![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)
Summer Job Fair Kicks Off New Opportunities For Students
On March 27, the 2023 Job Fair opened up a plethora of opportunities, from internships to work-study programs for various high school students. Attendees had the opportunity to roam around the gym and explore the opportunities available in the DC metro area.
Expressing his interest in the Marines as a possible career, junior Emmanuel Bankole signs up for one of the various programs offered by their display. The Marines came to the job fair to provide students with multiple pathways with a fast-track to joining the Marines, like summer programs, the Marine Reserves, or scholarship opportunities.
March 29, 2023
On March 27, Rock Ridge hosted the annual part time and summer job fair. The gym was packed with high school students from every grade and different schools.
People came for opportunities to improve their skills, get good contacts, and/or make money. The available jobs ranged from helping the army, to being a swim instructor for young children.
Like many other students, sophomore Zahra Amusa had a goal in mind while she was looking for a job. “I’m looking for something fun and interactive to get money and buy stuff,” Amusa said.
Amusa found interest in working at a beauty salon called Sweet and Sassy. “It seems fun because they have this training program where they teach you how to do basic stuff like hair, makeup, and nails, working with kids, and keeping a positive attitude,” Amusa said.
As kids wrap up the school year in June, they may want a job that feels low stress. Sophomore Siham Sabriyes’ main goal was to find an “easy” and “flexible” job. “I have things I have to do over the summer, but I also really need a job over the summer,” Sabriye said. Sabriye also has a few jobs in mind that she would like to choose from. “I would like to work at a resort, because it seems like an easy and chill job, or at Brusters, since I like ice cream,” Sabriye said.
Independence High School freshman Jivraj Narula speaks to the representatives from Creative Dance Center about summer job opportunities. The dance center is looking for dance teachers and assistant teachers with experience with children, to help kids learn new types of dances and Arts and Crafts classes during their Summer Camp Program. Each week will have a different theme, with dance moves following the theme. For example, the first week will be Disney movies, with lead teachers needed in the morning from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., while assistant teachers are needed from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and in the afternoon just lead teachers are needed from 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
Photo by: Aline Gonzalez
Juniors Danny Nguyen and Adrian Mata explore opportunities for a summer job. Coming to the job fair allowed Mata to expand his horizon of potential jobs and get some spending money. “I’m really looking to get experience and build my resume,” Mata said “And tailor things that I’m doing this summer and throughout senior year into what I want to pursue in college.” The job fair gave both Mata and Nguyen the chance to explore possible careers and meet supervisors and employers for companies that are in their range of interests.
Photo by: Rachel Adams
Risa Sanders, president and owner of Oasis Concessions, presents information about job opportunities to families. Sanders wanted to find young enthusiastic people who have initiative and good time management skills to fill the roles such as cashier, Dippin’ Dots server, or cook. “People come into this position and they find that they’re developing skills, becoming better multitaskers, becoming more organized, and learning about business,” Sanders said. “They start to see how those skills really translate into a professional work environment.”
Photo by: Shaila Patel
Sophomore Elizabeth Bodman returns to the job fair to help other students find jobs. Bodman got her job as a cashier at Meadows Farm at the job fair in the previous school year, and she helps sell mulch, trees, and soils, and sometimes gets the opportunity to work outside and be physical. “I really do like the outdoors, and I decided to apply [because] I came to the career fair last year and this really caught my eye,” Bodman said.
Photo by: Shaila Patel
Sergeant First Class John Santos, U.S. Army reserve recruiter for the Loudoun County U.S. Army recruiting station, speaks to the benefits of working for the army. The army offered over 150 entry level jobs including medical, cybersecurity, law enforcement, and aviation. “We’re looking for open minded people, [who are] patriotic and open to options,” Santos said.
Photo by: Shaila Patel
Beckstrom Electric Senior Project Manager and Apprenticeship Director Tom Foreman explains the full time positions available. Foreman offered graduating seniors full time apprenticeship jobs at Beckstrom Electric. “I’m looking for anyone who’s ready to get into the trade, start an apprenticeship, and end their career doing this,” Foreman said.
Photo by: Shaila Patel
Rebecca Yanchus, swim instructor and community manager for Let’s Swim Incorporated, outlines the structure of being a swim instructor for multiple years. The company hoped to attract anybody who likes kids, as children are the primary target audience for the swim school. “I’ve been teaching for six years now, and you get to see these kids go from being scared to go underwater to swimming laps across the pool, so it’s super rewarding,” Yanchus said.
Photo by: Shaila Patel
Freshman Connor Bultema stumbles upon the Bruster’s table during the job fair. Brusters is an ice cream shop that recently expanded along the East coast. It originated in Pennsylvania and is a hot spot for families on hot summer days. “I came with an open mind, mostly looking for money and opportunity,” Bultema said.
Photo by: Rachel Adams
![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-600x400.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_3870-600x471.jpeg)
