![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)
![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.jpeg)
![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)
Senior’s Say ‘Goodbye’ at Final Band Concert of the Year, While United Sound Members Greet ‘Hello’ With First Ever Performance
On May 25, the Rock Ridge Band closed off a year of success with their end-of-year concert, highlighting the United Sound program, aiming to help bring music to special-needs students.
@rockridgeband / Rock Ridge Bands instagram
United Sound group members pose for a picture after the end of their first ever performance, where they played ‘Forward March’ by Paul Murtha alongside the Rock Ridge band Wing Ensemble. The United Sound group was founded this year with the mission to ‘Foster Social Change Through Music.’ The group meets twice weekly, where student-teachers of the band, orchestra and choir department help teach music to students with special needs.
June 8, 2023
On May 25, 2023, the Rock Ridge high school band performed their end-of-year concert alongside the 8th graders of the Stone Hill Middle School band and the United Sound program. This event marked the first appearance of the United Sound music education entity on the Rock Ridge stage.
The night started off with the introduction of the United Sound program, a student–led program with the aim to help special needs students connect to and learn music. The program brings choir, band, and orchestra students together with special needs students, in the effort to help those learn new instruments, which junior Ananya Akula described as being “all about friends helping friends.” On May 25, they had their first performance alongside the Wing Ensemble, the upper entity of the Rock Ridge band department, performing ‘Forward March’ by Paul Murtha.
Akula, choir student and one of the chapter presidents of the United Sound chapter board, described this course as a “life-changing elective.” “It gives students in the special education department [the opportunity to] experience the joy of music, something that they haven’t experienced before,” Akula said. “I literally feel a glow in my heart. [It] is something so special and unique to see their perspectives on this world. I always enter and leave this classroom with a smile; it’s just such a joy to be a part of this.”
After the United Sound members posed for a photo and proceeded to leave the stage, the Wing Ensemble performed two more songs — “Amazing Grace” by Ryan Nowling and “Strathcarron” by Phillip Sparkle before band director Justin Ratcliff acknowledged seniors and students that had made outstanding achievements during the year. Among others, Ratcliff paid special recognition to senior Parv Gosai and sophomore Karis Huang, who got into the all-state band, as well as sophomore Arjun Alagappa and senior Casie Peng, who were alternates.
Led on by Stone Hill middle school band directors Brian Morton and Matthew Pazanowski, the 8th grade band took the stage soon after, performing “Bizarre” by Randall Standridge, “Photo Finish!” by Brant Karrick and “Pirates of the Caribbean” by Micheal Sweeney. This group of talented rising freshmen promises hope for the future of the Rock Ridge band.
As the middle schoolers were walking off stage to take seats, the second Rock Ridge band, the Concert Band, came on stage to perform “The Forgotten Village” by Micheal Oare and end the night with “Torrents of Fire” by Larry Neeck.
Senior Aadit Motwani felt pride for the hard work put in by his fellow band members and his own efforts, for his last band concert. “I’m very proud of the work that I put in myself and I am very proud of the stuff my classmates have achieved,” Motwani said. “I think this year, I’m going to look back on as I go forward to college as a very fond memory.” Motwani’s favorite aspect of being part of band is seeing everyone striving to constantly improve. “We may not be the most talented players at all times, but I know that everybody wants to improve.”
For senior D’Amora Brunson, performing her last band concert on stage made her realize how much she loves music. “Playing my last concert made me realize that music is definitely something I want to stick with in college and past college as well,” Brunson said. “I just love making music. It tells a story with notes.”
While being an emotional night for seniors, performing for their last time on stage with the band, the concert brought in an exciting and charged feeling of a new beginning with the United Sound’s first performance.
