Bella Gerardi, Photo Editor
Senior Bella Gerardi has been a member of the Blaze for four years and this year she has the role of the Photo Editor. Bella has had a history with writing since a young age. Her grandmothers were both authors, and it led her down the journalism path. While she started off writing opinion pieces her first few years, she slowly started to love taking pictures and realized she was very good at it. Over the last year she grew her position to the highest role in photo editing with all the pictures getting sent to her for approval. This year, she wants to hopefully find someone to pass her role as Photo Editor down to. When she’s not working at Kung Fu Tea, she loves to read, especially horror and romance, go to the gym and listen to music. After college she wishes to pursue a career in social work, particularly CPS. As for her love for journalism, she wants to pursue a career as a journalist on the side and hopefully build it up to a good job and decent pay. She hopes to combine her love for social work and journalism in the future.
![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)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Michelle Federico coaches the varsity field hockey team in the Phoenix v. Patriots match on Oct. 5 at the Rock. As head coach, she wants more girls to be interested in a sport like field hockey. “[Field hockey has] always been my favorite sport,” Federico said, “It’s unique, it’s hardcore. People don't realize how difficult it is.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PSX_20211007_101209-840x900.jpg)