Rio Rancho High School

Introduction

Rio Rancho High School (RRHS) is a public Senior high school located in west central Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Opening in 1997 as part of the Rio Rancho Public Schools district, it is feed by Lincoln and Eagle Ridge middle schools. The current enrollment stands at 2477 (2013).

History

Rio Rancho Public Schools was created as a K-8 system because no high school existed in Rio Rancho at the time the district was founded in July 1994. At the time high school students living south of Northern Blvd. continued to be part of the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and attended Cibola High School. Students living north of Northern Blvd continued to be part of the Jemez Valley Public Schools district, though most attended classes at Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, the only APS high school that had room for them at the time. Small numbers of students were scattered through nine additional metro area schools.

In 1995, Intel Corporation was considering a plant expansion, and approached Sandoval County about the possibility of issuing Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) to finance the project. As part of this request, Intel was willing to provide Sandoval County with funds for local projects benefiting the local area. One of the area’s biggest needs was for a high school to serve Rio Rancho. This led to conversations among Sandoval County, Intel, the City of Rio Rancho, and the school district about the possibility of Intel building a high school for Rio Rancho.

The result of these discussions was a unique community/business partnership. The Sandoval County Commission approved the issuance of $8 billion in industrial revenue bonds permitting Intel Corporation to finance plant improvements. In return, Intel built the $30 million high school facility — the city’s first — and leased it for one dollar per year to the Rio Rancho Public Schools. Because Intel had recently completed plant construction work in Rio Rancho, it had resources to manage the construction project in place. Rio Rancho High was built as a “design-build” project by the private sector.

Intel built the core facility: four of the five academy buildings, a gym and the performing arts center. The district was responsible for providing furnishings, technology, and equipment. The district subsequently completed the current Humanities Academy building, as well as all of the athletics facilities and other improvements. A Rio Rancho 2007 bond issue added a drama classroom/”black box” theater facility and field house facilities for soccer, track, and cross country to the Rio Rancho High campus.

In 2008 due to overcrowding at Rio Rancho High school, the Rio Rancho Public Schools district built the V. Sue Cleveland High School, which opened in August 2009. During that year incoming 9th through 11th grade students who resided south of Northern Blvd. attended Rio Rancho High School, and all residing north of Northern Blvd. began to attend V. Sue Cleveland High School. The senior class of 2010 continued to attend Rio Rancho High School regardless of where they resided in Rio Rancho.

Popular culture

• Rio Rancho High School was used as filming location for the TV show Breaking Bad, being portrayed in the show as J. P. Wynne High School.

• The campus was also used as a film location in the 2011 movie Fright Night.

Notable alumni

• Chris Williams - wide receiver who played in the NFL and CFL
• Tim Madigan - golfer who played on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Canada and Web.com Tour

Academics

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) testing with a new school grading formula, which took effect for the 2010-11 school years. The grade is calculated using many forms of testing, and includes graduation rates.

School Year	Grade from NMPED
2014–15	A
2013–14	A
2012–13	A
2011–12	B
2010–11	C

Demographics

Ethnicity	RRHS Avg	State Avg
Caucasian (not hispanic)	37%	29%
Hispanic (of any race)	51%	56%
American Indian/Alaskan Native	4%	11%
African American	3%	3%
Pacific Islander	3%	1%

AVID

Rio Rancho High School offers Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) , is a college preparation program designed by a teacher in the San Diego school system 30 years ago. The program is for students who want to improve their lives through the educational process - both in high school and in college. AVID curriculum implements strategies to help the student keep organized, take quality notes in class and provide bi-weekly tutorial sessions (study groups) with the intent to support the student in progressing through high school in a successful fashion to ensure college admission.

Engineering

PLTW

RRHS employes the project-based aspects of the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum which gives students a chance to apply what they know, identify a problem, find unique solutions, and lead their own learning, rather than be passive recipients of information in a question-and-answer, right-or-wrong learning environment. PLTW’s premier high school program, Pathway To Engineering™, is a four-year course of study integrated into the students’ core curriculum. The combination of traditional math and science courses with innovative Pathway To Engineering courses prepares students for college majors in engineering and E/T fields and offers them the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.

RoboRAVE

The Rio Rancho Robotics Club prepares and participates in annual RoboRAVE International competitions. This program aims to make robotics accessible to any kid, anywhere with the goals of having fun while learning, sharing and teamwork. RoboRAVE's motto is “Today’s Play, Tomorrow’s Pay.” Teams of students must design, assemble and program robotic kits to accomplish specific tasks.

Humanities

Culinary

RRHS offers culinary classes utilizing the ProStart program which is a health and wellness, nutrition science program with the intent to provide Rio Rancho High School students with the integrate knowledge, skills, and practices required (for careers) in food production and services. This course was developed for students interested in going into the restaurant or hospitality and lodging fields. The course combines culinary and management skills, and includes guest speakers and field trips in the industry. Students develop culinary skills in nutrition, breakfast foods such as crepes, pancakes, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, vinegar's and salsas, garnishes, fruits and vegetables. Students learn about menu developing, cost planning and inventory control for running their own restaurant.

Fine Arts

Vans Custom Culture Art Competition

Rio Rancho High School was named Grand Champion of the Fifth Annual Custom Culture Art and Design Competition, a national high school art competition in which 2,000 selected schools receive four pairs of blank Vans shoes to use as a canvas, to be designed according to four different themes: Art, Music, Action Sports and 'Local Flavor'. Once a school's designs are completed, they go through a voting process to narrow down the top 50 entries. Further voting by the public narrows the selection to the top 5 that go on to compete in the final event. These schools artists are flown out to celebrate their artwork and have noted judges vote on the grand prize winning submission.

At the final event held on June 10, 2014 at New York City's Industria Superstudio, celebrity judges MKTO, Steve Caballero, Matt Shultz, Kemal Harris, Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto selected the winning custom shoe designs. Vans presented Rio Rancho High School with the grand-prize $50,000 donation to support its art program. The winning shoe design was also produced and sold in select Vans and Journeys retail stores, and online at Vans.com and Journeys.com.

RRHS artists also won the Vans contest national finals in 2010 and 2012. In 2010 the grand prize was $10,000; by 2012 it had increased to $50,000. In 2012, RRHS also won an additional $5,000 in the Journeys Local Attitude competition for the best design reflecting a community's local flavor.

Dance

The Rio Rancho High School Dance Department established in 1997 is one of the few full time public school dance programs of its kind in New Mexico. The RRHS Dance Department offers five levels of instruction, starting with level 1 beginning and ending with Master Dance Company, a performance based company that performs three times a year in the RRHS Performing Arts Center (PAC). Dance techniques are offered in ballet, jazz, lyrical/Contemporary, modern, hip-hop, choreography and performance.

Athletics

Rio Rancho High School competes in the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA), as a class 6A school in District 1. In addition to Rio Rancho High School, the schools in district 1-6A include: Cibola High School, Volcano Vista High School, V. Sue Cleveland High School and Piedra Vista High School.

Rio Rancho State Athletic Championships

Rio Rancho High School has captured 38 State Championships.

State Championships
Season	Sport	Number	State Champions	Runner-up	Third
Fall	Cross Country, Boys	2	2014, 2013	2015, 2010	2012, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005
	Cross Country, Girls	1	2008	2015, 2014, 2009
	Football	1	2014
	Soccer, Boys
	Soccer, Girls	1	2007	2014
	Volleyball	6	2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002	2014, 2008, 2004, 2001	2000
Winter	Basketball, Boys	2	2016, 2007
	Basketball, Girls				2001
	Spirit/Dance/Drill				2012, 2011, 2010, 2000, 1999
	Spirit/Cheer	5	2016, 2011, 2010, 2001, 2000	2015, 2009, 2005	2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 1999
	Swimming and Diving, Boys			2009	2014, 2013
	Swimming and Diving, Girls				2007
	Wrestling	12	2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, *2004, 2004, *2003, 2003	2016, 2006, 2002	2013, 2012, *2002
Spring	Baseball, Boys	3	2013, 2009, 2007	2016, 2010
	Golf, Boys	2	2007, 2005	2006	2009, 2004
	Golf, Girls			2013, 2012
	Softball	3	2015, 2014, 2003	2010	2002, 2001
	Tennis, Boys
	Tennis, Girls			2007
	Track and Field, Boys			2015, 2008, 2004	2014, 2005
	Track and Field, Girls				2010, 2009, 2001
Total		38

(State tournament consolation games are no longer played for Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball or Softball)

(*Year) - indicates Dual Meet State Champions also

Cross Country

Rio Rancho High School has captured 1 individual State title through the 2015 season.

Boys State Champions Year Name Number of Championships

Girls State Champions Year Name Number of Championships 1997 Danielle Longmire 1

All-State honors are granted for a top 10 finish in class at the New Mexico State Cross Country Championships.

Boys All-State Year Name Finish 2015 Mike Goke 6th Devin Paredes 9th 2014 Devin Paredes 2nd Josh Pyeatt 6th 2013 Devin Paredes 3rd Troy Lawton 9th 2012 Preston Charlie 4th 2011 Jesus Mendoza 8th 2010 Caleb Rubalcaba 2nd Larry Rodarte 3rd 2009 Caleb Rubalcaba 10th 2007 Rob Selph 10th 2006 Josh Bueno 3rd

Girls All-State Year Name Finish 2015 Reina Paredes 7th Molly Klein 8th 2014 Reina Paredes 5th Andi Almodovar 7th 2013 Sierra Delaware 7th 2010 Tamara Lementino 4th 2009 Jenna Padilla 2nd Tamara Lementino 3rd 2008 Tamara Lementino 6th Alana Littleford 8th 1997 Danielle Longmire 1st

Football

The New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA) produces All-State Teams for New Mexico high school football.

Year Name Position Honor 2015 Josh Foley, Jr Runningback 1st Team Offense Grant Hermanns Offensive Lineman 1st Team Offense Kevin McCracken Defensive Line 2nd Team Defense 2014 Angelo Lujan Runningback 1st Team Offense Brady Patterson TE/Slot Receiver 1st Team Offense Miguel Barreras Wide Receiver 1st Team Offense Easton Bruere Quarterback 2nd Team Offense Luis Torres Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Offense Grant Hermanns Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Offense Ikaika Waters Linebacker 1st Team Defense Anthony Nolan Linebacker 1st Team Defense Adrian Linzy Defensive Line 1st Team Defense Miguel Barreras Secondary 1st Team Defense Angelo Lujan Returner 1st Team Defense Cody Gallegos Defensive End/OLB 2nd Team Defense Marky Alverado Secondary 2nd Team Defense

Year Name Position Honor 2013 Tristen Foley Wide Receiver 1st Team Offense Colby Stinson Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Offense Dustin Hansen Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Offense Sergio Mendoza Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Defense Tristen Foley Secondary 2nd Team Defense 2012 Dallin Brady Secondary 1st Team Defense Carlos Garcia Kicker 1st Team Defense Devon Bennett Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Offense Robert Salgado Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Offense Tristen Foley Wide Receiver 2nd Team Offense 2011 Josh Baggett Offensive Lineman 1st Team Offense Jason Fitzpatrick Quarterback 1st Team Offense Carlos Garcia Kicker 1st Team Defense Ulises Astorga Runningback 2nd Team Offense Austin Patterson TE/Slot Receiver 2nd Team Offense Ulises Astorga Punter 2nd Team Offense Ian Foley Secondary 2nd Team Defense

Year Name Position Honor 2010 Tim Foley Secondary 1st Team Defense Zack Rogers Kicker 2nd Team Defense Tim Foley Returner 2nd Team Defense 2009 Adam Shapiro Wide Receiver 1st Team Offense Jeric Magnant Wide Receiver 1st Team Offense Tyler Baker Quarterback 2nd Team Offense Kevin Howerton Defensive End/OLB 2nd Team Defense Tim Foley Punt Returner Honorable Mention Offense Kevin Howerton Offensive Lineman Honorable Mention Offense Jake Pearson Linebacker Honorable Mention Defense Tim Foley Secondary Honorable Mention Defense 2008 Troy Harris Runningback 1st Team Offense Carlos Lirosi Linebacker 2nd Team Defense Zach Drapeau Linebacker 2nd Team Defense Malcolm Butters Offensive Lineman 2nd Team Defense

Volleyball

The New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA) produces All-State Teams for New Mexico high school volleyball.

Year Name Position Honor 2014 Erika Barbour Left/Right side Hitter 1st Team Ashley Cook Setter 1st Team 2013 Erika Barbour Left/Right side Hitter 1st Team Ashley Cook Setter 2nd Team 2012 Erika Boling Left/Right side Hitter 2nd Team Haley Ng Setter 2nd Team 2011 Haley Ng Setter 2nd Team 2010 Mackenzie Clark Left/Right side Hitter 1st Team Jayla Trombley Left/Right side Hitter 1st Team

Year Name Position Honor 2009 Darian Mullen Left/Right side Hitter 1st Team Taylor Calloway Setter 1st Team Jayla Trombley Middle Hitter 1st Team Brooklyn Boughter Left/Right side Hitter 2nd Team Mackenzie Clark Middle Hitter 2nd Team Letisha Spencer Left/Right side Hitter Honorable Mention 2008 Darian Mullen Left/Right side Hitter 1st Team Jocelyn Hamilton Setter 1st Team Vanessa Leal Middle Hitter 1st Team Jacklyn Rodriguez Libero 1st Team

Basketball

The New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA) produces All-State Teams for New Mexico high school basketball.

Boys All-State Year Name Honor 2016 Clay Patterson 1st Team Juan Hurt 2nd Team 2015 Brady Patterson 1st Team 2014 Brady Patterson 2nd Team 2010 Lucas Archuleta 2nd Team 2009 Jorel Johnson Honorable Mention

Girls All-State Year Name Honor 2009 Megan Muniz 1st Team

Swimming and Diving

Rio Rancho High School has captured 3 individual State titles through the 2016 season.

Boys State Champions Year Name Event Number of Championships 2014 Luis Felipe Conejo 500 Meter Freestyle 2 2013 Luis Felipe Conejo 500 Meter Freestyle 2010 Tim Zoltowski 50 Yard Freestyle

Girls State Champions Year Name Event Number of Championships

Wrestling

Rio Rancho High School has captured 62 individual State titles through the 2016 season.

Boys State Champions Year Weight Name Number of Championships 2016 113 Tyler Deen 145 Ryan Rochford 2 285 Grant Hermanns 2015 126 Brandon Leyba 132 Ryan Rochford 152 Orlando Gutierrez 3 182 Miguel Barreras 3 2014 138 Orlando Gutierrez 160 Miguel Barreras 2013 132 Orlando Gutierrez 152 Miguel Barreras 160 Jordan Lara 2 2012 160 Jordan Lara 2011 135 Matt Nunez 3 160 Zack Rogers 2 215 Shea Nolan 3

Year Weight Name Number of Championships 2010 125 Matt Nunez 130 Luis Trujillo 4 135 Nathaniel Lujan 152 Zack Rogers 189 Anthony Garcia 215 Shea Nolan 2009 103 Jake Williams 119 Matt Nunez 130 Luis Trujillo 135 Chris Rubalcaba 2 140 Max Ortega 5 171 Chris Morales 215 Shea Nolan 2008 125 Luis Trujillo 130 Chris Rubalcaba 140 Max Ortega 171 Paul Cabbage 2

Year Weight Name Number of Championships 2007 119 Luis Trujillo 125 Matt Ortega 4 130 Max Ortega 135 Vicente Varela 4 171 Paul Cabbage 2006 112 Max Ortega 119 Matt Ortega 125 Dominic Valencia 2 130 Vicente Varela 2005 103 Max Ortega 112 Matt Ortega 119 Dak Adamson 125 Nick Ramirez 3 130 Vicente Varela

Year Weight Name Number of Championships 2004 103 Matt Ortega 112 Vicente Varela 119 Dominic Valencia 125 Nick Ramirez 135 Ace Adamson 145 Lionel Sierra 2 152 Josh Wenze 2 2003 125 Bryan Tice 2 140 Lionel Sierra 2002 103 Nick Ramirez 112 Paul Tice 119 Bryan Tice 2001 125 Brian Pitts 2 160 Nathaniel Augustson 2000 119 Brian Pitts

Golf

Rio Rancho High School has captured 2 individual State titles through the 2015 season.

Boys State Champions Year Name Number of Championships 2007 Tim Madigan 1 2001 Trent Rommann 1

Girls State Champions Year Name Number of Championships

Softball

The New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA) produces All-State Teams for New Mexico high school softball.

Year Name Position Honor 2015 Dominique Soto 2nd Base 1st Team Vanessa Gallegos 3rd Base 1st Team Breonga Castaneda Shortstop 1st Team Jovanni Felix Outfield 1st Team Jordan Manno Catcher 2nd Team 2014 Nicole Pendley Pitcher 1st Team Jessie Roane Catcher 1st Team Vanessa Gallegos 2nd Base 1st Team Nicole Pendley Outfield 1st Team Jessie Roane 3rd Base 2nd Team Breonna Castaneda Shortstop 2nd Team Vanessa Gallegos Outfield 2nd Team Dominique Soto Outfield 2nd Team

Year Name Position Honor 2012 Nicole Pendley Outfield 1st Team 2011 Shelby Pendley Shortstop 1st Team Nicole Pendley Outfield 1st Team 2010 Shelby Pendley 3rd Base 1st Team Nicole Pendley Pitcher 2nd Team Jessie Roane Shortstop 2nd Team Christen Miller Outfield 2nd Team Brianna Chavez Outfield 2nd Team

Track and Field

Rio Rancho High School has captured 31 individual State titles through the 2015 season

Boys State Champions Year Name Event Number of Championships 2016 Josh Foley 110 M Hurdles 2015 Josh Foley 300 M Hurdles Matthew Jackson Long Jump 2 2014 Matthew Jackson 300 M Hurdles Matthew Jackson Long Jump 2012 Alex Oluyitan Shot Put Jason Fitzpatrick Javelin 2011 Paul Jaramillo Javelin 2010 Caleb Rubalcaba 1600 M Run Larry Dupree Long Jump Dave Bevins Pole Vault 2 2009 Dave Bevins Pole Vault 2008 Thomas Trujillo 100 M Dash 2007 Marcus Williams High Jump 2 2006 Marcus Williams High Jump Kyle Walker Pole Vault 2005 Chris Williams 200 M Dash 2 Chris Williams 400 M Dash Chris Williams High Jump 3 2004 Chris Williams 200 M Dash Brandon McKinney *Discus 2 High Jump Chris Williams 2003 Brandon McKinney Discus Chris Williams High Jump

Girls State Champions Year Name Event Number of Championships 2014 Nicole Pendley *Javelin 2 2013 Nicole Pendley Javelin 2010 Carol Waterman Javelin 2007 Nicole Zarrella Discus 2 Kim Frenz High Jump 2 2006 Nicole Zarrella Discus 2004 Christina Zarrella 400 M Dash Christina Zarrella Long Jump Kim Frenz High Jump 2003 Shellie Buckhanan Discus

(*Event) - indicates a State Record also

In 2004 Brandon McKinney set the current New Mexico state discus record with a throw of 183' 9"

In 2014 Nicole Pendley set the current New Mexico state Javelin record with a throw of 142' 0"

In 2014 the team of Danica Gallegos, Leilani Baker, Sasha Hickox and Molly Klein set the current New Mexico state 1600 Sprint Medley record with a time of 4:07.74

Rio Rancho High School Athletics Hall of Fame

In 2014 the inaugural inductees to the Rio Rancho High School Athletics Hall of Fame were selected, immortalizing the best of Rio Rancho's athletic programs.

Hall of Fame
Year	Name	Achievement
2015	Brittany Burtner (Athlete)	First Rio Rancho Gatorade Player of the Year (Softball 2001)
	Stephanie Hightower (Athlete)	Varsity letters in five different sports
	Brandon McKinney (Athlete)	First D1 football recruit and set the current State discus record
	Brian Pitts (Athlete)	2x State Wrestling Champion, 2x collegiate All-American
	Jennifer Boyden (Coach)	2000 State Champion Cheer Coach
	Bob McIntyre (Coach)	6x Girls Basketball State semifinals / 7 District titles
	Gary Hveem (Contributor)	Rio Rancho High School's first Athletic Director
2014	Danyel Longmire (Athlete)	1997 Girls Cross Country State Champion
	Trent Rommann (Athlete)	2001 Boys State Golf Champion
	Toby Manzanares (Coach)	6X State Champion Volleyball Coach
	Ron Murphy (Coach)	3X State Champion Baseball Coach
	Paul Kohman (Coach)	2X State Champion Softball Coach
	Uwe Balzis (Coach)	State Champion Girls Soccer Coach
	Tony Otero (Contributor)	Rio Rancho DQ Owner and Booster

Activities

Rio Rancho State Activities Championships

Rio Rancho High School offers a variety of interscholastic activities also sponsored by the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) in cooperation with other outside organizations to enhance the high school experience.

Rio Rancho High School has captured 11 State Championships.

State Championships
Activity	Number	State Champions	Runner-up	Third
Athletic Training Challenge	5	2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
Bowling	4	2016, 2014, 2009, 2008	2015, 2012, 2010	2013
Chess			2014	2016, 2013
JROTC - Championship Results			2016
JROTC - Overall Drill				2016
JROTC - Female Color Guard				2016
JROTC - Armed Drill				2016
JROTC - Armed Inspection			2016
JROTC - Physical Fitness			2015	2016, 2014
JROTC - Sporter Rifle			2015, 2014	2013
Choir	1	2016	2015
Concert Band	1	2004
Total	11

Athletic Training Challenge

The Athletic Training Challenge was started by the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) in conjunction with the New Mexico Athletic Trainer's Association (NMATA) to recognize Athletic Training as a sanctioned activity within New Mexico Schools.

DECA Marketing Education

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. At the 2013 State Conference Rio Rancho High School was awarded the 1st place Chapter Banner.

Marching Band

Rio Rancho High School's Marching Band competes annually in the Zia Marching Band Fiesta which is essentially the New Mexico state championship, as well as a prestigious regional event for marching bands. There were 32 bands in competition in four size divisions.

Rio Rancho High School has captured 1 Grand Championship

Zia Marching Band Fiesta
Activity	Number	Grand Champions
Marching Band	1	2004

Rugby

High School rugby in New Mexico is governed by New Mexico Youth Rugby (NMYR), a registered non-profit and all volunteer sports organization dedicated to the development of youth and high school rugby for both boys and girls in New Mexico. Rio Rancho High School has captured 2 State Championships.

State Championships
Activity	Number	State Champions	Runner-up	Third
Rugby, Boys (15's)	1	2016
Rugby, Girls (7's)	1	2016

Ice Hockey

High School hockey in New Mexico is governed by the Land of Enchantment USA Hockey Affiliate (LOEAHA) and operated by the New Mexico Interscholastic Ice Hockey League (NMIIHL) which is comprised of eleven teams, including representatives from Colorado and Texas. The high school hockey season runs from October to March.

LOEAHA has established the New Mexico Interscholastic Ice Hockey League (NMIIHL) and State Playoff to determine the State’s representative to the USA Hockey High School Playoff. Each year LOEAHA and the NMIIHL, along with the qualifying team, will evaluate the viability of sending a State High School Champion to USA Hockey Post Season Play.

The Rio Rancho High School / V. Sue Cleveland High School team has captured 3 State Championships.

State Championships
Activity	Number	State Champions	Runner-up
Ice Hockey	3	2006, 2007, 2008