![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)
![Gracing stages, football games, and even the big screen, Taylor Swifts popularity doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon as she’s been almost everywhere on social media, and just this December, [Swift] won TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year award. This brought along magnificent pictures of Swift, articles praising her, and some controversy between Swifites (Swifts most devoted fans), and other people on whether or not she should have won this award.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taylor-swift-person-of-the-year-1-1094x1200.png)
I’m at “Quiet Space” Right Now
During activity blocks on Friday, the quiet rooms hosted by several different teachers allow a space for students to do work and catch up with classes.
Students find history teacher Katharina Felts’ quiet space to be very productive because of the time available to students. The room has been available to students during activity block since the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
January 25, 2023
In the beginning of this year, Rock Ridge instituted activity blocks on Fridays, which have been a great way for students to participate in different clubs and activities that further their interests. However, if students do not want to take part in any club, there are quiet spaces which allow students to focus on work, allowing time for students to catch up with any class work. Several members of the student body find the quiet rooms as a great place to get work done.
Quiet rooms are a great place for students because they allow students in all grades to be productive. “My favorite thing about the quiet spaces [are] that they provide a safe space to relax and rest,” sophomore Dorsa Baghaei said. It is also a way for students to take breaks and reset for the rest of the day.
Several staff members enjoy this time as well. History teacher Meghan Adair finds the quiet rooms to be a great resource for students. “Sometimes it’s a sensory overload, and sometimes you just need a space to either decompress, or study, or to focus on whatever is on your to-do list,” Adair said. “You have a little chunk of time in the middle of Friday to get yourself sorted out.”
In addition, the quiet rooms are a great place for you to catch up with anybody, while also getting work done immediately. “I think my favorite thing is getting to see my old students; they have been the ones who have been coming back into my classroom, so it is wonderful to have them,” Adair said.
Quiet rooms allow time to not procrastinate and to focus on the work that needs to get done immediately and any pending assignments. It is an innovative way for students to focus and be productive. Some might discourage using the quiet spaces because the activity days allow students to join clubs; however, it can be great to not only work, but catch up and meet with people. As a student here at Rock Ridge, the quiet spaces are a great place to engage in work and to talk with friends. Also, several students can take time for themselves to take a break.
The quiet spaces are always available to students on activity days if they do not prefer a club. The quiet rooms are available during activity days on Friday. A list of the rooms can be found here.
![Gracing stages, football games, and even the big screen, Taylor Swifts popularity doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon as she’s been almost everywhere on social media, and just this December, [Swift] won TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year award. This brought along magnificent pictures of Swift, articles praising her, and some controversy between Swifites (Swifts most devoted fans), and other people on whether or not she should have won this award.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taylor-swift-person-of-the-year-1-547x600.png)
