The Blaze

The Blaze Rock Ridge High School’s Student Newspaper

On Friday, Aug. 28, the Student Council Association (SCA) hosted the first pep rally and spirit week to kick off the sch...
09/04/2026

On Friday, Aug. 28, the Student Council Association (SCA) hosted the first pep rally and spirit week to kick off the school year. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to dress up in different themes, which included Class Colors day, Adam Sandler day, Jersey Out, Throwback Thursday, and Trop Out.

The pep rally began with the introduction of the senior class of 2027, followed by players from each fall sport making an entrance into The Rock. After the fall athletes were introduced, the Phoenix cheerleading team performed in front of the student body. The pep rally also included a variety of activities, including staff musical chairs and a race called Dune, Palm, Wave, where representatives from each grade competed in a race that included ducking and sliding under one another. The pep rally concluded with the Class Scream, where each class had to make the most noise to earn the first spirit stick of the year, which was ultimately given to the junior class.

Energy from the students surged throughout the event, setting the tone for future SCA events. “I would hope [the pep rally sets the] stage for an electrifying school year,” SCA Executive President Jhansi Chilakapati said. “I want the spirit throughout this year to be amazing. I want people to be engaged and influenced by Rock Ridge positively in the best way possible. So [everyone] can have a great school year, and hopefully we can be a part of their great school year as well.”

✏️ by Lia Davis
📷 by Mariia Pecherkina and Megan Marr

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, Rock Ridge staff and students welcomed incoming freshmen and Phoenix parents to the Freshman Orie...
08/13/2026

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, Rock Ridge staff and students welcomed incoming freshmen and Phoenix parents to the Freshman Orientation. Starting in the auditorium, the orientation began with upperclassmen and staff welcoming the freshmen to a new year. Afterward, students were split up into 4 groups to participate in different activities: completing a scavenger hunt around the school, familiarizing themselves with clubs, learning about the importance of attendance, and listening to a student panel. Parents, meanwhile, sat in the auditorium to learn more about how the school operated administratively.

After the orientation, students felt reassured and prepared for the following school year. “I felt very welcomed. Everyone was really nice, which really helped me [be] less stressed out,” freshman Zayna Ahmad said. “They told me a lot of useful information, and they especially told me that there’s a lot of help around me. [The] teachers are really nice and also [the ]older students are really nice. It made me feel really welcomed and I felt really secure, so even if I do get lost or if something happens in the school, I know that I have people I can go to and rely on.”

The orientation concluded with the freshmen class participating in their first pep rally.

✏️by Sriram Chiripurapu
📷by Sriram Chiripurapu

On Thursday, June 18, the Class of 2026 turned their tassels, marking the culmination of their high school careers and t...
06/18/2026

On Thursday, June 18, the Class of 2026 turned their tassels, marking the culmination of their high school careers and the beginning of new journeys beyond Rock Ridge.

Following the staff and student procession, Principal John Duellman opened the ceremony by recognizing the importance of Rock Ridge’s core values: respect, integrity, service, and empathy. After the speech, Director of School Counseling Kevin Terry presented the Latin and military recognitions, and the Rock Ridge combined chorus sang the Rock Ridge Alma Mater and “In My Life.”

Student commencement speaker Samantha Chang reflected on the search for the truth and encouraged fellow graduates to remain curious. “So what if we don’t have the answers right now?” Chang said. “It doesn’t make our story incomplete. It makes it real.”

The ceremony also featured an original poem from Sanvi Challa, titled “Walls of Our School,” which highlighted the impact each graduate made from their freshman year to senior year.

Keynote speaker Kathryn Taylor acknowledged the achievements of students in all forms, including academics, arts, journalism, leadership, and volunteering. Taylor emphasized the importance of community, with a central message of success being about “we” rather than “me.” “We stand here today as Phoenix, with a proven record and testaments of what achieves success,” Taylor said. “It’s about open communication, assisting others along the way, and commitment to a shared goal.”

As the Class of 2026 received their diplomas, they left behind a legacy that will continue to be felt at Rock Ridge as they begin their next chapters.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

✏️ by Lia Davis
📷 by Lia Davis, Kaushal Kalluri, Megan Marr, and Mariia Pecherkina

06/04/2026

Check out the spring newsmag in advisory this Thursday!

06/03/2026

To read the full article, visit The Blaze! Link in bio!

🎥 by AJ Aluko Apata and Dhruvsood Singh

06/01/2026

PJ’s in school have been a growing trend across the country with many students in Rock Ridge beginning to wear them, sparking controversy in school. Many students have opinions on if PJ’s should be worn in school.

To listen to the podcast, go to The Blaze, link in bio!

🎥 by Sophia Dabre and Lucinda Eskandar

06/01/2026

PJ’s in school have been a growing trend across the country with many students in Rock Ridge beginning to wear them, sparking controversy in school. Many students have opinions on if PJ’s should be worn in school.

To listen to the podcast, visit the Blaze! Link in bio!

🎥 by Sophia Dabre and Lucinda Eskandar

05/28/2026

To learn more about the myth of senioritis visit the Blaze, link in bio!

🎥 by Lia Davis and Sriram Chiripurapu

05/26/2026

On May 6th, The Blaze was officially recognized as a Distinguished Site by Student Newspaper Online (SNO).

This honor is awarded to student news programs that earn all 5 SNO badges, highlighting excellence in writing, audience engagement, multimedia, continuous coverage, and social media and news site excellence. To date, only 75 schools nationwide have earned this recognition.

The Blaze is now the only school in Virginia to earn all five badges, making it the first and only program in the state to receive this distinction.

🎥 by Tanvi Challa and Devika Goureddy

05/05/2026

On April 23, Stone Hill Middle School opened its doors to the community as part of its annual Culture Night. The event was hosted to highlight the diversity of the LCPS population, allowing participants to showcase unique aspects of their culture, as well as learn about other traditions throughout the world.

Attendees were then invited to the auditorium to see different cultural performances, and then to the cafeteria to enjoy themed booths that featured cultural artifacts, foods, and information about the culture. The event provided students and parents with the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the cultures represented, bringing the community together.

To watch the full video, or others like it, visit The Blaze link in bio!

🎥 by Lia Davis, Mariia Pecherkina, and Aakash Vivek
✏️ by Lia Davis

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