• Important Dates -->
  • Jan. 20: End of Semester 1
  • Jan. 23: Lunar New Year - No School
  • Jan. 24: Teacher Workday
  • End of Jan. - Mid Feb.: Course Selection
  • Feb. 2: PTSO Meeting
  • Feb. 3: Broadway Desserts
  • Feb. 10: Phoenix Pageant
  • Feb. 16: Orchestra Pre-Assessment Concert
  • Feb. 20: Presidents' Day - No School
  • Feb. 20 - 24: Student Press Freedom Week
  • Feb. 23: 3rd Quarter Senior Breakfast
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Stress leaves a major impact on students and may leave them stuck in place, not knowing what to do or how to handle it.
Behind the Scenes of Stress
Seated at her desk, history and yearbook Michelle Menna meticulously edits a yearbook spread with her trustee black pen. Balancing her time between teaching AP U.S. history and yearbook, serving as the SCA sponsor, and leading history teachers as the department chair, Menna is often found typing away on her computer or standing in front of her enthusiastic students. The SCA has been an integral part of Menna’s life since 2014, when she first began planning elaborate school-wide events and sharing numerous meetings with administration; now, Menna has decided to take a step down from SCA to dedicate more time towards her personal life.
Humble Headship: History Teacher Michelle Menna Prepares to Step Down After 8 Years as SCA Sponsor
Rock Ridge Choir poses after performing for the residents of Waltonwood senior center.
Bringing Our Spirits Back One Song at a Time
The dreaded flu season has arrived. The coughing, the aches, the sneezing -- its all back, and more annoying than ever.
Flu Season Hits Rock Ridge as Students Finish Up the Quarter
Fresh from placing 4th on March 5, 2022 at SLC (State Leadership Conference) in the Project Management Career Development category, Emily Lam (right) poses with her friend, senior Nina Lal (left), in celebration of both of their successes.
The Face of DECA
Phoenix Profiles: Humans of Rock Ridge
Phoenix Profiles: Humans of Rock Ridge
LCPS has experimented with the schedule in the past, leading to much controversy. Students and staff are left with mixed feelings regarding this years schedule change.
The New Schedule: the Positive, the Negative, and the Neutral
Volume V, Issue II: Winter 2022
Volume V, Issue II: Winter 2022
Return to The Rock
Return to The Rock
A collage of all of the students profiled. (All photos courtesty of the profiled students.)
Humans of Rock Ridge: Pandemic Profiles
The U.S. Capitol on the morning of President Bidens Inauguration.
Road To The Presidency
A distorted image of an I Voted sticker from Loudoun County. (Photo courtesy of Katy Greiner)
What’s A Rumor You’ve Heard About The Election?
The general election, and final day to vote, will take place on Nov. 3. In Virginia, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What To Expect On Decision Day: Ins and Outs Of Following A Major Election
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019. (White House/Shaelah Craighead)
Trump Agrees on New Spending Bill; Promises an Emergency Declaration
Senior Mehma Kathuria keeps the ball away from the Bolt defender. “Our game was together, we were playing with a new play,” Kathuria said. “[The Team’s] chemistry builds and gets better every game.”
The Battle of Ridges Results in Both Wins and Losses
Senior Basit Qadri tries to find another player to pass off the ball to his teammate without the Tigers stealing it.
Phoenix Varsity Basketball Takes Down the Tigers
At the Jan. 9 home double header against Briar Woods, senior Nick Canfield keeps an eye on the ball and defends the basket during the boys game. During the girls game, sophomore Kalen Walker prepares to take a free throw shot.
Double Headers Bring 2 Star Players Forward
Junior Cora Bowen dribbles the ball towards the basket, following a turnover that led to Phoenix possession.
Phoenix Take Flight Against the Falcons in a Double Header Matchup
Senior Basit Qadri sprints down the court, weaving through defenders as he looks for an open teammate.
Phoenix Battle the Pride During First Double Header of the New Year
Senior Ethan Strine gets in position for the next play. “Even our juniors, sophomores, our younger guys, it really felt like all of our last games, even though they have next year and the year after,” Strine said. “It was just a team that we were all a part of. This whole season was very memorable for all of us.”
Seniors Appreciate Last Moments at Their Final Home Game
During halftime of the homecoming football game, senior Jack Capobianco wins homecoming royalty and is officially crowned by junior Maggie Miller. “I wasn’t expecting [winning homecoming royalty] at all,” Capobianco said. “I was very surprised but very excited.”
Phoenix Celebrate Homecoming With a Victory
Leaving the season behind, sophomore Aiden Patel walks along a golf course holding all his golf equipment. Patel, although not yet a senior, is already thinking about his future in golf. “Hopefully, [I’ll continue golf] in college, and if I can go pro, a 100%,” Patel said, “But if I cant, Ill probably just find a job.”
Putt-ing Another Season Away: Golf Season Recap
The Phoenix prepare to face the Huskies in a new play. “[We could improve by] focusing on trying to get people healthy, running the ball, and getting people work at different positions just in case [of] injuries,” Qadri said.
Huskies Put Out Phoenix Fire at Pink Out Game
Senior Karis Adnan sets off the point by serving the ball to the opposing team. The Phoenix kept the game lighthearted as they continued to lead. “We have been on a really good winning streak, so that was really fun,” Adnan said.
Phoenix Dominate the Patriots on Senior Night
Senior Mehma Kathuria keeps the ball away from the Bolt defender. “Our game was together, we were playing with a new play,” Kathuria said. “[The Team’s] chemistry builds and gets better every game.”
The Battle of Ridges Results in Both Wins and Losses
Senior Basit Qadri tries to find another player to pass off the ball to his teammate without the Tigers stealing it.
Phoenix Varsity Basketball Takes Down the Tigers
At the Jan. 9 home double header against Briar Woods, senior Nick Canfield keeps an eye on the ball and defends the basket during the boys game. During the girls game, sophomore Kalen Walker prepares to take a free throw shot.
Double Headers Bring 2 Star Players Forward
Junior Cora Bowen dribbles the ball towards the basket, following a turnover that led to Phoenix possession.
Phoenix Take Flight Against the Falcons in a Double Header Matchup
Senior Basit Qadri sprints down the court, weaving through defenders as he looks for an open teammate.
Phoenix Battle the Pride During First Double Header of the New Year
Junior Maddy Springer attempts to swing at the coming softball, allowing her team to advance to further bases on the field. “We should go in expecting to win and we need to have high hopes and good spirits,” sophomore Emma Spielman said.
Phoenix Clash with Lightridge Lightning in Final Softball Game
Senior Ryan Buermeyer (22), mid-swing, aims to hit the ball and allow sophomore Dylan Neach (21) and freshman Nikhil Midda (9) to make it home from second and third bases respectively.
Phoenix Swing a Win for the Season
Boys Varsity Soccer started their season strong with their first win in 2 years against the Stone Bridge Bulldogs. Senior Prince Amarante scored 2 goals, giving the Phoenix the win 2-1.
Closing of a Chapter, Prince Hangs Up His Crown
The track and field team warms up together with laps at practice after school.
Seniors Race to the Finish Line
Seniors Atri Bathula and Advik Pasuparthi hustle their way through the field.
Head to Head: Lacrosse Double Header Showcases Phoenix Seniors
Winter Drumline director Patrick O’Rourke instructs members of the ensemble as they prepare to play one of their pieces. This was the first year that the Winter Drumline program was active, and O’Rourke hoped that they would reach a high standard of performance over time. “There’s lots of programs in other high schools, and we’re hoping to get to that level,” O’Rourke said.
One Line, One Sound
Eleven years after the last book in the “Maze Runner” series came to a close, James Dashner continues the series with his new book “The Maze Cutter.”
Peace Before Collapse
“Back 2 Life” by Thaiboy Digital was released on Nov. 18, 2022, under his record label YEAR0001. This project features two of the three members of the artist collective, Drain Gang. It also includes fellow Swedish rapper Yung Lean, who is a member of SBE.
Swedish Icon Thaiboy Digital is Finally Back (2 Life)
“God Of War Ragnarök” has blown the expectations of fans and critics out of the water, landing the “Best Narrative” award among others during the Game Awards 2022.
“God Of War Ragnarök:” The Perfect Sequel
To kick off the new year, Blumhouse released their first horror/thriller film of 2023. The audience found “M3gan” to be a sensational masterpiece with a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“M3gan” Has Gone Mad
As someone who practices spirituality, it is important to be aware of your well being. Auras help with knowing how your physical body connects emotionally.
The Significance of Auras
During the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards, businesswoman and socialite Kim Kardashian wore a new hairstyle, cornrows, drawing controversy and criticism from some of her followers. “I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her. So we braided her hair and then we braided my hair,” Kardashian said to Bustle.
Should Certain Hairstyles Be Gatekept?
Doctors are held to expectations that are beyond human capability. While most crumble from the stress, some can take advantage of their power over patients and abuse it.
Trust Your Doctor — or Don’t
Students find history teacher Katharina Felts’ quiet space to be very productive because of the time available to students. The room has been available to students during activity block since the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
I’m at “Quiet Space” Right Now
Cell phones can be a great tool and help student interaction, but incorporating them into the classroom can lead to distraction and interfere with students’ learning.
Cell Phones in School: Distraction or Interaction?
Meet RRHS: Vaishnavi Raghunandan
The Unity
The Unity
Media by the Minute
Media by the Minute
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
The Sound Of The Game
The Sound Of The Game
Meet RRHS: Vaishnavi Raghunandan
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
Book Bans: Silencing the Voices of Now
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Zain Khalidi

Zain Khalidi, Multimedia Editor

Zain Khalidi is the multimedia editor of Rock Ridge's The Blaze. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends, and traveling the world.

All content by Zain Khalidi
An advertisement for “Girls’” second season in Brooklyn.

‘Girls’ Tenth Anniversary: A Retrospective Special

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

Head to Head: Lacrosse Double Header Showcases Phoenix Seniors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 27, 2021
Bella Fouladi, 11

Bella Fouladi, 11

September 30, 2021
Jennifer Nunes, 10

Jennifer Nunes, 10

November 9, 2020
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THE BLAZE

The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School
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