Gorzycki Middle School is named in honor of Diane Elaine Gorzycki, who died in September 2008, at the age of 54. Gorzycki worked with the district for 30 years.
Diane, who was a native Austinite, graduated from Austin High School in 1971, and received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Texas in 1975. Her career as a music teacher began in Seguin, where she worked for one year at Saegert Middle School. From there she landed at Porter Middle School (now the Ann Richards School for Girls), as the Director of Bands from 1977-1993. In 1993 Gorzycki began a 13-year stint at Bailey Middle School leading the band. Shortly after accepting a new position with the district as Administrative Supervisor of Fine Arts in 2006, she learned she had cancer and retired in 2007.
Gorzycki's bands received honors each year in the Texas University Interscholastic League, accumulated 28 "Best in Class" honors in major national music festivals, and were selected as finalist in the Texas Honor Band competition. Her band was the 2001 recipient of the prestigious Sudler Silver Cup International Award. In addition, she was presented the National Band Association "Citation of Excellence" on three separate occasions, and her bands were the recipient of three Proclamations from the Texas State Senate.
