• 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Kaleb Ryans

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer

Kaleb is a sophomore and this is his first year on staff. Kaleb likes to read, write, and play games recreationally. Kaleb uses a lot of personal experiences and thoughts to fuel his creative writing, and he hopes that through journalism, he can find new ways to express his creativity.

All content by Kaleb Ryans
A carrion crow rests on a mossy branch, surveying the area for carcasses. While the albatross has quite the reputation, it’s infamy is dwarfed in the presence of any species of crow⸺they’re almost always depicted as omens of death, decay, and bad luck. Carrion crows, in comparison to other species, were particularly associated with death and sickness (as their name suggests), and their presence often foreshadowed catastrophic events.

Exploring the Implications of Attribution With the Help of the Albatross

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer
June 14, 2022
On May 10, the school board held their second Tuesday meeting, continuing to discuss improvements to student welfare and allocating funds to fiscal year 22-23 budget items.

School Board Provides Updates on Budget Plan, New Schools and Expansion of “Literacy for All” Programs

Sudeepa Pasupuleeti, Kaleb Ryans, and Abhishek Solipuram
May 24, 2022
On April 5, the school board discussed the reassignment of staff and administrators throughout Loudoun County Public Schools, and announced the soon-to-open town halls to discuss their Strategic Plan with the community. The Strategic Plan outlines procedures that look to improve student and staff quality of life, absolve issues, and alleviate concerns brought forth from the public.

Loudoun School Board Opens Town Hall Meetings, Moves Eid to May 2, Updates Student Mental Health Procedures

Kaleb Ryans, Lucian Tiller, and Shaima Tora
May 16, 2022
An adult hermit thrush rests on a mid-winter branch with its down feathers fluffed out in order to regulate heat. In the United States, hermit thrushes don’t migrate during the winter, and are one of the only species of thrush that do so. Thrushes of all kinds are some of the most common migratory birds, and are consequently some of the most negatively affected by artificial lights.

Artificial Light Fails to Illuminate an Unseen Problem: Hazardous Passage for Nightly Migrants

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer
May 12, 2022
Trash and recycling are categorized in groups for a reason—they were never meant to be mixed. However, due to recent technological advances, some areas within the U.S. are vying for mixed waste systems as more efficient and lucrative alternatives.

Rock Ridge Recycling: The Unknown Crisis

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer
April 7, 2022
On March 8, the LCPS school board held their second Tuesday meeting, discussing new CDC guidelines and the revision of the county equity statement.

School Board Reviews New CDC Mitigation Recommendations; Recognizes Rock Ridge Accomplishments

James Bowles, Megan Langsam, Kaleb Ryans, and Lucian Tiller
March 31, 2022
Due to the highly sociable and intelligent nature of black vultures, they are almost never scared by usual nonlethal pest control tactics, such as bright lights, loud noises, or attempting to intimidate them, which likely exacerbates the incentive to use sublethal or completely lethal force.

Should I Care About Vultures? The Fluctuating Population of Carrion-Eating Raptors

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer
March 22, 2022
During their opening statements, the school board announced that virtual public comments would continue alongside in-person speaking following Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s passage of executive order 22 which allowed people to go in public areas without a mask. The executive order stated in light of the variety of circumstances confronted by students in the Commonwealth, parents should have the ability to decide whether their child should wear masks for the duration of the school day.

School Board Provides Updates on Mental Health, COVID-19 Case Reports, Policy Revisions, Rock Ridge Musician Honors

Kaleb Ryans, Lucian Tiller, and James Bowles
February 25, 2022
Focused and not backing down, sophomore Cora Bowen guards the Vikings alongside senior Alexa Veneros as the game comes to a close.

Fired Up Phoenix Clash Against Vikings

James Bowles, Bella Gerardi, and Kaleb Ryans
February 5, 2022
Shining under the spotlight, the Chamber Choir performs a thoroughly choreographed number at the Dec. 9 choir concert.

Choir Has Their First Concert in Over 600 Days

Anik Mridha, Lily Bridges, Bella Gerardi, and Kaleb Ryans
February 4, 2022
Conservation efforts made by the US Forest Service have been steadily increasing the population of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers. Their population has increased by over 60% since 1990, rising incrementally each year.

Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers are Declining Rapidly: Why It’s an Alarming Representation of Climate Change

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer
February 3, 2022
Poised for the perfect strike, sophomore Grace Tucker aims to score. Tucker was a team star in the first set, scoring multiple set winning strikes. “I’m really glad we won the game because it was our Dig Pink game and we all came together as a team and played well,” Tucker said.

Phoenix Show Out For Pink Out

Tanishka Enugu, Harini Kannan, Abhi Sharma, and Kaleb Ryans
November 16, 2021
During public comment, Loudoun County parents and students voiced their concerns over the School Board’s recent actions to deal with the sexual assault case.

Loudoun County School Board Discusses Current Affairs, Title IX, School Lunch

Amelia Chen, James Bowles, Kaleb Ryans, and Sudeepa Pasupuleeti
November 16, 2021
Hilton Foley, 10

Hilton Foley, 10

Kaleb Ryans, Staff Writer
September 30, 2021
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