“Rio” the rat is now our school mascot’s name, selected after students voted. During classes, teachers gave their students time to fill out an online voting form with multiple options on what the rat’s new name should be. When all the results were tallied up, the rat’s new name was announced over the school intercom. Rio also means river in Spanish, which makes it a fitting name for the school mascot. 

“I love how unique Huron’s mascot is,” teacher Jeff DeMoss said. “Rio the River Rat is a part of our school’s identity. It’s a lot more fun to have a strange mascot like a River Rat than something boring like a…Pioneer.”

Rio is not simply just a river rat, however, but instead serves as a representation of Huron students, staff, and the entire community. 

“Rats are very intelligent, social, and curious,” athletic director and assistant principal James Trush said. “I think those characteristics can also be paralleled with our students that walk the halls of Huron. 

The Student Council’s next mission is to spread the name and brand of Rio the Rat. Huron’s rat has been a key part of the school culture since it was chosen by its students after opening in 1969. The rat’s origin story is up for debate, with some saying it came from the construction crew’s battle with rats while building the school, and others claiming rivals at Pioneer High School tauntingly referred to Huron students as “rats.” No matter the inspiration behind this unique mascot, there is no question that it has shaped the identity of the Huron community. 

“Since new Huron students voted for the mascot name back during our founding, it has represented how us Rats like to think outside the box and a willingness to embrace the weird,” DeMoss said.