Sruthi Vivek, Sports Editor
Sruthi Vivek is a sophomore and this is her second year on “The Blaze” staff. She is the Sports Editor, and she’s looking forward to all of the amazing things that the staff will accomplish this year. Sruthi plays for the Rock Ridge varsity basketball team, and she loves sports in general. She loves going to football games and hanging out with her friends at tailgates. When she’s not out socializing, you can usually find Sruthi in her room stressing about school work or watching TV shows. She’s also very passionate about art and loves to paint in her free time as well. Sruthi is a huge music fan, and you’ll usually find her listening to R&B and rap artists like Bryson Tiller, Drake, Travis Scott, and Tory Lanez. She originally joined Newspaper her freshman year because she loves to write and take pictures.
![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.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.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)
![Unlike many other parts of the world, Mexico celebrates death colorfully and cheerfully. The festival is focused on healing and understanding the fact that death is inevitable. “Usually, we go to the cemetery and visit family [members] that have passed away,” Spanish teacher Celia Nagle said. “We also bring flowers [to decorate their graves.]”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/day-of-the-dead-graphic-1200x936.png)
![Principal John Duellman smiles while reflecting on how far the current senior class has come since they were freshmen. During the Principal’s Report, Duellman mentioned some of the major accomplishments made possible by the seniors, and followed that with how the school could celebrate them. “There are a few surprises coming up that I can’t talk about,” Duellman said. “There are some really good [celebrations planned].”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FBAF8E42-6ADA-496B-991F-B7D5FB0B8319_1_201_a-900x600.png)
![Running towards the ball to get it to the other side of the field, sophomore captain Rishit Choudhari makes several advances to try to get the ball to the goal. “We did a great job keeping our head up [during the game],” Choudhari said. “Even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, we all played really well.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0948-809x900.jpg)
