![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)
Phoenix Face the Falcons in the Battle of the Birds
The Phoenix boys varsity soccer team went up against the Briar Woods Falcons as their season started fresh with new and returning players. The game ended with a Phoenix loss of 6-1.
Running towards the ball to get it to the other side of the field, sophomore captain Rishit Choudhari makes several advances to try to get the ball to the goal. “We did a great job keeping our head up [during the game],” Choudhari said. “Even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, we all played really well.”
March 31, 2023
On Thursday, March 23, the Phoenix varsity boys soccer team battled it out on the field against the Briar Woods Falcons. The game started off with both the teams at an even score, but picked up when the Falcons got a lead by scoring a goal over the Phoenix early in the game.
The Phoenix made strong attacks and had good rhythm in the first half, but quickly fell behind as the Falcons dominated the field. “Something that we need to work on is distributing the ball well,” junior Keyaan Bashir said. “But, we did possess the ball well in the back.”
Even with numerous player substitutions and different plays made to try to get an advantage over the opposing team, the Falcons continued to stay in the lead for the first half, ending with a score of 3-0. The second half started with a bang as the Phoenix got better at keeping possession of the ball. During the last nine minutes of the game, sophomore Yousuf Odai Jami scored their first goal of the night, assisted by sophomore Rishit Choudhari. “I felt so good [after scoring the goal],” Jami said. “I couldn’t have imagined that.”
Despite a few opportunities for the Phoenix to score a goal in the last few minutes of the game, they were unable to repeat their tally. Although the team didn’t get the results that they wanted, they kept encouraging each other on and off the field. “I’d like to shout out the whole team really,” Choudhari said. “We’re still a good, hardworking team and I totally see us winning games.”
The Falcons scored the last goal of the night with seconds to go on the clock to end the game at 6-1.
The next home game will be on Monday, April 17 against the Loudoun Valley Vikings.
![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)