• Important Dates -->
  • 12/9 Pajama Day
  • 12/10 Ski VS. Surf
  • 12/11 Jersey Day
  • 12/12 Flannel Day
  • 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
Abby Welch

Abby Welch, Staff Writer

Abby Welch is a freshman at Rock Ridge who just moved here from Arizona! She loves cheer, dance, and being with her friends and family. She is also an aspiring doctor and author!

All content by Abby Welch
After weeks of hard work, members of the Rock Ridge debate team qualified for Nationals, placing in the top 100 teams. Sophomore Veer Sidhu worked for the most time on his research. “You need to know a lot about the topic before you can write your case,” Sidhu said.

Phoenix Debate Argues Their Way to Nationals

Divya Iyer and Abby Welch
June 15, 2022
Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and more star in Marvel Studios newest blockbuster hit, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”

Multiverse of Madness Breaks Records and the Multiverse

Divya Iyer and Abby Welch
May 20, 2022
Choir Director Jordan Markwood receives the Washington Post and LCPS awards for Teacher of the Year, as Mentoring and Coaching Supervisor Julie Baye applauds him. Looking back at receiving the award, Markwood said he was humbled. “I don't do any of the things I do to receive recognition, it's more about sharing a passion for what I love, and helping my students,” Markwood said.

Lunchtime Games, Spirit Day Celebrate Director Jordan Markwood as Washington Post Teacher of the Year

Aarohi Motwani, Nanaki Bawa, Mariam Abdelsayed, and Abby Welch
May 11, 2022
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill takes away students’ integrity and secludes LGBTQ+ youth from their peers.

Let’s Say Gay

Divya Iyer and Abby Welch
April 27, 2022
The student crowd shines their phone flashlights to the music as junior Emily Lam prepares to serve the ball.

Students and Staff Set, Serve, and Spike

Mars Foley, Abby Welch, Rohan Iyer, and Maddie Nyman
March 30, 2022
Although individually talented, all of the musicians appreciate the commardie of their artistic groups. “The people in band are really nice and inviting and no one makes you feel left out,” band student sophomore Ava Loh said.

Phoenix Musicians Hit the High Notes — and High Acclaim — in All-States, All-Districts, and All-County

Divya Iyer, Abby Welch, and Aline Gonzalez
March 22, 2022
“Uncharted,” starring Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Taylor Ali, and Tati Gabrielle, delivered what fans expected and more with the well-timed comedy, action scenes, and cliffhanger at the end that leaves you wanting more.

Sony Hits the Gold With “Uncharted”

Divya Iyer and Abby Welch
March 10, 2022
To highlight the holiday Christmas season, the “Hawkeye” promotional poster includes Christmas lights, snow, and a Santa hat on the dog.

“Hawkeye” Hits the Marvel Studios’ Bullseye

Divya Iyer and Abby Welch
February 4, 2022
Trombone player senior Tj Lynch performs during the first half of the concert.

Phoenix Band Delivers Breathtaking Performance with Help of Stone Hill Band

Divya Iyer, Abby Welch, and Jackson Mitchell
February 4, 2022
Addressing history teacher Alison O’Leary’s class, senior Danielle Knick teaches her lesson to the eighth grade class at Stone Hill Middle School. “Teacher Cadet is a really fun experience. I have enjoyed it, and I hope it will help me in the future,” senior Danielle Knick said.

Teacher Cadet Students Rise as the Teachers of Tomorrow

Mariam Abdelsayed, Nanaki Bawa, and Abby Welch
February 4, 2022
Aiden Patel walks towards the golf hole to line up his next shot at the Brambleton Golf Course during the District Tournament.

Phoenix Golf Tees Off to States

Lars Nyman, Divya Iyer, Haylay Aseffa, and Abby Welch
October 26, 2021
Caitlynn Washington, 10

Caitlynn Washington, 10

Abby Welch, Staff Writer
September 30, 2021
Load More Stories