Hylay Assefa, Staff Writer
Hylay is a sophomore who enjoys playing soccer and looks forward to playing for the school's team. Besides soccer, he plans on seeking advice throughout the year from his older peers to help better navigate the whole “high school experience.” Although not being in high school for as long as his older peers, he does have a piece of advice, and that's to never procrastinate.
![Senior Akanksha Potluri and her little sister paint her designated parking spot, inspired by her graduating year. Potluri enjoyed painting her spot. “I am doing the route 24 sign and then putting ‘the end of the road’ at the bottom,” Potluri said. “I just thought it would be cool because [it is] a little fun and creative.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DSC_0059-1200x800.jpg)
![After fighting hard, the Phoenix and Bobcats congratulate each other on a game well played. While the game went on for four sets, ending with a victory for the Bobcats, the Phoenix kept their energy and enthusiasm at a max until the match point was won. “When [the team loses] a point or they start getting down, theyre good at not letting themselves fall into a hole,” assistant coach Whitney Leach said. “They’re really good at staying positive, pulling themselves up, and keeping that energy going during games.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DSC_0745-1200x800.jpeg)
![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)
![Freshman Parth Jaiswal strums his guitar. Because the performance was the last concert of the year, guitar teacher Teresa L. Gordon wanted her students to both enjoy and challenge themselves this time. “That was more of a challenge for the intermediate advanced artists just because there are four different parts in the music,” Gordon said. “But then the bass part, the fourth part, has more octaves and [moves] around like that, and chords in the third time. I think they enjoyed it for the most part.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Copy-of-DSC_0051-e1686414550130-600x900.jpg)
![Keynote speaker Kate Kelly gives a speech about her advocacy, her book and her organization called “Ordinary Equality.” She shared how her life has changed from being a committed Mormon to advocating for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and other human rights. “[It] was so interesting to hear her story, it was really moving,” senior attendee Arria Budram-Dawkins said. “I was kind of tearing up when she was speaking. Shes so very powerful, and its an inspiration to so many people.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSC_0750-900x718.jpg)
![Sophomore Trey Fitch goes for a shot after making a steal. Fitch scored a total of thirteen points in the game. “I feel like I played alright, [I] could have done better,” Fitch said. “I was getting really pressed in the first half, I got led off towards the end. Individually, I did my contribution to the team, but it is a team effort.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DSC_0429-e1671222838619-900x860.jpg)
![After directing “When I Rise Up” by Donald Moore, the second song of the concert, Assistant Choir Director Terrian Jennings faces the audience to present the choir and take a bow. Jennings came in to help Choir Director Jordan Markwood prepare for the concert while he was away for meetings related to his Teacher of the Year award. “Once I was able to open up for the kids, they were able to open up for me on stage, and that’s been my favorite part [of preparing for the concert],” Jennings said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0523-900x600.jpg)
