• Important Dates -->
  • 11/22: Honor Society Ceremony
  • 11/26: Last day of School Before Break
  • 11/27: Thanksgiving Break
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
New Perspectives: Introduction to New Teachers
The student team poses after the game with the trophy, which they won after defeating the teachers 36-30.
Students Spike Their Way to Victory in Annual Students vs. Staff Showdown
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
The school hosts the first RISE award ceremony to kick off the new school year. This ceremony provided encouragement and confidence to receiving students for their hard work and dedication this quarter.
Rock Ridge High School Awards Students for Excellence in the Classroom
Members of the Cure Club, including president Mimtaaha Kader (center) and member Sadie Cluck (right), work on a donation box for a fundraising event during a meeting.
Cure Club: Curing Through Awareness
The student team poses after the game with the trophy, which they won after defeating the teachers 36-30.
Students Spike Their Way to Victory in Annual Students vs. Staff Showdown
Junior defenseman Connor Bultema dumps the puck in the offensive zone as the Phoenix/Pride watch from the bench intently.
Meet the Team: Phoenix/Pride Hockey Starts Season on Fire
Freshman Anshika Atluri charges for the ball on the wing as a Titan player sprints to catch up on the defense.
Titans Attack Phoenix Field Hockey in 8-0 Loss
The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.
Set, Spike, Win, Repeat: Phoenix Serve The Huskies
Senior Aiden Patel swings his club aiming to get close to the hole. He ended the season undefeated and qualified for the All-State Virginia golf team. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Virbickis
Phoenix Golf Hits Into Green This Season
Freshman Anshika Atluri charges for the ball on the wing as a Titan player sprints to catch up on the defense.
Titans Attack Phoenix Field Hockey in 8-0 Loss
The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.
Set, Spike, Win, Repeat: Phoenix Serve The Huskies
Senior Aiden Patel swings his club aiming to get close to the hole. He ended the season undefeated and qualified for the All-State Virginia golf team. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Virbickis
Phoenix Golf Hits Into Green This Season
Junior Xavier Smith, a wide receiver/defensive back, breaks a tackle. Smith ended the day with 59 rushing yards and six receiving yards.
Annual Homecoming Football Game is Out-of-this-World
Senior running back Shamar Ferrell celebrating in the endzone after narrowly avoiding a Patriot player.
Phoenix Football Proves Patriotism Against Patriots During America Out
Junior defenseman Connor Bultema dumps the puck in the offensive zone as the Phoenix/Pride watch from the bench intently.
Meet the Team: Phoenix/Pride Hockey Starts Season on Fire
The team celebrates their win against the Titans in a huddle around star player of the night, Eryn Chemoiwa, congratulating her on her accomplishments.
Free Throws and Four-Point Plays: A New Phoenix Rises to the Challenge
Phoenix cheerleaders complete a chant at a home basketball game. “Smooth and easy that's what we do,” senior cheer captain Reagan Carper said.
From Friday Night Lights to Bright Gym Lights
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.”
Phoenix Take Down the Titans
Freshman defenseman Brooks Furtek (44) cross-checks a Seahawk in a race to get the puck.
Pride/Phoenix Stir Up the Hornets/Seahawks Nest
Senior Kaushik Muskari: “This might be my favorite season out of all four years because we’ve been winning a lot and I’ve been spending a lot of time with the team and on the court. When we don’t have a match, we usually have morning practice, and it’s a really good time for team bonding and working on everything that we need to on the court. My favorite part of the season has been when I won region doubles with my partner so now we’re progressing to states. I’m planning to continue tennis at George Mason University and major in computer engineering, so I’ve got a long road ahead of me.”
Tennis Triumphs: An Insight Into the Champions
Junior Lilia Jones has exemplified what it means to be a Phoenix. Although she partakes in many activities, she still finds a way to juggle her personal life with her school life -- and on top of her busy schedule, she also holds the title of all-state athlete. Photo courtesy of Lilia Jones, graphic by Rodrigue Gomado
Lilia Jones Leaps Over Hurdles of High School
Senior Teyany Kleiner looks to take the lead away from a Huskies runner and a Wolverines runner. Kleiner became the regional runner-up after racing in the 100 and 200 meter.
Phoenix Leave a Blazing Trail for Track Regionals
With his eyes on the ball, senior Aryan Dhiman swings his racket hard in order to get an advantage over his opponent.
Phoenix Tennis Teams Take the Title at Districts
Seniors Sierra Bell and Ashi Akula advance upfield with the ball.
Phoenix Girls Lacrosse Displays Impressive Effort Against Briar Woods
The album cover of “Chromakopia,” featuring Tyler, The Creator dressed as “St. Chroma”, the medium he uses to reveal his past to the world. The color green is generally used to signify growth or decay, which relates to the overall theme of the album. Photo courtesy of Columbia Records
I Hope ‘Chromakopia’ Finds Its Way to a Grammy
Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, centers in an unsettling graphic of a smile, dripping with blood, with a look of fear and madness, a look that becomes commonplace as she traverses through a world of madness and mystery haunted by the entity known as the “Smile Monster,” whose purpose is to kill and consume people into darkness.
Smile 2: A Smile to Die for, Literally and Metaphorically
“Wicked” delivers a vibrant blend of heart and grandeur, even as its sprawling ambition sometimes overshadows its narrative focus. Promotional Image of "Wicked"
‘Wicked’: A Green-Hued Spectacle That Defies Gravity…Mostly
Ramses, played by junior Andres Marrero, and Tuya, played by senior Kaylie Rivers, hug each other in their grief after saying goodbye to the dying Pharaoh Seti, played by Palmer Joly. In the play, Ramses, who recently got appointed Viceroys, is left with the title and power of Pharaoh and the responsibility of leading Egypt after his father’s death. Photo Courtesy of Scott Sikes
First in the Nation: Rock Ridge Performing Arts Pilots High School Production of “The Prince of Egypt: The Musical”
Daniel Dumille, better known as MF DOOM, released his fifth studio album on Nov. 16, 2004, titled “MM..FOOD.” 20 years later his label released the remix album on Nov. 15 2024. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
A Fresh Remix: 20 Years Since ‘MM..FOOD’
Students are greeted with a display of new books when walking into the Rock Ridge library. The school library serves as a quiet place to study and a place for students to find unique books and resources.
From Books and Resources to Safe Havens: Libraries Are in Decline, But They Won’t Grow Obsolete
Black Friday is slowly declining, and needs to come back, as it is a big part of holiday traditions.
Is Black Friday Over? The Slow Fade of America’s Shopping Frenzy
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
TikTok is on death row for nine months as the US government recently passed a bill to ban the use and download of TikTok across the US.
TikTok is Running Out of Time: TikTok Ban Bill Was Signed
Colors, contrasts, font, size, neatness, background, context, and more, all contribute to the particular style of one’s handwriting. How far has handwriting, as an art form, come? Taking a look back in history and comparing it to modern-day practices shows how little yet how far the art form has transitioned, especially with its recent booming on digital platforms.
The Lost Art of Penmanship: Rediscovering the Beauty of Handwriting
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
Classroom Conversations: All About the College Route
Classroom Conversations: All About the College Route
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Rundown Politics: Voting Registration
Classroom Conversations: The Cell Phone Policy
Classroom Conversations: The Cell Phone Policy
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
‘X-traterrestrial’ Homecoming Week Celebrates X Years at the Rock
Senior Pranjal Deshmukh carefully applies paint to the outline of her name on a Barbie box parking spot design. At the annual parking spot painting event, rising seniors got a chance to claim a parking spot; brainstorm a personal design; come equipped with gallons of paint, various brushes, and rolling pins; and have fun coloring the asphalt with friends and family.
Class of 2025 Makes Their Mark in the Parking Lot
At the U.S. Air National Guard stand, two guardswoman talk to interested students and parents about participation and college programs offered. Other divisions of the military, like the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force attended the event as well, spreading information about their various scholarships and military programs.
Making Connections and Seeking Opportunities: Over 1000 Students Attend the Annual Summer Job Fair
SPED Dean Jesse Hudson fist bumps sophomore Keira Bacas as she steps out of the school bus to begin her first day of school on Aug. 24. Teachers and students were excited to return back to school for Rock Ridge's 10th year and were looking forward to starting the school year with new projects.
Welcome Back, Phoenix!
Class of 2023: 23 Questions with Jack Capobianco
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
All content by Photo courtesy of Richard Gaskin
Coach Richard Gaskin hugs Pelé as he presents the All American award to him in Jan, 1998. The award is either earned by an athletic achievement at a championship event or by being selected by members of the national media, coaches' association, or through a poll.

[Photo] Meet Soccer Coach Richard Gaskin

Hylay Assefa, Website Coordinator
February 16, 2023
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