. [These traditions] make me look forward to the holidays.
Pickle Ornament:
English teacher Jennifer Beasley also has a family tradition that makes Christmas a fun experience for her kids and family.
Q: What’s one tradition that you do with your family?
A: [My grandparents] always hung a pickle ornament on the tree and whoever found the pickle got the money in it. It became a fun thing, like who found the pickle first on Christmas morning or who got to open their presents first.
Carrying on the tradition of the pickle ornament, Beasley hides one for her kids to find. “And now, my parents [make] sure we [have] a pickle to hang on my christmas tree [for my kids to find],” Beasley said.
Cooking Garlic Mac & Cheese:
Sophomore Nivi Mohan enjoys spending the holiday in the kitchen cooking her family’s favorite food.
Q: What holidays do you celebrate?
A: I’m not Christian, but [my family] still celebrates Christmas.
Q: What do you like to cook on Christmas?
A: [My favorite thing to cook is] baked mac and cheese. I first saute garlic and then make a garlic oil and use it to make a rue with three different kinds of cheeses. We [also] love biryani in our household [and it has been passed down through generations of our family].
Q: What is your favorite tradition?
A: [My whole family doesn’t] have work or school, so we are all together and Christmas is the only time we play monopoly.
![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)
