The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
Freshman Ayan Chethan performs butterfly stroke.
Athlete of the Week: Ayan Chethan
Sophomore Brayden Coleman sets up the Phoenix offense against the Loudoun County Captains on Jan. 23.
Athlete of the Week: Brayden Coleman
Ethan Duval smiles for a photo.
Athlete of the Week: Ethan Duval
Sophomore forward Shawn Makassi goes up strong in an attempt to dunk the ball.
Athlete of the Week: Shawn Makassi
Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.
Phoenix Freeze at the Hands of the Vikings
Senior Abby Knick prepares to bump the ball.
Phoenix Falter on Senior Night against Panthers
Senior quarterback Xavier Smith clutches the ball as he avoids Tuscarora’s defense.
Phoenix Fall Short Against Huskies
Junior right side hitter Jahnavi Kundoor sets for Junior middle blocker Katelyn Weicker.
Phoenix Volleyball’s Wings Clipped by the Knights
Sophomore Sudhi Gudimettla jumps to hit the ball over the net.
Wolverines Scratch Out a Win Against Phoenix
HRR boys' hockey team gathers together for a group photo. “We were all on the bench, excited. I couldn't wait for the game to end to see the medals,” Freshmen Forward Noah Wilkins said. Photo courtesy of Bhavitha Doma.
Rock Ridge Hockey Wins Big in Provisional Capital Cup Championship
Sophomore Addison Copeland jumps over hurdles during the girls 55m hurdles event.
Sprinting to States: 11 Athletes Qualify for State Meet
Senior Dawson Boupha scores the team’s first 3 points of the game and his last 3 points of the season.
Seniors Put a Lid on the Season and the Patriots
Sophomore small forward Shawn Makassi takes the ball from the tip-off. “We did get some easy buckets, and in the 2nd half, we did do better on defense, so that's what I really like,” sophomore shooting guard Ashwin Rapolu said.
Spartans Storm Past Phoenix
The girls basketball team huddles while Coach Joseph Smith explains the strategy. “Our coach is there for us,” junior Nada Elsayed said. “He definitely knows what he's doing.”
Despite Strong Start, Phoenix Flamed by Pride
Senior David Cheong attempts to stop the Dominion Titans from scoring a goal.
Boys Lacrosse Tumbles to Titans
Number seven, Senior Jackie Malapira attempts to attack the Loudoun County net.
Phoenix Turned to Ashes in 3-15 Loss
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
Senior Sreeram Gourineni tosses the ball high in preparation to serve.
Tennis Seniors Take Their Bow Before Playoffs
Junior Aidan Lita steps up on defense.
Huskies Extinguish an Injured Phoenix Squad
Subhashree Munagala puts in diligent efforts to help animals live a better life.
Leader of the Week: 10 Questions with Animal Alliance Leader Subhashree Munagala
Reagan Sutton performs as Rusty in RRTA’s production of “Footloose” this fall.
Leader of the Week: 9 Questions with RRTA President Reagan Sutton
Debate President Parth Jaiswal manages his time with discipline, friends, and a little bit of fingerpicking.
Leader of the Week: Parth Jaiswal
The Mock Trial club hosts an after school meeting on Mondays. Senior Mahika Talaulicar stands at the front of the classroom, going over Mock Trial’s most recent defamation case.
Leader of the Week: 10 Questions With Mock Trial President Mahika Talaulicar
President Laura Adams takes on new challenges and keeps the Rock Ridge Choir Board running effortlessly.
Leader of the Week: 8 Questions with Choir Board President Laura Adams
Writing not just till the end, but for myself and the people I love.
Chang’s Swan Song: Writing My Way Out
Thank you Newspaper for helping me find my words, on and off the website, and thank you for showing me that my full potential is not just in the words I write on paper, or on a website, but also the ones that I speak out loud and the ones that I share with others.
Challa Swan Song: Finding My Words
To newspaper, the people in my life, and fate, thank you for this unexpected yet thrilling life journey. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kalluri’s Swan Song: Right on Time
Through taking photos, I found a way to share how I felt, even when I didn’t know how to say it.
Gerardi Swan Song: Not Just a Class Assignment
Sometimes life will show you so many light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnels, it becomes an overwhelming and blinding light. All you have to do is figure out which path you want to take, and follow that light til’ the end.
Manchala Swan Song: We Ended Up Alright
Do AP’s matter?
Do AP’s matter?
How Was the American Music Awards In 2026?
How Was the American Music Awards In 2026?
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Wrestler Rex Lawless celebrates a successful takedown during the main title fight.
Virginia Championship Wrestling Visits Rock Ridge
Gas prices remain at significantly higher levels amidst months of Iran-U.S. wars.
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge's Lead Security Officer
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge’s Lead Security Officer
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The official poster of the movie. Photo courtesy of A24.
Movie Review
The Backrooms Movie: Out of this World

Arjun Chand, Staff Writer | June 10, 2026

Read Story
Latest Arts & Entertainment
The cast and crew of “Hadestown Teen Edition” at the Glamies Gala. Photo courtesy of Raine Surla.
RRTA’s Production of “Hadestown Teen Edition” is “Livin’ It Up On Top” at the Glamies Gala
Megan Marr, Staff Writer • June 9, 2026
BTS’s “Arirang” explores new musical styles, and the album cover reflects the project's experimental release. Photo courtesy of Spotify.
BTS “Arirang” Soars, Even if it Occasionally Stumbles
Divitha Mathe, Opinion Editor • May 15, 2026
The final season of “The Boys” premiered its first two episodes on April 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime.
The Boys Final Season: Still Waiting?
AJ Aluko-Apata and Gavin Fortuno • May 5, 2026
The cover art of the book “Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir. Promotional cover art provided by Random House Publishing. Photo courtesy of Will Staehle.
Project Hail Mary: A Stellar Masterpiece
Arjun Chand and Kaushal Kalluri • April 29, 2026
Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic” offers his usual smooth production and themes of romance, while showing more maturity and depth. Album art distributed by Atlantic Records.
Bruno Mars’ New Album “The Romantic” is Actually Romantic
Lia Davis and Mariia Pecherkina • March 5, 2026
As of Feb. 10, 2026, the movie has received 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88% from audience reviews. Courtesy of Markiplier Studios.
Iron Lung Wrestles With the Iron Clad Truth: It’s Meh
Arjun Chand, Staff Writer • February 20, 2026
Orpheus (senior Andrés Marrero) and Hermes (senior Marian Lindsay) sing and dance to “Wait For Me.” “Orpheus has a lot more connection to the environment around him,” Marrero said. “He's very connected to everybody in the story.”
RRTA Hits the “Road to Hell” with “Hadestown Teen Edition”
Megan Marr, Staff Writer • January 31, 2026
On Dec 12, 2025, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” was released on Netflix.
Secrets, Suspects and Sins: The Newest “Knives Out” Mystery Delivers Them All
Lucinda Eskandar and Sophia Dabre • January 26, 2026
“Stranger Things” has remained one of the most popular shows among teen audiences. With the release of Season 5, volume 1, the series raises the stakes as it approaches its final chapter.
“Stranger Things” Season 5 Review: An Epic Start to the End
Tanvi Challa, Staff Writer • December 20, 2025
The DMV has a lot to offer when it comes to holiday fun, including the Jingle Paws Parade in Middlesburg on Dec. 20.
Local Holiday Activities That Put the “Win” in Winter Break
Lucinda Eskandar, Sophia Dabre, and Mariia Pecherkina • December 17, 2025
On Oct. 24, "Regretting You” was released in theaters. Instead of being an emotional and heartfelt film, it ends up being predictable and inconsistent, leaving viewers regretting how they spent their time.
Regretting You: A Movie I’m Still Regretting
Lucinda Eskandar and Sophia Dabre • December 1, 2025
The starting menu of “No I’m Not a Human” from Steam, created by game studio Trioskaz.
“No I’m Not a Human” is Approved By Humanoids
Arjun Chand, Staff Writer • November 22, 2025
Ariel Moore (sophomore Emersyn Moskal), Ren McCormack (senior Ryan Hart), and Rusty (senior Reagan Sutton) dance to the song “I’m Free / Heaven Help Me.”
Several of the movie posters are shown. Starting from the top left and continuing down the rope, the movies are “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Black Phone”, Smile 1, Smile 2, Insidious, IT, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” contains 12 tracks that describe her view of what being a showgirl, a girl who loves being in the spotlight, is really about.
The album cover of “More Chaos” features a faceless Ken Carson in a blood-spattered shirt, visually capturing the album’s violent, chaotic tone, though the music rarely lives up to the image.
Warner Bros’ latest game-turned-movie adaptation released on Friday, April 4 with a rather destructive response for a more-or-less forgettable movie. “A Minecraft Movie” promotional poster by Mojang
Senior Isabella Hasbun puts her costume on, getting ready and into character before the rehearsal.
As the first person to sign their certificate, senior Ricardo Diaz starts his path towards joining the U.S. Air Force.
After a lawsuit against Tiffany Smith, the manager and mother of popular child influencer Piper Rockelle, for alleged assault of the minors, many speculations were made regarding the rumors and if they were true. Netflix’s “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing” seeked to clear up the mystery and share stories from the victims about their experiences with Tiffany. Courtesy of Netflix
Latest Print Issue
Movie Reviews
Album Reviews
The cast and crew of “Hadestown Teen Edition” at the Glamies Gala. Photo courtesy of Raine Surla.BTS’s “Arirang” explores new musical styles, and the album cover reflects the project's experimental release. Photo courtesy of Spotify.The final season of “The Boys” premiered its first two episodes on April 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime.The cover art of the book “Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir. Promotional cover art provided by Random House Publishing. Photo courtesy of Will Staehle.Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic” offers his usual smooth production and themes of romance, while showing more maturity and depth. Album art distributed by Atlantic Records.
Album Review
BTS “Arirang” Soars, Even if it Occasionally Stumbles

Divitha Mathe, Opinion Editor | May 15, 2026

Read Story
Arts & Entertainment
The Boys Final Season: Still Waiting?

AJ Aluko-Apata and Gavin Fortuno | May 5, 2026

Read Story
Movie Review
Project Hail Mary: A Stellar Masterpiece

Arjun Chand and Kaushal Kalluri | April 29, 2026

Read Story
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