![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)
![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)
Varsity Boys Soccer Springs into the Spring Season with a Scrimmage
On March 7, the Phoenix boys varsity soccer team went up against the Millbrook Pioneers for their first scrimmage of the 2022-23 spring season. The game ended with a score of 1-1.
Freshman Brian Ayewouadan keeps the ball in his possession as he tries to move it away from the Pioneer defender. “We could have definitely had more goals, and our strikers were a little bit off. This was my first varsity [game] as a freshman, and I was kind of nervous, but I actually did pretty good,” Ayewouadan said.
March 9, 2023
As the 2022-2023 spring sports season began, returning and new varsity soccer athletes tested their skills and teamwork with their first scrimmage on March 7. The boys had to play through cold weather and harsh winds, something they felt had a negative impact on their performance. “The conditions last night were pretty harsh, with the wind and the cold, so I think that kind of took a toll on not just me but a lot of the players,” junior Ibbi Rostom said. Fortunately, the athletes had support from not only team members and coaches, but also Phoenix soccer alumni Tai Trieu and Mo Hammadi.
The Phoenix started off the game strong with good teamwork and communication. However, despite their effort, the Pioneers took the lead in the first half with a score of 1-0. The Pioneers continued to stay in the lead throughout the first half and second half. However, with only about 10 minutes left on the clock, sophomore Rishit Choudhari scored a goal with the assist of sophomore Hylay Assefa. “I wasn’t having a great game until [I made that goal], so it felt really good,” Choudhari said.
Despite efforts from both teams to score a goal in the last few minutes, the game ended with a tie of 1-1.
The Phoenix boys felt like they had a lot of improvements to make after the scrimmage, but they were also hopeful for their future as a team. “For it being the first game of the season, I felt that [the team] had been playing together for like three years,” Rostom said. “There’s still a lot we need to work on, but we’re a young group and I think we have the mentality to keep working hard and move forward. This is a new formation for a lot of us, including myself, but there were a lot of guys going forward and it felt like the guys were comfortable taking players on and being creative.”
The next home game will be on Wednesday, March 15 against the Riverside Rams.
![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)