Ross Sixth Graders Finish up a Week in Outdoor Education at Foothill Horizons
Outdoor Ed

May 8, 2026

Today, 115 Ross Middle School students, along with four teachers and three support staff members, will wrap up four days of Outdoor Education at Foothill Horizons. At Foothill Horizons, Outdoor Education focuses on hands-on learning and connecting with nature. “Students engage in lessons that emphasize observing the natural environment, practicing quiet reflection, and understanding that they are visitors in the habitats of local wildlife such as deer, squirrels, and birds,” Principal Mary La Rosa said.

Students explored the Boulder Caves, participated in the Blind Walk, and saw animals like a king snake and a red-tailed hawk up close. They attended field trips to Mourning Caverns and Big Trees, providing additional opportunities to deepen their appreciation for California’s natural beauty.

“This experience enriches Hughson students in many ways. It builds independence, strengthens relationships, and creates lasting memories outside of the traditional classroom setting,” La Rosa said. “Students develop a deeper appreciation for nature, learn teamwork and resilience, and often return with increased confidence and a stronger sense of connection to their peers and teachers.”

Outdoor Education, commonly referred to as 6th Grade Camp, is a tradition that dates back generations. For La Rosa, it is one of her fondest school memories. “I remember the strong relationships that were built and the unique experiences that have stayed with me over time,” she said. “One memory that always makes me smile was building a fort with my group. At the end, a large bucket of water was poured over it to test if it was waterproof.”

Unfortunately, the team’s fort did not hold up to the test. La Rosa remembers walking out, soaked, but still smiling. “It’s those kinds of moments that make Outdoor Education so special and unforgettable.”

The cost to attend Foothill Horizons is a little over $300 per student for the three-night, four-day experience. The district contributes $74 per student to help offset this cost, and the Parent-Teacher Club plays a vital role in making Outdoor Education accessible through fundraisers such as the pie fundraiser and the tri-tip dinner, supported by the Lions Club. Organizations like HEA, Taste of Hughson, and other community members also help step up to sponsor students.

“We are proud to say that no student is unable to attend due to financial hardship,” La Rosa said. When students opt out, the staff reach out personally to ensure cost is not a barrier. “Our community’s generosity truly makes this experience possible for all students.”

Ross Middle School Super Quiz Champion and Second Overall in Stanislaus County Academic Pentathlon
RMS

April 24, 2026

At the 21st Annual Stanislaus County Academic Pentathlon, Ross Middle School took second place, competing against 70 students who participated in a series of tests, speeches, and essays featuring this year’s theme, The Roaring Twenties. Twelve seventh and eighth-grade students participated this year: Jackson Washburn, Helena Lemperle Amador, Alexa Aguilar, Tucker Hill, Thor Combs, Janna Hernandez, Julia Ormonde, Willow Leazer, Juan Vasquez, Elena “Cade” Edler, Konner Hunt, and Dante Duran.

“These students showed up, stayed committed, and pushed themselves to excel, and it paid off in a big way,” Principal Mary La Rosa said.

“Countless hours have gone into the preparation,” Coach Crystal Case said. “We chose the team in October and prepared after school, during lunch, some Pack Times, and on one Saturday per month from November through April. They read a novel and the resource guides that we purchased from the United States Academic Decathlon. For some subjects, students prepared material to teach one another. Teachers helped me coach some of the subjects. Mr. Jayce Jepson taught Math. Megan Rohn taught Science. Mitchell Beck taught Music, and Mrs. Sloan taught art.”

From October to April, the students took on extra work for the big competition. “It develops a lot of endurance and patience. Some think about dropping out, and some actually do. But the relationships we build help hold it all together,” Case said.

Ross Middle School competed against five local junior high and middle schools that participated in this year’s event, including Blaker-Kinser, Creekside, Great Valley Academy, and Prescott Junior High. Great Valley Academy won first place overall.

Ross Middle School was the Super Quiz Champion in a live brain-bowl-type competition. The Super Quiz and Awards Presentation took place on Tuesday, April 21, at the Martin G. Petersen Event Center in Modesto.  Elena “Cade” Edler won the top points award for the team. Dante Duran won the Top Varsity points in Stanislaus County. Konner Hunt won Top Speech in Stanislaus County for his speech on the effects of substance abuse.

All in all, Ross totaled 36 medals: five in speech, six in science, five in math, six in science, six in fine arts, and eight in essay and literature, in which competitors read a novel about the 1920s women's air derby and wrote a timed essay about it. They were tested on their knowledge of the short stories and poems the team read together, such as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. They also volunteered for the extra speech event and wrote and memorized three-and-a-half to four-minute speeches that they performed for judges. Case said, “Their speeches were creative, thoughtful, and polished!”

At the competition, students supported and cheered one another. “It brings me to tears every year,” Case said. “One teacher told me that she loves to hear them critique each other's speeches because of the way they praise and complement each other. It’s a beautiful thing. I love how they come from diverse backgrounds and interests. But in the end, they all become a family.”

“Huskies, you represented our school with excellence, determination, and pride. We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished,” La Rosa said. “A special thank you to Mrs. Case for nine years of commitment to this true ‘passion project. Your impact on our students is lasting and meaningful. We are also so grateful to the incredible team of coaches: Mr. Jepson, Mrs. Sloan, Mr. Beck, and Mrs. Rohn, for the time, energy, and heart you poured into preparing these students.”

Sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County, the Pentathlon promotes scholastic achievement and interschool academic competition. In the Pentathlon, seventh and eighth-graders compete individually and as team members in Speech and a series of five tests in subject areas including Mathematics, Fine Arts, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Sports Bring Culture, Community and Competition to Students at Ross Middle School
RMS Volleyball

March 17, 2026

Athletics play a big role in student life at Ross Middle School under the direction of new athletic director Marcus Riggs. Hughson athletes are top-notch, and, in the long tradition of Hughson sports, Ross Middle School is providing premium competition for the program. It’s all about culture, community and competition for Ross Middle School sports.

In Ross Cross Country, led by Head Coach Sergio Vera, both male and female distance runners compete in multiple cross-country events. Some of these events included family and community participation, encouraging everyone to join the races and competitions. Coach Vera, as a member of the National Guard, embodies hard work and perseverance and serves as a role model for these young runners to aspire to.

Ross Girls Volleyball packs the gym with spectators cheering on Ross Middle School volleyball players as they compete in the East Valley League. The teams are led by Coach Robi Alberti for seventh grade and Coach George Harp for eighth grade. Harp, who was heavily involved in Club Volleyball, encourages competitive play, sets expectations high, and has created a winning culture. Eighth-grade Girls Volleyball is undefeated in the EVL League and Tournament. 17-0 for eighth grade, 14-3 for seventh grade. 31-3 as a program.

Ross Co-ed Soccer, led by former Ross soccer player, Head Coach Sean Harcrow, brought Ross Middle School Soccer to the semifinals of the league tournament during his first year on staff. Harcrow's young team, composed of many sixth and seventh-grade players, will return next season with sights on an EVL title. He is joined by Assistant Coach Jason Harcrow. The duo represents Hughson tradition and old-school work ethic.

Ross Girls Basketball is led by Coach Marcus Riggs. Basketball loaded the gym full of spectators and supportive fans, as the Ross Girls, seventh and eighth, went undefeated in the EVL League and EVL Tournament, while also defeating all outside league big school opponents. Sixth grade went 3-0, seventh grade went 14-0, and Ross's eighth grade went 18-0; 35 Wins and 0 Losses as a program. A perfect season!

Ross Boys Basketball, also led by Coach Marcus Riggs, with his brothers, Assistant Coach Justin Riggs, and Team Announcer Brian Riggs, represented Ross Basketball by going undefeated in the EVL League and continuing a 10-year streak of winning an EVL Title. The Ross Seventh Grade Basketball team knocked off five undefeated teams in big-city leagues, went on to compete in and win the Prescott Modesto Tournament, was crowned the Kings of the Valley, and ended the season 22-0. Ross Eighth Grade Basketball competed against schools, some of which were six times the size of Ross Middle School, and took down the Cesar Chavez Tournament, competing against other non-league schools like Prescott, Turlock A, Creekside Patterson, Escalon, Yolo, Livingston, Ripon Christian, and Oakdale. Ross 8th Grade Basketball ended out with a record of 23-2. The boys' basketball ended with 45 wins and 2 Losses as a Program.

Girls Basketball, combined with Boys Basketball, went 80-2 Overall.

Ross Co-ed Wrestling, led by Head Coach Joseph LaRosa, battled this season and competed against any opponent willing to take them on. Coach Joseph LaRosa and Phil Tubera are building a powerhouse program in our town of Hughson. Competing against only large school districts, such as Oakdale, Escalon, and Cesar Chavez, Ross wrestlers can compete with anyone. The team brings a toughness to Ross athletes that has been “unrivaled by any program prior. The work ethic, team bonding, camaraderie, and life skills being taught to our wrestlers are beyond character building. Coach LaRosa is just getting started,” Athletic Director Marcus Riggs said.

In Ross Track & Field, Head Coach Chris Gregg with Assistant Coach Gary Grant, a Shot Put and Discus Specialist, and new Assistant Coach Luke Davies, a kinesiology major and jumper specialist, are training top athletes in all of the above Track & Field sports. “Ross Track Team is bursting with talent,” Riggs said. “Track & Field is just getting rolling. We can't wait to see how the season pans out!”