![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 May 20, Rock Ridge High School virtually held its “All School Awards” ceremony congratulating the freshmen, sophomore, and junior class students for their effort and diligence.
Students were given awards from all the school departments: math, science, social science, English, language, fine arts, and physical education. A total of 136 awards were distributed among the classes.
Sophomore Reshmitha Rajagopal received the AP Computer Science Principles & Geometry award. “It was totally unexpected,” Rajagopal said. “It gave me some hope for next year. I worked hard, for sure, so it gave me some self-confidence and courage for [upcoming years]—that I can give my 100%, and I can work towards it and I can achieve it, so it’s definitely motivation for the upcoming years.”
According to Rajagopal, the award helped meet her goals and boost her self-confidence after being at Rock Ridge for only a little over a year. “I would say that it’s a motivation and a booster for my confidence. It made my parents [proud], and that is something that I felt happy about [since that is a goal I’m working toward]. Especially being a new student, it wasn’t easy, but I made it and that’s a win.”
Junior Ginny McGee received four awards: AP Calculus BC, Latin Student of the Year, Latin Residential Governor’s School, and Outstanding Tech Theatre Performance. “I’m probably most proud of my Calculus BC award because I was not expecting [it],” McGee said. “I skipped Calculus AB, so I didn’t exactly have the firmest grasp as to what was going on in that class, [but] I love math.”
McGee also enjoyed receiving the Latin Student of the Year award. “I love Latin,” McGee said. “It’s so fun. It’s basically a puzzle, and since it’s not spoken anymore, it’s a good secret language. It’s been preserved so well. I mean, we’ve lost a lot of stuff that’s written in Latin, but they’re finding new stuff and that’s really exciting. I also love researching history, and so Latin combines that very well. It’s just amazing. Another thing I love about Latin is that we have a club so people who don’t have room in their schedules for the class can still learn the same stuff!”
Junior Troy Boateng received the Outstanding Band Award and the Tri-M Service Award. “The Outstanding Band award is [when] the director, Mr. Ratcliff, picks who he thinks is the best student of the year,” Boateng said. “[The people who receive the] Tri-M Service Award is whoever shows that they’re a leader within the club.”
Boateng enjoys band and playing his instruments. “I’m really passionate about the subject,” Boateng said. “I was just doing whatever they told me to. I would go the extra mile occasionally, I guess, when it came to preparing music and things like that. My favorite part [about band is] the freedom I have with my instrument to play whatever kind of songs I want to. I play the euphonium and the tuba.”
The 2024 All School Awards Ceremony was an overall success, honoring the recognized students and all their achievements.
