![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)
Phoenix Soccer Fans Embrace the World Cup
The month-long competition of the World Cup started on Nov. 20, 2022 and concluded with Argentina beating France in penalties on Dec. 18, 2022. At RRHS, students watched the games throughout school, including during lunch. The final game had a peak viewership of 25 million viewers, making it one of the largest sporting events of all time.
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Messi versus Ronaldo, a rivalry which started when the two athletes were in Barcelona and Real Madrid, is now one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.
January 25, 2023
The World Cup is the biggest and most popular global sporting event. On average, the worldwide event garners 227 million viewers per day. During the World Cup, 31 countries progress from the group stages all the way to the final until one country is crowned as the winner. While 2022’s World Cup was located in Qatar, the United States reached record high viewership, as this was the first time in decades that the U.S. made it past the group stages of the tournament. The rise in viewership was caused by a variety of factors, including social media, the U.S, Japan, and South Korea’s journey to the round of 16, and the showing of the World Cup in schools.
Many FIFA fans and soccer players believe the 2022 World Cup to be one of the greatest showings of soccer talent of all time, as well as a send-off for this generation’s greats. The talents of Neymar Jr, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo took to the fields — all decorated athletes who will be retiring in the coming years, and are possibly participating in their last World Cup. This World Cup will not only act as a passing of the torch to the next generation of talents, such as Kylian Mbappe, but also help conclude the debate on who the greatest of all time (GOAT) is between soccer legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi was known as the best soccer player, scoring 794 goals in 1004 games, but Ronaldo made the title debatable, scoring a total of 819 goals during his career. However, now that Messi has won the World Cup, his legacy appears secure.
Sophomore Mariam Zaky, who plays soccer for a club, has been following Brazil’s matches. “My favorite player is Neymar, and I really want him to win this World Cup because he does not get as much recognition as Messi or Ronaldo,” Zaky said. “As for the GOAT debate — Messi is better.”
Sophomore Elieser Santas has been following all of the World Cup games and is a Brazil and Mexico fan. However, he also admires Messi. “I believe Messi is the greatest player of all time,” Rosas said. “He controls the field, scores goals, is a great playmaker, and has the most assists of all time.”
However, unlike Zaky and Santos who have strong favorites, many others at Rock Ridge like junior Janna Abuyaman were split on who to cheer for. “I want Argentina to win, but I’m sad that Germany lost because I have their jersey,” Abuyaman said. “I also really want Morocco to get the final, because they’re the last Muslim country.”
With the world cup coming to an end with Argentina’s win over France in penalties 4-2, Messi has finally added the elusive Word Cup win to his decorated career. However, with every champion, there are numerous losers as well. “Watching Brazil lose to Croatia was heartbreaking” Zaky said, “Brazil is one of the stronger teams when it comes to penalties, so it was really unexpected. It was entertaining to watch Neymar in the world cup however the way he was eliminated felt cheap in a way.”
![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_0154-600x400.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_0057-600x331.jpg)