Within the last seven years, De Soto High School has emerged as one of the best schools in Kansas. DHS itself is ranked #7 in the state, while USD 232 is ranked as the second-best district. The students, staff, academics, and commitment to excellence all contribute to this success. However, none of this can be said without mentioning the incredible leadership the school has experienced under DHS principal Samuel Ruff. With creations like the Wildcat Awards and Skip-A-Final, attention to academic achievement, and sociality with students, Ruff has allowed the school to prosper in more ways than one. As he transitions into his new role and leaves DHS behind, students and staff can appreciate the work he has put in to make the school a better place.
Ruff’s time in the district is not over, however. Following the school year, he transitions to work as USD 232’s Director of Post-Secondary Success. Although he will no longer be directly correlated with DHS, Ruff himself elaborates on how his new job will still involve school-specific matters.
“No matter what it is, no matter what comes next for our students, they are going to thrive in whatever environment they choose to go to,” Ruff said. “My new role will really be to expand to help students think through what their plan after high school is going to look like.”
A position as important as the Director of Post-Secondary Success requires attention to detail, resilience, and critical thinking. Since the job’s essentials include building criteria and graduation requirements for various schools, the process can be quite difficult. Despite this, Building Coordinator Cathryn Monroe believes he is up for the challenge and that his strengths as a principal will carry over into his new position.
“Mr. Ruff is an ideas man, and he doesn’t get enough credit for it. He has had his hands in a lot of things and delegates for others to do them, but doesn’t ever take credit for the things that he’s done,” Monroe said.
Throughout his time as principal, Ruff has started the Wildcat Awards Ceremony for academically prosperous students each quarter. He has also created the Academic Banquet, which recognizes senior scholarly achievements, and the class assembly at the end of the year, when students move into the next section of the bleachers that correlate with their new grade level. Although his appreciation for student success shows, Associate Principal Abby Huggins shares the precedents Ruff sets at DHS on all levels.
“The one thing that stands out is that Mr. Ruff has a high level of expectation for students and staff,” Huggins said. “I think that helps us with always seeking to improve, and he has always helped us focus on the need for continuous growth and improvement and to meet the standards we have set for us.”
With such a long time spent at DHS, looking back on fun memories is always important. Every year, the De Soto administration collaborates on a Halloween costume. In recent years, they have variations of Where’s Waldo and representatives of insurance companies. One of the most memorable years for Athletic Director Michelle Mages was when Ruff, Monroe, Huggins, and she dressed up as Barbie characters, and of course, Ruff was Ken.
“The Ken wig from the year we were all Barbie will always have an imprint on my brain,” Mages said.
As he wraps up his career as a principal and moves on to another stage of life, the administration and office staff will always remember the impact he has made. Secretary Anne Cahoone shares her well wishes for Ruff.
“I hope he is fulfilled and enjoys his new position.”
To conclude his seven-year journey at DHS, Ruff gives a lasting message to the students and staff.
“Again, ‘Forever Green.’ I will always be a Wildcat,” Ruff said.
As DHS transitions into a new era of direction, students and staff alike are excited to welcome Kevin Thomas as the incoming principal of De Soto. With his wife accepting a position at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Thomas and his family are moving to the Kansas City area to accept his new position. Currently, Thomas is the principal of Verrado High School in Buckeye, Arizona. For more information, check out our story on our online platform!
