Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Students at the summer 2024 UC Davis program.
UC Davis Med Center Invites Teens to Apply for Summer Program
Rio to Celebrate Earth Day–for a Week
The Rio Americano robotics team attends their first competition of the season at Pleasant Grove High School on March 15.
Robotics Team Finishes Fourth in First Competition of the Season, Looks to Improve Rankings
Rio to Host Annual Culture Fair on April 8
Rio to Host Annual Culture Fair on April 8
San Juan Unified's equity vision principles. Photo from the district website.
No Changes Planned to Diversity and Inclusion Policies, District Says
Members of the Rio Americano Mathletes team took second place in the March 13, 2025, competition at Franklin High School.
Mathletes Take Second Place in Competition
Christopher Rufo in his 2002 senior portrait in the Rio Americano High School Tesoro yearbook.
Rio Grad Christopher Rufo Wields Power in Washington
History teacher Richard Yoha.
Q&A: History Teacher Richard Yoha on His Time as a Rio Student and Returning to Teach
Covid-19
The Day That Changed Everything: Reflecting on the Five-Year Anniversary of the COVID School Shutdowns
Author and Rio Americano graduate Maressa Voss (Maressa Garner, 2008).
Interview: Rio Americano Alumna Maressa Voss Publishes First Novel
The Founder's House section at the Crocker Art Museum.
Museum Review: An Hour at the Crocker
The courtyard in front of the cafeteria flooded during a storm in December 2024.
Why Does Rio’s Cafeteria Courtyard Always Flood on Rainy Days?
Drawing by Gwen Lindsey.
Why Mass Parks Service Firings Hurt More Than Just the Workers
Grade Inflation Hurts Students
Grade Inflation Hurts Students
Debate: Is It Ok to Give Extra Credit for Donations?
Debate: Is It Ok to Give Extra Credit for Donations?
Op-Ed: GoGuardian's New Mental Health Feature May Do More Harm Than Good
Op-Ed: GoGuardian’s New Mental Health Feature May Do More Harm Than Good
Technology's Toll on Free Will
Technology’s Toll on Free Will
Drawing by Gwen Lindsey.
Cell Phone Bans a Necessary Solution to Student Addiction, Low Academic Performance
Faith Witte (10) chases down the ball. The Rio Americano girls lacrosse team defeated Oakmont 10-7 at home on March 26, 2025.
Photos: Girls Lacrosse vs. Oakmont
Senior Jack Rice. Photo provided by him.
Golfer Is March Athlete of the Month
Rio Americano's varsity girls soccer tied with Christian Brothers at home on Feb. 10.
Photos: Girls Soccer vs. Christian Brothers
Sophomore Anthony Taylor takes a shot at a recent home game.
Q&A: Anthony Taylor Shines as One of Only Two Sophomores on Varsity Basketball
Rio Americano High School English teacher Jolynn Mason played volleyball at Sonoma State in the 1990s. She was saddened by the university's decision to cut athletics.
Rio Teacher, Former Sonoma State Athlete, Saddened by University’s Sports Program Cancellation
The district's proposed stadium work. 1C.2, 1C.3 and 1C.5 represent additions of bleachers, lights, and a press box, respectively.
New Stadium Construction Not Expected to Begin Soon, District Says
Faith Witte (10) chases down the ball. The Rio Americano girls lacrosse team defeated Oakmont 10-7 at home on March 26, 2025.
Photos: Girls Lacrosse vs. Oakmont
Rio Americano's varsity girls soccer tied with Christian Brothers at home on Feb. 10.
Photos: Girls Soccer vs. Christian Brothers
Rio Americano's dance teams perform at the blackout winter rally on Dec. 6.
Photos: Winter Blackout Rally
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Max Harry (12) drives to the basket against Pleasant Grove in a preseason game in November 2024.
Photos: Boys Basketball vs. Pleasant Grove
"When We Fear" Wins 10th Annual Rio Americano Horror Film Festival
“When We Fear” Wins 10th Annual Rio Americano Horror Film Festival
Faith Witte (10) chases down the ball. The Rio Americano girls lacrosse team defeated Oakmont 10-7 at home on March 26, 2025.
Photos: Girls Lacrosse vs. Oakmont
Rio Americano's varsity girls soccer tied with Christian Brothers at home on Feb. 10.
Photos: Girls Soccer vs. Christian Brothers
Rio Americano's dance teams perform at the blackout winter rally on Dec. 6.
Photos: Winter Blackout Rally
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Max Harry (12) drives to the basket against Pleasant Grove in a preseason game in November 2024.
Photos: Boys Basketball vs. Pleasant Grove
Photos: Rio Students' Houses Light Up for Halloween
Photos: Rio Students’ Houses Light Up for Halloween
The Mirada April 2025
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Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Emma Hutchinson

Emma Hutchinson, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Emma Hutchinson
Rick Singer boasted he could get students into top-ranked college through the side door--a system that depended on bribes and lies about students' athletic ability.

Rick Singer, mastermind of the college admissions scandal, started at Rio

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
May 15, 2021
The French toast is presented beautifully, including sides of yogurt and granola and seasonal fresh fruit. Considering the generous portions, the prices are very reasonable with entrees averaging $10-12.

French food flourishes in Fair Oaks

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
April 23, 2021
Currently sparsely populated, there will soon be more students in teacher Michael Mahoney's A-wing classroom as Cohorts A and B merge and students come on campus 4 days a week. Desks will still remain the appropriate distance of 3 feet away as recommended by new CDC guidelines for Covid-19 restrictions.

Combined cohorts and CDC guidelines allow for 4-day school schedule starting April 26

Emma Hutchinson and Isabella (Isa) Searle
April 13, 2021

Graduation speech opportunities now available

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
April 13, 2021
Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
March 30, 2021
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[Photo] Cross country team is back on track

Katelyn Newton, Mirada Staff
March 30, 2021

Majority of students will take AP exams online…again

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
March 26, 2021
IMG_0153-2

College Board announces plans for full length exams, multiple test dates and formats for 2021 AP tests

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
February 11, 2021
Shriver's Depop account (@sydneyyshriver) features handmade earrings and thrifted clothing pieces available for purchase at various price points.

[Photo] Sydney Shriver finds a multitude of benefits and a business in secondhand shopping

Alyssa Diaz, Mirada Staff
February 5, 2021
The Rio Clubs website, new this year, allows students to view all active clubs in one place and contact officers to join.

Spring Rush Week seeks to engage students in school community

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
February 2, 2021
LockDown Browser is just one example of software teachers can use to prevent cheating on assessments. It restricts students from being able to access any other online windows or materials on their computer while the assessment is open.

Watchful webcams designed to prevent cheating raise concerns about privacy

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
January 31, 2021
Seniors are able to purchase caps, gowns, class jewelry graduation announcements and much more on the Jostens website.

[Photo] In-person graduation is a realistic possibility for seniors

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
January 30, 2021
Senior Emma Hutchinson receives her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. (Covid-19, January 2021)

A feeling of hope

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
January 28, 2021
Journalism and English teacher Michael Mahoney has dealt with similar struggles to many other teachers attempting to engage students in learning while speaking to a blank screen in place of student faces.

[Photo] Turn on your cameras

Jenna Supkoff, Mirada Staff
January 26, 2021
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[Photo] College Board announces elimination of essay and subject tests

Taylor White, Mirada Staff
January 21, 2021
At the forefront of discussions surrounding patriotic education are government and civics classes which, required by the state of California for high school graduation, offer students the opportunity to learn about how governments work and their rights to participate in the government.

Patriotism in the classroom: is it under attack?

Emma Hutchinson and Katelyn Newton
January 20, 2021
Balancing Current Events and Class Curriculum

Balancing Current Events and Class Curriculum

Katelyn Newton and Emma Hutchinson
January 17, 2021
New Technology Creates Hope for an Effective COVID Vaccine

New Technology Creates Hope for an Effective COVID Vaccine

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
December 1, 2020

Donald Trump Defeated: Joe Biden is the 46th President-Elect of the United States

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
November 17, 2020
Publicity for homecoming spirit week Oct 26-30 was posted on the @rioraiders Instagram account and all class accounts.

Student Government Reinvents Traditions

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
October 23, 2020
A screenshot of the National Suicide Prevention hotline, available anonymously to anyone 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

New Online Suicide Prevention Training Program Launches During Suicide Prevention Month

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
September 20, 2020
Students on Lunch with Friends socialize in between rounds of a scavenger hunt game.

Thursdays Are For Making New Friends

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
September 29, 2020
Information guides are sent out to all registered voters in California prior to the election to ensure that all voters are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions. The guide contains information about all candidates and propositions on the ballot this year.

Vote the Electoral College Out of Office

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
September 17, 2020
Arcade Church has returned to in-person worship services in the church's courtyard. Church members bring their own seating, sit socially distanced from each other, and wear masks to keep everyone safe. (Covid-19, Sept. 2020)

Students Stay Connected to Their Faith Amidst Uncertainty

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
September 15, 2020
first day of school

Students, Teachers Reflect on the First Day of School

Emma Hutchinson and Katelyn Newton
August 13, 2020
Rio Seniors celebrate future plans after college. Some members switched colleges as more information was released and others follow the path they always dreamed of.

Seniors Re-evaluate College Plans Due to Pandemic

Annalee Gorman and Emma Hutchinson
June 11, 2020
Simple additions like colored pens and stickers can add artistic flair and unique personal touches to a simple envelope or letter.

Pen Pal Letters Make Life Better

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
June 4, 2020
Usually busy, the California State University, Sacramento Welcome Center is empty.

CSU’s Move to Online Instruction

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
May 16, 2020
A dispersed Rio Americano classroom during AP testing last May

Gov. Newsom Raises Many Questions for California’s Students, Educators and Communities

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
May 5, 2020
Quarantine Through a Dogs Perspective

Quarantine Through a Dogs Perspective

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
May 4, 2020
Jeremy Zucker created this spectrogram to accompany his album for a visual listening experience. Zucker wrote and produced his album in his studio in Brooklyn, New York.

A Letter to Jeremy Zucker

Katelyn Newton and Emma Hutchinson
May 3, 2020
Echo Anzai knows who they are

Echo Anzai knows who they are

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
April 7, 2020

Merriam Webster’s Word of the Year

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
April 7, 2020
In 1920, Sacramento Bee coined gender-neutral pronoun 'hir'

In 1920, Sacramento Bee coined gender-neutral pronoun ‘hir’

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
April 7, 2020
Senior Julia or "Rosie" Finnecy seen in her yearbook picture.

Senior makes masks to help community

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
April 2, 2020
Hedayat Ebrahim Khel and friends teach other students about their culture at the Global Expo on campus last fall.

[Photo] This I Believe: Losing a Friend Made Me Appreciate the People In My Life

Sumaya Mayaar, Guest Writer
March 9, 2020
A screenshot of the college board website informing high school students of changes within AP testing this year related to COVID-19.

College Board Announces AP Testing Changes

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
March 23, 2020
Four-Legged Friends Not a Fad

Four-Legged Friends Not a Fad

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
January 13, 2020
Teen Spending Habits

Teen Spending Habits

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
January 13, 2020
Smamble is One of a Kind

Smamble is One of a Kind

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada Staff
November 5, 2019
The Lincoln Memorial stands guard over Washington D.C. every night. Many remember President Lincoln for the abolition of slavery.

Teaching a Dark Past

Annalee Gorman, Katie Newton, and Emma Hutchinson
November 4, 2019
Smamble In The Spotlight

Smamble In The Spotlight

Emma Hutchinson, Mirada staff
October 13, 2019
Delicious Plant-Based Dining Available in Downtown

Delicious Plant-Based Dining Available in Downtown

Emma Hutchinson, Staff Writer
August 20, 2019
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