![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)
On Oct. 18, the United States celebrated Unity Day. Founded by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, it is celebrated every year on the third Wednesday of October. The goal of the day is to pledge to end bullying by wearing orange.
Unity Day started as Anti-Bullying Day in Canada in 2007. People wore a pink, blue, or purple shirt on Feb. 27 to stand against bullying. As the years went on, more and more celebrities, such as Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper, wore orange on Unity Day on their shows to promote it, according to the PACER official website. It made the day more popular across the country and resulted in increased awareness of bullying.
The counseling staff carried out the responsibility of informing students about Unity Day and wearing orange in support of preventing bullying. School counselor Jennifer Domingues made sure the news about the day was in Principal John Duellman’s email announcements, the morning news, told during advisory, and informed the teachers to tell their students during class.
Domingues is very passionate about Unity Day because of her own experience watching others getting bullied. She believes that school is supposed to be an educational, fun place and that no one has the right to bully anyone else for any reason. As one of the school counselors, it does affect her if she finds out about someone getting bullied. She believes that the day will help us be better citizens in our communities.
“We want everyone to be respected and feel like they’re a part of our school,” Domingues said. “You guys are here for so many hours each day, so if that time is spent getting bullied, that is not going to feel good.”
Senior Naolee Makonnen supports Unity Day and wanted to dress up in orange, but did not own any. Still, she was a champion for the causes of the day. “Bullying concerns me because it is a painful experience that can break someone’s confidence,” Makonnen said. “I firmly disagree with it and believe everyone deserves respect and kindness.” She believes that the cause is important and would hate to see someone getting bullied.
