Senior Riley Rimkus stays involved with the TJ Community. photo by Asia Vassor
A four-year impact on both the screen and the field leaves a legacy of leadership and heart.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with senior Riley Rimkus at Thomas Jefferson High School, chances are she made your day better, not just with a smile or a compliment, but with genuine care. She’s the kind of person who makes sure everyone around her feels seen, included, and supported. As soccer teammate Senior Audrey Trevino put it, “Even if she’s having a rough day, she still makes sure everyone else is having a good one.”
Rimkus is the kind of student who doesn’t just take part, she takes over, in the best way. She’s the president of the Interact Club, the Sustainability Club, a senior editor for the TJ Journal newspaper, and the National Honor Society (NHS). She’s also one of the senior producers of the Spartan Edition’s second-period class, where she kicks off each morning with sharp focus, loud energy, and the kind of leadership that holds the show together. “Behind the scenes, Rimkus is basically like an assistant teacher,” said CCT teacher Grant Laman. “She knows all the jobs, all the deadlines, and she knows how to push the right buttons, whether that’s motivating people or helping when something goes wrong.” Laman describes her as “the class mom,” the one who knows when to give a pep talk and when to hold people accountable. “Sometimes a mom needs to kick you in the butt, sometimes a mom needs to put an arm around you,” he said. “She just has a knack for knowing what the class needs.”And when she brings her energy into the room, everyone feels it. “If Riley doesn’t hit the door with a bunch of energy, then there’s a problem,” Laman said. “When she’s not bouncing, you know it’s not a good day for her, and we all feel it.” Her leadership was highlighted earlier this year when the show’s SE Drive crashed on a day Laman was absent. With no teacher in the room who knew how to run the show, Rimkus figured it out and still got it online by the deadline. “No panic, just solve the problem,” Laman said. “That’s the kind of leader she is.”
Her energy doesn’t stop in the studio. As the president of NHS, Rimkus, alongside The Red Cross, helped organize what was one of the most successful high school blood drives in Colorado history. The event drew a pretty good turnout and reached the goal of 50-60 pints of blood for patients in nearby hospitals who needed them. Individuals lined up to donate throughout the day. Rimkus handled logistics, encouraged people in the community to sign up, and rallied the school community around a shared goal of saving lives.
On the soccer field, Rimkus has been a varsity captain since her sophomore year. Her co-captain, Trevino, stated that Rimkus’s impact goes far beyond performance. “Riley’s presence on the team is not easily missed, she’s a bright light,” Trevino said. “She radiates positivity and never lets anyone feel left out.”That presence doesn’t disappear when things get hard. Trevino recalled missing a month of the season with an injury, and Rimkus constantly checking in. “She always made sure I was okay and still felt like part of the team,” she said. “She’s one of the most supportive people I know. Her kindness shows in everything she does. Truly one of the best captains we’ve ever had.”
During the 2025 Prom, Rimkus was crowned Prom Queen, an unexpected but fitting moment that felt like a thank you from the student body for everything she’s given to TJ. She didn’t expect it, but those who know her say it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving person. After graduation, Rimkus will attend Northeastern University to study International Business with a focus on Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. And wherever she goes, one thing is clear, she won’t stop leading, and she won’t stop making people feel seen.
Her four years at TJ were packed with events, projects, games, and broadcasts, but more than anything, they were full of heart. Rimkus’s heart brought joy into hard days, lifted people without being asked, and made this school feel like home for more people than she’ll ever realize. TJ will miss her voice, her presence, and the way she made everything feel possible.
