Kamille Simon, Staff Writer
Kamille Simon is a first year member of the paper who joined with the hope of exposing herself to areas of the school that she previously had little knowledge of, and to represent those who aren’t as seen. Alongside her recent joining of staff, she is and has been involved in Phoenix Obsidian, a black student union, and Tri-M, a music honor society. Within those groups, she holds the titles of communications officer for Phoenix Obsidian and historian for Tri-M, where she helps students gain a sense of community and gets them involved with the school through events, lessons, and meetings.
![Standing center stage, senior Ananya Akula conducts the Phoenix Chorale. “[Conducting and teaching] is really fun,” Akula said. “Music education is what I want to do.” On the day of the choir assessment, Akula found out that she received the President’s Music Scholarship – a full ride to the University of Miami Frost School of Music.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ananya-1200x800.jpg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![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.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![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 its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![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.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
![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.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0210-900x775.jpg)
![Michelle Menna, Department Chair of Social Sciences, is eager for students to respond to the controversy over Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies curriculum by enrolling in courses to engage in further discussion. “I don’t understand why we are afraid of telling the truth. I think that would be the responsibility of these [AP history] classes that we ask kids essentially to pay to take -- that they should have that opportunity [to seek truth],” Menna said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/african-american-studies-final-graphic-900x754.png)
![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)
![Sophomores, Gouri Challa, Truc Bui, and Dhyeya Chandi from Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Christopher Berger’s advisory work diligently to perfect the 3D elements of their door decor, which was a winter wonderland-themed cabin. Sophomore Jackie Cheek was a collaborator of the group who took charge of the decoration, “We are having some of the guys do snowflakes,” Cheek said. “I think Gouri and some of the other girls are [making] a fireplace.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DD-feature-img-900x703.jpg)
