• Important Dates -->
  • Jan. 20: End of Semester 1
  • Jan. 23: Lunar New Year - No School
  • Jan. 24: Teacher Workday
  • End of Jan. - Mid Feb.: Course Selection
  • Feb. 2: PTSO Meeting
  • Feb. 3: Broadway Desserts
  • Feb. 10: Phoenix Pageant
  • Feb. 16: Orchestra Pre-Assessment Concert
  • Feb. 20: Presidents' Day - No School
  • Feb. 20 - 24: Student Press Freedom Week
  • Feb. 23: 3rd Quarter Senior Breakfast
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Stress leaves a major impact on students and may leave them stuck in place, not knowing what to do or how to handle it.
Behind the Scenes of Stress
Seated at her desk, history and yearbook Michelle Menna meticulously edits a yearbook spread with her trustee black pen. Balancing her time between teaching AP U.S. history and yearbook, serving as the SCA sponsor, and leading history teachers as the department chair, Menna is often found typing away on her computer or standing in front of her enthusiastic students. The SCA has been an integral part of Menna’s life since 2014, when she first began planning elaborate school-wide events and sharing numerous meetings with administration; now, Menna has decided to take a step down from SCA to dedicate more time towards her personal life.
Humble Headship: History Teacher Michelle Menna Prepares to Step Down After 8 Years as SCA Sponsor
Rock Ridge Choir poses after performing for the residents of Waltonwood senior center.
Bringing Our Spirits Back One Song at a Time
The dreaded flu season has arrived. The coughing, the aches, the sneezing -- its all back, and more annoying than ever.
Flu Season Hits Rock Ridge as Students Finish Up the Quarter
Fresh from placing 4th on March 5, 2022 at SLC (State Leadership Conference) in the Project Management Career Development category, Emily Lam (right) poses with her friend, senior Nina Lal (left), in celebration of both of their successes.
The Face of DECA
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 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 Basit Qadri tries to find another player to pass off the ball to his teammate without the Tigers stealing it.
Phoenix Varsity Basketball Takes Down the Tigers
At the Jan. 9 home double header against Briar Woods, senior Nick Canfield keeps an eye on the ball and defends the basket during the boys game. During the girls game, sophomore Kalen Walker prepares to take a free throw shot.
Double Headers Bring 2 Star Players Forward
Junior Cora Bowen dribbles the ball towards the basket, following a turnover that led to Phoenix possession.
Phoenix Take Flight Against the Falcons in a Double Header Matchup
Senior Basit Qadri sprints down the court, weaving through defenders as he looks for an open teammate.
Phoenix Battle the Pride During First Double Header of the New Year
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
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 Basit Qadri tries to find another player to pass off the ball to his teammate without the Tigers stealing it.
Phoenix Varsity Basketball Takes Down the Tigers
At the Jan. 9 home double header against Briar Woods, senior Nick Canfield keeps an eye on the ball and defends the basket during the boys game. During the girls game, sophomore Kalen Walker prepares to take a free throw shot.
Double Headers Bring 2 Star Players Forward
Junior Cora Bowen dribbles the ball towards the basket, following a turnover that led to Phoenix possession.
Phoenix Take Flight Against the Falcons in a Double Header Matchup
Senior Basit Qadri sprints down the court, weaving through defenders as he looks for an open teammate.
Phoenix Battle the Pride During First Double Header of the New Year
Junior Maddy Springer attempts to swing at the coming softball, allowing her team to advance to further bases on the field. “We should go in expecting to win and we need to have high hopes and good spirits,” sophomore Emma Spielman said.
Phoenix Clash with Lightridge Lightning in Final Softball Game
Senior Ryan Buermeyer (22), mid-swing, aims to hit the ball and allow sophomore Dylan Neach (21) and freshman Nikhil Midda (9) to make it home from second and third bases respectively.
Phoenix Swing a Win for the Season
Boys Varsity Soccer started their season strong with their first win in 2 years against the Stone Bridge Bulldogs. Senior Prince Amarante scored 2 goals, giving the Phoenix the win 2-1.
Closing of a Chapter, Prince Hangs Up His Crown
The track and field team warms up together with laps at practice after school.
Seniors Race to the Finish Line
Seniors Atri Bathula and Advik Pasuparthi hustle their way through the field.
Head to Head: Lacrosse Double Header Showcases Phoenix Seniors
Winter Drumline director Patrick O’Rourke instructs members of the ensemble as they prepare to play one of their pieces. This was the first year that the Winter Drumline program was active, and O’Rourke hoped that they would reach a high standard of performance over time. “There’s lots of programs in other high schools, and we’re hoping to get to that level,” O’Rourke said.
One Line, One Sound
Eleven years after the last book in the “Maze Runner” series came to a close, James Dashner continues the series with his new book “The Maze Cutter.”
Peace Before Collapse
“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)
“God Of War Ragnarök” has blown the expectations of fans and critics out of the water, landing the “Best Narrative” award among others during the Game Awards 2022.
“God Of War Ragnarök:” The Perfect Sequel
To kick off the new year, Blumhouse released their first horror/thriller film of 2023. The audience found “M3gan” to be a sensational masterpiece with a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“M3gan” Has Gone Mad
As someone who practices spirituality, it is important to be aware of your well being. Auras help with knowing how your physical body connects emotionally.
The Significance of Auras
During the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards, businesswoman and socialite Kim Kardashian wore a new hairstyle, cornrows, drawing controversy and criticism from some of her followers. “I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her. So we braided her hair and then we braided my hair,” Kardashian said to Bustle.
Should Certain Hairstyles Be Gatekept?
Doctors are held to expectations that are beyond human capability. While most crumble from the stress, some can take advantage of their power over patients and abuse it.
Trust Your Doctor — or Don’t
Students find history teacher Katharina Felts’ quiet space to be very productive because of the time available to students. The room has been available to students during activity block since the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
I’m at “Quiet Space” Right Now
Cell phones can be a great tool and help student interaction, but incorporating them into the classroom can lead to distraction and interfere with students’ learning.
Cell Phones in School: Distraction or Interaction?
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
The Sound Of The Game
The Sound Of The Game
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
Nicolas Biernacki

Nicolas Biernacki, Staff Writer

Nicolas is a senior at Rock Ridge who likes to think he is creative and a good writer. He enjoys reading, writing (he generally types on a computer, because he has terrible handwriting), and watching YouTube. This is his second year on the newspaper staff. Some of Nicolas’s activities outside of newspaper include being a member of the debate team, being a WINGS mentor, and being the vice president of the social science honors society.

All content by Nicolas Biernacki
Phoenix asked questions at the Curriculum night on Jan. 5.

Phoenix Plan Their Futures

January 25, 2023
Freshman Nila Divakar, freshman Hasini Kasuganti, senior Sneha Nekkanty, sophomore Rishab Goel, and sophomore Jaden Thomas play their flutes during the first band concert of the year. The winter concert was Thomas’s first time as a first chair. “I worked really hard, and I was rewarded,” Thomas said.

The ‘Phoenix’ and ‘Stingrays’ Start the Holiday Celebration

January 8, 2023
The program required a large commitment from the students, including requiring them to spend a large amount of time in their own time at home. “We had to read this really huge textbook; [it took]a couple of hours per week,” Chellarapu said.

Learning How to Save Lives

October 11, 2022
Members of the Phoenix crew team work on their boats during the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.

Crew Finishes Out the Year On a High Note

June 6, 2022
While reviewing the concept of federalism, senior Danielle Knick oversees a Google form questionnaire activity. “After the students finished the activity, I called on three students to explain their answers,” Knick said. “During this activity, I got to practice the important skills of classroom management and student assessment.”

The Faces of Capstone

May 12, 2022
Senior and SCA executive treasurer Ethan Devarapalli and sophomore class class president Jag Maddipatla work on a poster for prom in the SCA room.

Posters: The Secret Tool of the SCA

April 21, 2022
Author of The Nowhere Girls, Amy Reed, kicks off the Womens Summit in the library on March 26 by presenting her keynote speech, in which she talked about her books and how they impacted her. “It’s really important to try to listen to that voice inside of you thats there and steady and usually a little bit quiet when the whole world is telling you who to be and what to be and what to do,” Reed said. “Beneath all of that theres a part of us that knows whats good and whats right, and sometimes its hard to listen to that part of us, sometimes it takes being vulnerable and scared to listen to it.”

Women Rise to the Occasion: “RISE To” Summit Brings Community Leaders Together

April 1, 2022
Christian Djan (22) looks to pass while being double teamed in a Jan.6 game against the Dominion Titans.

The Heart of the Phoenix

March 2, 2022

Whitney Leach

February 16, 2022

Katie Doppelheuer

February 16, 2022
As new counselors Whitney Leach and Katie Doppelheuer started their counseling journey as a Phoenix, they received encouragement from students and fellow staff members. “I had been working with one student for a couple weeks, and they weren’t too sure if they were going to do well in their class or not,” Doppelheuer said. “And at the end of the semester…they came to me and said ‘I got the grade I wanted to get’ and they thanked me for just being an ear who listened and helped them work through their stress.”

These New Phoenix Counselors Are Already Making a Difference

February 16, 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

October 27, 2021
When joining the PTSO, new members are given PTSO magnets and entered into a raffle that awards prizes including free SAT classes. These magnets were available for pick up at the homecoming tailgate and were offered in the cafeteria from Oct. 11 to Oct 15.

The PTSO’s Dream: Creating Outdoor Learning Spaces

October 27, 2021
Mehul Tahiiani, 11

Mehul Tahiiani, 11

September 30, 2021
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THE BLAZE

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