The Riojas Elementary School mascot is the Patriot, in honor of the school's namesake, Staff Sgt. Jose Riojas, a WWII veteran from Pflugerville who died on July 28, 1944, while in combat in France.    

Jose Riojas was born and raised in Pflugerville before enlisting in the Army to fight in WWII. He was part of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Pflugerville and involved in projects such as soil erosion prevention, fence buildings and building and repairing bridges.

He stormed the beach of Normandy, France where he was later killed in battle while leading a rifle squad in Saint-Jean-des-Baisants on July 28, 1944.

His sister, Mrs. Sulema Ramos, said the family is honored to have his memory live on in their hometown.