![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.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)
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
From doing lighting design for over two dozen shows for Rock Ridge Performing Arts (RRPA), to becoming Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook and Chief Executive Officer of RRPA, senior Jack Capobianco has achieved a lot over his four years at Rock Ridge, all while overcoming obstacles that COVID pushed in the way.
May 31, 2023
In this 23-Questions-style interview with RRPA lighting design legend senior Jack Capobianco, he discusses designing light for over two dozen different shows, holding responsibility in leadership positions, and discovering his passion for Yearbook design. Capobianco’s love and dedication for theater, and his hours spent after school and on weekends around the sets of “Matilda,” “Big Fish,” or “Xanadu,” has won him several awards, such as a superior for Lighting Design in 2022 at the International Thespian Festival. His responsible work ethic and reliability has earned him the position of Chief Executive Officer of RRPA as well as Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook. The Blaze staff interviewed him to reflect on his high school experience and his lighting design journey.
![In a historic presidential election, voters nationwide turned out to make their voices heard. Virginia’s 10th congressional district had three key national positions up for election: president, senator, and representative.
In the race for the House of Representatives seat previously held by Democrat Jennifer Wexton, the Republican Party nominated Mike Clancy, while the Democratic Party put forward Suhas Subramanyam, a former Virginia General Assembly Senator. Subramanyam won the seat with a 52% majority.
For one of Virginia’s Senate positions, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao faced off. Kaine took the position with a 54% majority.
For the White House, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fought to obtain the 270 electoral votes needed to get the bid. News outlets worldwide tracked the results live, with close attention to seven key battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump ultimately crossed the 270-vote threshold early on Nov. 6, with the swing states playing a pivotal role in his campaign’s success.
This election was the first presidential race for many Gen-Z voters, who entered a sharply polarized environment. Adela Booth, mother-in-law of Representative-Elect Subramanyam, traveled from Connecticut to support his campaign, encouraging young voters to engage in the political process. “Vote,” Booth said. “Get involved in politics. Even [if] you don’t think it applies to you, it applies to you. You will carry this debt. It will affect your grandchildren and you have to do something about it. You can’t sit back and watch anymore.”
✏️ and 📷 by Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)