![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)
Spirit Week
The week began with “Game Day,” also known as Jersey Day, on Tuesday. Phoenix repped teams from around the world with jerseys from hockey to basketball. On Wednesday, humor and creativity came together as many out-of-the-box carriers roamed the halls for “All Fun and Games,” or Anything-but-a-Backpack Day. After a day filled with microwaves and shopping carts, students were able to be more laid back in their “Game Night” pajamas on Thursday.
Attempting to switch things up, the SCA introduced various lunch game challenges throughout the week. From guessing the number of candies in a jar to volunteering for a game of “Twister,” students were given the opportunity to see a different side of spirit week festivities.
The week concluded with the annual all-black attire for the football game and a new lunch game involving partners, a fishing line, and a glazed donut. “Having to sit still so I could eat the donut was definitely the biggest [challenge] of the lunch game because [senior] Raushan [Goureddy] kept on hitting me with it on my head,” senior Hari Kommu said.
Pep Rally
As the black monochromatic outfits filled the bleachers, the marching band welcomed the students by playing “War,” the Phoenix fight song. Once all classes were settled, senior Ananya Akula sang the National Anthem to kick off the pep rally festivities.
Following the introduction of the homecoming court with various partner run-out and handshake combinations, a few of the nominees competed in a dress-up competition involving a tiara, a tutu, and a creative proposal sign. The juniors were the first team to beat the clock and triumphantly get down on one knee.
Following the quick change challenge, humanities teachers went head-to-head against STEM teachers in a staff dodgeball game. With intense staredowns from both sides, the cutthroat action of the game left the entire gym cheering for their favorites to win. “I did dodgeball last year; I always have a lot of fun with it,” science teacher Stephen Spruell said. “You kind of get caught up in the moment and it goes by like a blur, so there is really no [clear] strategy other than ‘grip and rip it” — throw it as hard as you can and [hope] you hit somebody.” Spruell’s team ultimately took the win after a combined effort to topple the “last man standing,” chorus teacher Jordan Markwood.
SCA class representatives from each grade level then came out from behind the scenes to compete against one another in a game race, including themes such as “Subway Surfers.” Each of the four members needed to recreate the chain reaction path the person in front of them took, as fast as they could, to win the event.
After the senior class got to the finish line first in the relay race, the classes competed in the annual spirit stick competition, with the sophomores ultimately being awarded the honor by Spruell for chanting their cheer the loudest.
