Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Senior Joshua Merri's winning photo for the Rio Earth Week photo contest.
Rio Students Win Writing, Photography Awards from Outdoor Writers Association of California, Sacramento Optimist Club
Stella Plain and Ben Steffensrud.
Mirada Reporters Win National Awards from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Construction on the American River levee near the Guy West Bridge at Sac State. Photo from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Environmental Groups Express Concern About Plans for River, Levee Construction Near School
Civitas Seniors Hosting SPCA Donation Drive Next Week
Civitas Seniors Hosting SPCA Donation Drive Next Week
Members of the Rio Americano Mathletes team.
Mathletes Takes First-Place Finish in Final Competition of Season
The giant camphor tree in front of the cafeteria was cut down over spring break.
News Update: Giant Campus Tree Cut Down
AP Language Classes Hold Mock Middle East Peace Summit
Eleanor Thornton's photo was chosen for the 2025 Viewpoint Gallery Photographic Art Center student show, "Barriers and Bridges," featuring works from high school and college students throughout the Sacramento area.
Opening This Week: Rio Americano Students Selected for Viewpoint Photo Show
Students perform a traditional Afghani dance routine at the World Fair on April 8.
Photos: World Fair Attracts Hundreds with Lively Performances and Cultural Food
"The Dark Knight" (2008), directed by Cristopher Nolan. Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures.
The Best Christopher Nolan Films
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
Christopher Rufo in his 2002 senior portrait in the Rio Americano High School Tesoro yearbook.
Letter to the Editor Re: Rio Grad Chris Rufo’s Anti-CRT Push
Band Students perform at Playathon 2023.
The Effect of Music on Education
The Rio Americano field.
EDITORIAL: Build the Rio Stadium
Drawing by Gwen Lindsey.
Why Mass Parks Service Firings Hurt More Than Just the Workers
Drawing by Gwen Lindsey.
Why We Should Return to Pen-and-Paper Learning
Grade Inflation Hurts Students
Grade Inflation Hurts Students
The 1994-1995 football team. Photo from the 1995 Rio yearbook.
HALL OF FAME: Rio Honors Alumni Athletes and Coaches at 2025 Induction Ceremony
The ILS (Independent Living Skills) Olympics was held at Rio Americano on April 4. Photos by Evan Nguyen and Joshua Merri.
Photos: ILS Special Olympics Held at Rio
Junior Liliana Lettini competes at a wrestling match. Photo provided by coach Austin Bell.
Girls’ Wrestling Makes Sections for First Time in Rio History
Sidney Johnson, the best freshman shot putter in the U.S., won first place at the Glenn Poole Invitational tournament. Photo provided by her.
Rio Freshman is Best Shot Putter in the U.S.
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
Students perform a traditional Afghani dance routine at the World Fair on April 8.
Photos: World Fair Attracts Hundreds with Lively Performances and Cultural Food
The ILS (Independent Living Skills) Olympics was held at Rio Americano on April 4. Photos by Evan Nguyen and Joshua Merri.
Photos: ILS Special Olympics Held at Rio
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
Students perform a traditional Afghani dance routine at the World Fair on April 8.
Photos: World Fair Attracts Hundreds with Lively Performances and Cultural Food
The ILS (Independent Living Skills) Olympics was held at Rio Americano on April 4. Photos by Evan Nguyen and Joshua Merri.
Photos: ILS Special Olympics Held at Rio
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
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Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Jessica Sheppard

Jessica Sheppard, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Jessica Sheppard
Exploring the midtown farmers market and all the stalls they have to offer

A day at the midtown farmers market

Jessica Sheppard, Staff writer
March 17, 2021
Adrian Tomine's self portrait

Tomine started drawing comics at Rio, now he’s a best-selling graphic novelist

Jessica Sheppard, Staff writer
March 12, 2021

Rio library remains an available resource for students

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
March 2, 2021
Seniors are able to purchase caps, gowns, class jewelry graduation announcements and much more on the Jostens website.

In-person graduation is a realistic possibility for seniors

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
January 30, 2021
Senior Photos for Yearbook Start Dec.11

Senior Photos for Yearbook Start Dec.11

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
December 1, 2020
Smoke from the Creek Fire obstructed views from inside Yosemite National Park and interfered with visitors' hiking and camping. As of Sept. 9, all 18 national forests in California are closed.

[Photo] Record-Breaking Temperatures Cause The Largest Fires in California State History

Aaron Ichel, Mirada Staff
September 11, 2020
Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe

Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
April 20, 2020
An empty Rio Americano classroom as students transition to "distance learning."

Bored? Things to Do During The Coronavirus Shut-In

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
March 22, 2020
PE Teacher Shawna Virga measures a student's performance in the trunk lift for freshman fitness testing.

Problems in California’s Fitness Testing

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
March 16, 2020
The Politician Review

The Politician Review

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
January 14, 2020
School Start Time Changes

School Start Time Changes

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
November 4, 2019
Jadera Bugs Crawling All Over Campus

Jadera Bugs Crawling All Over Campus

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 28, 2019
Students Feel Unprepared

Students Feel Unprepared

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
February 26, 2019
Moot Court team members Hudson Burke, Emma Phoenix, Kabir Tagore, Ben Davis, and Alec Sumner with coach after competition.

Verdict Is In: Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams Offer Realistic Law Experience

Emma Phoenix and Jessica Sheppard
November 2, 2018
Newspapers are not as popular as they use to be since news has been going online more.

[Photo] Online News is the New Norm

November 2, 2018
Models of All Shapes and Sizes are Taking Over the Industry

Models of All Shapes and Sizes are Taking Over the Industry

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 9, 2018
Vlogs Becoming the New Reality T.V.

Vlogs Becoming the New Reality T.V.

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 4, 2018
Golf Summary

Golf Summary

Katherine Huggins and Jessica Sheppard
June 4, 2018
Royal Wedding

Royal Wedding

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
June 4, 2018
Life of the Party

Life of the Party

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
June 4, 2018
Women's March

Women’s March

Jessica Sheppard and Emma Riley
June 4, 2018
Photo illustration of student using his phone wasting valuable class time; an epidemic among classrooms.

Ten Things Teens Can’t Live Without

Jessica Sheppard, Staff Writer
March 20, 2018
‘Tis the Season for Homecoming

‘Tis the Season for Homecoming

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 10, 2017
Dadigan leads a cheer practice Tuesday night.

Dadigan Back at It Again

Jessica Sheppard, Staff Writer
September 8, 2017
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