![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)
From the Ashes: Rock Ridge’s Historic Homecoming Victory
The Rock Ridge Football team emerges, ready to play Freedom.
December 6, 2018
Friday, October 5, 2018, marked the first victory of the season for Rock Ridge’s Varsity Football team when they defeated Freedom High School with a decisive 44 – 14 score.
“It’s been a disappointing start [to the season], not the start we wanted,” admitted Bradley Burzumato, an assistant football coach for Rock Ridge, “but we’re finding the small victories to grow on.” The team had had a rough beginning this year with a streak of six consecutive losses.
However, prospects were not entirely bleak; Freedom High School was stumbling over to Rock Ridge after suffering serious losses — they, too, had failed to win a game all season. It truly was a face-off between the two underdogs of Loudoun County.
Rock Ridge did not disappoint. Their historic win on Friday was the first Homecoming victory and the only game where they had won by more than a touchdown. Step aside, Freedom, and find your laurels elsewhere; Rock Ridge triumphed this time.
In the weeks preceding the game, the team practiced tirelessly. “We put our time in it; we deserve to win,” said Sophia Brown, cheerleader Olivia Brown’s mother. The players prepared for the game by watching film of the opposing team and observing their techniques and implementing special plays said Burzumato. However, they faced a few obstacles due to injuries sustained during the game that hindered their strategy.
Going into the event, the fans—from both Rock Ridge and Freedom—had a positive attitude. “We’re going to win this game,” said Edward Hilbert, football player Bradley Hilbert’s father, without hesitation. It seemed to be a common mantra for both parents and students of Rock Ridge.
To the players and coaches, the Homecoming game is not like other games; it adds pressure on the team. The crowd and the energy fuel the team’s morale, driving them to play their hardest, and in this case, make history. Head Coach Robert Lalli said that the players have formed a bond with one and other and they have learned to motivate each other without being negative. Their ability to say “I got you, I’ll pick you up, I’ll make a play,” has had a very positive impact on their playing ability.
Rock Ridge surpassed Freedom in the third and fourth quarters, concluding the game with a 30-point lead. As the clock counted down to the final seconds, enthusiasm poured from the team and its fans, culminating in a massive display of pride as spectators stormed the field.
“I want to cry. I want to sob uncontrollably. I’m so happy—this is the best day of my life,” exclaimed Bradley Hilbert, a defensive linebacker. Friday’s post-game celebration, a blatant display of school spirit, brought together fans who, like the team, felt rejuvenated following the monumental win.
With renewed vigor, the team and its coaches faced the rest of the season head-on. “[It’s] our first Homecoming win, so I’m excited for the team, excited for the future. Hopefully, we finish the season strong,” said wide receiver DJ Davis, voicing a sentiment shared by his team and its fans.
![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-600x411.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_5383-600x449.jpg)
![Freshman Daniela Rojas attempts to steal the ball from the opponent. “This game was kind of an off day, but it happens. [We’ve] definitely had a lot of improvement since our first game.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_5600-600x400.jpg)
![Throughout the season, senior Dillon Brooks (left) and junior Aiden Patel (right) have been regularly practicing to improve their skills. The rest of the golf team has been doing the same. “Nine times out of ten, [practice] is with all of [the golf team] collectively, “ Brooks said. “And then, some people might go out to the course, and some people might stay back. Its dependent on what our coach has for us to do that day.” This year, golf is coached by physical education teacher Jason Geyer, along with Mark Sheptock, who volunteers to coach the team.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-28-at-1.50.38-PM-600x407.png)
