![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)
![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)
Friday, Sept. 22 marked the first activity block day for the Rock. Students were given the chance to connect with clubs and student-led organizations that interested them. Additionally, if they needed to get some work done, quiet spaces were provided for them which acted as miniature study halls.
The schedule operated like an advisory day: blocks were shortened by a couple of minutes each to make space for an advisory block in between the third and fourth blocks. Instead of an advisory block, students were able to choose a classroom from around the school where a cardinal day club would be meeting. The list of clubs was divided into two groups: cardinal days and gray days.
A few of the spaces available for students on Friday were the DECA chapter in room 1302, Esports Club in room 1211, and quiet spaces in multiple rooms across the school.
During the days preceding Friday, members and officers of clubs met up and planned out how to best show their clubs to both new and returning members. DECA officers, such as DECA Vice President Ashrita Challa, wanted to give a good first impression of the chapter during their presentation meeting. “We’ve been planning for this activity block for about a week,” Challa said. “[We wanted] to make the meeting not only informational but fun.”
A club expo was held before Friday, giving clubs a chance to advertise their clubs to interested listeners. It was held in the main and auxiliary gyms, with students being directed from their advisory in sections to give ample space for everyone to see all the clubs they wanted.
The variety of clubs available gave students a wide selection of activities to choose from; students could meet up with sports they were interested in, find honor societies to find volunteer hours and credits or join a club full of students with similar interests for rest from academies.
Since this was the first cardinal day of the school year, many clubs used it to introduce all the basics of their club to attending members. Model UN, a club dedicated to showcasing and then acting out the work of the United Nations, used Friday to introduce new members to the officers of the organization. Nayaja Khanna, an officer of Model UN, was the lead speaker during their meeting. “There were a lot of new potential members who showed up,” Khanna said. “[Because of that], I took the opportunity instead to tell them what Model UN is all about.”
Students, club officers, and staff reception was positive, with students being given the chance to connect with groups with similar interests, officers being able to advertise the club they’re passionate about, and staff members being able to account for every student’s safety.
For the rest of the school year, students will be able to meet with a club every Friday, save for weeks with an altered schedule; with cardinal and gray days alternating each week.
