![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)
Waiting for the conductor’s mark, the musicians strengthened their grips on their instruments or prepared their vocal chords as they prepared to play in one of the biggest concerts of their lives.
On April 19th, Rock Ridge Band and Rock Ridge Sings sent three students — one for band and two for chorus — for the All-Virginia concert in Richmond. The musicians practiced day and night for the concert, mastering the pieces they were soon going to play for an audience. Senior Arun Jannupreddy is a clarinet player, and he spent a lot of time working on the song “Steampunk Suite” by Erika Svanoe. “We did a lot of rehearsing over three days; I think we had 20 hours of practice, so it was a lot of work,” Jannupreddy said.
To qualify for all-state, students had to have gotten accepted into the all-district level of band, chorus, or orchestra. They are then allowed to audition for all-state, for which the acceptance rates are slim. Additionally, the highest scorers from the district band also had the opportunity to participate at the state level. “If you get a high enough chair, you can get an audition to all-states; it takes a few months of preparation to get a high chair for this,” Jannupreddy said.
In addition to practicing for the concert, students were subject to an even more rigorous schedule on the days leading up to the concerts. The event took place at the Richmond Convention Center and students from all aroundVirginia attended the concert. The event fueled students’ love for music and led them to realize that they wanted to pursue it in the future. Senior Ananya Akula wants to be a chorus director in the years to come. “Through chorus, I found and connected with many people I probably wouldn’t have [otherwise],” Akula said.
Sophomore GraceMonét Carper was also selected for all-state chorus after putting in the work practicing every day, even when it was stressful. She powered through, knowing that her corner was filled with support. “Mr. Markwood was always there for me; so was Ananya, [who let] me know that I got this in the bag,” Carper said.
Mr. Markwood called my parents on my phone and said, ‘Hey, we need to talk about Grace,’ and [my parents] were, like, ‘Oh my God, is she okay?’ And [Markwood] said, ‘Oh, yeah, she just got all-state!’
After being told that Carper got into all-state, she and Markwood played a playful prank on her parents. “Mr. Markwood called my parents on my phone and said, ‘Hey, we need to talk about Grace,’ and [my parents] were, like, ‘Oh my God, is she okay?’ And [Markwood] said, ‘Oh, yeah, she just got all-state!’” Carper said.
