![Junior Diya Arun stares out a window. For Arun, the winter season brings out the holiday blues. “ I think [the winter] has a negative effect on my mental health because I feel like the cold weather and people around me are also sadder [and] that affects me,” Arun said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_8047-1200x800.jpg)
![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)
Phoenix Take Flight Against the Falcons in a Double Header Matchup
On Monday, Jan. 9, both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams went up against the Briar Woods Falcons in a double header game. The game ended with the Phoenix girls team coming up short with a score of 61-14, and the boys team winning 61-48.
Junior Cora Bowen dribbles the ball towards the basket, following a turnover that led to Phoenix possession.
January 31, 2023
On Jan. 9, the Phoenix girls and boys varsity basketball teams came out at home and played against the Briar Woods Falcons. Senior team captain, Sruthi Dacherla, gained the Phoenix their first points with a three-pointer during the first quarter. The girls continued to play hard with great energy, but the first quarter ended with 3-18, Falcons in the lead. “[I think I bring] more energy and positivity [to the team],” sophomore shooting guard Kalen Walker said. The Phoenix scored 11 more points by the end of the game, but lost against the Falcons, with a score of 64-14.
With a relentless drive and passion to win, the Phoenix boys put up 61 points against the Falcons. From the tipoff, senior Basit Quadri, junior Kyle Desai, and sophomore Mekhi Motilewa got points on the board for the Phoenix. “A lot of the stuff that I did [last night] didn’t show up on the stat sheet but I was able to open stuff up for other guys,” senior power forward Nick Canfield said. “And I think I played my best defensive game of the year last night.” From the bench to the starting five, they were able to stay on top by ending the half with 33-15. Even though the Falcons made their efforts to push the Phoenix down, they were still able to rise and come out on top. The Phoenix boys kept up their hard work throughout the game and ended with a score of 61-48.
![On Friday, Dec. 19, seniors filled the library for the winter senior breakfast event, put together with the help of administrators and parent volunteers. Excitement and joy filled the atmosphere as the Class of 2025 filed into the school library to celebrate their four years of accomplishment as students.
The menu for this breakfast was an assortment of sweet treats: donuts, apple and orange juice, coffee, hot chocolate, and gingerbread cookies. Students were able to decorate their own gingerbread cookies with a variety of different icing and sprinkles to choose from. The tables were decorated with blue tablecloths to celebrate the winter season. Plates and napkins also followed the holiday theme.
Senior Blessing Amuga attended the event for her friends and the food. “This time [the breakfast was better because] there were many activities,” Amuga said.
In the midst of the festivities, students were provided with the opportunity to vote on one of four designs on the front and two designs on the back for their senior class shirt design. They are able to submit their designs by Dec. 18 for a chance to be selected as the winning design.
✏️ and 📷 by Ryan Desiderio, Rachel Bhardwaj, Sitwat Mian](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)