With the waving signs and students’ screams, it was obvious that Rush Week was upon us.

Everyday at lunch, clubs advertised with props and signs reflecting their interests.

Rush Week is an annual tradition at Rio. Clubs hope to promote school spirit and attract students with similar interests.

Every booth is fighting to get the word out and have the most members by the end of the week.

The Ping Pong Club was a popular club, attracting students with their poster reading, “Need to get in shape? Join the Ping Pong Club.”

However, no one advertised better than the Picnic Club led by John Price and Connor Jang, which even had an announcement during the Raider Rundown.

“There’s a lot of super social cliques,” Price said. “I wanted to create a club that brings people together.”

“When they see our table, they see how awesome we are with our table, music, cool signs, and charismatic attitudes.”

The Picnic Club finished with 191 sign-ups at the end of Rush Week.

Another new club on campus is the Christian Club, which meets to pray every Wednesday at lunch near the flagpole.

“Yesterday, 53 people showed up,” said senior Olivia Cameron.

“It’s a great opportunity to be in fellowship with other people.”

Clubs are an integral part of life at any high school, but especially at Rio.

They bring students of similar interests together regardless of age and help bolster school spirit.

“I was impressed with the amount of students involved in extracurricular activities,” senior Josiah Perez said.

Both the Key and Interact Clubs were looking for new members who could help the give back to the community.

“It’s a great way to help out the community and make a difference while still helping college applications,” said Key Club leader junior Divya Alla about her club.

The Key Club, advised by Spanish teacher Gabriela DeLasse, is affiliated with Kiwanis International.

“We do awesome projects out in the community,” said Karina Bodemeijer, Vice President of Rio Americano Interact.

“Last year, we did face painting at River Cats stadium for the underprivileged, a river clean up, and a wind homeless shelter clothes drive.”

“We interact with the community,” added sophomore Julia Anderson.

Interact is affiliated with Rotary International, a premier charitable and fraternal organization.

A sad loss for Rio’s tradition is the absence of the Ski and Snowboard Club.

This is the first year they haven’t been out on the stage with boards and goggles.

The Twerk Club is a new addition to Rio, bringing people together who enjoy Hip-Hop and Rap music.

Sophomore Aris Koumis said the club was about, “embracing the lifestyle of rap music and the dancing that comes with it.”

Clubs can also raise awareness of controversial social issues, such as the Teens Against Child Labor club.

“We’re trying to raise awareness about American companies using child labor and help people understand the consequences of their actions,” senior Meghan McKenna said.

But perhaps no club spoke more eloquently than senior Ramsey Karim’s Speech and Debate club.

“It’s a really valuable opportunity to learn public speaking,” Karim said. “It looks really great on college apps.”

Karim has been in Speech and Debate since he was a freshman and the club was a class taught by Jennie Scott.

The Speech and Debate club is affiliated with the National Forensic League and its members participates in tournaments around the Sacramento Valley.

Senior Kevin Keenan was enthusiastically promoting the Bad Girls Club.

“We watch reality shows essentially, and then evaluate their effect on society,” he said.

“There are good girls with a bad girl image,” added senior Kanoe Dudoit.

In this election year, the Young Democrats and the Young Republicans were both trying to recruit like minded students.

“Young Republicans is a club for people who are politically active or who would like to become more politically active and informed,” said Rio Americano Young Republicans President senior James Villanueva.

“As Young Republicans, we have a strong love for our country and we want to see it prosper. This is America.”

As the year goes on, students will see just how influential the various clubs on campus are in both the school and in the community at large.

Students who wish to sign up for clubs at this point may do so by visiting the club section of the school website where they will find the contact information of club leaders.