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The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Students in the senior section cheer in hopes of winning the spirit stick.
Phoenix Fly into the Holidays with Winter Pep Rally
From the beginning of second quarter to the start of Thanksgiving break, all first, fourth, sixth, and eighth block classes competed to have the lowest absence rate. The prize for the winner acted as an incentive for students to stay in school.
A Reward for Showing Up: New Attendance Competition Implemented
PEER members juniors Maya Waas and Olivia Wilkins sit at a table, selling bracelets for a fundraiser.
Uplifting the School Community One Sticky Note at a Time: PEER Program is Committed to Providing Mentorship
The end of the class rank system marks the start of the new Latin Honors System, dividing students into distinct honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
Removal of the Ranks: LCPS Redefines Student Success
New Perspectives: Introduction to New Teachers
Sophomore Eryn Chamoiwa (14) shoots a free throw after getting fouled.
Phoenix Resilience Shines in a Fierce Battle Against Bulldogs
Phoenix/Heritage players meet at the bench to discuss the upcoming play with Coach David Bultema.
Phoenix/Pride Fight Down-to-the-Wire Against Panthers/Titans
Left to right: senior William Beck, Junior Dawson Boupha, and junior Lucas Wilsey.
Boys Basketball Tryouts Come to a Conclusion, with New and Old Faces on Varsity
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
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
Sophomore Eryn Chamoiwa (14) shoots a free throw after getting fouled.
Phoenix Resilience Shines in a Fierce Battle Against Bulldogs
Phoenix/Heritage players meet at the bench to discuss the upcoming play with Coach David Bultema.
Phoenix/Pride Fight Down-to-the-Wire Against Panthers/Titans
Left to right: senior William Beck, Junior Dawson Boupha, and junior Lucas Wilsey.
Boys Basketball Tryouts Come to a Conclusion, with New and Old Faces on Varsity
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
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
On Nov. 22, Kendrick Lamar released an album with no warning titled “GNX.” The album is an intense narrative of Lamar’s perspectives of the music industry and culture in general. Photo Courtesy of pgLang
‘GNX’: The Cherry Atop Kendrick Lamar’s MVP Season
Senior Ragya Verma engages in “#19, Treasury of Scales” by Justin Ratcliff, playing the clarinet.
Rock Ridge Bands Wrap Up the Year with a Bow at Annual Winter Concert
“Outer Banks” is one of the fastest growing shows in teen television today. As the fourth season comes out, “Outer Banks” stays at the top and keeps viewers hooked. Promotional Image of “Outer Banks”
‘Outer Banks’ Season 4 Review: A Season That Left Fans Stunned
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
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 Zain Khalidi
An advertisement for “Girls’” second season in Brooklyn.

‘Girls’ Tenth Anniversary: A Retrospective Special

Zain Khalidi
June 8, 2022
Seniors Atri Bathula and Advik Pasuparthi hustle their way through the field.

Head to Head: Lacrosse Double Header Showcases Phoenix Seniors

Zain Khalidi and Alyssa Yoon
June 6, 2022
Senior Anish Nandyala prepares to serve during the doubles matches, with partner sophomore Aryan Dhiman ready to play.

Causing a Racket: Boys Tennis Reigns Supreme

Zain Khalidi, Alyssa Yoon, and Maddie Nyman
June 6, 2022
Junior Taylor Cheek (14) attempts to steal the ball away from the Panthers.

Phoenix’s Girls Lacrosse Faces the Panthers with Determination

Alyssa Yoon, Maddie Nyman, Divya Iyer, and Zain Khalidi
April 25, 2022
The varsity boys tennis team gathered around tennis coach Chris Schamus following their triumphant round of singles.

Boys Tennis Serves Another Triumphant Win

Zain Khalidi and Alyssa Yoon
April 7, 2022
Rue settles within her feelings as Lexi’s play diverges from parodically comedic to uncomfortably real.

“Euphoria” Weekly Season Finale Weekly Review: An Open Door Closes

Zain Khalidi
March 14, 2022
After Lexi finally gets to shine vicariously through her autobiographical “Our Life,” she stands sidelined and anxious for the following scenes to commence.

“Euphoria” Weekly Review: Sweet Nothing

Zain Khalidi
March 14, 2022
Rue and Gia are reunited with Rue’s support system, Ali (Colman Domingo, not pictured), presence at the dinner table following her estrangement from him.

“Euphoria” Weekly Review: Giving up the Gun

Zain Khalidi
March 1, 2022
Headlines dictated Joshua Bassett’s career as much as they impacted his mental health.

Joshua Bassett and the Immorality of Modern Cancel Culture

Zain Khalidi and Alyssa Yoon
March 1, 2022
Senior Alexa Veneros (12) blocks a Captains player (5) from scoring, while Veneros’ teammates remain open, ready to receive the ball.

Phoenix Girls Basketball Falls to the Captains on Senior Night

Nanaki Bawa, Rachel Adams, Zain Khalidi, and Alyssa Yoon
February 19, 2022
Gia (Storm Reid) experiences an influx of emotions as she witnesses the effects of Rue’s withdrawal from drugs.

“Euphoria” Weekly review: An Un-Divine Intervention

Zain Khalidi
February 16, 2022
Maddy (Alexa Demie) naively indulges herself in ex-boyfriend Nate’s (Jacob Elordi) overzealous affection and luxurious birthday present; unaware of the outpour of events to come.

“Euphoria” Weekly Review: Birthday Blues

Zain Khalidi
February 14, 2022
A young Cal (Elias Kacavas) looms over the distant soul of his best friend adjacent to him in his Jeep convertible; however, his suppressed feelings are eradicated through his rocky adolescent journey.

“Euphoria” Weekly Review: Blasted from the Past

Zain Khalidi
February 10, 2022
Maddy (Alexa Demie) ponders her options job-searching while wanting nothing to do with the reality she’s created for herself.

“Euphoria” Weekly Review: Do You Have It

Zain Khalidi
February 10, 2022
Following her brief encounter with Rue, Jules (Hunter Schafer) longs for closure at the New Year’s party.

“Euphoria” Weekly Review: A Little Party Never Hurt Nobody

Zain Khalidi
February 8, 2022
Readers, welcome to “Euphoria’s” highly-anticipated second season. Pictured: Jules, (Hunter Schafer) Elliot, (Dominic Fike) Rue, (Zendaya) Maddy (Alexa Demie) and Lexi (Maude Apatow).

“Euphoria” Weekly Review

Zain Khalidi
February 8, 2022
On Aug 24th in the blistering 90 degree heat, seniors paint their parking spots accompanied by their friends and family.

Class of 2022 Claims their Spots on the Lot

Amelia Chen and Zain Khalidi
November 1, 2021
Looking to steal the ball from a Vikings player, freshman Nanci Marcello attempts to prevent a pass.

Phoenix Girls Field Hockey Falls to Vikings

Nanaki Bawa, Aarohi Motwani, Naomi Cho, and Zain Khalidi
October 27, 2021
Bella Fouladi, 11

Bella Fouladi, 11

Zain Khalidi
September 30, 2021
Jennifer Nunes, 10

Jennifer Nunes, 10

Zain Khalidi, Staff Writer
November 9, 2020
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