• Important Dates -->
  • May 1-12: AP Exams and SOL Testing
  • May 4: PTSO Meeting
  • May 5-13: Spring Musical
  • May 8-12: Teacher Appreciation Week
  • May 15: Guitar Concert
  • May 16: Orchestra Concert
  • May 17: PTSO Parent Pep Rally
  • May 18: Chorus Concert
  • May 20: Prom
  • May 25: Band Concert
  • May 29: Memorial Day (Student Holiday)
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Whether you are an under or an upperclassmen, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy high school, as long as you make the moment last.
Upper Vs. Underclassman: The Views of High School
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
During Decision Day, the school set up a screen with college names where students could go up and pose in front of the college they are attending.
Final Senior Breakfast Ends With Decision Day
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
Freshman Anthonya Lassissi skims through the Lit Mag after members go room to room passing out the magazines.
The Art Behind The Lit Mag
Phoenix Profiles: Humans of Rock Ridge
Phoenix Profiles: Humans of Rock Ridge
LCPS has experimented with the schedule in the past, leading to much controversy. Students and staff are left with mixed feelings regarding this years schedule change.
The New Schedule: the Positive, the Negative, and the Neutral
Volume V, Issue II: Winter 2022
Volume V, Issue II: Winter 2022
Return to The Rock
Return to The Rock
A collage of all of the students profiled. (All photos courtesty of the profiled students.)
Humans of Rock Ridge: Pandemic Profiles
The U.S. Capitol on the morning of President Bidens Inauguration.
Road To The Presidency
A distorted image of an I Voted sticker from Loudoun County. (Photo courtesy of Katy Greiner)
What’s A Rumor You’ve Heard About The Election?
The general election, and final day to vote, will take place on Nov. 3. In Virginia, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What To Expect On Decision Day: Ins and Outs Of Following A Major Election
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019. (White House/Shaelah Craighead)
Trump Agrees on New Spending Bill; Promises an Emergency Declaration
Senior Keerthi Uppalapati volleys the ball over the net. “My best memory with the team was with coach Neal after states last year,” Uppalapati said. “It was very nice and it was just a great team bonding moment.”
Phoenix Girls Tennis Sweep Patriots Off the Court
Senior Sarah Baig holds surprise gifts from her teammates as a celebration of her senior night.
Phoenix Girls Lacrosse Celebrate Senior Night Against the Patriots
Junior Carter Divalerio dribbles the ball to keep it away from Captains. “It was a rough season, there were some ups and downs, we took some Ls, but well bounce back next season,” Divalerio said.
Phoenix Commanded by the Captains
Jennifer Virbickis huddles up with her team to discuss the game plan during a timeout as the Phoenix took on the Stone Bridge Bulldogs on April 19.
Back to Her Roots: Virbickis Returns to Phoenix Lacrosse
Junior Tarini Panidepu waits for her opponent to serve the ball. Panidepu has improved greatly over the course of the season. “I was definitely able to get my first serve percentage up,” Panidepu said.
#2 on the Court, #1 in our Hearts: Tarini Panidepu Takes on the World of Tennis
Senior Ethan Strine gets in position for the next play. “Even our juniors, sophomores, our younger guys, it really felt like all of our last games, even though they have next year and the year after,” Strine said. “It was just a team that we were all a part of. This whole season was very memorable for all of us.”
Seniors Appreciate Last Moments at Their Final Home Game
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.”
Phoenix Celebrate Homecoming With a Victory
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.”
Putt-ing Another Season Away: Golf Season Recap
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.
Huskies Put Out Phoenix Fire at Pink Out Game
Senior Karis Adnan sets off the point by serving the ball to the opposing team. The Phoenix kept the game lighthearted as they continued to lead. “We have been on a really good winning streak, so that was really fun,” Adnan said.
Phoenix Dominate the Patriots on Senior Night
As the 2022-2023 winter came to a close, teams across the state of Virginia competed for fame, glory, and titles.
Phoenix Athletes Rock Winter Championships
Ilias Cholakis attempts to pin down a struggling Spartan wrestler.
Phoenix Wrestling Reaches New Heights
In the final moments of the boys varsity game, Phoenix coach Jay Geyer lays out a gameplan to lock the Spartans down on the defensive end of the court and prevent them from scoring.
Phoenix Redeem Themselves in Clash with Spartans
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.
Indoor Track & Field’s Record-Breaking Season Makes History
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.”
The Battle of Ridges Results in Both Wins and Losses
Senior Keerthi Uppalapati volleys the ball over the net. “My best memory with the team was with coach Neal after states last year,” Uppalapati said. “It was very nice and it was just a great team bonding moment.”
Phoenix Girls Tennis Sweep Patriots Off the Court
Senior Sarah Baig holds surprise gifts from her teammates as a celebration of her senior night.
Phoenix Girls Lacrosse Celebrate Senior Night Against the Patriots
Junior Carter Divalerio dribbles the ball to keep it away from Captains. “It was a rough season, there were some ups and downs, we took some Ls, but well bounce back next season,” Divalerio said.
Phoenix Commanded by the Captains
Junior Tarini Panidepu waits for her opponent to serve the ball. Panidepu has improved greatly over the course of the season. “I was definitely able to get my first serve percentage up,” Panidepu said.
#2 on the Court, #1 in our Hearts: Tarini Panidepu Takes on the World of Tennis
As freshman Nathan Martinez scoops up a ground ball, his teammate freshman Trevor Aucoin holds back the Atoms in an attempt to make room.
Boys Lacrosse: Tying for Victory
Voces Virilis sings “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” arranged by Roger Emerson.
Singing the Last Verses
United Sound group members pose for a picture after the end of their first ever performance, where they played ‘Forward March’ by Paul Murtha alongside the Rock Ridge band Wing Ensemble. The United Sound group was founded this year with the mission to ‘Foster Social Change Through Music.’ The group meets twice weekly, where student-teachers of the band, orchestra and choir department help teach music to students with special needs.
Senior’s Say ‘Goodbye’ at Final Band Concert of the Year, While United Sound Members Greet ‘Hello’ With First Ever Performance
Bryson Tiller fans are ecstatic as he announces his “Back And I’m Better” tour, as many have been waiting for six years to see him perform live again.
Ticket Trauma: Are the Bryson Tiller Tickets Worth the Cost?
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].”
Phoenix Orchestra’s Spring Concert Features Senior Spotlights
From baseball conflicts to relationship drama, the second season of “All American: Homecoming” goes everywhere, making it an extremely intriguing and addictive show.
A New Season of “All American: Homecoming” Comes With Relief to Viewers
John Hopkins Medicine finds that chocolate is proven to enhance athletic performance, improve brain function, and provide energy throughout your day. However, this is only the case when it is eaten in reasonable amounts.
Happiness is One Rich and Delicious Bite Away
Yoon Swan Song: Thank You
Yoon Swan Song: Thank You
From the expectations of a perfect SAT score to attending medical school to getting a degree in computer science, the profile of what someone from an Indian background “looks like” has not deviated much from its original mold.
Stuck in Stereotypes: Indian Misrepresentation in Media
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.
Social Media Sets High Beauty Standards, Harming Teenagers Along the Way
Art block, the lack of motivation to draw, heavily affects artists of Rock Ridge.
Drawing a Blank
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
Meet RRHS: Vaishnavi Raghunandan
The Unity
The Unity
Media by the Minute
Media by the Minute
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
Meet RRHS: Vaishnavi Raghunandan
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Jackson Mitchell

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer

Jackson is a junior and this is his second year on staff. In his free time, he likes to skateboard and bike with his friends and his favorite trick is the tre flip. Jackson also loves music and his favorite artists are Bladee and Yung Lean. One thing Jackson loves to do is make people laugh and this year he is trying to be more extroverted.

All content by Jackson Mitchell
Throughout the school, fentanyl posters have been put up on the walls. These posters recognize the importance of fentanyl awareness and sharing information about the dangers of fentanyl.

School Board Discusses Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Student Athletes, Excused Absences for Religion, Funding for Student Breakfasts, and National Fentanyl Awareness Day

Nidhi Manchala, Jackson Mitchell, and Sebastian Penagos Sandoval
May 22, 2023
This album continuation represents the closing of Tyler’s Baudelaire era, his current alter ego to go along with “CMIYGL.” In the music video for “SORRY NOT SORRY,” fans get a glimpse of the past with each alter ego from Tyler’s entire discography.

“The Estate Sale” & The End of Tyler Baudelaire

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
May 18, 2023
The School Board, devoted to ensuring the education of all LCPS students, in person or online, made an effort to reinstate the Virtual Loudoun Elementary option at their April 25 meeting.

School Board Meets to Discuss Proclamations, Denied FOIA Requests, Virtual Loudoun Elementary, Board of Directors

Lucian Tiller, Jackson Mitchell, and Sebastian Penagos Sandoval
May 18, 2023
Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley, and James McNew have been together since 1984, with this being a picture from their 2009 tour. Through the last 39 years, Yo La Tengo has released seventeen studio albums, with “This Stupid World” being the newest addition to the discography.

Yo La Tengo’s Stupid World

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
May 16, 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 Funding for Nutrition Services, New Proclamations, Collective Bargaining

Jackson Mitchell and Lucian Tiller
May 10, 2023
At the fourth annual Tuesday school board meeting, members discussed the representation of African American leaders with regard to the naming of the new middle school and how to report sexual harassment in terms of Title XI violations. The school board also voted on celebrating National Professional Social Work Month and Social Emotional Learning day this school year.

School Board Discusses Naming of New Middle School, Title IX Overview Addressing Sexual Harassment

Jackson Mitchell, Melissa Waas, and Sitwat Mian
March 29, 2023
“Chainsaw Man” is the anime adaptation of the Shonen manga, written by Tatsuki Fujimoto, and follows the life of the devil hunter Denji as he tries to defend the citizens of Japan from the physical embodiments of their biggest fears.

Chainsaw Man: MAPPA’s Buzzing New Anime

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
March 3, 2023
Ilias Cholakis attempts to pin down a struggling Spartan wrestler.

Phoenix Wrestling Reaches New Heights

Jackson Mitchell, Bella Gerardi, Zahria Ford, and Sebastian Penagos Sandoval
February 16, 2023
“Back 2 Life” by Thaiboy Digital was released on Nov. 18, 2022, under his record label YEAR0001. This project features two of the three members of the artist collective, Drain Gang. It also includes fellow Swedish rapper Yung Lean, who is a member of SBE.

Swedish Icon Thaiboy Digital is Finally Back (2 Life)

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
January 30, 2023
Sophomore Tom Roberts does an ollie over a wet floor sign, right out of a bank.

Rise and Grind: Loudoun’s Newest Skatepark

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
January 19, 2023
At their Nov 29 meeting, the Loudoun County School Board finalized Policy 5055, which discussed parental notice of sexually explicit content. The new policy implemented by the school board, Policy 5055 requires thorough examination by parents for material deemed explicit, which in turn limits English teachers by flagging most literary material.

LCPS Discusses 2023-2024 School Year Calendar, New Policy 5055, Student Transportation

Nidhi Manchala, Sitwat Mian, and Jackson Mitchell
December 19, 2022
Media by the Minute

Media by the Minute

Ananya Karthik, Jackson Mitchell, Sarah Baig, Tanishka Enugu, Rachel Adams, and Maya Coleman
November 6, 2022
Based on the 2010 novel, “Maria Beetle,” “Bullet Train” delivers a tolerable adaptation from director David Leitch.

“Bullet Train:” Brad Pitt and the Forgettables

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
October 13, 2022
Young Wabo’s “Mirage” was released on May 1, 2022, and was Wabo’s newest release since his previous EP, “Mid,” released in 2021.

A Look Into The “Mirage:” An Interview With Young Wabo

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
June 8, 2022
On Tuesday, May 24, the LCPS School Board met for their 2nd Tuesday of the month meeting and discussed a variety of topics including gun violence; the first Friday in June was proposed to be celebrated as national gun violence awareness day in LCPS schools.

School Board Honors National Merit Scholars, Recognizes Gun Violence and LGBTQ+ Awareness Month

Nanaki Bawa, Aarohi Motwani, Jackson Mitchell, and Rishi Sundaram
June 8, 2022
Sophomore Tyler Valdov (18) fights for the ball in a face off during the second half.

Phoenix Lacrosse: Rising from the Ashes

Mars Foley, Lars Nyman, and Jackson Mitchell
May 16, 2022
Popular cloud rap artist, Yung Lean, released his newest mixtape “Stardust” on April 8, 2022. The second track, ‘Trip,” was released as a single the same day as the announcement for the full mixtape that nobody expected.

The Yung Lean Mixtape That Took Fans For a Trip

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
May 10, 2022
At the March 22 school board meeting, the board brought Rock Ridge student to represent the school.

School Board Meeting declares new policies such as Autism Acceptance Month.

Hylay Assefa and Jackson Mitchell
March 31, 2022
Kanye West during his Saint Pablo tour in 2016, when he was still married to media icon Kim Kardashian and still on good terms with fellow rapper Kid Cudi.

Kanye West’s Chaotic Battle with The Media

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
March 24, 2022
School board members discussed how to improve the education of students and Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent ban on the teaching of critical racial theory.

School Board Discusses Black History and Equity in Education Month, COVID-19 Mask Mandate

Lars Nyman, Jackson Mitchell, and Rishi Sundaram
March 14, 2022
Earl Sweatshirts album “SICK!” debuted with a single titled “2010,” the year his debut mixtape released, showing his growth in his style and in the music industry.

The Album That Made People SICK!

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
March 10, 2022
Junior Jett Cooper sprints at a track meet at Lightridge on Dec. 4.

The Track Team Sprints Past Their Competition

Hylay Assefa, Mars Foley, and Jackson Mitchell
February 8, 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
The alternate album cover for “Donda,” the tenth studio album. West later scrapped this for a blank and black square; however, West hasn’t revealed the real reason for changing it.

The “Donda” Update that Keeps Our Spirits Alive

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
February 3, 2022
Seniors Tai Trieu, Tiernan Caulfield, and other athletes skip as a warmup before their practice run. ¨Its been great to have a season in-person because last year we did not have one, and its been a great experience to be with the team again,¨ Caulfield said.

Cross Country Races Towards a Successful Season

Mariam Abdelsayed, Nicolas Biernacki, and Jackson Mitchell
October 27, 2021
Kinda Rchaid, 10

Kinda Rchaid, 10

Jackson Mitchell, Staff Writer
September 30, 2021
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