• Important Dates -->
  • 2/27-Rho Kappa Trivia Night
  • 2/28- Cardinal Activity Day
  • 3/1- DECA State Conference
  • 3/1- State Track Meet
  • 3/7- Gray Day Activity
  • 3/12- Writing SOL starts
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Team captains junior Angel Labosette and senior Sophie King, with host junior Shaun Sahayadarlin at the podium, prepare themselves to answer the presented question.
Underclassmen Rise Above: Juniors Win Second Annual Phoenix Pheud
Mr. Hernandez, Rock Ridge High School faculty member, monitors a crowded cafeteria during the school-wide lunch block, courtesy of the three-hour early dismissal schedule, on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Three-Hour Early Release: LCPS Pivots to New Schedule Amidst Snow Storm
An AXIS Strobe Siren lights up the 1300 hallway outside of the bathroom as the HALO Smart Sensor, located inside all bathrooms, gets triggered. The installation of HALO Smart Sensors at Rock Ridge in January 2025 caused confusion amongst the student body.
Smoking Out the Truth Surrounding Rock Ridge’s New HALO Smart Sensors
A senior from Independence High School completes the FAFSA with his father.
FAFSA Workshop Aims to Ease Application Woes, Offers Key Funding Insights
Bashing the Buzzer: Academic Team’s Astounding Season
Bashing the Buzzer: Academic Team’s Astounding Season
Many invitations to parties were sent out this year, with the arrival of a fun trend, Galentine's Day.
Rock Ridge Trends: Galentines Day
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
Obsidian Club Leader Keeya Makonnen leads with vision and passion, while also striving for greatness in the future. Courtesy of Keeya Makonnen
The President of the Obsidian Club: Keeya Makonnen
Valentine's Day celebrations are filled with sweet treats and spending time with the one you love.
Phoenix Love is in the Air
Sophomore Simone Nagpual poses with two signed copies of “Firekeeper’s Daughter” and a themed mug, gifts she received from best-selling author Angeline Boulley. Photo courtesy of Scott Schwarz
Reading Recognition: Sophomore Connects with Best-Selling Author Angeline Boulley
Senior Rodrigue Gomado runs the boys 4x400 meter relay event.
Sprinting to Success: Rock Ridge Hosts Indoor Regionals Track Meet, Launches Two Teams to States
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
The team comes together for a cheer as they run back on the court for their last period. “Breaking their press was our biggest challenge,” sophomore Simone Diby (2) said. “We struggled to handle their defensive pressure, which led to a lot of mistakes”
Phoenix Girls Basketball Put Up a Commendable Fight Against the Pride
Senior and captain Will Beck defends his opponent and tries to stop the Pride guard from getting closer to the Phoenix basket.
Phoenix Fall to Pride in Hard Fought Battle
Senior Lorenz Penn brings hustle and heart to the court.
Athlete of the Week: Lorenz Penn
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 Rodrigue Gomado runs the boys 4x400 meter relay event.
Sprinting to Success: Rock Ridge Hosts Indoor Regionals Track Meet, Launches Two Teams to States
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
The team comes together for a cheer as they run back on the court for their last period. “Breaking their press was our biggest challenge,” sophomore Simone Diby (2) said. “We struggled to handle their defensive pressure, which led to a lot of mistakes”
Phoenix Girls Basketball Put Up a Commendable Fight Against the Pride
Senior and captain Will Beck defends his opponent and tries to stop the Pride guard from getting closer to the Phoenix basket.
Phoenix Fall to Pride in Hard Fought Battle
Senior Lorenz Penn brings hustle and heart to the court.
Athlete of the Week: Lorenz Penn
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
Rapper Kendrick Lamar on stage performing to the audience for the SuperBowl halftime show. Courtesy of FMT via Creative Commons
A Halftime Show For The Ages: Kendrick Lamar
The Weeknd's main album cover showcases him sweating and in pain. This signifies the overall theme of the album itself of escaping reality and paralysis. Courtesy of XO Records
Hurry Up and Listen to the Weeknd’s Newest Album: “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Miller's seventh studio album explores themes of addiction, death, and reflects on the human experience. Photo Courtesy of Warner Records
Incredible Even After Death: Mac Miller’s ‘Balloonerism’
Duke of York's Picturehouse, Brighton, United Kingdom. rawpixel.com via Creative Commons License
Fan Favorites and the Future: A&E Edition
Brick (junior Palmer Jolly) and Maggie’s (senior Jaden Thomas) relationship hangs on the edge while they take a break from their rigorous argument to take a good look at each other and what they have become.
Rock Ridge Performing Arts’ ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ Burns the House Down
Gifts and treats that you can exchange for Valentines Day
The Season of Love: 9 Ways You Can Celebrate This Valentine’s Day
From the food, to their favorite locations and their music, this is Argentina.
A Peek into Argentina: Celebrating Family, Friends, and Culture
An illustration of a data center is shown glowing, highlighting its significance to Loudoun County.
Data Centers: The Beating Heart, Not the Bane, of Loudoun County
Some of the most talked about moments in 2024, from politics to pop culture.
Defining Memories: Top 10 Moments of 2024
Students try to complete work for their classes, but are overwhelmed with all of the work that they receive weekly.
The Academic Burden: Why Students Should Avoid Taking Several AP Classes
Rundown Politics: The Beginning of the Trump Administration and the End of Biden’s
Rundown Politics: The Beginning of the Trump Administration and the End of Biden’s
Classroom Conversations: Teachers Won Collective Bargaining, But What is That?
Classroom Conversations: Teachers Won Collective Bargaining, But What is That?
Rundown Politics: Biden's Legacy
Rundown Politics: Biden’s Legacy
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
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
All content by Courtesy of Keira Bacas
IMG_4446 - BELLA STRANO

[Photo] Keira Bacas, 9

Bella Strano, Staff Writer
October 25, 2022
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