• Important Dates -->
  • 8/16: Flight Day
  • 8/19: Freshmen Orientation
  • 8/22: First Day of School
  • 8/29: First Pep. Rally
  • 8/30: NO SCHOOL
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Social studies teacher Tori Webb provides her background to parents, including being a University of Virginia alum and pursuing her passion for being a teacher since her childhood.
Back to School Night: A+ Connections, One Classroom at a Time
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
Seniors Saanvi Movva, Jackie Cheek, Maanu Karthikeyan, and Nishitha Kancharla answer questions from freshmen about what to look forward to in their freshman year, including the Homecoming dance, spirit weeks, and tailgates. Karthikeyan believes that senior year provides her the opportunity to participate in occasions she didn’t throughout her past three years. “I’m excited about all the events we’ve been putting off for the entirety of high school,” Karthikeyan said. “This is the year that we all look forward to.”
New Phoenix RISE and Take Flight During Freshman Orientation
Turning back to 2020, former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden will re-enter the political ring against each other, vying for the esteemed White House seat. Emma Kaden via Creative Commons
Time Traveling to 2020: Biden and Trump Return to the Ballot Box
CTE chair and DECA sponsor Ben Stodola has had a lasting impact on the Rock. He is leaving to work in technical education, although he will miss his students and coworkers.
The End of an Era: The Rock Says Goodbye to Ben Stodola
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
As the cross country season comes to an end, team members managed to qualify for districts. Although it was the first time the boys made it to districts, senior Ayush Marwaha still treated the meet like any other. “The atmosphere has always been crazy at the meet,” Marwaha said. “The adrenaline rush is always insane, but I feel like I've gotten used to it. Before every meet, I always tell myself to try and be calm.”
Cross Country Races Towards Districts
A four-year member of the program, senior Austin Fisher searches for an opening in hopes of securing a crucial first down for the Phoenix. An elite receiver and linebacker, Fisher has consistently made an impact not only on offense and defense, but also off the field.
Senior Night Sparks Phoenix Win Over Atoms
Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.
From Practice to Performance and Beyond: Cheer Season Recap
Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and it's a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.
Phoenix Face Loss, Falling Victim to Friday the 13
The Phoenix football team runs out onto the field to take on the Loudoun Valley Vikings for the Homecoming football game, concluding a week of fun and games for students.
Spirit Week Ends with a Final Play Against Vikings
The team celebrates their win against the Titans in a huddle around star player of the night, Eryn Chemoiwa, congratulating her on her accomplishments.
Free Throws and Four-Point Plays: A New Phoenix Rises to the Challenge
Phoenix cheerleaders complete a chant at a home basketball game. “Smooth and easy that's what we do,” senior cheer captain Reagan Carper said.
From Friday Night Lights to Bright Gym Lights
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.”
Phoenix Take Down the Titans
Freshman defenseman Brooks Furtek (44) cross-checks a Seahawk in a race to get the puck.
Pride/Phoenix Stir Up the Hornets/Seahawks Nest
Students rush onto the court to celebrate with the team after the buzzer beater three-pointer made by junior William Beck. “Honestly, I thought the game was over but then the clock stopped and my heart stopped," junior Mihir Peta said. “I was like, there’s no way this happened.”
Sinking a Last Shot on Senior Night: Phoenix Parade Over the Pride
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
“Short n’ Sweet” showcases Sabrina Carpenter’s seamless blend of wit and catchy melodies, making it her most compelling and confident album to date. Photo Courtesy of Island Records
Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’: A Masterclass in Pop Precision and Playful Provocation
Sophomores Ronald Hodge III, who plays Tom Collins, and Angel LaBosette, who plays Angel Dumott Schunard, star center stage during their number, “Santa Fe.”
Running It Back: ‘‘RENT’’ Revival to Take International Thespian Festival Main Stage
While sophomore Tyler Nguyen, senior Shubha Ballurkar, and junior Norah Thomas concentrate on playing their cello in tune with the music, junior Andrew Takach stands behind them, moving his hands across the fingerboard of his double bass as the only player with this instrument.
Moving Music and Final Farewells: Seniors Take Last Bow at Orchestra’s Annual Spring Concert
Sophomore Zoe Fyne-Okorie (left) and freshman Addison Dietz (right) strike a pose at the end of “Girls Just Wanna Dance,” arranged by Paul Langford.
Rock Ridge Sings Celebrates Seniors and Sends Them Off With Final Concert
Sophomore Bhanuteja Alluri, senior Umair Syed, and freshman Ethan Williams play the trumpets in “Thunderscape,” an up-tempo song about the power of nature — especially that of thunder.
Rock Ridge Bands’ Spring Concert Blooms With Unity
TikTok is on death row for nine months as the US government recently passed a bill to ban the use and download of TikTok across the US.
TikTok is Running Out of Time: TikTok Ban Bill Was Signed
Colors, contrasts, font, size, neatness, background, context, and more, all contribute to the particular style of one’s handwriting. How far has handwriting, as an art form, come? Taking a look back in history and comparing it to modern-day practices shows how little yet how far the art form has transitioned, especially with its recent booming on digital platforms.
The Lost Art of Penmanship: Rediscovering the Beauty of Handwriting
The phone-free school movement started as a small act and is now spreading all over the United States, and will continue until something is done about it.
Should Schools Go Phone Free?
Rock Ridge Road Infrastructure poses grave concerns due to immense traffic during congested pickup and drop off times for car riders and bus riders, along with potential safety hazards for bicyclists and pedestrians having to share a sidewalk.
Traffic Trauma: Rock Ridge Road Infrastructure Causes Heavy Traffic Every Morning
It seems like nowadays Gen Z kids act very grown up. Instead of playing in playgrounds, they are running around Sephora. Instead of sending notes to each other in class, they are Snapping each other on Snapchat. Why has this happened to Gen Z, and is it going to cause any lasting effects on the kids?
Maturity Levels are Getting Higher and Higher
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!
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
Meet RRHS: Vaishnavi Raghunandan
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!
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
Meet RRHS: Vaishnavi Raghunandan
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Bhargav Kuniki

Bhargav Kuniki, Sports Editor

Bhargav is a junior and the Photo Editor on The Blaze. When he's not mountain biking, he's doing homework, playing basketball, or hanging out with his friends. His favorite food is homemade mashed potatoes with gravy. He joined the newspaper to be more involved in the inner workings of Rock Ridge. He's looking forward to the year and the exciting new stories to write.

All content by Bhargav Kuniki
Senior Aryan Dhiman “We weren’t nervous, I wasn’t nervous; we knew the team and we already beat them before, so we were just confident going into the match. I’ve played tennis for all four years of highschool; I have to blame my parents for forcing me to play. During my first year, I was on the bench so I didn’t get to play that much, but I climbed up the ranks and became a starter during sophomore year. Afterwards, my goal was to win as many matches as possible, and so I practiced. After all, the more practice, the better you’re going to get. So now here I am, senior year and ready to graduate, and I've accomplished my goals and hyped up to play.”

[Photo] Tennis Triumphs: An Insight Into the Champions

Arnav Mahajan, Samantha Chang, and Nadia Shirr
June 16, 2024
Sophomore Zoe Fyne-Okorie (left) and freshman Addison Dietz (right) strike a pose at the end of “Girls Just Wanna Dance,” arranged by Paul Langford.

Rock Ridge Sings Celebrates Seniors and Sends Them Off With Final Concert

Sruthi Vivek, Riya Cherukuri, and Bhargav Kuniki
June 6, 2024
Rock Ridge Road Infrastructure poses grave concerns due to immense traffic during congested pickup and drop off times for car riders and bus riders, along with potential safety hazards for bicyclists and pedestrians having to share a sidewalk.

Traffic Trauma: Rock Ridge Road Infrastructure Causes Heavy Traffic Every Morning

Sruthi Vivek, Bhargav Kuniki, and Sitwat Mian
May 31, 2024
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

Sruthi Vivek, Bhargav Kuniki, and Sam Cho
May 28, 2024
Students dance the night away on the floor as the music blasts in a “Vegas-inspired” ballroom, decorated with casino-themed adornments.

Prom: A Sinless Night in Sin City

Bhargav Kuniki, Nidhi Manchala, Lucian Tiller, and Melissa Waas
May 2, 2024
Tiller released his fourth album as a self-titled album to show R&B enthusiasts that his run isn’t over, and that he’s starting a brand-new chapter in his music career.

He’s Back & He’s Better: Bryson Tiller Releases Self-Titled Album

Sruthi Vivek and Bhargav Kuniki
April 23, 2024
Po must choose a worthy candidate of being the Dragon Warrior as he advances to a higher position in the kung fu hierarchy. The most unexpected candidate ends up being the one that strikes Po’s eyes the most and is trusted to ensure the peace of the people.

Kung Fu Panda Kicks Back Into Theaters

Sruthi Vivek and Bhargav Kuniki
April 9, 2024
Senior Arshan Shahjahan pushes past a Spartan defender as he dribbles the ball.

A War With the Weather: First Phoenix Draw of the Season

Sruthi Vivek, Bhargav Kuniki, Alexis Cortés, and Riya Cherukuri
April 8, 2024
Born on Feb. 6, 1945 in Jamaica, Bob Marley was a highly influential figure in the world of music, particularly in popularizing the reggae genre. His influence extends beyond music, encompassing cultural, social, and political realms. This is all showcased in “Bob Marley: One Love” as the reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers embark on a journey to unify Jamaica. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

A Message Through Music: Bob Marley Breaks Boundaries

Sruthi Vivek and Bhargav Kuniki
February 22, 2024
All five choirs of Rock Ridge Sings perform their last piece, “Mary, Did You Know?” arranged by Craig Courtney. The program dedicated this piece to a late member of the Phoenix community. Markwood expressed that performing this piece has become a part of the Rock Ridge Sings tradition every winter.

A Holiday Harmony: Rock Ridge Sings Merges in a Merry Melody

Sruthi Vivek, Bhargav Kuniki, and Alexis Cortés
January 9, 2024
During the Oct. 24 school board meeting, members discussed budget and legislative changes for the upcoming school year, clarified uncertainties about bus misconduct and security, and made several revisions to previous policies.

School Board Clears Up Concerns in School Bus Safety , Converges on New Legislative Program

Lucian Tiller, Nidhi Manchala, and Bhargav Kuniki
November 28, 2023
From the athletes to the academics, student backgrounds shine through in all aspects, highlighting the niche hobbies and lifestyles of the Phoenix student body. Graphic by: Tanishka Enugu and Aarohi Motwani.

Humans of Rock Ridge: Student Profiles

The Blaze Staff
November 3, 2023
Seniors Alisha Bojji, Netra Terviedi, and Ava Loh devise a plan on how to set up their section of the “Candyland” themed hallway.

The Hallway Fight to Win Game Night

Lucian Tiller, Bhargav Kuniki, and Azciel Goodhart
October 20, 2023
The Phoenix huddle in after a close rally to hype each other up. “Our team chemistry consists of building off of each other and maintaining a good level of energy throughout the game,” junior Rania Lahbibi said.

Brawl Against Briar: Phoenix Fight at Home Court

Sruthi Vivek and Bhargav Kuniki
September 27, 2023

Are Superhero Movies Dying?

Bhargav Kuniki, Sports Editor
June 10, 2023
At their second meeting of the month, the school board discussed new course recommendations for current CTE courses, gun awareness and LGBTQ+ month.

School Board Discusses Gun Safety Awareness, Pride Month Proclamation, and Zone Changes

Hylay Assefa and Bhargav Kuniki
June 8, 2023
Freshman Anthonya Lassissi skims through the Lit Mag after members go room to room passing out the magazines.

The Art Behind The Lit Mag

Sruthi Vivek and Bhargav Kuniki
May 24, 2023
Sophomore Rishit Choudhari sets up to pass the ball while teammates attempt to get open. “Right now we’re in a good spot, our goal is to just keep improving as the season goes,” Choudhari siad.

After Unfortunate Injuries, Phoenix Boys Soccer Lose Against the Vikings

Iyush Hoysal, Bhargav Kuniki, and Muhammad Reda
May 10, 2023
Freshman Tatiana Bernard makes a breakaway in an attempt to score a goal. As a brand new athlete to the sport, Bernard has set many goals for this season. “I hope to win some games in the future, or at least improve [the amount of] points we score,” Bernard said.

Girls Lacrosse Season Opener Results Leave Room for Improvement

Bhargav Kuniki and Kamille Simon
March 31, 2023
Seniors Miriam Ahmed, Ava Wardrett, and Jenna Whaley work on finalizing their photos from previous coverages as the staff approaches their upcoming deadline. Yearbooks are now available for purchase for $85.

Behind the Art of the Yearbook

Alyssa Yoon and Bhargav Kuniki
March 24, 2023
The Loudoun County School Board considered a revision of Policy 2430, proclamations for National Professional Social Work Month, and the adoption of Policy 3210 at their Valentine’s Day meeting.

School Board Talks Through Changes For the 2023-2024 School Year, Transparency With Public, New Middle School

Adi Kidiyoor, Bhargav Kuniki, and Manika Porchezhian
March 8, 2023
Senior Deric Gomodo goes up to take a jump shot as a Captain attempts to block him.

Captains Defeat Phoenix in Last Home Double-Header

Alexis Cortés, Bhargav Kuniki, and Manika Porchezhian
March 3, 2023
Rock Ridge Choir poses after performing for the residents of Waltonwood senior center.

Bringing Our Spirits Back One Song at a Time

Muhammad Reda, Ivana Figueroa, and Bhargav Kuniki
January 31, 2023
On release week, “Warzone 2.0” was played by 25 million people and grew exponentially compared to its competitors.

Back to Square One: “Warzone 2.0”

Anik Mridha and Bhargav Kuniki
January 28, 2023
On the right, junior Daniel Okoye (55) observes the free throw. Okoye stood at the side, getting ready to intercept the rebound in case the free throw was missed. “A lot of embarrassing moments happened in the game,” Okoye said. “But I think we stayed mentally strong and kept going.”

Phoenix and Bobcats Go Head to Head in First Scrimmage of the Season

Anik Mridha, Hylay Assefa, and Bhargav Kuniki
December 15, 2022
The initial launch of Overwatch 2 was rough. Due to a DDoS attack on their servers, Blizzard Entertainment left players in queues stretching up to 40,000 eager participants just to reach the home screen.

Overwatch 2: Sequel or Major Update?

Anik Mridha and Bhargav Kuniki
November 2, 2022
Brian Wright, 10

Brian Wright, 10

Bhargav Kuniki, Sports Editor
October 25, 2022
Senior and co-captain Harshroop Singh attempts to take the ball from the Titan opponent. “I think it’s crazy to see that I’ve learned a new sport just through the field hockey program here at Rock Ridge,” Singh said. “I’ve definitely seen a lot of improvement compared to previous years.”

Despite Loss to Titans, Field Hockey Celebrates Seasoned Seniors

Amelia Chen, Bhargav Kuniki, and Kamille Simon
October 18, 2022
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