![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 Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Loudoun County School Board held its monthly Tuesday meeting. During the meeting, Rock Ridge was recognized for various accomplishments and contributions during the school year thus far.
Senior Sanjana Rao has been an active member of the Student Council for three years. She’s part of the school’s theater and debate teams. Rao spoke to the school board about the school’s achievements and plans for upcoming events.
Superintendent’s Report
During the Superintendent’s Report, Rock Ridge was recognized along with five other LCPS schools placed in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for literary magazines in Virginia. Rock Ridge’s literary magazine, The Renaissance, placed First Class. “I think we definitely deserve it because we all worked really hard on it, and have spent a lot of time designing and choosing all the pieces; we really tried to pick the best ones that best represent the student body,” Maddineni said. “The design aspects [helped us win], for sure, because I know Mrs. Greiner [along with Susan Spengeman] places a lot of emphasis on that, and we spend two weeks at the end of the year going all out on the design of the Lit Mag. We really want to make it look nice and put a lot of thought into different design elements to emphasize different parts of the pieces we write.”
Sanjana Rao: Rock Ridge Representative
Senior student representative Sanjana Rao discussed the accomplishments of Rock Ridge High School this year, mentioning various events hosted by the SCA such as homecoming which had over 1000 attendees, hallway decorating which resulted in a win for the junior class, class of clans, a kickball game between the senior and junior classes, and the “Phoenix Pheud” on Feb. 23.
Rao also discussed athletic accomplishments such as the Men’s Varsity Basketball team holding the current record of 13-6, the Rock Ridge swim team heading to districts, and the Volleyball team scoring 18-5 overall and 9-0 in districts.
The debate team had one team win 4-0 in junior varsity and two teams place in varsity in the recent Washington Arlington Catholic Forensics League (WACFL) competition. They have four qualifiers for metro finals in varsity and seven in junior varsity bringing the overall number of qualifiers to 11 with one more tournament left in the year.
The school newspaper, The Blaze, was awarded first class and trophy class for the print magazine production and the online content for the 22-23 school year at the Virginia High School League Media Championships respectively.
The performing arts department performed “Treasure Island” in the fall and “Rent” in January, which they will perform at the International Thespian Festival in June. They were one of the nine schools selected internationally to perform a mainstage show at the festival.
Cell Tower
The Finance and Operations section of the meeting provided updates on the 140 ft cell tower built on Rock Ridge property next to the football stadium. According to the School Board agenda, A Grant of Easement (which is a right to use someone’s property for a specific reason) was proposed for allowing wireless carrier company, Verizon, “to install and maintain fiber optic communication lines for the existing cell tower on the Rock Ridge HS site”
The school board members reviewed the easement to find if there would be any damage done to the school and students by the proposition. The board approved this easement, and chair Melinda Mansfield was authorized to sign the easement agreement.
The next school board meeting will be held on Feb. 27.
