![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 Thursday, April 11, the gym was packed with students as the final pep rally kicked off celebrations for the end of the spring season. SCA put together a fun-filled pep rally with games like human bowling and teacher races.
The students took on the challenge of class cheers, as they competed to be the loudest to win the spirit stick. The freshman took home the spirit stick in addition to their overall win during this spirit week. Freshman Keeya Makonnen participated in the spirit week and was surprised with the freshmen winning the spirit week. “That was a first,” Makonnen said. “Seniors always get it, so I’m so happy that we won.”
SCA President Maggie Miller noticed the excitement from the underclassmen. “I think the freshmen and the sophomores had a lot of spirit and it was really fun,” Miller said.
The gym was filled with loud cheers and screams as the cast of “Frozen” took the floor to perform a part of the song “Fixer-Upper” from the upcoming play. They demonstrated their dancing talents as they put on an energizing performance for their classmates.
The preceding spirit week was filled with fun days, from dressing up like minions to acting like a “soccer mom” or “barbecue dad.” Students got many opportunities to earn points throughout the week by both dressing up and participating in the lunch games presented by SCA.
Through the spirit week and the pep rally, the Phoenix community came closer together to celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of summer. Students put in their best efforts to get their class final points for the year in an overall effort to win the spirit stick. This final pep rally was an exciting start to the final quarter of the 2023-24 school year.
