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PHS holds annual 'Real People, Real Careers' event

As the “real world” quickly approaches the high school graduates of 2008, Pasadena High School alumni played their role in preparing the community’s future leaders for life after high school as guest speakers at the school’s third annual “Real People, Real Careers” event.

Pasadena High students recently had the opportunity to listen to 10 alumni talk about their journeys of success from high school to where they are now. PHS librarian Jane Golenko initiated the project, and she said it is designed to meet the more practical needs of the students as they identify with former PHS students.

“The students have immediate connections with these speakers because they ‘walked the same halls’ before they went on to life after high school,” she said.

PHS 1988 graduate Ted Gleason is the Terminal Operations Manager of North America for TETRA Technologies, which is an oil and gas group that produces and sells calcium chloride for agricultural and industrial uses, and his message to the students was to always remember where they came from.

“When I say to remember where you come from it should encompass family, friends, city, organizations, jobs and experiences along the way,” he said. “Every day you should be hungry to learn. These kids are in the position they are in today because they worked hard and because of the help others provided, and they need to be aware of that as they move forward.”

After his high school graduation, Gleason received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston-Downtown, and he said he thinks it’s important for students to see the success endured by their school’s alumni.

“Although the dynamics or demographics of the student body have changed since I attended PHS, the struggles, challenges and set-backs are unfortunately a constant no matter who you are,” he said. “Although things can get tough, always remember you don’t have to fight through the obstacles alone. Be willing to accept guidance, but most importantly, remember to pay it back.”

For PHS 1990 graduate Lucy Podmore, a librarian at Jefferson Middle School in San Antonio, participating in the event was just a small way for her to give back to the school that played an important role in her life.

“I have such wonderful memories of PHS and the staff that it felt like a family reunion when I was there,” she said. “It speaks volumes of the PHS community that so many staff members spent their entire teaching careers there and that many of them care enough to share the stories of the past and continue on the great traditions of our school.”

But a reunion with her former teachers and a trip down memory lane weren’t the only items on Podmore’s agenda. As a former Eagle Escort and student council member, Podmore knew she could relate to the students sitting in front of her and was in hope her presentation would show them success is attainable regardless of where they come from.

“They need to know that they don’t need a head start like a wealthy family, a brand new school with brand new equipment or a college scholarship to get somewhere—they just need to take the first step and keep going,” she said. “They shouldn’t ever let whatever labels that may have fit them in high school stay with them forever. Go out and try new things, never stop learning, and above all, seek a career that involves something you love.”

Podmore also used her time with the students to sell the profession as a school librarian as well as to tell them success doesn’t come without hard work.

“Being a librarian isn’t what it was years and years ago, and it keeps changing,” said Podmore. “I wanted to share with the students that this career is full of opportunities that don’t involve a typical library setting. Also, I wanted the students to understand that success is not without pain, hard work and sacrifice. There are no easy answers or shortcuts, and I think that is sometimes what makes success so sweet—you earn it.”

Brian McTaggart, 1988 PHS graduate and senior sports writer for the Houston Chronicle, said he thinks the most important thing for the students to understand as they leave high school is that nothing is easy and they only have one shot at life.

“If they leave high school and don’t take their career goals seriously, life can sneak up on them and it becomes even harder,” he said. “It’s going to take hard work, making some opportunities and taking advantages of those opportunities when they are there. Yes, it’s hard. But if it were easy, then everyone would be doing it.”

While a student at PHS, McTaggart was a member of the Eagle Alliance, the jazz band, the orchestra and the Latin club, and he said he hopes the students realize they can do whatever they put their mind to.

“I grew up just a few miles from the school and we didn’t have that many luxuries at home or money for college, and I want these kids to know that’s okay,” he said. “There are other ways. If you work hard, be patient, stay dedicated and get practical experience in your chosen field, you can succeed. You just have to want it.”

Other guest speakers included 1997 graduate and Spanish teacher Roel Saldivar; 1977 graduate and Pasadena Fire Chief Lanny Armstrong; 1985 graduate and human resources director Curt Bludworth; 1986 graduate and business owner Edward Salazar; 1988 graduate and flight attendant Allyson Parker-Lauck; 1978 graduate and neuron-oncologist Morris Groves; and 1951 graduate and business owner Dan Fischer.

All of the speakers travel at their own expense and make adjustments in their schedules to attend the event, and Golenko said they are all true role models for the students.

“The speakers are honest when they speak to the students and even admit sometimes that they were not perfect students either when they were here,” she said. “You can’t find a better role model than that—one who admits they wish they had done better when they were here. And their stories are compelling because many of them speak with candor about obstacles they had to overcome in the face of adversity.”

More than 1,220 students and 59 classes were impacted by the project, and Golenko said that the value of the advice and information given to the students is priceless.

“We certainly hope the students take away interesting information about careers that might never have sounded realistic to them,” she said. “But more than that, we hope they take away connections and ideas about life, which are motivational and inspirational.”