Manika Porchezhian, A&E Section Editor
Manika Porchezian is one of many returning seniors on “The Blaze” staff. As a second-year staff member, serving as our Arts and Entertainment Editor, Manika plans to focus heavily on her contribution to “The Blaze.” Manika hopes to continue working hard in several endeavors such as creating and editing for “The Blaze,” completing college applications, and consuming all forms of entertainment. Manika thoroughly enjoys her position as she can be the first to get details on the newest albums, movies, trailers, and more. As she departs from Rock Ridge, Manika strives to leave a lasting legacy within our Arts and Entertainment category by shining a light on its ability to convey deep and meaningful messages through a unique lens.
![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)
![Principal cello senior Sydney Pascual plays her solo piece: “Cello Suite No. 3 Sarabande” by Johann Sebastian Bach. “She has a lovely sound, a nice tone,” orchestra director Teresa Gordon said. “She always has, I remember when she was a freshman, taking notice of how beautiful her [playing was].”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/6-IMG_2060-e1685552671223-731x900.jpg)
![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)
![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.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0070-900x630.jpg)
![Junior Sneha Nekkanty, freshman Arjun Alagappa, and junior Joanne Ma play the flutes in Ralph Vaughan William’s fast-paced “English Folk Song Suite.” “We did well blending with each other during this concert,” Nekkanty said. “Our intonation was also better [compared to] the beginning of the year.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC_0645-900x600.jpg)
