![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)
Monday: Candy Cane Day
On Monday, students wore red and white to closely resemble a candy cane to kick off the winter spirit week. The lunch game was trivia questions, where SCA handed out sheets and announced the questions over the speaker. Most students preferred to work in teams with the people they were sitting with.
Tuesday: Spotify Wrapped
Flooding the halls on Tuesday were various artists and their merchandise. People dressed either for or like their top artist on their Spotify Wrapped. The lunch game was to guess how many cotton balls were inside of a mason jar. Students were able to come up to the table at the front of the cafeteria and submit a Google Form with their guesses. Senior Karla Jaen-Valle participated in this lunch game. “It’s my senior year, and I want us to get the most spirit points,” Jaen-Valle said.
Wednesday: Wake Up Wednesday
On Wednesday, Phoenix came to school with their pajamas on. Many students brought blankets from home, and eye masks, and wore the classic plaid pajama pants. The lunch game was a partner effort — one student had to dangle a donut above another student’s mouth, and to win, the entire donut needed to be eaten. The teams were based on grade.
Thursday: Slay v. Sleigh
Dawning the school were either classy business attire or ugly Christmas sweaters –no in-between. The lunch game for Thursday was guessing what object was inside of a mystery box. At one of the tables in the front of the cafeteria, two boxes were presented to the students with two holes large enough to fit arms on the side of them. A Google Form was provided for students to submit their guesses.
Friday: Glow Out
In preparation for the pep rally, students dressed in colors corresponding to their grade level on Friday. Freshmen wore green, sophomores wore orange, juniors wore white, and seniors wore pink. Out of all the spirit days, Friday had the most Phoenix participation. To conclude the week, the lunch game was to decorate a gingerbread cookie in under three minutes. “I didn’t really have a method,” senior Emily Spielman said. “I just thought of Christmas stuff, so I made [my cookie] look like the Grinch. [And] for three minutes, I would say [my cookie] looked pretty decent.”
