Eye on Learning, Businessman Also Heads Harlingen Area Education Foundation

By Daisy Martinez, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas

Mar. 3–As a businessman, Dean LaFever understands that the key to a booming economy in the Rio Grande Valley is education.

LaFever, current director of Texas Gas Service in the Valley, was elected president of the Harlingen Area Education Foundation in July 2006. The foundation was founded by a group of area businessmen and women in 1990 to encourage students to complete their education by supporting innovative programs in the Harlingen school district.

LaFever is only the third president of the foundation and hopes his efforts will help reduce the drop-out rates in schools in the area.

"I’m very concerned with the drop-out rate," LaFever said. "There is a large percentage (of students) that don’t complete high school. My position encourages me to get involved with the community, especially in education."

LaFever said the sole secret to a successful economy in the Valley is education.

"As a businessman I want to be able to hire educated individuals that will help make the company better," he said.

With two children of his own enrolled in HCISD — Justin, who attends Gutierrez Middle School, and Travis, who attends Rodriguez Elementary — LaFever said he has seen the strong commitment the district has to provide students with a quality education.

"I’ve seen a very professional staff across the spectrum and it starts with Dr. (Linda) Wade," LaFever said. "The school district is always looking for opportunities to tackle their challenges."

LaFever said the foundation will continue to work hard to look for contributors to keep funding programs like New Horizons, New Directions and scholarships.

The New Horizons program identifies middle school children who are at risk of dropping out of school, LaFever said. The New Directions program identifies the same type of at risk students at the high school level and provides them guidance through their high school years to prevent dropouts, he added.

"The challenge in education (for students) is hearing from people that they can’t do it," LaFever said. "It’s probably a mindset because of how much (a higher education) costs. That’s not an obstacle; there are opportunities. Don’t ever give up."

LaFever said he hopes to continue as president of the foundation as long as he has the energy for the job.

Submit Slice of Life suggestions to Managing Editor Lucio Castillo or City Editor Charlene Vandini at 430-6244 or charlenev@valleystar.com.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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