Huron High School’s River Rat Finally Has a Name—Meet Rio!

It took decades, but Huron High School’s beloved River Rat mascot finally has a name! Students recently voted to name the iconic gray rat Rio, beating out other contenders like Ratthew, Cheddar, Hugh Ron, Archy, and Ratsby.

Why Rio? According to junior Max Samaha, co-president of the Student Council, the name is a clever nod to the school's identity—Rio means "river" in Spanish, making it a fitting tribute to the River Rats.

The journey to naming the mascot started earlier this year when Student Council members gathered over 300 name suggestions from students. After decades of simply being “the rat,” the nameless mascot now has an official identity, and the Huron community is embracing it.

The River Rat mascot has been a part of Huron High School’s history since before the school even opened in 1969. The name “River Rats” was originally a joke from students at a rival school, referencing Huron’s location near the Huron River and a former medical waste site. However, the nickname stuck and became a source of school pride over the years.

Now, with Rio leading the charge at football games, basketball games, and school events, Huron High School’s spirit is stronger than ever.

What do you think of the name Rio? Are you a Huron High School Alumni? We would love to hear your river rat stories.

Let us know in the comments!