![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.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)
Homecoming week at the Rock spanned from Sept. 23 to Sept. 28 and featured spirit activities like a Clash of the Classes kickball game, Hallway Decorating, a Homecoming pep rally, and tailgate, all organized by the Student Council Association (SCA). Students had the opportunity to earn spirit points for their class by dressing up for spirit days like “Cowboys vs. Aliens” and participating in lunch games like “Doughnut on a String.” This year’s Homecoming theme, “X-traterrestrial,” hinted at the school’s 10-year anniversary and Rededication Ceremony, which took place the same week. On Friday, Sept. 27, the Phoenix football team defeated the Luray High School Bulldogs 37-30 in the annual Homecoming game, and the week concluded with the Homecoming dance on Saturday night, where students came together to celebrate under the out-of-this-world theme.
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
From Sept. 23 to Sept. 28, Rock Ridge celebrated an “X-traterrestrial” Homecoming week, filled with class competitions, spirit games, and a memorable 10-year anniversary celebration for the Rock.
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About the Contributors
Rachel Bhardwaj, Staff Writer
Rachel Bhardwaj is a second year staff writer on the Rock Ridge Blaze who likes drawing, sketching and singing when she's not doing hip hop dancing. She hopes to join DECA and Debate and more clubs as the year goes by. Her goal for the year is to learn more about visual media and create more visual media. She joined this class because she likes writing about her opinions and expressing her thoughts . Outside of class she wants to pass junior year and hopefully pass her AP exams and the SAT. She also started tutoring sessions for K-5 students to get ready for the year.
Melissa Waas, Managing Editor
Melissa Waas, a senior, has been a part of the newspaper staff for three years, and is one of the Managing Editors for the Blaze. She enjoys participating more in the media and video aspect of the Blaze. Even outside of the paper she loves making videos and has favored art and making things visually. Her goals as a journalist this year are to continue contributing to the multimedia department of the Blaze and recruit more students to join. Melissa heavily encourages people to get out of their comfort zone, and try something new in the Blaze, like the multimedia aspects. She really enjoys writing about social issues in our world and finds they can be more challenging than we realize since the facts are not always obvious. She participates in many school extracurriculars: Peer, Wings, and NEHS. Melissa moved from France to the United States in 2020. Her family was looking for an adventure, and chose the U.S. to explore new horizons. She is an extremely creative person, who is always looking for something new to learn.
Aline Gonzalez, Multimedia Editor
Aline Gonzalez is a senior and the Multimedia Editor for The Blaze. This is her fourth year on staff, and her passion for journalism started in third grade after joining her elementary paper. On the staff, she enjoys writing impactful opinion pieces to give a wider perspective on various topics. One of her proudest accomplishments was writing a piece on pronouns and the way schools use them now. Her goal in newspaper this year is to fulfill her editor position by having a video or podcast up every month. In the future, Aline wants to pursue law and criminology, as well as eventually go into journalism. She plans on joining the Mock Trial club at Rock Ridge this year to fuel her passion for law as well as the Hispanic Latinx club to connect with her heritage. Her other hobbies include reading, pet-sitting animals, and staying active by going to the gym.