Mira Loma High School's Mascot, the caped Matador, is joined by football players, cheerleaders and event organizers at the school's recent 65th reunion. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - School colors of scarlet and blue were proudly on parade during recent celebrations for Mira Loma High School's 65th birthday. The school's Mighty Matador mascot strutted among nearly 1,700 alumni and friends. 

Mira Loma is one of eight Sacramento-area high schools administered by the San Juan Unified School District. Most were built in in the 1960s, in answer to massive population growth in the district. 

While the Edison Avenue campus serves Carmichael, North Highlands and Arden Arcade, an international Baccalaureate option has drawn students from more distant areas. Current enrollment is almost 1,700.  

Among reunion visitors was Charley Berger, the school’s principal from 1985 to 1993, who reunited with former student Rich Nichols. Nicholls became principal in 2011 and served until 2016. 

A staffer from opening day, Spanish teacher Barbara Brown (90) shared a quad table with Warner Seargeant (91), who taught English and coached basketball.

"I felt lots of love at the event," Seargeant said, "love among students for each other and for their school. They sang the fight song with great gusto. The main change I noticed from my time here was how diverse the student body now is."

The school's Asian Club members dazzled with dragon dances; Taiko drumming and fan dances orchestrated the display. Football members led tours of their new stadium. Some alumni arrived in school-year vehicles that closed ranks in a classic car show. Student, staff and alumni musicians performed quad concerts; cheerleaders added high-kicks and pompoms. 

Student athletes on parade included varsity tennis players Leila Cakovic (14), Amberlyn Liu (16) and Camille Olsen (14). Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

The alma mater song rang from hundreds of throats: "We'll ever be faithful to the scarlet and blue... Keep your courage, mighty Matador – let glory and honor live forever more."

"Everybody had such a good time," said co-organizer Francie Selby Axtell (73), who taught home economics and business for 22 years. "Many former students recognized me. I wasn't much older than them when I started teaching there. Some of their kids became Mira Loma students. And some of them now have grandchildren enrolled here."

Axtell's memories include fall semesters that could not begin before Labor Day because the school had no cooling system.

"Now there's air conditioning in most rooms," the former teacher said. "And there are computers everywhere."

Recent campus improvements include a state-of-the-art science wing, an aviation classroom and upgraded sport facilities to accommodate Mighty Matador games.

“Good Day Sacramento” anchor Tina Macuha was among returning alumni. The 1978 graduate recalled the exact location of her locker and wearing blue and red satin as a school mascot.

"I used to yell so hard, my voice got hoarse," she said. "Coming back and walking through the old buildings took me down memory lane."

Sixty-five years of alumni confirmed they did not want to wait 10 years for the next reunion.

"It was a wonderful event with activities all day long," reflected co-organizer Axtell. "People told me they couldn't wait 10 years for another reunion.

"I loved seeing my students again. Teachers don't get gold watches. Our reward is seeing what great citizens our students have become," Axtell said. 

Mira Loma's alumni association began in 2012 as a master’s degree project for 1998 graduate Michael Selby Jr.  Learn about the organization at www.miralomaalumniandfriends.com.