Bella Gerardi, Staff Writer
Bella Gerardi is a sophomore and this is her second year on staff. She has been playing soccer since she was four and loves to read romance and thriller novels. Her favorite place that she has ever lived is Virginia, where she was born and raised. She draws her inspiration from her Grandma, an author, who helped her realize that she loves to write from a very young age. Her Mom, who pushed her to take a writing course, has also helped Bella pursue something she really loves. In the future, she plans to go to George Mason and major in Journalism and Political Science to continue her passion for writing
![During halftime of the homecoming football game, senior Jack Capobianco wins homecoming royalty and is officially crowned by junior Maggie Miller. “I wasn’t expecting [winning homecoming royalty] at all,” Capobianco said. “I was very surprised but very excited.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0911-900x600.jpg)
![Leaving the season behind, sophomore Aiden Patel walks along a golf course holding all his golf equipment. Patel, although not yet a senior, is already thinking about his future in golf. “Hopefully, [I’ll continue golf] in college, and if I can go pro, a 100%,” Patel said, “But if I cant, Ill probably just find a job.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Aiden-Patel-900x600.jpg)
![The Phoenix prepare to face the Huskies in a new play. “[We could improve by] focusing on trying to get people healthy, running the ball, and getting people work at different positions just in case [of] injuries,” Qadri said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0070-900x630.jpg)
![At Rock Ridge’s home meet on Jan. 4, sophomore Micah Younger, junior Alyssa Tucker, and sophomore Lilia Jones line up at the start line for the Girls 55m Dash. “[The most difficult thing about this season] is that I’m not at my best right now, but I’m going to get there in [outdoor track],” Younger said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSC_0524-900x600.jpg)
![Senior Mehma Kathuria keeps the ball away from the Bolt defender. “Our game was together, we were playing with a new play,” Kathuria said. “[The Team’s] chemistry builds and gets better every game.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/use-this-e1676057711919-900x883.jpg)
![Principal cello senior Sydney Pascual plays her solo piece: “Cello Suite No. 3 Sarabande” by Johann Sebastian Bach. “She has a lovely sound, a nice tone,” orchestra director Teresa Gordon said. “She always has, I remember when she was a freshman, taking notice of how beautiful her [playing was].”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/6-IMG_2060-e1685552671223-731x900.jpg)
![As social media becomes more popular among teenagers, many are affected in negative ways. Sophomore Zahra Amusa believes that social medias growing popularity is one of the reasons why it has such an immense impact on teenagers and their beauty standards. “I think I can speak for myself and everyone when I say that social media has negatively impacted everyone because most people have it these days and have [in some way] been affected by it,” Amusa said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Beauty-Standards-900x506.jpg)
![Michelle Federico coaches the varsity field hockey team in the Phoenix v. Patriots match on Oct. 5 at the Rock. As head coach, she wants more girls to be interested in a sport like field hockey. “[Field hockey has] always been my favorite sport,” Federico said, “It’s unique, it’s hardcore. People dont realize how difficult it is.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PSX_20211007_101209-840x900.jpg)