Rodrigue Gomado, Staff Writer
Rodrigue is a junior and happy to be rejoining The Blaze this year after hitting a pause during sophomore year. He describes himself as funny, smart and interesting, and his drive to pursue activities ‘just because why not?’ has led him to join a multitude of Rock Ridge’s in-school and after school clubs. Depending on the athletic season, Rodrigue can be found in the school gym practicing cheer stunts with his teammates, or out on the Track field. He serves as the Junior Class Communications Officer and has fun planning SCA events such as Homecoming Hallway Decorating or preparing Friday morning school announcements.
![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)
![Sophomores William Butler and Isabella Lopez listen as a representative from GoBananas describes a possible job opportunity for the summer. “I’ve already found four interesting jobs; some of [the businesses] I was looking forward to meeting weren’t here, but there are a lot of ones I’ve heard about or haven’t heard about but seem to have a good deal,” Butler said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2-900x586.jpg)
![In the final song of Act One at Broadway Desserts, junior Julia Freeman raises her fist while singing “Ex-Wives” from “Six,” accompanied by senior Maddie Kesler, junior D’Amora Brunson, and sophomores Mariah Waters and Kaia Greene, as well as junior Mary Kate Connor (not pictured). “We chose [“Ex-Wives”] since we wanted to do a group project. We usually only do individual projects, and we thought it would be fun to come together and perform it,” junior D’Amora Brunson said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSC_0572-900x600.jpg)
![On Jan. 24, Phoenix cheerleaders sophomore Isha Vepa, junior Tia Carter, freshman Almendra Del Aguila, and junior Prerana Telugu perform a cheer in unison at the basketball game against Tuscarora. “We almost got hit by a ball like two [or] three times, we just kinda stepped back and kept watching. We literally laughed about it afterwards -- it’s always fun to support with these wild things happening.” said Telugu.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC_0613-900x621.jpg)
