![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)
Oct 29th -Nov 9th Round-Up: Cross Country Advances to Regionals; Midterm Election Rundown; Mass Shooting at a Pittsburgh Synagogue.
Cross country moves forward in the postseason competition, Midterm elections results, tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue, and Starbucks’ latest brew
A memorial dedicated to the victims of the Pittsburgh mass shooting stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue. On Saturday, 11 people were killed and six were injured during a massacre allegedly fueled by anti-Semitism. (Photo by Andrea Hanks/White House)
December 12, 2018
1) Cross country qualifiers ran in the Regionals on November 1 after placing in the top five schools during the district competition. Alex Gordon, Ava Gordon, Taylor Semon, Kylie Sturman, Sarah Chevraux, Lauren Harrison, and Emmalee Ayala represented Rock Ridge in the Girls division. Boys’ cross country placed third in districts. Daniel Umana, Charlie Blundell, Nathan Jones, Ronan Stone, Joel Viola, and Andrew Kuo ran on behalf of the boys’ division.
2) Voters headed to the polls on November 6 for the 2018 Midterm Elections to fill 470 vacant Congressional seats. Virginia’s status as a swing state during the 2016 election cycle elevated tensions in the 10th District race between incumbent Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Democratic State Senator Jennifer Wexton. A poll conducted by the Washington Post placed Wexton above Comstock with a 13-point lead leading up to the election. Winning 56% of the vote, Wexton will represent VA-10. Comstock’s defeat dealt a blow to the Republican party as they lost control of a Congressional seat that was held for 38 years.
Also on the ballot were two proposed tax amendments; the Property Tax Exemption for Flood Abatement and Remove Restriction on Residence for Surviving Spouse of Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption Amendment. The former was a proposal to allow local governments to provide a partial tax exemption for property that is susceptible to recurrent flooding if measures have been taken to mitigate flooding. The latter was a proposal to remove the restriction on the location of the surviving spouse’s principal residence in order to receive a property tax exemption. Both ballot measures received a majority “yes” vote. Subsequently, they will go into effect on January 1, 2019.
3) On Saturday, October 27, a mass shooting occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 and injuring six. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) says that the shooting is likely the largest attack on the Jewish community in US history. The suspect, Robert Bowers, faces 29 charges at federal and state levels—including multiple counts of hate crimes, reported CNN. The suspect was vocal in expressing anti-Semitism on social media leading up to the attack. President Trump visited the Squirrel Hill community on Tuesday, attempting to console a grieving nation amid talks about his inflammatory rhetoric.
4) Starbucks unveiled its annual Halloween-inspired drink. The Frappuccino—aptly named “Witch’s Brew”—is an amalgamation of an orange-flavored cream base and chia seeds. The drink’s vibrant purple and green hues stay true to the essence of the holiday. Limited edition beverages are often considered to be novelty drinks that receive mixed reviews from customers. “I don’t think they taste all that great, but I’ve heard good things about this one,” said Andrew, a Starbucks barista. It is worth trying the drink for its nostalgic Orange Creamsicle flavor and for the Halloween spirit it conveys.
