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  • 12/13 Holiday
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Junior Diya Arun stares out a window. For Arun, the winter season brings out the holiday blues. “ I think [the winter] has a negative effect on my mental health because I feel like the cold weather and people around me are also sadder [and] that affects me,” Arun said.
Searching for Cheer at the End of the Year: RRHS Supports Students Navigating the ‘Holiday Blues’
DECA members compete in both writing and role-playing events at the conferences with the goal of preparing leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing and management. Courtesy of Rock Ridge DECA via Instagram
DECA Comes Back for Another Year of Competition
Junior Parth Jaiswal was a guitarist and the only Rock Ridge representative for the All-Virginia guitar ensemble who performed in Norfolk, Virginia to showcase the talent Virginia high school guitar has to offer.
Strumming Along: Parth Jaiswal Joins Guitarists From Around Virginia to Perform for Music Education
Students in the senior section cheer in hopes of winning the spirit stick.
Phoenix Fly into the Holidays with Winter Pep Rally
From the beginning of second quarter to the start of Thanksgiving break, all first, fourth, sixth, and eighth block classes competed to have the lowest absence rate. The prize for the winner acted as an incentive for students to stay in school.
A Reward for Showing Up: New Attendance Competition Implemented
Senior Akash Kulkarni passes to senior William Beck through a Lion’s defensive player to shoot at the hoop.
Phoenix Boys Basketball Swipe Away Win from the Lions’ Paws
Sophomore Eryn Chamoiwa (14) shoots a free throw after getting fouled.
Phoenix Resilience Shines in a Fierce Battle Against Bulldogs
Phoenix/Heritage players meet at the bench to discuss the upcoming play with Coach David Bultema.
Phoenix/Pride Fight Down-to-the-Wire Against Panthers/Titans
Left to right: senior William Beck, Junior Dawson Boupha, and junior Lucas Wilsey.
Boys Basketball Tryouts Come to a Conclusion, with New and Old Faces on Varsity
The student team poses after the game with the trophy, which they won after defeating the teachers 36-30.
Students Spike Their Way to Victory in Annual Students vs. Staff Showdown
Freshman Anshika Atluri charges for the ball on the wing as a Titan player sprints to catch up on the defense.
Titans Attack Phoenix Field Hockey in 8-0 Loss
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.
Set, Spike, Win, Repeat: Phoenix Serve The Huskies
Senior Aiden Patel swings his club aiming to get close to the hole. He ended the season undefeated and qualified for the All-State Virginia golf team. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Virbickis
Phoenix Golf Hits Into Green This Season
Junior Xavier Smith, a wide receiver/defensive back, breaks a tackle. Smith ended the day with 59 rushing yards and six receiving yards.
Annual Homecoming Football Game is Out-of-this-World
Senior running back Shamar Ferrell celebrating in the endzone after narrowly avoiding a Patriot player.
Phoenix Football Proves Patriotism Against Patriots During America Out
Senior Akash Kulkarni passes to senior William Beck through a Lion’s defensive player to shoot at the hoop.
Phoenix Boys Basketball Swipe Away Win from the Lions’ Paws
Sophomore Eryn Chamoiwa (14) shoots a free throw after getting fouled.
Phoenix Resilience Shines in a Fierce Battle Against Bulldogs
Phoenix/Heritage players meet at the bench to discuss the upcoming play with Coach David Bultema.
Phoenix/Pride Fight Down-to-the-Wire Against Panthers/Titans
Left to right: senior William Beck, Junior Dawson Boupha, and junior Lucas Wilsey.
Boys Basketball Tryouts Come to a Conclusion, with New and Old Faces on Varsity
Junior defenseman Connor Bultema dumps the puck in the offensive zone as the Phoenix/Pride watch from the bench intently.
Meet the Team: Phoenix/Pride Hockey Starts Season on Fire
Senior Kaushik Muskari: “This might be my favorite season out of all four years because we’ve been winning a lot and I’ve been spending a lot of time with the team and on the court. When we don’t have a match, we usually have morning practice, and it’s a really good time for team bonding and working on everything that we need to on the court. My favorite part of the season has been when I won region doubles with my partner so now we’re progressing to states. I’m planning to continue tennis at George Mason University and major in computer engineering, so I’ve got a long road ahead of me.”
Tennis Triumphs: An Insight Into the Champions
Junior Lilia Jones has exemplified what it means to be a Phoenix. Although she partakes in many activities, she still finds a way to juggle her personal life with her school life -- and on top of her busy schedule, she also holds the title of all-state athlete. Photo courtesy of Lilia Jones, graphic by Rodrigue Gomado
Lilia Jones Leaps Over Hurdles of High School
Senior Teyany Kleiner looks to take the lead away from a Huskies runner and a Wolverines runner. Kleiner became the regional runner-up after racing in the 100 and 200 meter.
Phoenix Leave a Blazing Trail for Track Regionals
With his eyes on the ball, senior Aryan Dhiman swings his racket hard in order to get an advantage over his opponent.
Phoenix Tennis Teams Take the Title at Districts
Seniors Sierra Bell and Ashi Akula advance upfield with the ball.
Phoenix Girls Lacrosse Displays Impressive Effort Against Briar Woods
The art of the album is a piece of art created by Takashi Murakami, a legendary contemporary artist, commemorating Juice WRLD and his legacy. Courtesy of Grade A Productions and Interscope Records.
The Final ‘Goodbye:’ Juice Wrld Releases His Final Album
FIT’s Campus in Midtown, Manhattan. Ajay Suresh via Wikimedia Commons
Fashion Students Inaugurate Their Craft in FIT’s “Beyond” Showcase
Swift looking out at the audience, sharing a heartfelt moment during the surprise song segment of “The Eras Tour”.
The Top Five “The Eras Tour” Mashups That Shake It Off
On Nov. 22, Kendrick Lamar released an album with no warning titled “GNX.” The album is an intense narrative of Lamar’s perspectives of the music industry and culture in general. Photo Courtesy of pgLang
‘GNX’: The Cherry Atop Kendrick Lamar’s MVP Season
Senior Ragya Verma engages in “#19, Treasury of Scales” by Justin Ratcliff, playing the clarinet.
Rock Ridge Bands Wrap Up the Year with a Bow at Annual Winter Concert
A new data center operated by STACK Infrastructure, a major fiber carrier, is being constructed on Lockridge Road in Sterling, and it will be a key part of Loudoun County’s data center alley. The center will take up 72 megawatts of power and hold three buildings of up to one million square feet.
Data Center Danger: Uncontrollable Growth Harms Loudoun County
FIT’s Campus in Midtown, Manhattan. Ajay Suresh via Wikimedia Commons
Fashion Students Inaugurate Their Craft in FIT’s “Beyond” Showcase
Students are greeted with a display of new books when walking into the Rock Ridge library. The school library serves as a quiet place to study and a place for students to find unique books and resources.
From Books and Resources to Safe Havens: Libraries Are in Decline, But They Won’t Grow Obsolete
Black Friday is slowly declining, and needs to come back, as it is a big part of holiday traditions.
Is Black Friday Over? The Slow Fade of America’s Shopping Frenzy
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Students roast marshmallows over the fire pit, ready to make smores and watch “Home Alone 2” during the Frost Fest.
Freezing Fun: Annual Winter Frost Fest Brings Chilly Cheer
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
Classroom Conversations: All About the College Route
Classroom Conversations: All About the College Route
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Classroom Conversations: The Cell Phone Policy
Classroom Conversations: The Cell Phone Policy
Students roast marshmallows over the fire pit, ready to make smores and watch “Home Alone 2” during the Frost Fest.
Freezing Fun: Annual Winter Frost Fest Brings Chilly Cheer
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
Senior Pranjal Deshmukh carefully applies paint to the outline of her name on a Barbie box parking spot design. At the annual parking spot painting event, rising seniors got a chance to claim a parking spot; brainstorm a personal design; come equipped with gallons of paint, various brushes, and rolling pins; and have fun coloring the asphalt with friends and family.
Class of 2025 Makes Their Mark in the Parking Lot
At the U.S. Air National Guard stand, two guardswoman talk to interested students and parents about participation and college programs offered. Other divisions of the military, like the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force attended the event as well, spreading information about their various scholarships and military programs.
Making Connections and Seeking Opportunities: Over 1000 Students Attend the Annual Summer Job Fair
SPED Dean Jesse Hudson fist bumps sophomore Keira Bacas as she steps out of the school bus to begin her first day of school on Aug. 24. Teachers and students were excited to return back to school for Rock Ridge's 10th year and were looking forward to starting the school year with new projects.
Welcome Back, Phoenix!
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Students roast marshmallows over the fire pit, ready to make smores and watch “Home Alone 2” during the Frost Fest.

Freezing Fun: Annual Winter Frost Fest Brings Chilly Cheer

Mariia Pecherkina, Shivu Sathe, and Melissa Waas
December 20, 2024
A new data center operated by STACK Infrastructure, a major fiber carrier, is being constructed on Lockridge Road in Sterling, and it will be a key part of Loudoun County’s data center alley. The center will take up 72 megawatts of power and hold three buildings of up to one million square feet.

Data Center Danger: Uncontrollable Growth Harms Loudoun County

Sanvi Challa, Staff Writer
December 19, 2024
The end of the class rank system marks the start of the new Latin Honors System, dividing students into distinct honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.

Removal of the Ranks: LCPS Redefines Student Success

Sanvi Challa, Staff Writer
December 3, 2024

New Perspectives: Introduction to New Teachers

Maya Coleman, Sanvi Challa, Zahra Hameed, Azciel Goodhart, and Rachel Bhardwaj
November 30, 2024
Ramses, played by junior Andres Marrero, and Tuya, played by senior Kaylie Rivers, hug each other in their grief after saying goodbye to the dying Pharaoh Seti, played by Palmer Joly. In the play, Ramses, who recently got appointed Viceroys, is left with the title and power of Pharaoh and the responsibility of leading Egypt after his father’s death. Photo Courtesy of Scott Sikes

First in the Nation: Rock Ridge Performing Arts Pilots High School Production of “The Prince of Egypt: The Musical”

Sitwat Mian, Divitha Mathe, and Melissa Waas
November 23, 2024
Classroom Conversations: All About the College Route

Classroom Conversations: All About the College Route

Azciel Goodhart and Aline Gonzalez
November 19, 2024
Signs litter the lawn surrounding Rock Ridge High School discussing candidates running and their promises.

Polarized Politics: The 2024 Election Season

Shivu Sathe, Lead Copy Editor
November 19, 2024
Lightspeed is a technology management software that provides visibility of students’ devices during class time, ensuring engagement and productivity during school hours. Rachel Bhardwaj and Divitha Mathe

Watchful Eye: The Implementation of Lightspeed in LCPS

Rachel Bhardwaj, Divitha Mathe, and Sitwat Mian
October 28, 2024
Junior Laura Adams puts her phone into the device holder at the beginning of her AP Language and Composition class.

From Phone-Friendly to Phone-Free: Virginia Dept. of Education Implements State-Wide Cell Phone Policy

Sanvi Challa, Melissa Waas, and Sophie King
October 24, 2024
If a LCPS student attempts to open a Pinterest page on a school device or school Wi-Fi, they are met with a blocked notice featuring the link name accompanied by the comment “is not available because it is categorized as Pinterest.” Many other pages are banned under the category of “mature art” or “games,” so it is notable that the platform has received its own block category.

A Block on Creativity: LCPS Broadens Website Bans to Include Pinterest

Azciel Goodhart, Staff Writer
October 17, 2024

‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock

Rachel Bhardwaj, Melissa Waas, and Aline Gonzalez
October 4, 2024
Senior class officers Jackie Cheek, Saanvi Movva, and Maanu Karthikeyan demonstrate to the other SCA officers how the Tropical Relay race works. Games like this were the main highlight of the pep rally as competitive spirit grew over the week, eventually culminating in a faceoff between the Phoenix football team and Clark County on Friday, Aug. 30.

Shaking Up Tradition: Pep Rally Schedule Gets a Fresh Twist

Samantha Chang and Aline Gonzalez
September 5, 2024
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