![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)
The class of 2024 gathered in the library for their winter senior breakfast on Friday morning, Dec. 15, to interact with friends and peers. The event was made possible through the assistance of parent volunteers and organizers.
Parent volunteer Le Trieu wanted to make the event special for her daughter. “This is my last [kid] here, so I wanted to be here for her and her friends,” Trieu said. “I know a lot of her friends. [The preparations were easy.] It was easy to show up and try to make it special to the seniors.”
Seniors had to be “RSVP’d,” to eat the burritos and juice that were being served. Students could choose between various flavored juices, coffee, water, and burritos from Anita’s, a restaurant on the rise in Ashburn, serving New Mexican-style food.
However, senior Ankita Kamath was expecting a different menu for the breakfast.“It’s pretty cool that they got burritos from a different place, and that there’s coffee. But I was expecting some donuts,” Kamath said. “I think the fact that they put this together is pretty amazing, but a [few] more options would have been better.”
Kamath wanted to make her last year more special with her friends. “[I came here] to spend time with my friends because we’re all leaving next year, so it’s nice to spend as many moments together as possible,” Kamath said.
While enjoying their breakfast, important class updates were shared with the seniors; they were asked to vote on possible class trip locations and their graduation speakers through a QR code presented on the screen. The staff is continuing to collect senior fees through the online payment portal to purchase the caps and gowns.
Senior Soham Chandra attended the Senior Breakfast to hang out with friends. It was also something new that he wanted to explore. He enjoyed it due to the company of his fellow seniors and the good food. “I feel that we should go to some sort of amusement park for the senior trip,” Chandra said.
The breakfast was a success, leaving only a few suggestions from the senior class about the food, saying more variety should be offered.
