September 7, 2018
VOL. MMXVIII, No. 4
RAM’S EAR R I O V I S TA H I G H S C H O O L
Chaos Strikes the Rio Bridge by Preston Ebert, Staff Writer
Photo by: Greg Mitchell, RV Bridgeman
On Thursday, August 9 the Helen Madere Memorial Bridge got stuck up and halted all traffic on Highway 12. The bridge was stuck up from 3:30 pm to 3:00 am. When this happened it left almost everyone that lived on the opposite sides of the bridge stranded from their homes. With the bridge stuck up, there was a huge roadblock for anyone needing to travel across the bridge. Some people like James Blake said, “I didn’t even get home. I went to a friends house for the night.” This, though not super serious, really affected other people that were not able to stay at a friends house like Jaqueline Leal. She stated, “It took me seven hours to get home and I had to take two ferries just to get home.” These examples just scratch the surface of what happened that day. Not even considering the countless number of truck drivers and just regular people that live past Isleton that were stuck on Highway 12 until 3am. Some people were so irritated that they got into car acci-
dents just trying to get on a ferry. Jaqueline Leal said, “We were just about to go on the ferry when two cars hit each other and stopped everyone from going on that ferry for 40 to 45 minutes while the cops and fire department figured everything out.” Many people couldn’t get home, many Rio Vista residents couldn’t get around town due to all the streets being filled with traffic, and some people got in car accidents just trying to get home. It’s crazy to see just how much one bridge getting stuck up affects so many people in so many different ways. Even at the end of August, it is still affecting people but now in a different way. The bridge is stuck down and can’t go up for cargo ships or any sailboats. This now has boats stuck in West Sacramento waiting for clearance and in the bay waiting to get past the bridge. Who would have ever thought that one bridge being stuck could affect so many businesses and people’s lives?
A sight of the Rio Vista bridge that’s becoming more and more common.
Photo by: Preston Ebert
New Math Teacher a Man With Many Talents
Can Yilmazer, AFS student from Turkey, names tacos his favorite food he’s tried so far.
Can Arrives from Turkey Photo by: Javier Lopez
by Jessica Mingay, Staff Writer
Mr. Hamilton destroying Chris Nunes in ping pong during the Back to School Social.
by Javier Lopez, Staff Writer
Rio Vista High School welcomes a new addition to the math department, Mr. Hamilton. He teaches geometry and algebra at RVHS. He had always wanted to teach in some way, so he got his teaching credential at UC San Diego. Mr. Hamilton grew up in San Diego with three brothers. In high school he played outside linebacker in football, ran track, wrestled, swam and did competition show cheer where he was fifth in the nation in partner stunts. He has no pets but would like to have
two dogs someday. This is his first year teaching. Mr. Hamilton took the job at Rio Vista High School because he liked that it was a small school where he could connect with students easily. He believes that students and staff at RVHS should know that he is learning as much from the students as they are from him. Mr. Hamilton has some advice for the students at RVHS: “You should find something that you enjoy doing” and “be the one that lifts someone else up.”
Every year, Rio Vista welcomes AFS exchange students from all around the world. Last year, we welcomed two. This year, we welcome three! There is Linh “Mia” Le from Vietnam, Can Yilmazer from Turkey, and Timbé Kelepily from Mali. Can arrived Friday, August 10th from Ankara, Turkey, and he isn’t the only member of his family to be part of the AFS program. While in high school, his dad was also an AFS member who spent a year in Maryland. So far, Can likes RVHS and says, “The classes are different and the students are different.” When asked about the classes, he says that he doesn’t get to choose his classes in Turkey. This isn’t his first time in the U.S though. He has also gone to Chicago, Ohio, and San Francisco. While here, he hopes to
meet new people and see different events. When asked if there is a big difference between the two cultures, he responds, “Yes, a huge difference. It’s much more open and easy going in the U.S.” Something Can likes about Rio, is that it’s a small town where everyone knows each other and he also likes the people in school. His favorite class so far is Government. He says, “it’s new and interesting in that class.” His favorite food here so far is tacos and something he did back home in his free time is he hung out with his friends and play video games. One thing he wants all of the students here to know is he’s a good person. If you would like to get involved with the AFS program by hosting or donating, contact Donnie Surla at (707) 374-6336 Ext:1233 or dsurla@rdusd.org.