![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)
A Story Told Through A Cart
A cart filled with goodies such as school supplies (markers, paper, post-it notes, erasers, etc.), and different types of candy were pushed around the hallways every day for the teachers to take for their classes during Teacher Appreciation Week.
May 24, 2023
Teacher Appreciation week is a national event that celebrates the teachers’ hard work and the dedication they have for the wellbeing of their students. This year, there were many different activities and events for the teachers to participate in. Lunch from Moby Dick’s, the snack and supply carts that were pushed around, smoothies, breakfasts, and gift card raffles were all a part of this special week to thank our hardworking teachers. “I wanted the teachers to feel we care about them,” said PTSO board member and Teacher Appreciation Week organizer Lisa LaBianca. “We also wanted it to not be a hassle or be disruptive [for them] to participate in all these activities.”
Jordan Markwood
Excited to see the cart coming down the hallway, chorus teacher Jordan Markwook is excited to pick out goodies from the snack and supply cart. “I really liked [the snack cart],” Markwood said. “I honestly got a bunch of snacks and my study hall students proceeded to eat all of it, but I did get some butterscotch candies that I actually got to enjoy.”
Meghan Adair
Since the supply cart was also present at the teacher appreciation breakfast that was held, social studies teacher Meghan Adair was so glad she still got to pick out supplies for her classroom. “We did the smoothies, the lunches, the breakfast, it was just all so nice,” Adair said. “When you pair it with all the stress of AP and SOL testing, it’s such a nice, bright spot in our day.”
Heathre Mills
As the cart enters the fine arts hallway, art teacher Heathre Mills examines the goodie-filled cart approaching her. “I really appreciated it,” Mills said. “I got a bunch of pencils and some sticky notes, which I use all the time in my classroom.”
Jennifer Virbikis
In the athletics hallway, athletic director Jennifer Virbikis looks through the delicious snacks that are provided on the snack and supply cart. “It was nice especially because it came to me towards the end of the day,” Virbikis said. “Especially because of the earlier lunch schedule, the end of the day drags on a little bit, and this really brightened up my day.”
Sara Watkins
English teachers Sara Watkins and Suzanne Dellinger pick out different snacks and supplies from the cart. “It’s nice to know that we’re appreciated and that there’s someone out there planning to give us all gifts and treats,” Watkins said. “I really appreciate what the PTSO does for us teachers.”
![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)
