The Blaze 2021 Senior Edition

THE BLAZE ROCK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR ISSUE 2020-21

21

20

g n i n T g i U S

O

senior farewell

As the class of 2021 closes the tabs on a virtual year, they look ahead to new windows of opportunity.

CONTENTS 4 8 10 12 14 STAFF

SENIOR MAP

Where is the class of 2021headed?

2020-21LOOKBACK A year in review

SPORTS IN COVID

Athletes reflect on unusual final seasons

MUSICAL & ARTS Poems & in-person performances

SWAN SONGS

Seniors of the staff say goodbye

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF BUSINESS MANAGER COPY EDITORS PHOTO & DESIGN EDITORS MULTIMEDIA EDITOR WEBSITE EDITORS SOCIAL MEDIA STAFF WRITERS

ADVISER FRONT & BACK COVER COLOPHON

ADDRESS

Given the virtual environment, The Blaze has focused extensively on online production, but for the spring, we decided that a print issue would be a poignant way to honor our peers’ achievements at the end of an academic year characterized by unorthodox challenges.

I am tremendously proud of our staff for all of their hard work on this issue. It was a lot to ask for of our staff to learn the ins and outs of magazine production in just three weeks, and the work done to accomplish this issue shows just how much we have strived to produce impactful journalism despite being apart.

Finally, I would like to thank all of the students, faculty, and community members who have supported our work and have allowed us to continue to serve our community during this exceptional school year.

Sincerely,

Shradha Dinesh Editor-in-Chief

mission statement

Shradha Dinesh Prajna Chakravarty Nanaki Bawa Atlas Breighner Dominika Butler Ayesha Ansari Alyssa Yoon Arman Fathi Lilly Khalkho Megan Langsam Megan Hayes

Mariam Abdelsayed Karis Adnan Sarah Baig Smrithi Balakumar Viv Bali Peyton Campbell Amelia Chen Angelina Daly Nadia Daly Gabe Dell Tanishka Enugu Anushka Goski Leah Gutshall Selvia Habib Rohan Iyer Giulietta Jafari Pandora Jafari

editor’’s note

We, “The Blaze” news staff, are committed to providing the Rock Ridge High School community with accurate, up-to-date information, highlighting diverse events and people, and sparking conversations for underrepresented stories.

@rockridgehsnews Harini Kannan Zain Khalidi Maria Moskalli Anik Mridha Ananya Muralikrishna Shivoy Nagpaul Tanushree Pandrangi Sruthi Sakala Anmol Sandhu Darby Sherwood Madison Taggart Shaima Tora Rishita Valluru Alexa Valera-Escobar Alexa Verenos Rodrigo Valle Colin Wilkinson

@rockridgehsnews

sponsors www.theblazerrhs.com

PHOENIX

Dawn Hayes Angela Wilkinson Paul Wilkinson

GOLD

Michelle Menna

SILVER

Debbie Langsam Alexandtra Brown Jaipal Metu

Katy Greiner Shradha Dinesh A total of 600 copies of “The Blaze” Senior Issue 2020-21 were published by School Papers Express.

The newsmagazine is designed in the Bodoni, Function, and Garamond font families.

43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive, Ashburn, VA 20148

BRONZE

Lauren Katz Diane Greene Gehusette Anderson Shazia Ashraf Elaine Moss

“We had a good run boys” - SAM LARSEN “Exciting 4 years of my life” - MASBAH AHMADIE “I don’t even know lol” - CINDY MOSS “Unfulfilling” - HUNTER AMELINK “Unexpected, but still memorable” - HODA AWAD “Intensive but rewarding: met amazing people” - AVIK BANERJEE “Alone at home” - FELIX CARLSON “FaceTime with friends during lunch” - SMERA SHEIK “A rollercoaster I’d ride again” - CLEO BARR “I survived 2020-2021 for this?!” - GABE GUZMAN ROMERO “Lifelong home with lifelong friends” - COURTNEY BERGERON “Interesting, yet fun times” - ABRAR AHMED “keep the good times rolling” - JUSTIN BERRIOS “Great school with great people” - TYLER MORRIS “Barely felt the time go” - HIBA BOUGHABA “difficult” - ATLAS BREIGHNER “Bitter and sweet” - EMILY COLE “virtually no fun” - SANJANA DASARI “Incredibly slow yet incredibly fast” - YASMIN DAVIS “A time I will never forget” - ANISHA DEVINENI “The best memories were created here” - TRANG LUONG “A year to remember” - GARRETT DONALDSON “A distant yet humbling time together” - NANDINI DONTHIREDDY “A time of realization without expectations” - SHRI EDA “This is not what i ordered” - KRISTOPHER HENDERSON “Living in historic times” - RIDA AHSAN “never far from home” - EVAN GEORGE “Unorthodox” - VINAY GOLI “eye opening” - MARY ZENO “An unprecedented but blessed journey” - GRACE LIAN “Honestly it could have been better” - HANISHA GOTIKE “newfound confidence, memories to cherish” - CAITLIN GRITZ “good” - TYLER THOMPSON “Days are slow, months are fast” - MICHELLE GUARDADO-MONTESINOS “Making mistakes to learn and grow” - UMA GUPTA “Too many memories” - ANISHA GUPTA “Adventurous initial path to my future” - MEGHANA GUTTIKONDA “"Are you avoiding me?" - Homework” - SOPHIA HALSTEAD “A tough but rewarding journey” - SRIKAR HANUMANULA “Interesting, but still fun” - MADISON TAGGART “Good memories but ready to leave” - ADITHI RAGHAVAN “Don't know how, but I survived” - BAILEY HEINZELMAN “chaotic in the best way possible” - SHIRLEY LI “Time flew by” - SALMA HUDHUD “quite a blast” - RYLEE ISAAC “Low key not that great” - NAIARA JOHNSON DIAZ “Unexpected yet complete” - GEETIKA KANCHARLA “a boat in a storm” - MICHAEL MOSS “It seems entertaining” - HARIS KHAN “Eventful and fun but stressful” - ISHITA KHATRI “so many changes and experiences” - DEV KOCH “tiring but fruitful” - ABHISHEK KOTHA “A Magical Chapter of My Life” - NAINA KOUJALA “One more step up the ladder" - MIHIR KULKARNI “Experiencing a lot of change” - ABENA LAAST “Thank god for Taylor Swift!” - NIKI LAL “fun, interesting, comfortable” - ASHWIN LANKA “An abnormal year filled with mysteries” - RYAN LEACH “Growth, leadership, and maturity” - ZACH LEDERER “My senior year felt rushed” - TAHIYATUL MAHJABEEN “A feat won with resilience” - ZAIN MANSAB “Unexpected but really fun” - ALEX GOMEZ “Senior year through a screen” - NATALIE MCEWAN “A very, very, very interesting experience” - KAYLEE MCKINNEY “A true multitasking experience” - MORGAN MCLAURIN “Nothing like I expected, yet amazing” - ANA MONTANO MARTINEZ “Memorable period of growth!” - PRIYA MUNAGALA “Nothing Like High School Musical” - NEVE PEREZ “whoever said senior-year is easy, lied” - ANIKA RAMACHANDRAN “Learning experience” - PARAS SARJAPUR “I wish I went outside more” - JEREMY SCOTT “Fun, stressful, not what I expected” - SANYA SHETTY “Teachers are my role models!” - ALEX SING “Transformative, Revealing, Testing, and Adventurous” - KABIR SINGH “A blur” - RISHI SURESHKUMAR “Amazing, fun, and special” - DIKSHANT THAKAR “Doing my best; Learning about myself ” - MADISON THOMPSON “tiring, growth, fast, bittersweet, and special” - ARJUN TRIVEDI “Stressfully exciting” - VRINDA VALABOJU “not great, i miss my home” - RICARDO VILLALOBOS “It could have been better :)” - KELLY VOLK “tough but it was ok :)” - JANITH MEEPEGAMA “Fulfilling, satisfying, and finally complete”- SAMANTHA WAGNER “meaningful friendships and performance opportunities” - WILL WESTON “I feel like I missed out” - NANDINA YELLA “It was different” - MERRY ZEBRO “So much fun” - BEKAH LOTT “Eye opening, Fun, Self Reflective, Calm” - ATTICUS TRUESDELL “Time of hard work and growth” - VARSHA VASUDEVAN “A really weird time” - ISAAC MARTIN “A challenging but memorable experience” - WILLIAM HAGENLOCK “different but amazing” - NIKI OBEROI “Challenging but rewarding” - JACK ROOD “Time flies with or without you” - NICHOLAS DANH “A TV series” - NINAD VARSHNEY “Most unpredictable rollercoaster” - NATHAN AYESTAS “A unique and crazy year” - JOSH TRACHSEL “It could’ve been better” - GENEVIVE HEYMANN “Just agree with me, it’s faster!” - FRANKLIN GUERRERO “Unfulfilling-thanks for giving us nothing” - MILLIE PANDYA “A roller coaster of emotions” - SWETHA DUVVAPU “Busy, but worth the experience” - BRIANNA LUTTERODT “I made it” - RAMA SOU “Good while it lasted” - HANNAH GATES ‘High school was full of growth” - JULIA SCHEEFERS “Challenging & sad’ - GABY LOZADA “Connections are everything” - NIKHIL IVATURI “senior year was unexpected” - JHANAK MITTAL “What is mental health? She left” - EDEN WELLS “It's all coming together” - AVESTA PANJSHIRI “is it over yet?" - TANYA ASAD “It sucked so good” - LAUREN WHITTARD “don't know, it left me speechless” - ADYA KUMAR “Six Cruel Hours Of Our Life” - SACHI WATSEN “Stressful” - SHIREE HUBBARD-BALLARD “it was roughly good”- MARK IBRAHIM “Unexpected but a unique experience” - SHARANYA PATHAKOTA “Satisfactory, but not the best experience” - SANJEEV GOVINDRAJAN “This year was confusing but fun” - ADI KOLISETTY “No Day But Today” - ELLE OUIMET “running all the time” - MEGHA KORPOL “Gone too fast” - ESHA NAGIREDDI “unique” - ZOE MUTREJA “It’s been difficult and fun!” - LARA KULKARNI “Learn from my mistakes” - TAYLOR JOYNER “More stressful than it should be” - MUSTAFA MUSA “it was hard” - COLIN WILKINSON “Divergent” - TED GALE “hectic but fun” - YOUSSEF MELK “unique & persistent” - MANJU NAGESH “Amazing and exciting” - CHELSEA OFOSU “Goodbye high school, hello college debt” - SARA SIRHANDI “Weird, interesting, new” - JASMINA GAFUROVA “eh” - RODRIGO VILLEGAS “Interesting and challenging” - NICO MARTIROSSIAN “Wouldn't change a thing” - JOANELYS SANTIAGO “That’s all folks!” - JESSE YAO

The class of 2021

HAS LEFT THE MEET Musing on their final year, seniors log off for the last time.

STORY BY: Karis Adnan, Smrithi Balakumar, Gabe Dell, Arman Fathi, Zehra Hassan, Pandora Jafari, Anik Mridha & Sruthi Sakala | DESIGN BY: Karis Adnan (3) & Megan Hayes (4-7) TABLE OF CONTENTS |02 theblazerrhs.com|03

from url to irl Where are the seniors heading in real life?

ARIZONA STATE

COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Gomez, Alex

GEORGE WASHINGTON

university

Raghavan, Adithi

Gotike, Hanisha

university

Ivaturi, Nikhil

Gafurova, Jasmina

Donaldson, Garrett CONVERSE COLLEGE

Joshi, Vardaan

Nagireddi, Esha

Kadali, Anish

GEORGIA institute of

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Khaled, Fariha

technology

Halstead, Sophia

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Kotha, Abhishek

Banerjee, Avik

Jenkins, Kelci

Kulkarni, Lara

Koujala, Naina

Sivaganesan, Akhilesh

Mutreja, Zoe

Kulkarni, Mihir

Varshney, Ninad

Zebro, Merry

Lutterodt, Brianna

McCracken, Devyn

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Mahjabeen, Tahiyatul

GEORGIA STATE

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

Mansab, Zain

UNIVERSITY

Scott, Jeremy

Melk, Youssef

Harrison, Amerah

university

Morell, Lacey

Humphrise, Matthew

Joseph, Samantha

EAST COAST

Musa, Mustafa

Korpol, Megha

POLYTECHnic INSTITUTE

Nagesh, Manju

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Lozada Cerritos, Gaby

Najmuddin, Fuzail

Hagenlock, William

Perez, Vanessa CARNEGIE MELLON

Ramachandran, Anika

Ofosu, Chelsea CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT

FERRUM COLLEGE

Panjshiri, Avesta

HOWARD university

university

Joyner, Taylor

Sirhandi, Sara

McKinney, Kaylee

Sou, Rama

Thompson, Tyler

Barr, Cleo GEORGE MASON

Thakar, Dikshant

university

Tucker, Alex

JACKSONVILLE

Devineni, Anisha

Villegas Valle, Rodrigo

UNIVERSITY

MARY

Gale, Ted

Wilkinson, Colin

Tan, Shang

Dinesh, Shradha

Gee, Faith

Yang, Tyler

Gage, Taylor College of WILLIAM &

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

Garrett donaldson

Campbell, Peyton

Q: What did you like most about Arizona State?

George, Evan

A: Being from Arizona and then moving to Virginia, I missed home a lot and wanted to return to Arizona. This made it easier for me to decide on which college I wanted to go to, since ASU has a really good business school and it’s home to me.

Q: What has helped you through virtual senior year the most?

A: The most useful skill that helped me get through senior year was perseverance, knowing that I had to pass this year in order to return back home. I had to strive and push through to accomplish my goal.

Photo courtesy of Garrett Donaldson

Davis, Yasmin Gupta, Anisha Khan, Sunny Kim, Nicole Martirossian, Nico Priftis, Haley Santiago Collazo, Joanelys Sarjapur, Paras Staelens, Zach Trachsel, Josh Weston, Will Wiles, Darren

Woodmancy, Caroline

Isaac, Rylee

Ho, Richard

OLD DOMINION

Hobgood, Ryan MOREHOUSE

university

Hudhud, Salma

Ibrahim, Mark

JOHNSON & WALES

UNIVERSITY

Icenhour, Izzy

UNIVERSITY

Hudson, Mason

Jayasinghe, Senuvi

PENN STATE

Khan, Haris NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

university

Knoedler, Parker

Bennett, Emily

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Gupta, Uma

Meepegama, Janith

Gottimukkala, Avi

Scheefers, Julia

Lal, Nikita

Mitchell, Abigail

Nguyen, Amanda

Lott, Rebekah

Moss, Michael

Yao, Jesse

Perez, Neve

MARYMOUNT

Radford, Eric

UNIVERSITY

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Raghavaraju, Sai Dhanush

Eda, Shri

Brooks, Ryan

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Rahman, Nashat

Kolisetty, Adithya

Kindall, Kylan

Abu-Ghannam, Huda

Thompson, Madison

Krishnappa, Rachel

Adadey, Marlon

Truesdell, Atticus

RADFORD university

Ahmadie, Masbah

Tunell, Jake

Cooper, Lucy

MICHIGAN STATE

Aiken, Brianna

Ugalde-Velasquez, Sharlys

university

Awad, Hoda

Varela-Escobar, Alexa

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE

Ahmed, Xavier

Berrios, Justin

Villalobos, Ricardo

OF

Boughaba, Hiba

Volk, Erin

MOLLOY COLLEGE

TECHNOLOGY

Coronado Lopez, Allison

Volk, Kelly

Coe, Olivia

Gates, Hannah

Elmardi, Amin

Wagner, Samantha

Elmardi, Dania

OHIO UNIVERSITY

MONTANA STATE

Guzman Romero, Gabe

Gothard, Connor

university

Hernandez, Carina

STATES WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF STUDENTS 1 11

2 6 2

3

1

2

2 1

4

8

1

14 2 174 2

1

1 5 3

7

SENIOR MAP |04 theblazerrhs.com|05

MILLiE PANDYA

Pandya is a recepient of the Jefferson Scholarship Award at the University of Virginia Q: What is the Jefferson Scholarship Award?

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA Gritz, Caitlin McEwan, Natalie

A: The Jefferson Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that is run by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation in a direct partnership with the University of Virginia.

It is the premier undergraduate award, and scholars are selected through a competitive process based on exceptional performance in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. They pick 30-35 incoming students annually out of thousands that apply from all over the US and more than 40 countries abroad.

Mughal, Sahir

Q: Why do you think you received this award?

SCIENCES

A: I believe I received the award due to my extensive debate experience in high school, as well as my award-winning community involvement and ranking.

I am most proud of my efforts in exploring implementation and dissemination sciences in the context of health policy and global comparative medicine.

Photo courtesy of Millie Pandya

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE Clarke, Sophia Nannapaneni, Rishika UNIVERSITY OF THE Dasari, Sanjana UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO Siddiqui, Fareeha UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Dacherla, Neha Duvvapu, Swetha

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

TULANE UNIVERSITY

Panda, Arnav

Guttikonda, Meghana

Green, Dylan

Li, Shirley

Panidepu, Krivi

Lanka, Ashwin

SAN DIEGO MESA

UNIVERSITY OF

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

COLLEGE

ALABAMA

Anarfi, Kate

Mathai, Ashwathi

Le, Jacqueline

Rood, Jack

Leach, Ryan

Pandya, Millie

Thomas, Jayden

McLaurin, Morgan

Pasupuleti, Varun

ART & DESign

UNIVERSITY OF

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Cole, Emily

CALIFORNIA

Singh, Kabir

Duffner, Belle

Hanumanula, Srikar

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF

To, Amy

Le, Colby

Pathipati, Rachita Peetla, Jayanth Prabhuswamy, Priya Sawhney, Aryan UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SHIPPENSBURG

Lederer, Zach

Smith, Joshua Sureshkumar, Rishi

UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Panigrahi, Akshita

Trivedi, Arjun

Anderson, Maddie

Laast, Abena

Sajai, Namita

Vemuri, Pallavi

Majid, Kamran

Shetty, Sanya

SWEET BRIAR college

Ramani, Ananth

Wells, Eden

Rao, Mihika

VIRGiNIA UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

THE UNITED STATES

university of MARY

Narravula, Rithika

Abdelrahman, Rawan

MILITARY ACADEMY AT

WASHINGTON

Punna, Vipin

Ahsan, Rida

WEST POINT

Fathi, Arman

Taggart, Madison

Bollineni, Samhita

Fitch, Evan

Gosman, Haley

Choudhary, Priya UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH

TILBURG UNIVERSITY

UNIVERsity OF

CAROLINA

Ayestas, Nathan

MARYLAND

Lian, Grace

Kalahasti, Haarika Kumar, Adya

Duy, Megan Felder, Lauryn Ghazenfer, Areej Gorti, Aravind Govindarajan, Sanjeev

Hahn, Joyce

Sheik, Smera

Bahrami, Elias

Onwona, Zoe

Heinzelman, Bailey

Sincavage, Charlotte

Boggavarapu, Saisiri

Pathakota, Sai

Heymann, Genevive

Sing, Alex

Bradley, Calen

Perez, Veronica

Holavanahalli, Anaghasree

Valaboju, Vrinda

Buchanan, Rachelle

Prieto, Mariah-Clara

Johnson Diaz, Naiara

Wadhera, Diya

Chada, Hrishik

Qadri, Zain

Kancharla, Geetika

Watsen, Sachi

Chinoy, Kaley

Ramirez, Claire

Koch, Dev

Yella, Nandini

Cholakis, Iriana

Ranadive, Nishita

Martin, Isaac

Zeno, Mary

Clarke, Amelie

Renteros Salinas, Nelson

Miller, Paige

Costa, Andre

Roberts, Max

Mittal, Jhanak

VIRGINIA STATE

Daly, Hayden

Rojas, Allison

Munagala, Priya

university

Dode, Yash

Schmitt, Joseph

Vasudevan, Varsha

Hubbard-Ballard, Shiree

Dogiparthi, Sharanya

Schoener, Lauren

Donahue, Alexis

Shamwell, Malloy

VIRGINIA polytechnic

WAGNER COLLEGE

Egnew, Sofia

Sharanya, Reddy

institute & state

Ouimet, Elle

Elfiky, Hamdy

Springer, Maxwell

Fajutrao, Ramon

Spurlock, Gregory

university Ahmed, Abrar

WASHINGTON & LEE

Fangali, Sara

Sridhar, Shuban

Amelink, Hunter

university

Flores, Gabriel

Stewart, Grace

Ballurkar, Amrita

Larsen, Sam

Gandham, Sheena

Summers, Anna

Bangari, Neha

Montano Martinez, Ana

Ganganaboina, Yashwardhan

Tonmoy, Md Tasnimul

Buss, Megan

Gogia, Molly

Usmani, Naveed

Bergeron, Courtney

WEST VIRGINIA

Harris, Jake

Varma, Rohit

Bhamidipati, Sandi

UNIVERSITY

Harris, Nina

Vemulamanda, Rishi

Biddala, Laya

Skeen, Ben

Imaad, Yamil

Verdooren, Krystal

Breighner, Atlas

Whittard, Lauren

Jacob, Kevin

Vu, Aimee

Jonnavithula, Varun

Ward, Reilly

Carlson, Felix Chode, Haritha

GAP YEAR

Jupally, Arjun

Weicker, Brendan

Chute, Shriya

Frey, Aidan

Kannan, Adith

Welch, Ethan

Danh, Nicholas

Helmrich, Gabby

Kanwar, Riya

Wininger, Madison

Dell, Gabe

Henderson, Kristopher

Koroma, Abiatu

Zafar, Evan

Dillah, Michael

Jones, Finesse

Laudermilk, Jade

Zaragoza Vega, Josue

Donthireddy, Nandini

Kearse, Jacob

Liang, Hun

Gandhi, Sachin

McKay, Zach

Luc, Astin

Goli, Vinay

Mitchell, Kai

Mahajan, Akshath

Guardado-Montesinos, Michelle

Ramos Hernandez, Nicolas

Makarov, Dmytro

Guerrero, Franklin

Ungurianu-Axente, Ernest

Martinez, Alexa

Gundra, Pranav

Mathi, Pooja

Hough, Layla

WORKFORCE

Meyer, Ryan

Iyer, Shreya

Cruz Rivera, Rebecca

Mills, Mia

Kanuparthy, Ananya

Minano, James

Kasanagottu, Sanjana

AS OF MAY 19, THE

Mittal, Rushil

Khatri, Ishita

FOLLOWING STUDENTS WERE

Mosca, Marissa

Luong, Trang

UNDECIDED OR DID NOT

Moss, Chris

Morris, Tyler

RESPOND TO OUR MULTIPLE

Nguyen, Nhu

Moss, Cindy

ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT

Nyakoojo, Issa

Oberoi, Niki

Alberti, Jackson

O’Brien, Julie

Padala, Ridha

Allen, Tyreke

Olatona, Olanrewaju

Postovalov, Mark

Arora, Gazal

Olivares, Julian

Pajjur, Raghav

Asad, Tanya

Ondrus, Nicholas

NIKI LAL

Lal’s six words: “Thank god for Taylor Swift!”

Q: Based on your six words, how did music help you get through your senior year?

A: I listened to music almost everyday because it helped me feel calmer during the stress of the pandemic. Without quarantine, I wouldn’t have my new favorite album, “Folklore.”

Photo courtesy of Niki Lal

SENIOR MAP |06 theblazerrhs.com| 07

COVID-19 PROGRESSION

Nov. 4 - The New York Times reports a record total of 100,000 new COVID-19 cases in one day.

Oct. 2 - President Donald Trump is taken to the hospital after he and First Lady Melania Trump both test positive for COVID-19.

Sept. 28 - The New York Times reports 1 milllon global deaths from COVID-19

March 2020|THE RAPID SPREAD OF COVID-19 from December 2019 created a “new normal” of masks, social distancing, and virtual events.

4

3

2

1

1, 2. AUG. 28, 2020|BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS gripped the country after a series of police brutality cases against Black Americans. On Aug. 28, 2020, thousands marched on Washington D.C. to protest for police reform and greater awareness of racism. Other movements, like Stop Asian Hate, sprung up in response to an increase in anti-Asian violence. “I definitely participated in spreading awareness on social media with family,” senior Genevieve Heymann said. “[Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate] are both separate issues, but I believe that Asian Americans and African Americans, people in general, should be standing together in solidarity to stop unequal justice.” (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Elvert Barnes) (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, 2C2K Photography) 3.

September 2020|WITH THE FUTURE OF the pandemic still uncertain, schools around the country made the decision to transition to the distance learning. “It was very disorienting,” math teacher William Driggers said. “Taking all this information that was being given to me, but also having to come up with my own new strategies to kick off the school year … disorienting is a very good word.” 4. Nov. 3, 2020|THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION took place on Nov. 3, 2020. Incumbent president and Republican candidate Donald Trump ran for reelection, challenged by Democrat nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden was elected the 46th president after days of false voter fraud claims. “I definitely think it was time for a new leader to take on the issues we’re facing in this world,” Heymann said. “Especially COVID, Black Lives Matter, and just the issues as a whole that we’re facing as a country.” (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Phil Roeder)

Fall 2020

BY: Rohan Iyer, Madison Taggart, Alexa Varela-Escobar & Atlas Breighner | DESIGN BY: Rohan Iyer

A look back at a monumental year

Year In Re vie w

May 2020 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 37% of people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated.

Feb. 26 - The U.S. reaches a vaccination milestone of 50 million vaccinated individuals in the first five weeks after Biden’s inauguration.

January 2021 79,200 people die of COVID-19 in one month, surpassing the previous December record.

YEAR IN REVIEW |08 theblazerrhs.com|09

3

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1. Dec. 28, 2020|THE PHOENIX BASKETBALL TEAM competed against the Wolverines, resulting in a 80-54 Phoenix win. In accordance with LCPS guidelines, the winter season began in December, with a shorter season and COVID-19 restrictions, such as fewer spectators and compulsory masking. (Photo by Mariam Abdelsayed) 2. January 2021|NEW VACCINES WERE TESTED and released to the public in early 2021. Public figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris began taking the vaccine. As hybrid learning began, teachers received vaccines. “My sister, a doctor, and my husband, a scientist, both were lucky to be one of the first few individuals to get their vaccinations, and watching them go through it, I couldn’t wait to get mine,” biology teacher Madina Mamatova said. “Luckily I was able to get fully vaccinated prior to returning for in school hybrid learning.” (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Lawerence Jackson)

Winter 2020

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1

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1. March 2021|IN EARLY MARCH, THE school board approved a hybrid plan that included two days of in-person instruction. Students had the option to either opt into hybrid or stay in distance learning. “I quite like hybrid,” senior Michael Moss said. “It helps me focus in class personally, and overall, I have more fun being in-person.” (Photo by Madison Taggart) 2. March 1, 2021|TO REIGNITE SCHOOL SPIRIT, SCA hosted a virtual pep rally for the homecoming football game. The pep rally featured a TikTok dance competition. “Unity and positivity I think [are] how we build the climate of our school,” English teacher Colleen Bianucci said. “And when you’re going through challenging times, I think that it’s even more important to do things like this.” (Photo by Rohan Iyer).

3. April 2021|AFTER BEING INITALLY CANCELLED, fall sports returned in the spring. “I feel privileged to be running with them and to be a part of their team,” sophomore cross country runner Paul Skeen said. “And that we can all continue to be a team and continue to run well.”

(Photo by Sarah Baig)

Spring 2021

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PLAYING WITH COVID-19

Rising from the ashes, senior athletes recall their final seasons BY: Nanaki Bawa, Harini Kannan, & Alexa Veneros|DESIGN BY: Amelia Chen

Photo by Megan Hayes

This season meant to me, as a senior, being able to play for the last time and having no regrets. I left my mark on the team. It meant playing on the court for the last time before I head off to college. It meant leaving something at Rock Ridge that will be there forever. - Neve Perez

Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

I want to soak up all of the fun that comes with baseball, especially since last year was cut short. My teammates are all great and the energy is exciting.

They come out to every practice with a good mindset and we all inspire each other. - Tyler Morris

Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

This season meant everything to me.

The realization that it was the end of an era didn’t set in until I got voted as one of the team captains. Being voted captain proved that all my love for the sport and my hard work had finally paid off. - Evan George

My biggest motivation to do gymnastics is just knowing that I’m making a comeback, being out for two seasons with two knee surgeries. Everyday, I go into the gym knowing I have something to prove, and that really pushes me. This season meant a lot to me as a senior, and it sucked because I couldn’t compete due to injury, but I was just happy to be able to help my teammates in any way I could. - Esha Nagireddi

Photo by Sarah Baig

Playing golf is like therapy. This year was my final year, and I was just happy to be able to hang out with [my] team one more time before heading off.

I've made so many connections on the team, and great experiences, and I was happy to have that before graduating.

- Madison Taggart

Photo courtesy of Tyler Morris

I am very grateful to be having a season with all the events in the world that are going on. What motivates me to play soccer is my teammates and how they push me to become a better player and teammate. - Kaylee McKinney

One achievement I’m most proud of is my development over the years of playing. The previous years shaped me to be the player I am today. Being the only senior on the team means being a leader and setting the standard for everyone. Younger players look up to you so you must lead by example. - Ryan Leach During the winter season, I placed fifth in the region for shot put. That was huge for me because it was my first season throwing. Participating in a sport is probably the closest thing that resembles my normal life in our current situation. It provides a break for the screens and Wi-Fi issues.

This season especially is important because it is the last one I have, and I want to make it count. - Sachi Watsen

Photo courtesy of Michelle Federico

I love the sport of volleyball because we can train to be better and we have the flexibility to play several positions, and overall, play the sport with a team of 12 amazing girls. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to play my senior year, since it’s my last year playing at this level. - Jayden Thomas

Lacrosse and being on that field is my happy place and makes me smile every time I grab my stick and mouth guard. All in all, this season is weird, and we started very late in the year, but myself, the rest of the team, and coaches are going to make it the best it can be. - Haley Priftis

Playing with my brothers one last time meant the world to me, and I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for it. My biggest achievement in basketball is getting a Division III offer to continue to play basketball in college. I really just love the sport and that motivates me more than anything to be the best I can possibly be. - Nick Ondrus

An achievement I am most proud of achieving in swimming was my “most dedicated” plate award I got at the end of the year banquet. I’ve been swimming since I was very young, and I’ve always loved being in the water. This season was very different because of the coronavirus, but I’m glad I still got a final season. - Will Weston

Photo courtesy of Nick Ondrus

This season was my proudest moment, overall; with my teammates and coaches inspiring me to become better personally and physically, [I was able to] reach my own goals. However, [the] challenges I faced were specifically with COVID, as it shifted my mindset a little. Yet with my team by my side, I was able to show resilience more quickly. - Nathan Ayestas Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

Photo courtesy of Will Weston

Photo courtesy of Meghana Guttikonda

Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

The season has been different due to COVID-19.

It led to a shortened season, meaning more matches per week and less practices. Although the season has been a lot of work, I think the higher frequency of matches brought the team closer together. Tennis is a very mental game, and I know that I can play at a high level, which is why I continue to play. - Krivi Panidepu

Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

I really like the exhilarating feeling of racing, and I really enjoy the family that comes out of being on a team, whether it's an individual or team sport. As a senior, this season meant that it was the most important in terms of achieving new goals and making new friends because it was my last year on the team. - Meghana Guttikonda

I was just happy I could help our senior field hockey players have a season that they could actually play in. In our game against Park View, I scored my first and last field hockey goal!

- Lucy Cooper Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

Photo courtesy of Victor O’Neill

I would say my favourite thing about this year is playing doubles. This year to me is really just the last time that I might play with a team. I would say that a tennis achievement I'm proud of is beating John Champe to go to regionals. - Rylee Isaac

SPORTS |10 theblazerrhs.com| 11

“ALL THINGS FABULOUS” TAKE THE STAGE

Three students reflect on their work for the first and final production of RRPA’s seventh season: “High School Musical 2”.

BY: Prajna Chakravarty, Lilly Khalkho, Megan Langsam & Anushka Goski | DESIGN BY: Megan Langsam SENIOR JEREMY SCOTT, STUDENT DIRECTOR Q: What is your role as the student director?

Scott: My job is to oversee the process. It is important to know what the audience is seeing, so I typically sit back and watch the practices and rehearsals and take notes as needed.

I like to think of myself as the person who makes the small adjustments to ensure it all comes together in the end.

Q: How do you feel about “High School Musical 2”?

Scott: With current circumstances, I do admit I had lost some confidence that the process would be so competent this time; but again, as I have watched this show evolve and develop, the same inexplicable process has come again, and I can already see the show that [“HSM2”] will become.

Q: Any advice for next year’s theater students?

Scott: This is the one place in school where you aren’t graded. To me, that is virtuous, as making mistakes is critical to the process of learning. Make mistakes. Make as many as you can and you will learn what is right and what is wrong- and give the space to let others make mistakes too. It is easy to say that we are united and that we are a family without recognizing why that is. There is an inept spirit within us all. We all share a passion. Sharing takes a village, and that is what we are. We are here to make mistakes together, so we shall revel in that together.

FRESHMAN CLAIRE WOOD, SCENIC DESIGNER Q: What is the biggest challenge you have had to face with this play?

Wood: The biggest challenge for me has been the lack of in person communication. Most of the planning was over email or Google Meet.

Q: How does it feel to be a freshman in this position?

Wood: It’s pretty nerve wracking, but also very exciting. I’ve never done scenic design in this capacity before, so it was all a big learning curve. Everybody has been so helpful and patient when I’m not quite sure what I’m doing. I really have learned so much this year, especially with the pandemic adding another challenge.

Q: How do you feel watching this production come together?

Wood: It’s really amazing watching everything come together. It started off with just a couple of loose ideas and a popsicle stick model, and now it’s a real life-size set.

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1. The cast of HSM2 performs “Everyday” at dress rehearsal on May 5. 2. Seniors Elle Ouimet and Jacqueline Le, and junior Jason Jones perform “Everyday Rehearsal.”

3. Senior Evan Fitch looks up after tossing a basketball in the air at the end of “Bet On It.” Photos by Lilly Khalkho, Prajna Chakravarty

SENIOR BEKAH LOTT, SHARPETTE Q: As a senior, what was your favorite production you have been in?

Lott: My favorite production I have taken a part in is “High School Musical 2”. After a year of being away from my theater family, performing on stage with them again for my last show has been a gift.

Q: What is your favorite part of playing a Sharpette?

Lott: I love being a Sharpette. Being a leader as a named ensemble member allows me to connect with my cast so easily, and meet the new members of the company. My role, Peaches, is so sassy, and this character allows me to play around on stage. I also love my costumes.

Q: What would you say to the company about your time in RRPA? Lott: I would thank RRPA for being a true family to me. They have given me an amazing four years filled with laughter. The directors have taught me so much that I will be taking into the real world after high school, and I can’t thank them enough for that.

FINDING HER VOICE THROUGH VERSE

Sophomore Zahria Ford discusses her award-winning poem.

BY: Prajna Chakravarty, Lilly Khalkho, Megan Langsam & Anushka Goski | DESIGN BY: Megan Langsam

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n February of 2021, sophomore Zahria Ford won the Northern Region branch of the 2021 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History student writing contest for her poem “Colors.” Ford channeled the challenges and emotions she faced as being one of the only African Americans in her previous school into her poetry to write “Colors.”

Question: When did you first learn or find out you liked poetry?

Ford: I started learning more about poetry at a summer poetry camp by Furious Flower [in the summer before seventh grade]. There, they helped me learn more vocabulary and more about poetry structure, how to build up my writing, how to perform it. I received so much wonderful feedback from that camp and that really helped me grow into the writer I am today.

Photo courtesy of Zahria Ford Photo illustration by Megan Langsam

Q: How did it feel to be recognized and be the winner for the Northern Region Black History month poem contest with your poem “Colors?”

Ford: It was so amazing; it was so fantastic to take such a bad experience and turn it into this amazing thing. I was very surprised, I didn’t think I was going to win.

I want them to learn from my poem about things to do and things not to do when you approach a minority so that you don’t make them feel left out.

To the people who are in a similar situation as me, I want them to know that they don’t have to change themselves.

Q: What experiences have you had where someone Q: What confronted you “Being able to write it inspires your directly about your poetry? and put all my emotions poetry? What does Ford: For my mean to you? on paper and for people this poem, “Colors,” Ford: I’ve been to love it and to embrace invited to a lot of my inspiration was my experievents after “Colmy writing — it’s been ence in eighth ors” was in the news. transformational.” grade at my I’ve received emails, -Sophomore Zahria Ford previous school people have reached being one of out to me from my the only Black Instagram, telling me students in the classroom and what it that my poem means so much to them was like to kind of fend for myself be- and they feel good to be represented cause I wasn’t really like anybody else. through my writing and they appreciI didn’t fit in with the other groups ate my work. around me, so I had to figure out how to change myself so I could fit in.

Q: How have you grown as a person since experiencing this in 8th Q: What effect do you want “Colgrade and then turning that energy ors” to have on your readers? into writing this poem?

Ford: I want the people who read Ford: I’ve changed a lot. Taking that “Colors” to know that it’s ok to be experience which bothered me a lot themselves, how changing yourself is and being able to write it and put all really exhausting, and if you don’t fit my emotions on paper and for people in then find the people who work with to love it and to embrace my writing you and who like you for you.

— it’s been transformational, really.

Now I write more often as a way to Q: What is the importance of this cope with my emotions; it helps me message reaching this audience? stay in control.

Ford: To the people who haven’t been Listen to Ford read her poem for the Art & Lit Mag at https://blogs.lcps.org/underthemask. isolated necessarily because of race, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT |12 theblazerrhs.com|13

FINAL FAREWELLS

Senior staff members penned their final pieces as they say goodbye to high school. To read their full farewells, scan the QR code.

DESIGN BY: Sruthi Sakala

SHRADHA DINESH | Editor in chief

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our years ago, if you had told me that I would be spending time picnicking or stargazing in parking lots through the sunroof of my family’s minivan like some unrelatable coming-of-age character, I would’ve laughed. But four years ago, I also viewed high school as the last hurdle to overcome before I could finally begin my life. It took one year of participating in Loudoun’s glorified stress culture to change my mind.

Instead, I made it my goal to figure out what I loved — not for a career or a college major or idea to deal with in the future — but something to love that made living in the present feel worthwhile. Over the next three years, I challenged myself to learn, I played volleyball, I co-managed our literary magazine, and I joined the school newspaper, the very one from which you might be reading my final words as a high school student.

It’s an honor to say that I was part of our newspaper staff for three years because, more than anything, this experience changed my relationship with high school the most. Every graduating class is marked by its own challenges, and for the class of 2021, those were constant transitions: being Rock Ridge’s largest-ever freshman class, losing relationships with peers between schools, and trying to imagine any kind of future through a pandemic. Writing through it all gave me perspective.

ARMA N FATHI | Multimedia editor

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’ve learned of my own resiliency — that even in times of pandemic, in times of panic, when I’m confronted with myself, I’m able to learn from myself. That when I see my own issues and problems before me because nothing else is distracting me — because I have nothing else to do but sit at home and observe who I am — that I am not going to be someone who shies away from it. Because of the skills that I have learned and grown in, because of what I’ve chosen to focus on in life, I am able to confront those issues, and I’ve been able to become a better person by growing through them — not around them ... I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud of who I am. I’m grateful for the life that is ahead of me, the opportunities and the choices that I have. I know that I’m blessed, and I’m ever-thankful for it.

I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud of who I am. I’m grateful for the life that is ahead of me, the opportunities and the choices that I have. I know that I’m blessed, and I’m ever-thankful for it.

PEYTON CAMPBELL Staff Writer

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could list off numerous amounts of advice, but that would create a novel. Instead, I’ll leave you with the most important one: live your best life in high school. One of my biggest regrets is not having fun, taking risks, and trying new things until junior year.

This is your last four years before you become an adult. Take up every ounce of that time you have. You’ll be eighteen and graduating before you know it. Academics are important and so is getting that good GPA, but that’s not what high school is all about. Experiment, meet new people, make memories, just enjoy it.

GABE DELL Staff Writer

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he challenges of the education system and its institutions have left many students displaced and mentally drained by the workload, the teachers, and other external factors. This poem shows that through all challenges, if we have a higher goal of knowledge and achievement and we do not let ourselves be provoked, we will see and we will conquer those obstacles.

A stanza from Dell’s poem: A second chance, I yearn To once more stand high and tall My soul yet unburned

ALEXA VARELA-ESCOBAR Staff Writer

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nd in a blink of an eye, I’m already in my senior year, still shocked by the fact that I’m entering college ... The thing I’m trying to say is, I’m still uncertain, and that’s okay! Not everyone has it figured out, and you don’t have to freak out. People have told me that you start one path and end up actually falling in love with a path you would’ve never known. With that knowledge in my noggin, I calm down, because at the right time, the right plan will hit me and I will find something I want to do long term.

MADISON TAGGART Staff Writer

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rom ninth to 11th grade, I’ve gotten to do so much more than I thought I’d normally do. I’ve joined technology class and got to research and make my own circuit boards and endoscopes.

I’ve made friends with my teachers and made some of the best connections I’ve ever had. I’ve even gotten into clubs and gotten to travel and explore more than I ever have before.

Yet, there’s still so much I’ve missed.

This feeling has become so much more prevalent in senior year, where I’ve been left to think while I’m resting my eyes between online classes.

RODRIGO VILEGAS VALLE Staff Writer

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’m happy to say I think we as students are very lucky to have the school we have. I’m sure our teachers will be proud of the generations they got to influence, as I’m sure we as a generation will do our best to live up to what they taught us.

We are not an ordinary school grade; we are not getting an ordinary graduation or an ordinary career after high school. This is how it ends: not with a bang, but with a notification sound...

When I see all my peers leave these halls for the last time, I’m confident that they are taking the best of this experience with them.

COLIN WILKINSON Staff Writer

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think the best advice I’ve ever been given was that you should strive for perfection, but don’t let perfectionism get in the way of recognizing good work. Just because you didn’t get a perfect score on a test or your essay didn’t come together the way you thought it would doesn’t mean you didn’t do a good job. More often than not, people push you to set high expectations of yourself, but setting high expectations doesn’t mean setting impossible expectations. You should set your standards high, but not so high that you’ll never reach that standard.

SWAN SONGS |14 theblazerrhs.com|15

X Meeting details (350) The Blaze Tell us about your senior year in six words or less. (continued on pg. 3) ZACH MCKAY “What did I learn? Yes.” MASON HUDSON “Time really does fly by” BRIANNA AIKEN “Unforgettable crazy historical experience” ASHWATHI MATHAI “Crazy. Unexpected. One for the books” SUNNY KHAN “Worth way more than 6 words” DYLAN GREEN “Wishing everyone could be here” MADDIE ANDERSON “Lost experiences but summer was fun” SANDI BHAMIDIPATI “Hopeful for next year” XAVIER AHMED “Exhausting, Exhilarating, Unique, Hilarious, Priceless” RYAN BROOKS “A completely unforgettable experience by far”

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KYLAN KINDALL “Pretty solid year” SENUVI JAYASINGHE “An exciting adventure worth trying”

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