•                                       Mario Ruiz, Jr.

    Mario Ruiz, Jr. is a Donna High School alumnus from the Class of 1999.  During his high school tenure, he served as the school’s Student Body President and the Texas Association of Student Council’s District 16 President for the Rio Grande Valley during his senior year. In addition, he was also involved in National Honor Society, UIL, Boys State, and Athletics. 

     After he finished high school, he attended the University of Texas-Pan American from Fall 1999 to Summer 2001. After his stint at UTPA, he transferred to and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, home of the award-winning Longhorns, in December 2003. He majored in Government and minored in Mexican American Studies. 

      While he attended UT-Austin, he worked at the Texas State Capitol and the Tarlton Law Library as a legislative intern for Representative Mike Wise of Weslaco and administrative assistant, respectively. He was the co-founder of the Rio Grande Valley Student Group-Valley Horns at the University of Texas at Austin which sought to empower Valley youths via social and business networking.

      After his graduation from UT-Austin, Mr. Ruiz began his teaching career in January of 2004 at Liberty Middle School in the Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District. Mr. Ruiz taught World Cultures, Texas History, and Texas History Dual Language.  In addition to his school post, he held the post of Advisor for the Liberty Middle School Student Council since February 2004 and served on a couple of school and district committees. 

       In August 2008, Mr. Ruiz returned to his Alma Mater, Donna High School, to teach Government/Economics and United States History Advanced Placement Courses. Mr. Ruiz also assisted with many school activities and events during his five year tenure at Donna High.

       On June 2, 2013, Mr. Ruiz enthusiastically moved to Donna North High School where he served as the founding Social Studies Department Head and taught Economics/Government, Government AP, and United States History.  While at Donna North High School, he served as Student Council Advisor, Indian Spirit and Princess Advisor, UIL Academic Coordinator, German American Partnership Coordinator, U.I.L. Current Events Team Coach, Masterminds Team Coach, Foreign Exchange Student Coordinator and as the District Level Performance Council representative.

        In May 2018, Mr. Ruiz graduated from the Universtiy of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. 

        On February 17, 2020, Mr. Ruiz began his tenure as the Assistant Principal of Operations at D.M. "Dora" Sauceda Middle School in Donna, Texas under leadership of Principal Karina Robledo. Mr. Ruiz assists the Principal in achieving high academic success in the Science, Social Studies and Auxiliary/Support Staff Departments and manages all campus operations and logistics. He provides accountability in 8th/6th 504, hearings, ARDS, LPAC, and STAAR, and RTI-SCI/SS-8th Grade. He chairs the School Safety & Security and Special Task forces. He provides leadership in all aspects of school building operations and facility management including:

    • Club/Organization Supervisor
    • Facility Scheduling and Maintenance
    • Master School Events and Fundraising Calendar 
    • Public Relations Liaison
    • School Ceremonies/ Events Coordinator
    • School Technology
    • Social Media and Website
    • Textbook Distribution

        In recent years, he has also served as the 2006-2007 Texas Exes- Hidalgo Starr County Chapter Membership Chair and from December 2003 to June 2005, he served as the Scoutmaster for Troop 244 in Donna, Texas. 

      His Personal Achievements include making a positive impact in his community, the proud uncle of Michael, Melanie and Gabriel Wiggins of College Station, the proud Host father of 16 foreign exchange students (Germany, Brazil, China, Italy, and Belgium), receiving his Eagle Scout Award in August 1999, being named the 2004-2005 Texas Association of Student Councils District 16 Middle School District Advisor of the Year, receiving the 2008-2009 Donna High School Teacher of the Year Award, the 2009-2010 Texas Association of Student Councils District 16 High School District Advisor of the Year and the 2016-2017 Texas Association of Student Councils High School District Advisor of the Year.