News

Meet Our New Principal: Alicia Ramirez Leads with Relationships, Culture, and Community

As Dessau Middle School begins a new chapter under the leadership of Principal Alicia Ramirez, one thing is already clear: relationships and campus culture matter deeply to her.

Although this is Ramirez’s first year serving as a principal, she brings a leadership approach centered on collaboration, listening, and building a school community where both students and staff feel valued and supported. During a recent interview focused on leadership and recruitment practices in education, Ramirez shared that finding the “right fit” for a campus often goes beyond resumes, certifications, or years of experience.

“I think it comes down to organizational fit,” Ramirez explained. “Professional certifications are valuable and reflect a great deal of dedication and expertise. While qualifications are an important part of the hiring process, we also look at a candidate’s ability to build relationships, collaborate with others, and contribute positively to the culture of the campus. 

Ramirez emphasized that effective leadership is not about one person directing the work, but about fostering collaboration and shared ownership among a team. She believes strong schools are built when educators work together toward a common goal focused on students and staff.

One of her biggest priorities this year has been strengthening connections with staff members through individual one-on-one meetings. Ramirez shared that creating opportunities for teachers and employees to feel heard has already made a meaningful impact.

“Feeling heard and valued is huge,” Ramirez said. “Giving teachers an opportunity to say, ‘These are some things that are going well, and these are some things that could go better,’ goes a long way. When people feel like their voices matter, they become more invested in the work and the success of the school community.” 

That sense of belonging and support is something Ramirez believes defines the Diamondback community. Throughout the interview, she repeatedly described the campus as a place where staff members support one another like family and work together to create positive experiences for students.

“When I talk to potential candidates about our campus, I always tell them about our culture,” Ramirez shared. “I tell them that we’re like a family. Everyone is willing to support one another, and people regularly go out of their way to help their colleagues and do what’s best for students.” 

Ramirez also highlighted the importance of diversity and representation within the school community. She noted that Dessau’s staff reflects a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that mirror the diversity of the students they serve.

“We’re not a cookie cutter campus,” Ramirez explained. “We have a lot of different backgrounds, and I think it means a lot to both our staff and our students to see that everybody is welcomed here.”

As the school year approaches, Ramirez says her goal is to continue building a culture where students, staff, and families feel connected, supported, and empowered to grow. Known affectionately around campus as “Ms. Ram,” she hopes to continue fostering the sense of family, collaboration, and belonging that makes Dessau Middle School special. With a focus on relationships and leadership growth, Ms. Ram is excited for the future of the Dessau community.

Dessau Wind Ensemble Earns Top Honors at UIL

The Dessau Middle School Wind Ensemble recently delivered an outstanding performance at the UIL Evaluation held at the Pflugerville High School Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of Andy LaRusch, the group earned a Superior rating for their prepared concert performance and an Excellent rating in sight-reading.

For the students, this achievement represents far more than a single performance. UIL serves as the culmination of “hundreds of hours of hard work and dedication,” according to Mr. LaRusch. Throughout the year, students commit to daily rehearsals during class, along with before and after school sectionals, to refine their skills and perform at a high level.

This year’s ensemble reflected meaningful growth across the program. With an increase in membership and a larger number of second-year musicians, experienced students stepped into leadership roles, modeling expectations and supporting their peers. As a result, newer musicians demonstrated significant growth, contributing to the ensemble’s overall success.

Community support also played a vital role in this milestone. Dessau saw its highest level of family attendance at UIL to date, creating an encouraging and celebratory environment for student performers. In addition, the Connally High School band staff provided ongoing support throughout the year, offering weekly guidance, encouragement, and expertise that enriched the students’ learning experience.

The momentum continues as the band program looks ahead to a full schedule of spring events. Students will participate in the Solo Contest on May 1, where individuals and small ensembles will perform for judges. The band will also celebrate their hard work with a trip to SeaWorld on May 2, followed by the Beginner and Wind Ensemble Spring Concert on May 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Dessau Middle School gym. Community members are invited to attend and support these talented musicians.

Please join us in congratulating our Diamondback band students on their remarkable achievement!

Kickstart Kids Builds Character, Confidence, and Community at DMS

Dessau Middle School is proud to partner with Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit martial arts program founded by Chuck Norris in 1990. Kickstart Kids has been part of the DMS community since 2008, offering students the opportunity to earn P.E. credit or an elective credit while developing both physical skills and strong character.

On a typical day in Kickstart Kids, students arrive at class in uniform (provided free during their first year), warm up, stretch, and practice a variety of martial arts techniques. Beyond physical training, the program emphasizes character development through hard work, discipline, respect, accountability, and teamwork, all while fostering a fun and supportive learning environment.

Students have the opportunity to test for a new rank each semester and proudly showcase their growth during belt ceremonies, which are open to all families. Beginning in their second semester, students may also choose to compete, gaining valuable experiences that build confidence, resilience, and perseverance.

During the 2025–2026 school year, Kickstart Kids students returned with medals, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and new friendships, while continuing to strengthen their sense of responsibility both on and off the mat.

Kickstart Kids also plays an active role in campus life. The team frequently performs demonstrations during house rallies, showcasing student skill, discipline, and growth in front of the entire school community. In addition, Kickstart Kids welcomes students and staff to participate in Open Mat Days, where guests are invited to join for a few rounds on the mat. According to the Sensei Sofia Gonzalez-Gibbs, “two staff members participated this year, and students absolutely loved it…and may have been a little humbled in the process!” 

In addition to serving current DMS students, the Kickstart Kids team actively supports student transitions by traveling annually to Delco and Dessau Elementary Schools to present the program to 5th-grade students, helping build excitement and familiarity as they prepare for middle school.

Students may join Kickstart Kids at the beginning of the school year or during the class choice sheet period, which automatically enrolls them in the program. While there is typically a yearly fee, fees will be waived for all first-year students for the upcoming school year, making this an excellent opportunity for incoming students.

“My favorite thing in Kickstart is that I can train and become better alongside my friends and strive for harder things like emotional intelligence, resilience, and physical conditioning.”
— Caleb LeDay, Kickstart Kids Student

Kickstart Kids continues to be a powerful example of how DMS supports the whole child, developing confident, disciplined, and respectful students who are prepared to succeed in school and beyond.

Student-Led House Meetings Build Leadership and Community at Dessau Middle School

Last Friday, Dessau Middle School celebrated an exciting milestone in its House System as students across all four houses—Timber, Crotalus, Mojave, and Sidewinders—participated in student-led house meetings. This marked the first time House meetings were planned and facilitated by students, highlighting the growing leadership, confidence, and voice of our campus leaders.

In one of the House meetings—Timber—student leaders took full ownership of the experience, guiding their peers through a well-organized and energetic meeting. The Timber Student House Leaders were supported and coached throughout the process by their Staff House Leader, Ms. Rhodes, who helped prepare students for success while empowering them to lead independently.

During the Timber House meeting, student leaders:

• Recognized and called up the Timbers of the Month, celebrating student successes and positive contributions
• Led Timber chants, building school spirit and unity
• Recruited student volunteers for the House planning committee
• Collected donations for House T-shirts, working toward the goal of ensuring every Timber House member receives a house shirt

Similarly, student leaders in Crotalus, Mojave, and Sidewinders led their own House meetings, recognizing students, building school spirit, recruiting volunteers, and reinforcing the shared values of the House System. Across all houses, students demonstrated responsibility, collaboration, and pride in their house communities.

Pictured are the Timber Student House Leaders, Ms. Rhodes, and a Timber Student of the Month, representing the heart of Dessau’s House System—student leadership, celebration, and belonging.

Dessau Middle School is proud of all four houses for stepping into leadership roles and modeling what a student-led community looks like in action.

Four Houses. One Community. 

Dessau Drama Shines at Zone B UIL One-Act Play Competition

This past Saturday, nineteen Advanced Theatre Arts students proudly represented Dessau Middle School at the Zone B Combined Pflugerville and Hutto Middle School UIL One-Act Play Competition. Held at Hendrickson High School, our students performed Peter/Wendy on a professional stage before a panel of judges and an audience filled with peers, families, and theater supporters.

It was a joyful—and very long—15-hour day filled with teamwork, creativity, and new friendships. Our Diamondbacks showcased dedication, discipline, and passion for the arts throughout the entire experience.

One-Act Play Cast & Crew

Amaya Kotun, Ayman El Gourari, Brooklyn Blake, Chris Santos, Danna Figueroa Jaimes, Elena Loveless, Fernanda Sotelo, Janely Ruiz Vera, Jordyn Blake, Kim (Julie) Le, Maivy Ly, Makayla Mayberry, Markel Taylor, Mykhail Jones, Nevan Bell, Nylah Redix, Sarai Ceciliano, Sofia Barbosa, and Tiffany Vu

Award Highlights

Dessau Drama brought home four UIL medals in the following categories:

Honorable Mention for Acting
Fernanda Sotelo as Hook
Sarai Ceciliano as Peter Pan

All Star Technician
Elena Loveless for Lights

All Star Actor
Maivy Ly as Wendy

We are incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding performance and the professionalism they displayed throughout the competition. Their hard work truly reflects the creativity and spirit of Dessau Middle School.

Please congratulate our Dessau Drama students on this remarkable achievement—and thank you for continuing to support the arts in our schools!

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