By Marcial Guajardo

Managing Editor

Boxes big and small lie stacked upon each other inside the shiny new building off of Kelly Lane, in what used to be a corn field. But soon, those boxes will be gone and the halls of the school will be abuzz with the sounds of ever-growing Patriots.

Riojas Elementary will open as Pflugerville ISD’s 18th elementary school this year, with former Delco Primary principal Tammy Rebecek at the helm. Located in the new Avalon Park subdivision, the school is named after a World War II veteran and its mascot is the Patriot.

“Opening up a new brand new school is one of the most exciting things I could imagine,” said Rebecek, who brings more than 20 years of experience as an educator. “You’re building a community, a culture from the ground up. There’s a huge sense of pride I feel in opening this, especially a school named after a veteran.”