Hylay Assefa, Website Coordinator
Hylay Assefa is a veteran staff member. He is a senior this year and has been writing for Rock Ridge since freshman year. He is the website coordinator for The Blaze. He has wanted to join since he heard about Newspaper in seventh grade. Hylay enjoys writing and is looking forward to uploading articles this year, in accordance with his goal of putting his all into the work he commits at the Blaze. Outside of the warm, welcoming newspaper classroom, Hylay plays soccer for the Herndon team, where he has won many tournaments. Aside from soccer, he enjoys listening to music. His goals for the future are simple yet strived for by many. He wants to provide for his family whilst having fun procuring that.
![Junior Diya Arun stares out a window. For Arun, the winter season brings out the holiday blues. “ I think [the winter] has a negative effect on my mental health because I feel like the cold weather and people around me are also sadder [and] that affects me,” Arun said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_8047-1200x800.jpg)
![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)
![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)
![Keynote speaker Kate Kelly gives a speech about her advocacy, her book and her organization called “Ordinary Equality.” She shared how her life has changed from being a committed Mormon to advocating for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and other human rights. "“[It] was so interesting to hear her story, it was really moving,” senior attendee Arria Budram-Dawkins said. “I was kind of tearing up when she was speaking. She's so very powerful, and it's an inspiration to so many people.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSC_0750-900x718.jpg)
![Sophomore Trey Fitch goes for a shot after making a steal. Fitch scored a total of thirteen points in the game. “I feel like I played alright, [I] could have done better,” Fitch said. “I was getting really pressed in the first half, I got led off towards the end. Individually, I did my contribution to the team, but it is a team effort.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DSC_0429-e1671222838619-900x860.jpg)
![After directing “When I Rise Up” by Donald Moore, the second song of the concert, Assistant Choir Director Terrian Jennings faces the audience to present the choir and take a bow. Jennings came in to help Choir Director Jordan Markwood prepare for the concert while he was away for meetings related to his Teacher of the Year award. “Once I was able to open up for the kids, they were able to open up for me on stage, and that’s been my favorite part [of preparing for the concert],” Jennings said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0523-900x600.jpg)
