• Important Dates -->
  • 11/22: Honor Society Ceremony
  • 11/26: Last day of School Before Break
  • 11/27: Thanksgiving Break
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Signs litter the lawn surrounding Rock Ridge High School discussing candidates running and their promises.
Polarized Politics: The 2024 Election Season
Students expressed their gratitude towards the veterans of Rock Ridge by organizing a breakfast food for them.
Veterans Day Breakfast Recognizes Former Service Members
The LCPS School Board meeting covered financial aspects of the county, such as Policy 4030 and school funds.
School Board Meeting Discusses Budget Changes, Issues New Attendance Policy
Lightspeed is a technology management software that provides visibility of students’ devices during class time, ensuring engagement and productivity during school hours. Rachel Bhardwaj and Divitha Mathe
Watchful Eye: The Implementation of Lightspeed in LCPS
Junior Laura Adams puts her phone into the device holder at the beginning of her AP Language and Composition class.
From Phone-Friendly to Phone-Free: Virginia Dept. of Education Implements State-Wide Cell Phone Policy
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
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
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
Phoenix cheerleaders complete a chant at a home basketball game. “Smooth and easy that's what we do,” senior cheer captain Reagan Carper said.
From Friday Night Lights to Bright Gym Lights
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.”
Phoenix Take Down the Titans
Freshman defenseman Brooks Furtek (44) cross-checks a Seahawk in a race to get the puck.
Pride/Phoenix Stir Up the Hornets/Seahawks Nest
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
Senior Wardah Islam sings her solo for “A Choice to Change the World.”
Voices of Change: Rock Ridge Sings is in Tune with Community
The plot of “Monsters” juggles conflicting tones and confusing characterizations, turning a complex case into a muddled narrative mess. Promotional Image of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Sensationalism Over Substance: ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Turns Tragedy into Trash
Paris Hilton falls from a star, showcasing her fall from stardom in the pop industry. Her recent release of “Infinite Icon” is accelerating her fall due to its poor quality.
‘Infinite Icon’: Paris Hilton’s Recent Album Has Been Forgotten in the New Generation of Pop
“Short n’ Sweet” showcases Sabrina Carpenter’s seamless blend of wit and catchy melodies, making it her most compelling and confident album to date. Photo Courtesy of Island Records
Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’: A Masterclass in Pop Precision and Playful Provocation
Sophomores Ronald Hodge III, who plays Tom Collins, and Angel LaBosette, who plays Angel Dumott Schunard, star center stage during their number, “Santa Fe.”
Running It Back: ‘‘RENT’’ Revival to Take International Thespian Festival Main Stage
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
The phone-free school movement started as a small act and is now spreading all over the United States, and will continue until something is done about it.
Should Schools Go Phone Free?
Rock Ridge Road Infrastructure poses grave concerns due to immense traffic during congested pickup and drop off times for car riders and bus riders, along with potential safety hazards for bicyclists and pedestrians having to share a sidewalk.
Traffic Trauma: Rock Ridge Road Infrastructure Causes Heavy Traffic Every Morning
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
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
‘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
Mariam Abdelsayed

Mariam Abdelsayed, Website Coordinator

Mariam Abdelsayed is a senior at RRHS who has been with the The Blaze staff since her sophomore year. She was born in Egypt and immigrated to the US when she was six. One of her activities that she likes to do in her free time is watch movies. She is a movie fan and her favorite movie right now is “Spider Man Now Way Home.” Mariam hopes to join the medical field after she graduates high school.

All content by Mariam Abdelsayed
“Bring It On” has been a great experience for many. For sophomore Tom Soricelli, who plays Steven, it was the first show that he’s acted in. “I’ve never done anything like this, but it is exciting,” Soricelli said.

Rock Ridge Performing Arts “Brings It On” With the Spring Musical

Karis Adnan, Mariam Abdelsayed, and Smrithi Balakumar
May 18, 2023
Junior Tarini Panidepu waits for her opponent to serve the ball. Panidepu has improved greatly over the course of the season. “I was definitely able to get my first serve percentage up,” Panidepu said.

#2 on the Court, #1 in our Hearts: Tarini Panidepu Takes on the World of Tennis

Mariam Abdelsayed, Karis Adnan, and Smrithi Balakumar
May 16, 2023
Junior Kim Trieu kicks the ball to her teammate further downfield, striving to get an assist.

Phoenix Face a Loss Against the Vikings During First Regular Season Game

Mariam Abdelsayed, Karis Adnan, Smrithi Balakumar, and Shivu Sathe
March 31, 2023
Juniors Mariah Waters, Kaia Greene, Olivia McMahon, Emily Gruessing, Izzy Bock, and senior Julia Freeman perform “The Chain” from “X: 1969.”

Broadway Desserts Brings Sweet Performances to the Stage

Karis Adnan, Rachel Adams, Smrithi Balakumar, and Mariam Abdelsayed
March 1, 2023
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

Mariam Abdelsayed, Rachel Adams, Karis Adnan, and Shaila Patel
January 31, 2023
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

Mariam Abdelsayed, Rachel Adams, Karis Adnan, and Shaila Patel
January 31, 2023
Instead of the traditional introduction showing all the Marvel characters with music in the background, the film began with a silent montage of pictures and videos of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who played the lead role in the first “Black Panther” movie.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever:” A Clash of Afrofuturism and Mayan Mythology

Rohan Iyer, Smrithi Balakumar, and Mariam Abdelsayed
January 25, 2023
Economics teacher Peter Kim gets pied in the face by senior Akarsh Kontham, after gaining the most money from the hot chocolate sale.

Students Slide into Winter Break With Holiday Outfits

Mariam Abdelsayed, Karis Adnan, Raza Hassan, and Melissa Waas
January 17, 2023
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 can't, I'll probably just find a job.”

Putt-ing Another Season Away: Golf Season Recap

Syd Nguyen, Mariam Abdelsayed, and Raza Hassan
November 2, 2022
Choir Director Jordan Markwood receives the Washington Post and LCPS awards for Teacher of the Year, as Mentoring and Coaching Supervisor Julie Baye applauds him. Looking back at receiving the award, Markwood said he was humbled. “I don't do any of the things I do to receive recognition, it's more about sharing a passion for what I love, and helping my students,” Markwood said.

Lunchtime Games, Spirit Day Celebrate Director Jordan Markwood as Washington Post Teacher of the Year

Aarohi Motwani, Nanaki Bawa, Mariam Abdelsayed, and Abby Welch
May 11, 2022
Author of The Nowhere Girls, Amy Reed, kicks off the Women's Summit in the library on March 26 by presenting her keynote speech, in which she talked about her books and how they impacted her. “It’s really important to try to listen to that voice inside of you that's there and steady and usually a little bit quiet when the whole world is telling you who to be and what to be and what to do,” Reed said. “Beneath all of that there's a part of us that knows what's good and what's right, and sometimes it's hard to listen to that part of us, sometimes it takes being vulnerable and scared to listen to it.”

Women Rise to the Occasion: “RISE To” Summit Brings Community Leaders Together

Mariam Abdelsayed, Nanaki Bawa, and Nicolas Biernacki
April 1, 2022
Rock Ridge Rants (1)

Rock Ridge Rants

Mariam Abdelsayed and Karis Adnan
March 18, 2022
Marvel Studio’s “Eternals” has grossed $300 million globally, topping the box office for two weeks after its release on Nov. 5.

“Eternals” Touches on Diverse Topics Rarely Seen in the Marvel Universe

Mariam Abdelsayed and Shaima Tora
February 5, 2022
20 years in the making, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” brings the past to the present. While Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) helps Spiderman out, nostalgic villains — Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Electro — return for a final battle with Peter Parker.

Seeing Triple? Marvel Delivers What Fans Wanted: More Spider-Man

Mariam Abdelsayed and Divya Iyer
February 5, 2022
Addressing history teacher Alison O’Leary’s class, senior Danielle Knick teaches her lesson to the eighth grade class at Stone Hill Middle School. “Teacher Cadet is a really fun experience. I have enjoyed it, and I hope it will help me in the future,” senior Danielle Knick said.

Teacher Cadet Students Rise as the Teachers of Tomorrow

Mariam Abdelsayed, Nanaki Bawa, and Abby Welch
February 4, 2022
Adorned with paper snowflakes and wreaths, math teacher William Driggers’ advisory class won best overall door in the door decorating competition.

Winter Door Decorating Competition Ignites Winter Spirit

Nanaki Bawa, Mariam Abdelsayed, Rachel Adams, and Aline Gonzalez
February 2, 2022
Seniors Tai Trieu, Tiernan Caulfield, and other athletes skip as a warmup before their practice run. ¨It's been great to have a season in-person because last year we did not have one, and it's been a great experience to be with the team again,¨ Caulfield said.

Cross Country Races Towards a Successful Season

Mariam Abdelsayed, Nicolas Biernacki, and Jackson Mitchell
October 27, 2021
During lunch on September 15, participants in daily “lunch games” for the week were asked to compete in a relay race around the cafeteria while wearing a tutu, with the winner of the race earning spirit points for their grade. Junior Gina Daly (front) and senior Yasser Mengaoui (back) came in first and second place, respectively. “The trash can blocked me,” Mengaoui said after the race. “Otherwise, I would’ve won.”

Juniors, Seniors tied for First Place in Spirit Points after first Spirit Week

Rohan Iyer and Mariam Abdelsayed
October 4, 2021
Mai Dorgham, 11

Mai Dorgham, 11

Mariam Abdelsayed, Website Coordinator
September 30, 2021
Haarika Kalahasti, 12

Haarika Kalahasti, 12

Mariam Abdelsayed, Website Coordinator
November 9, 2020
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