• Important Dates -->
  • 2/27-Rho Kappa Trivia Night
  • 2/28- Cardinal Activity Day
  • 3/1- DECA State Conference
  • 3/1- State Track Meet
  • 3/7- Gray Day Activity
  • 3/12- Writing SOL starts
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The purpose of Ramadan is to practice gratefulness and bring yourself closer to God.
“No, Not Even Water”: Understanding Ramadan
The Video Game Design team waits in the auditorium to receive their award. Howard Goldberg
TSA Transforms Hard Work into a Victory at Regionals
Title IX was born out of a fight for gender equity in education, but its impact depends on how — or if — it is enforced. Ananya Karthik via Canva
Title IX in LCPS: Clarity, Compliance, and Change
The 24 role-playing, written, and independent event qualifiers stand with their medals and glass awards. Courtesy of Rock Ridge HS DECA via Instagram
Rock Ridge DECA Takes Virginia Beach By Storm
Senior Jiya Chadha reads a book to two elementary students at Rosa Lee Carter elementary. Photo courtesy of Shelby Whittington
Young Adult Literature Class Fosters Connections with Rosa Lee Students through Reading
Vice president Vijeta Arora takes charge of all new members of her organization and keeps it running smoothly.
10 Questions with PASTA Vice President Vijeta Arora
Senior Nitya Matcha advises underclassmen to “try everything” and find activities they’re passionate about. Photo Courtesy of Nitya Matcha
Seven Questions with Nitya Matcha: A Master of Managing it All
PEER club leader senior Rishit Choudhari leads with a goal of making the act of being nice a common courtesy in Rock Ridge. Courtesy of Rishit Choudhari
10 Questions with Rishit Choudhari, Co-Leader of PEER
Many invitations to parties were sent out this year, with the arrival of a fun trend, Galentine's Day.
Rock Ridge Trends: Galentines Day
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
Senior Rodrigue Gomado runs the boys 4x400 meter relay event.
Sprinting to Success: Rock Ridge Hosts Indoor Regionals Track Meet, Launches Two Teams to States
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
The team comes together for a cheer as they run back on the court for their last period. “Breaking their press was our biggest challenge,” sophomore Simone Diby (2) said. “We struggled to handle their defensive pressure, which led to a lot of mistakes”
Phoenix Girls Basketball Put Up a Commendable Fight Against the Pride
Senior and captain Will Beck defends his opponent and tries to stop the Pride guard from getting closer to the Phoenix basket.
Phoenix Fall to Pride in Hard Fought Battle
Senior Lorenz Penn brings hustle and heart to the court.
Athlete of the Week: Lorenz Penn
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
Senior Rodrigue Gomado runs the boys 4x400 meter relay event.
Sprinting to Success: Rock Ridge Hosts Indoor Regionals Track Meet, Launches Two Teams to States
Senior Yug Kolla runs a leg in the boys distance 4x800 in the regional track meet hosted by Rock Ridge.
Athlete of the Week: Yug Kolla
The team comes together for a cheer as they run back on the court for their last period. “Breaking their press was our biggest challenge,” sophomore Simone Diby (2) said. “We struggled to handle their defensive pressure, which led to a lot of mistakes”
Phoenix Girls Basketball Put Up a Commendable Fight Against the Pride
Senior and captain Will Beck defends his opponent and tries to stop the Pride guard from getting closer to the Phoenix basket.
Phoenix Fall to Pride in Hard Fought Battle
Senior Lorenz Penn brings hustle and heart to the court.
Athlete of the Week: Lorenz Penn
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
Since the highly publicized arrest of family YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, stories have run rampant about the inner workings of the Franke household. Hulu’s “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke” chronicles what actually happened with lackluster editing but a powerful story. Photo courtesy of Hulu
Behind the Scenes: ‘The Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke’
Angel Labosette energetically sings “You’ll Be Back” from “Hamilton,” dressed as King George III.
Broadway Desserts Hits the Sweet Spot with Show-Stopping Performances
Rapper Kendrick Lamar performs on stage for the Super Bowl halftime show. Photo courtesy of elisfkc2 via Wikimedia Commons. Link to license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en
A Halftime Show For The Ages: Kendrick Lamar
The Weeknd's main album cover showcases him sweating and in pain. This signifies the overall theme of the album itself of escaping reality and paralysis. Courtesy of XO Records
Hurry Up and Listen to the Weeknd’s Newest Album: “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Miller's seventh studio album explores themes of addiction, death, and reflects on the human experience. Photo Courtesy of Warner Records
Incredible Even After Death: Mac Miller’s ‘Balloonerism’
Gifts and treats that you can exchange for Valentines Day
The Season of Love: 9 Ways You Can Celebrate This Valentine’s Day
From the food, to their favorite locations and their music, this is Argentina.
A Peek into Argentina: Celebrating Family, Friends, and Culture
An illustration of a data center is shown glowing, highlighting its significance to Loudoun County.
Data Centers: The Beating Heart, Not the Bane, of Loudoun County
Some of the most talked about moments in 2024, from politics to pop culture.
Defining Memories: Top 10 Moments of 2024
Students try to complete work for their classes, but are overwhelmed with all of the work that they receive weekly.
The Academic Burden: Why Students Should Avoid Taking Several AP Classes
Rundown Politics: Can Celebrities Impact Political Affiliations?
Rundown Politics: Can Celebrities Impact Political Affiliations?
Rundown Politics: The Beginning of the Trump Administration and the End of Biden’s
Rundown Politics: The Beginning of the Trump Administration and the End of Biden’s
Classroom Conversations: Teachers Won Collective Bargaining, But What is That?
Classroom Conversations: Teachers Won Collective Bargaining, But What is That?
Rundown Politics: Biden's Legacy
Rundown Politics: Biden’s Legacy
Students roast marshmallows over the fire pit, ready to make smores and watch “Home Alone 2” during the Frost Fest.
Freezing Fun: Annual Winter Frost Fest Brings Chilly Cheer
Students roast marshmallows over the fire pit, ready to make smores and watch “Home Alone 2” during the Frost Fest.
Freezing Fun: Annual Winter Frost Fest Brings Chilly Cheer
‘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!
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Saketh Nandam

Saketh Nandam, Staff Writer

Saketh Nandam is a sophomore and a new staffer for the Blaze. He’s looking forward to strengthening his essay writing skills as well as gaining exposure to podcast and interview techniques. His hobbies include reading books and coding. His ultimate goal is to become an editor next year and possibly win a SNO Award for the Blaze. He is also a part of many extra curricular activities, including TSA and Robotics.

All content by Saketh Nandam
The Video Game Design team waits in the auditorium to receive their award. Howard Goldberg

TSA Transforms Hard Work into a Victory at Regionals

Amogh Sarasam, Abhinav Jammula, Saketh Nandam, and Arnav Mahajan
March 16, 2025
The academic team stands together for a group photo after a long and hard-fought competition. Photo courtesy of Aryan Manik

Bashing the Buzzer: Academic Team’s Astounding Season

Arnav Mahajan and Saketh Nandam
February 20, 2025
Photo depicts an annual New Year tradition of releasing sky balloons containing personal wishes or prayers. It is believed that releasing these sky balloons into the night sky carries away any worries or misfortunes. Courtesy of Humphrey Muleba via Creative Commons

The Year of the Slithering Snake: LCPS Celebrates the Lunar New Year

Saketh Nandam and Abhinav Jammula
February 10, 2025
An illustration of a data center is shown glowing, highlighting its significance to Loudoun County.

Data Centers: The Beating Heart, Not the Bane, of Loudoun County

Arnav Mahajan and Saketh Nandam
January 29, 2025
“Kraven the Hunter” follows themes of violence and righteousness. The plot starts with Kraven as a boy who avoids death just barely after swallowing a magical solution that gives him superhuman strength. Fueled by his fathers wrongdoing, Kraven sets out into the world to eliminate “bad” men. Promotional Courtesy of Sony Pictures

‘Kraven the Hunter’ Has Claws but Lacks a Bite

Abhinav Jammula and Saketh Nandam
January 13, 2025
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

Saketh Nandam and Abhinav Jammula
November 30, 2024
Grace Carper sings "Love in the Dark" by Adele during the band’s final performance. Courtesy of Anand Alagappa

Hard Work and Harmonious Music: Phoenix Marching Band Displays an Impressive Performance at States

Saketh Nandam, Abhinav Jammula, Amogh Sarasam, and Arnav Mahajan
November 21, 2024
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

Lucian Tiller and Saketh Nandam
November 13, 2024
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