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The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Students in the senior section cheer in hopes of winning the spirit stick.
Phoenix Fly into the Holidays with Winter Pep Rally
From the beginning of second quarter to the start of Thanksgiving break, all first, fourth, sixth, and eighth block classes competed to have the lowest absence rate. The prize for the winner acted as an incentive for students to stay in school.
A Reward for Showing Up: New Attendance Competition Implemented
PEER members juniors Maya Waas and Olivia Wilkins sit at a table, selling bracelets for a fundraiser.
Uplifting the School Community One Sticky Note at a Time: PEER Program is Committed to Providing Mentorship
The end of the class rank system marks the start of the new Latin Honors System, dividing students into distinct honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
Removal of the Ranks: LCPS Redefines Student Success
New Perspectives: Introduction to New Teachers
Sophomore Eryn Chamoiwa (14) shoots a free throw after getting fouled.
Phoenix Resilience Shines in a Fierce Battle Against Bulldogs
Phoenix/Heritage players meet at the bench to discuss the upcoming play with Coach David Bultema.
Phoenix/Pride Fight Down-to-the-Wire Against Panthers/Titans
Left to right: senior William Beck, Junior Dawson Boupha, and junior Lucas Wilsey.
Boys Basketball Tryouts Come to a Conclusion, with New and Old Faces on Varsity
The student team poses after the game with the trophy, which they won after defeating the teachers 36-30.
Students Spike Their Way to Victory in Annual Students vs. Staff Showdown
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
Senior running back Shamar Ferrell celebrating in the endzone after narrowly avoiding a Patriot player.
Phoenix Football Proves Patriotism Against Patriots During America Out
Sophomore Eryn Chamoiwa (14) shoots a free throw after getting fouled.
Phoenix Resilience Shines in a Fierce Battle Against Bulldogs
Phoenix/Heritage players meet at the bench to discuss the upcoming play with Coach David Bultema.
Phoenix/Pride Fight Down-to-the-Wire Against Panthers/Titans
Left to right: senior William Beck, Junior Dawson Boupha, and junior Lucas Wilsey.
Boys Basketball Tryouts Come to a Conclusion, with New and Old Faces on Varsity
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
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
On Nov. 22, Kendrick Lamar released an album with no warning titled “GNX.” The album is an intense narrative of Lamar’s perspectives of the music industry and culture in general. Photo Courtesy of pgLang
‘GNX’: The Cherry Atop Kendrick Lamar’s MVP Season
Senior Ragya Verma engages in “#19, Treasury of Scales” by Justin Ratcliff, playing the clarinet.
Rock Ridge Bands Wrap Up the Year with a Bow at Annual Winter Concert
“Outer Banks” is one of the fastest growing shows in teen television today. As the fourth season comes out, “Outer Banks” stays at the top and keeps viewers hooked. Promotional Image of “Outer Banks”
‘Outer Banks’ Season 4 Review: A Season That Left Fans Stunned
The album cover of “Chromakopia,” featuring Tyler, The Creator dressed as “St. Chroma”, the medium he uses to reveal his past to the world. The color green is generally used to signify growth or decay, which relates to the overall theme of the album. Photo courtesy of Columbia Records
I Hope ‘Chromakopia’ Finds Its Way to a Grammy
Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, centers in an unsettling graphic of a smile, dripping with blood, with a look of fear and madness, a look that becomes commonplace as she traverses through a world of madness and mystery haunted by the entity known as the “Smile Monster,” whose purpose is to kill and consume people into darkness.
‘Smile 2’: A Smile to Die for, Literally and Metaphorically
Students are greeted with a display of new books when walking into the Rock Ridge library. The school library serves as a quiet place to study and a place for students to find unique books and resources.
From Books and Resources to Safe Havens: Libraries Are in Decline, But They Won’t Grow Obsolete
Black Friday is slowly declining, and needs to come back, as it is a big part of holiday traditions.
Is Black Friday Over? The Slow Fade of America’s Shopping Frenzy
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
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
Rundown Politics: Trump 2016, 2020, and 2024
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
‘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
Prajna Chakravarty

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor

Prajna Chakravarty is a senior who is thrilled about her third year on staff. When she is not in the sky flying, she’s on her bed watching some Netflix or on her desk stressing over all the senior year tasks.

All content by Prajna Chakravarty
Chakravarty Swan Song: Is Nostalgia Truly a Weakness?

Chakravarty Swan Song: Is Nostalgia Truly a Weakness?

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor
May 23, 2022
The girls varsity soccer team comes together for a team photograph at the last home game of the season. The seniors finished off their senior night with a leading score of 8-0.

The Phoenix Girls “Kick-It-Off” At Senior Night

Pavani Aakarapu, Naomi Cho, and Prajna Chakravarty
May 20, 2022
Following the conclusion of the game, the Phoenix walked off the field, headed to their locker room to change and have a team meeting on how to prepare for the next match.

Phoenix Fight to Slide Home

Prajna Chakravarty, Sydney Hackett, and Lilly Khalkho
April 27, 2022
Teachers and students around the county are faced with the decision of whether to wear a mask or not. After schools became mask-optional, some are choosing to go maskless.

LCPS Lifts Mask Mandate

Sydney Hackett and Prajna Chakravarty
March 31, 2022
Senior Anvita Sana serves in her first singles match of the regular season. Sana enjoys playing tennis not only for the sport, but also for the team. “Honestly I just like the team and how we all bond together we’re all like a little family,” Sana said. Sana’s match ended with a 7-3 with the Rams on the winning end.

Phoenix Strike Out Against Riverside Rams

Lilly Khalkho, Sydney Hackett, and Prajna Chakravarty
March 22, 2022
The 2022 movie “Death on the Nile” is based on the 1937 book written by world-renowned author Agatha Christie. The movie adheres to the main plot of Christie’s book while giving the movie a theatrical filter to entertain the audience.

A Modern 1937: Death on the Nile

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor
March 10, 2022
After accepting their first place award, seniors Sonique Alvarez and Roya Cranford give their winning speech to the crowd as the hosts and contestants stand behind them. “[We] had the mindset of knowing we were gonna win coming in,” Cranford said. “And we won coming out.”

Seniors Light up the Stage at Annual Phoenix Pageant

Lilly Khalkho, Prajna Chakravarty, and Sydney Hackett
February 25, 2022
Senior Brett Suazo (11) shoots a free throw seconds before halftime. Suazo made both free throws to tie the game.

Phoenix Reach for the Rim

Prajna Chakravarty, Lilly Khalkho, and Sydney Hackett
February 8, 2022
With an 8.2 rating on IMDB, Dune premiered on Oct. 21, making 220 million dollars globally. Dune is an adaptation of a series written by Frank Herbert in 1965 and is the first of two movies.

A “Dune” Emerges in Cinemas

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor
February 5, 2022
Although the School Board originally thought that the future school enrollment levels would follow the projected FY22 model, after a reevaluation, the future school enrollment scenario will most likely follow the FY23 model. Future meetings to adopt the capital improvement program (CIP) are listed as well.

School Board Continues to Face Backlash From Recent Events

Prajna Chakravarty, Naomi Cho, Sydney Hackett, and Lilly Khalkho
November 16, 2021
In the act ‘Caf Zombies,’ freshmen Tenlee Czarny and Lily Bridges play characters Zantac and Tagamet. The act “Caf Zombies” was the first of the two freshman acts in the play. “I was extremely nervous, I messed up some words, but other than that [it was good],” Czarny said.

Scared Silly: An Opportunity For Everyone

Naomi Cho and Prajna Chakravarty
November 16, 2021
The Phoenix and the Captains line up head to head as anticipation builds for the next play. “It was tough -- we played a good team, but I think we’ve been improving every game, '' senior Numair Huq said. “From that game, our biggest take away was that we needed to work more as a team and figure out what our goals were.”

Students Electrify The Stands as The Phoenix Take a Hit

Prajna Chakravarty and Lilly Khalkho
November 1, 2021
Freshman Saihaj Kaur and junior Deeksha Borra clash with the Captains in an attempt to score a goal. A few moments after the attempt, Kaur suffered an injury to her ankle and toe. “When I first joined, I was like ‘oh my God, I can’t do this,’ but now, it might be a little hard, but I can do it,” Kaur said.

Team Spirit Reignites

Prajna Chakravarty, Lilly Khalkho, Shaima Tora, and Rodrigue Gomado
October 26, 2021
Samantha Smith, 12

Samantha Smith, 12

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor
September 30, 2021
Comparing statistics of Loudoun County and Rock Ridge students over five years. This includes total student dropouts, number of students enrolled in institutions of higher education after graduation, graduates with a standard and advanced diploma, and graduation rates in Loudoun County. It also includes the number of students taking AP/DE classes at Rock Ridge.

The Past, Present, and Future of High School

Lilly Khalkho and Prajna Chakravarty
February 22, 2021
The U.S. Capitol on the morning of President Biden's Inauguration.

Road To The Presidency

Shradha Dinesh, Prajna Chakravarty, Megan Langsam, Lilly Khalkho, and Megan Hayes
January 20, 2021
Both presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, participated in virtual Town Halls instead of an in-person debate.

Second Presidential Debate Canceled, Trump Rejects Virtual Format

Prajna Chakravarty, Rodrigo Villegas, Rishita Valluru, and Nanaki Bawa
January 20, 2021
An evening view of the first frost of the season from senior Shirley Li’s home. The holiday lights added to the beautiful snow day. (Photo courtesy of Shirley Li)

It’s sNOw Surprise: Happy Snow Day!

Prajna Chakravarty, Lilly Khalkho, and Harini Kannan
December 18, 2020
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

Shradha Dinesh, Prajna Chakravarty, Megan Hayes, Lilly Khalkho, and Megan Langsam
November 2, 2020
Samantha Wagner, 12

Samantha Wagner, 12

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor
October 26, 2020
Junior Haley Priftis prepares to shoots for Rock Ridge after a foul by the Independence team. She made the shot and gained points for the Phoenix.

Phoenix’s Fight or Flight Against the Tigers

Prajna Chakravarty and Harini Kannan
January 15, 2020
“Omigod You Guys” Rock Ridge Performing Arts Presents Legally Blonde

“Omigod You Guys” Rock Ridge Performing Arts Presents Legally Blonde

Prajna Chakravarty, Lilly Khalkho, and Kaley Chinoy
January 15, 2020
Rock Ridge students with their hosts in the Jubilee Market in London.

A trip across the pond to London

Prajna Chakravarty and Colin Wilkinson
December 4, 2019
(From left) Social studies teacher Melissa Pruitt, runner up junior Trey Launder, freshman Anna Nguyen and Dhaya Bharath; winners of People’s Choice Awards, winner junior Elle Ouimet, along with hosts junior Courtney Bergeron and senior Katie Howard, theater director Katie Rivers and French teacher Veronique Billington, pose for a picture at the end of the talent show.

Student stars shine in Rock Ridge’s Got Talent

Prajna Chakravarty, Photo Editor
November 25, 2019
Senior Kayla Davis screams with senior Jordan Cox on her back during the pep rally. Davis was participating with other seniors in the class cheer of the pep rally.

School Spirit At An All-Time High During This Year’s Homecoming Pep Rally

Prajna Chakravarty and Megan Hayes
November 25, 2019
The sophomore section cheers in victory as their representative Prince Amarante wins the pep rally game.

Sophomores Prince Amarante and Christine Choung come out with their handshake during the pep rally. The pair, along with Aakash Mehta, Neha Krishna, Shalom Williams and Alexa Veneros, made up the sophomore homecoming court.

The powderpuff cheerleaders jump into a split in the air while performing. They performed for the pep rally after their game on October 7.

Gregory Spurlock dances with the seniors. The seniors, along with Spurlock, were enjoying DJ Mario’s music before the pep rally began on October 11.

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