"So far, V. Sue Cleveland High School has existed as a vision and a bunch of drawings. But on May 10, Rio Rancho’s latest high school took a big step towards becoming reality. About 200 people, including a stageful of dignitaries, attended the formal groundbreaking ceremony for the new school. Students from Mountain View, Vista Grande, and other schools did the spade work assisted by board members, legislators, business leaders, city officials, school and district staff, and other guests. Students from likely feeder schools -- Enchanted Hills, Vista Grande, Mountain View, and the Mid-High -- provided the entertainment, and speakers, including superintendent (and school namesake) Sue Cleveland and board president Lisa Cour, provided insight and, occasionally, emotion.

Speaking on behalf of students during the ceremony was planning committee member and RRMH student Kristina Picard, who, MC and Principal Scott Affentranger noted, more than held her own with the grownups on the planning committee. When finished in the fall of 2009, the school will house about 2,400 students and cover 332,000 square feet. The district is currently negotiating with Jaynes Corporation to build the school at an estimated cost of $73 million." (K. Vesely) Below is a slide-show of the ground-breaking (about 30 pictures)...enjoy!