La Porte High School graduates Bob Pizzitola and Frank Nance and longtime district employee Mike Clausen have been recognized as 2023 La Porte ISD Distinguished Alumni, while local business leader and philanthropist Beth Brady was honored as the district’s 2023 Citizen of the Year. 

The induction luncheon for the honorees was held Oct. 6 at the La Porte ISD Bulldog Centre at La Porte High School. 

Honorees are nominated at large and chosen by a committee of community and district volunteers who submit their selections to the Board of Trustees for approval. Distinguished Alumni and Citizens have typically excelled professionally and served the communities in which they live. Following are brief biographies of the 2023 honorees. 

Distinguished Citizen 

Beth Brady 

Business leader Beth Brady has served as the Rotary Club of La Porte liaison to the La Porte High School Interact Club for several years supporting numerous teams and departments through donations and advertising, participating in a wide variety of activities for students and staff, donating door prizes for staff events, and much more.  

As a board member of Methodist Retirement community, Brady encourages connections between senior citizens and La Porte High School students. She also serves as a community representative for Shattered Dreams, a La Porte High School event that encourages students not to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or while texting. Her generosity extends well beyond La Porte.  

In 2013, Brady’s business associate, Kathleen Gibbs, conceived and built her first Joy2theWorld school, a non-governmental organization as a Christian Academy, starting with just three children. Because of Brady’s dedication and devotion to helping children, Gibbs’ cause immediately became Brady’s commitment as well.  

Although Beth Brady retired from her insurance business in 2022, her legacy of contributing to La Porte ISD and the cause of education throughout the world will continue. Her volunteerism, efforts, and love for La Porte and La Porte ISD makes her worthy to be inducted into La Porte ISD Hall of Honor as a Distinguished Citizen.  

Distinguished Alumni 

Mike Clausen 

We often use the slogan "Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog" to illustrate the devotion and heartfelt school spirit experienced by so many of us who are fortunate to be a part of La Porte ISD. No one exemplifies this more than Mike Clausen, who retired as La Porte ISD's deputy superintendent in 2022.  

In his more than five decades of service to La Porte ISD, Mike served as a teacher, varsity coach, and assistant principal at La Porte High School and in various administrative roles such as director of transportation, director of facilities, and executive director of operations. He later became assistant superintendent and then deputy superintendent with responsibilities including a wide variety of support services areas. 

Mike is also devoted to community service. He served on the La Porte City Council for 13 years representing District 6. Prior to his election, he was appointed by City Council to help establish a set of building codes. He was a member of the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving as chairperson of the governmental affairs/transportation committee. A long-time member of First United Methodist Church, Mike is also a 30-year member of the Rotary Club of La Porte, having served as its 1999-2000 president, and a life member of the Texas Association of School Business Officials.  

We in La Porte should be very grateful for this educator and administrator who devoted his entire career – more than half a century – to making La Porte ISD the best place possible for the children of our district. 

Frank Nance 

Frank Nance, a member of La Porte High School’s 1983 graduating class, is very active in his efforts to help students and teachers in La Porte ISD, among many other causes he supports in the La Porte community.  

He began as a volunteer reader at Jennie Reid Elementary School after he moved his business to La Porte in 2014. It did not take him long to join the La Porte Education Foundation as a board member – and eventually its president.  As part of the Foundation, Frank has chaired the Hoops Classic committee, which has become a leading fundraiser for the organization, raising more than $27,000 toward teacher grants in 2022 alone. Also in 2022, Frank led the inaugural Lemonade Day partnership between La Porte ISD elementary schools and the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce and established the HELPS mentoring program. Franks is very active in the Rotary Club of La Porte and previously served as its president. He additionally spearheaded several initiatives at The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School including setting up an Academy specific scholarship through Rotary, food drives, sponsoring students and their families for Christmas, home repair projects, , helping facilitate two Thanksgiving meals for teachers and students, and fundraising for a gift card project to incentivize student attendance.  

Frank spends hundreds upon hundreds of volunteer hours every year to make La Porte a better place to live and go to school, but he also supports numerous initiatives through his State Farm Agency. Without qualification, Frank Nance is the embodiment of a La Porte ISD Distinguished alum. 

Robert “Bob” Pizzitola 

A newcomer to La Porte would have a difficult time not running into Robert “Bob” Pizzitola. A product of La Porte ISD, the 1963 La Porte High School graduate continues to give back to the school district and the community at every opportunity.  

As a student, Bob’s classmates voted him as Friendliest, Most Humorous, Best Personality, and Best Dressed. His passion for service was evident even then as Bob served in several leadership capacities around campus and was a member of the Key Club and Future Teachers of America. All of the qualities he exhibited back then still hold true today. 

Bob earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, after which he served our country in the U.S. Navy. Following his service, he earned a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University then began a very successful career as a banker. At a time when he could have retired very comfortably, Bob and his son Dow founded Bayshore Financial Advisors, right here in his hometown. 

Just as he did in high school, Bob’s entire adulthood has been centered around service. He served as a board member on the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce and Neighborhood Centers. Bob has also been active in the Rotary Club of La Porte for more than 37 years where he is a past president. He is a founding member of both the Citizens’ Advisory Council to Industry and the La Porte Education Foundation and is a member of the San Jacinto College Foundation.  

Though Bob had many opportunities to live elsewhere, he chose to make his home in La Porte. This community is better because of his decision.  

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La Porte High School graduates Terri Cook and Debbie Wade, along with longtime track and field coach Joel Fagan have been recognized as 2022 La Porte ISD Distinguished Alumni; Local historian Ann Malone and nonprofit founder Rachel Cotton have been honored as the district’s 2022 Citizens of the Year. 

The honorees were inducted during a Sept. 9 luncheon at the La Porte ISD Bulldog Centre. 

Honorees are nominated at large and chosen by a committee of community and district volunteers, who submit their selections to the Board of Trustees for approval. Distinguished alumni and citizens have typically excelled professionally and served the communities in which they live. Following are brief biographies of the 2022 honorees: 

Distinguished Citizen 

Rachel Cotton

La Porte resident Rachel Cotton grew up more than 1,500 miles from here in Los Angeles. She married a La Porte native, and the couple decided to put down roots right here. LA’s loss has been a huge gain – a true blessing – for our small city by the bay.  

Rachel’s family started a nonprofit organization in 2012 called Agape Centric, which translates to centered around God's unconditional love for mankind. Though it is headquartered in Friendswood, La Porte residents have been recipients of numerous charitable projects over the years.  Just recently, Rachel spearheaded Agape Centric’s annual back-to-school fair for La Porte ISD families at which the group passed out free school supplies. They have additionally given away Thanksgiving turkeys and all the trimmings to our local families in need and spread similar cheer for Christmas. 

Rachel additionally has a passion for mentoring junior high girls to instill in them the value of their self-worth and potential. Her desire to serve also spawned her membership on the La Porte Economic Development Board. What it all comes down to is that Rachel Cotton and her family chose to live in and bless La Porte, and our city is blessed indeed.  

Ann Malone

Ann Malone has been an instrumental force in preserving the area's history, including that of La Porte ISD. She has co-authored two pictorial history books of La Porte: Around LaPorte (2011) and Sylvan Beach and the Pavilions (2012).  

In 2006, she served as a board member and president (off and on over the years) of the La Porte-Bay Area Heritage Society. She organized several fundraising events, resulting in raising thousands of dollars for the upkeep of the Depot Museum, and restoring the Caboose and original library near the high school. The museum contains countless photos of school buildings no longer in existence, students who attended school decades ago, and teachers who served in the past.  

Malone has spent years collecting artifacts and photos of our area and school district’s history. She has also spent countless hours organizing and documenting those items. And she has always been willing to give up her time and anyone wishing to explore the contents of the Depot Museum. Thanks to Mary Ann Uloth Malone, La Porte has a well-preserved history that will be accessible for generations to come.  

Distinguished Alumni 

Terri Gillespie Cook 

Since the day she moved to La Porte as a high school freshman, Terri Gillespie Cook has continued making a difference here.  

Her classmates knew her as the Chatos president, National Honor Society member and the person who was voted Most Beautiful and Best Personality. Terri’s beloved La Porte community has since known her as La Porte ISD’s award-winning community and media liaison in her position as district communications director, and as someone who gives back to the district and city in every way possible.  

Terri has served on the Citizens Advisory Council to La Porte Industry, the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the La Porte Neighborhood Centers Board, to name a few. She has chaired the Sylvan Beach Scholarship Pageant Contestant Breakfast since 2014 and is on the New Teacher Luncheon Committee. Terri has and continues to be involved in community initiatives ... so much so that the Rotary Club honored her with its Service Above Self Award. She was also named as the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year in 2017. No matter how daunting the task, if it makes La Porte a better place, Terri will take it on. And she will do it with a smile.  

Joel Fagan

Joel Fagan compiled an impressive resume after establishing La Porte High School’s girls cross country program in 1987.  What he has done since his retirement is equally extraordinary.  

Under his 24 years of leadership, many Lady Bulldogs runners exceeded their own expectations by setting personal and school distance running records while also excelling in the classroom. His teams won 18 district championships, qualified for Regionals 20 times, and qualified to run at state 10 times. Many of Joel’s students attended colleges and universities with cross country scholarships, and they undoubtedly were encouraged along the way with Joel’s positive outlook and regular practice of setting goals.  

While coaching at La Porte High School, Joel also served as Track Coordinator for the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Youth Track & Field Program, and he helped coordinate the La Porte Invitational in 2005. For the successes of his many students, Joel was inducted into the Gulf Coast Scholastic Track & Field Hall of Honor Class of 2019. Though he eventually passed the cross country baton some years ago at La Porte High School, Joel has remained a fixture at the tracks and at cross country events, where he volunteers to help young people achieve their aspirations. Joel Fagan has planted plenty of seeds, and it is no wonder the Lady Bulldogs Cross Country Team continues to be regarded highly across the state. 

Debbie Phillips Wade 

Debbie Phillips Wade is a 1979 honors graduate of La Porte High School, but her involvement in this district spans more than 50 years—many of them as a volunteer. The list of such efforts is extensive. 

Debbie has been a La Porte Education Foundation director since 2009 and is currently the Grants Committee/Dollar Patrol Chair. She also is known for donning various costumes such as Ms. Wadermelon or the Queen of Hearts to be a volunteer reader at our elementary schools several times a year. She will take time from her family to come in the evenings for Literacy Nights. Her love for literacy led Debbie to establish the area's first Little Free Library in her yard to ensure free books for neighborhood kids. Since 2014, Debbie has additionally supplied teachers and staff with a selection of thousands of free books each year at the district’s annual Employee Health Fair. 

As an ardent supporter of La Porte ISD, Debbie is often sought out to serve on district committees. Some of those committees include the 100th Anniversary, Long-Range Planning, Facilities Planning, and Performance Objectives. Be it the countless amount of time that she spends helping to make La Porte a better place, or her own resources such as her family’s Make a Difference Scholarships and gift baskets for various district events, Debbie Phillips Wade gives and gives to make the world –and La Porte ISD—a better place. 

View photos from the 2022 Distinguished Alumni & Citizen luncheon.

​​​​​​​See video of the event here.

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Former La Porte High School coaches Carroll Lundin and Forrest Wiegand, along with former trustee Pat Studdert on March 10, 2021 were recognized as 2020 La Porte ISD Distinguished Alumni; Longtime newspaper editor and publisher John Black is the district’s 2020 Citizen of the Year. The annual event had been postponed since October 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honorees are nominated at-large and chosen by a committee of community and district volunteers, who submit their selections to the Board of Trustees for approval. Distinguished alumni and citizens have typically excelled professionally and served the communities in which they live. 

Distinguished Citizen
John Black
John Black is known to many residents as the longtime editor and publisher of a local newspaper and, more importantly, as someone who used his influence to champion many causes important to La Porte’s vitality.  

Black, during his 20-plus years as editor and publisher of the Bayshore Sun, was the epitome of a community-minded journalist. Every edition during his tenure included numerous articles surrounding La Porte ISD – school board meetings, elections, sports, and features.

Not only did Black charge himself with keeping residents informed about city and school happenings, he was also committed to finding positive solutions to problems. He served as a La Porte City Councilman from 2008 to 2011.    

For his volunteer service and contributions to various community causes, Black in 2008 received the Gus Groos Humanitarian Award from the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce. The Texas State Teachers Association awarded him its School Bell Award in 1989 for continuous outstanding coverage of La Porte ISD.   

As evidenced by his life’s work – professional and otherwise – Black possesses a strong love for public education and his community. La Porte is a better place as a result.

Distinguished Alumni
Carroll Lundin
  Carroll Lundin’s status among Texas high school football coaching greats is legendary. Humble as he is, however, Lundin is quick to credit others for his success.

In 1974, Lundin moved his family to La Porte, where he became head football coach and athletic director. During his 14 years at the helm of the Bulldogs, his teams posted 107 victories and advanced to the state playoffs eight times. He was named as the district’s Coach of the Year four times, and the Greater Houston Football Association and Texas High School Football Coaches Association subsequently inducted him into their halls of honor.

In Lundin’s own words at a Hall of Honor induction ceremony in 2010, his opportunities were only a result of support from La Porte ISD’s Board of Trustees, administration, coaches, players, their families, and fans.

His humility and resolve have earned him much deserved praise over his 45-year career in education. Carroll Lundin has also made an extraordinary impact on the lives of students and families – on and off the field – well beyond the boundaries of La Porte ISD.

Patrick Studdert
When Pat Studdert first ran for La Porte ISD’s Board of Trustees in 1985, he learned that either some people did not remember his last name, or they could not pronounce it. With that, his campaign signs just said “Pat: Enthusiasm for Education.” He won and was re-elected for the next 12 years.

Studdert is the CEO of Buffalo Marine, a company his father founded in 1935, and has been recognized as an industry leader by Ernst & Young, Kauffman Foundation, USA Today, and NASDAQ. His long list of service to people is equally impressive.

Before he came to the family company full time, Studdert coached football at multiple Houston-area high schools, all of which were either being built or resurrected. His dedication to struggling programs resulted in a revival of sorts to thousands of student-athletes and their fans. Then there were his years of service to La Porte ISD as a dedicated school board member.

Studdert served this district until he had to vacate his seat when he moved to Houston. His generous support has continued since then, by providing La Porte ISD’s District Teachers of the Year thousands of dollars annually to spend as they please. Pat Studdert describes himself as authentic and enthusiastic. It could also be said that he empowers everyone who is fortunate enough to know him.

Forrest Wiegand
​​​​​​​If there are families in the La Porte area that have not been touched by Forrest Wiegand, they are few and far between. If his past is any indication, there are still many people who will be positively influenced by his compassion.   

During almost 50 years in La Porte ISD as a teacher, head football coach, and these days as a substitute and testing proctor, Wiegand has mentored thousands of students. He has made it his goal to elevate those around him with an aim to educate students on how to be successful in sports and life, and as husbands, fathers, and citizens through respecting their parents, having a fear of God, and loving their country.

Wiegand’s accomplishments are many beyond the classroom. In 2017 he was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor in recognition of being the starting center on the 1969 National Champion Longhorns. He was head coach at La Porte High School for 15 years succeeding Carroll Lundin. His teams advanced to the state quarterfinals in 1993 and the state playoffs nine times. In 1993, he was a finalist for Houston Area High School Coach of the Year.

Several generations of La Portians regard Forrest Wiegand as a constant. He retired twice from La Porte ISD – first in 2003 and again in 2016. Yet he has remained here throughout because of his strong love for the La Porte community and his constant desire to make it a better place for future generations.

La Porte Independent School District on October 18 honored four inductees during the Second Annual Distinguished Alumni & Distinguished Citizens ceremony and luncheon. The district honored Sonja Angelo, Britton Phillips, and the late Martha Love as its 2019 Distinguished Alumni class. Charlie Perry was recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Citizen.

Distinguished Citizen
Charlie G. Perry
Some people view Charlie Perry as a teacher, counselor, or mentor. Others might see him as soldier, father figure, or as a steadfast volunteer.  Everyone who knows Perry, though, also regards him as a leader. 

The list of official leadership positions held by Perry is long.  In addition to leading in the classroom as a teacher, Perry was president of the La Porte Civic Club for 27 years, and has served as chairman of La Porte’s Juneteenth Parades and celebrations. As a U.S. Army veteran himself, Perry put his expertise to work as the director of veterans affairs with the San Jacinto College District; he also served La Porte ISD for 18 years as a member of its Board of Trustees.

Not only was he the first African-American administrator at San Jacinto College, Perry’s election to La Porte ISD’s Board of Trustees also broke racial barriers.

Perry is a deacon at Zion Hill Praise Center, a member of the La Porte Masonic Lodge, and a board member of Twilight Cemetery. In addition to serving his community in many other volunteer roles, Perry has always found the time to mentor young people.  His willingness to provide such loving wisdom has earned him the nickname of Paw-Paw throughout the area.

With all that Charlie Perry has accomplished, it should come as no surprise that he is also a Licensed Professional Counselor. It should also come as no wonder that many people – young and old – consider Perry as a true hero.

Distinguished Alumni
Sonja Angelo
When Sonja Angelo joined the La Porte High School faculty in 1967, she had no idea that what she did in the theater would have an impact on generations of students to come. In fact, she promised her principal early on that musicals were not in her plans.

Yet, for more than 50 years, as she poured her heart and soul into the La Porte High School musicals, she did just that—inspired thousands of students to accomplish what they thought was impossible, bringing out the best in each of them as they discovered their talents. Along the way, she made sure that the spotlight was on “her kids.”

Angelo was a sophomore at Texas City High School when she played the lead in the musical Annie Get Your Gun. Though she was successful in her role as Annie, when the curtains lowered, she promptly vowed never to be in the spotlight again. 

“At that point, I knew there was something different about me,” she said. “I didn’t like being the center of attention; I liked being behind the scenes. I liked seeing other people accomplish things, and I liked helping them accomplish things.”

“Mrs. A,” as her students know her, officially retired from La Porte ISD in 1996, but she continues to be a driving force behind the La Porte High School theater program. Still, she is always quick to downplay her part – giving all the credit to the students.

Britton Phillips
If there is a single underlying theme in Britton Phillips’ distinguished 35 years as a La Porte ISD educator, it is humility.  Rarely, if ever, does he take credit for being a top-notch teacher, coach and principal.  Instead, he readily offers applause for all of those men and women who worked alongside him.

Phillips arrived in La Porte ISD in 1961, the same year Hurricane Carla ravaged the Texas Coast and caused a one-week delay to the start of school.  It was only his second year teaching, and he never looked back.

He coached and taught several years at La Porte Junior High School before being named assistant principal there.  In 1973, Phillips became principal of Baker Junior High School, where he served for 19 years.  He wrapped up his career in 1995, after serving as La Porte Junior High principal for three years.

A committed lifelong learner himself, Phillips graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown. After attending nearby Lee College, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas and his master’s degree at Sam Houston State University.

La Porte ISD experienced much change during Phillips’ 35 full-time years – and 15 years as a substitute. Two things, though, remained constant: his tireless commitment to excellence for his students and staff, and his nature of refusing accolades, instead directing them to everyone around him.

Martha Love
​​​​​​​During her almost 50 years in La Porte ISD, educator Martha Love was the heart of the district.  And interestingly, when she and her husband Bill arrived in La Porte for his new job, she was adamant that she wouldn’t live here.

Love joined the La Porte ISD family in 1967 as an elementary school teacher; she retired in 1997 as principal of Bayshore Elementary School.  But, just as she had years earlier when she decided to remain in La Porte, Martha changed her retirement plans and became a substitute in the district for another 16 years.

Those who knew Martha – and most people did – have heard the many humorous and heartwarming stories from in and out of her classroom.  One story she told involved a classroom field trip during which her students were afraid they would fall off the freeway while en route.  Love also fondly recalled the time one of her young students claimed to have been bitten by a leprechaun during a St. Patrick’s Day outing.

She was more than a classroom teacher who wanted to make learning fun though.  Much more.  Love, in her support of a neighborhood center for children in 2005, said that she would often listen to the police scanner to make sure that her students made it home and were safe.

Martha Love’s name truly said it all…

2019 Awards Ceremony
 

La Porte ISD honored four former students during the inaugural Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Citizen ceremony and luncheon on Oct. 26 at the district’s Bulldog Centre on the La Porte High School campus.

Distinguished Alumni honorees included Olympic gold medalist Kerron Clement, former pro football player Gene Washington and restaurateur Russell Ybarra. While Clement was unable to attend, he was represented by his sister, Kizzy Francis. Jesse T. Garcia, founder of Las Hadas Restaurants, was recognized posthumously as the 2018 Distinguished Citizen. His granddaughter, Raigan Haas, accepted the award for the Garcia family.

The event was catered by La Porte High School culinary arts students under the direction of Chef Roy Rost. Adam J. Holland of the LPISD Communications Department served as master of ceremonies, and the colors were presented by LPHS JROTC cadets.

Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham greeted guests, and Dr. Linda Wadleigh, deputy superintendent and chairman of the Distinguished Alumni and Citizen Committee, presented the awards. Retired educator Martha Love also spoke following the presentations.

Honorees were also recognized prior to the Homecoming football game at Bulldog Stadium that evening. Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham presented Washington with a La Porte Bulldogs jersey bearing his number, 84, that he wore at Michigan State and with the Minnesota Vikings as he stepped onto the field at Bulldog Stadium for the first time.    

Following are brief biographies of the 2018 honorees:

Distinguished Citizen
Jesse T. Garcia
Jesse T. Garcia is remembered by many people for his entrepreneurial prosperity as a restauranteur and real estate holdings investor. He also worked tirelessly to make La Porte a better place to live.

Garcia, who attended La Porte schools and founded Las Hadas Mexican Restaurants, began plying his trade early by working for the Ybarra family at El Toro. He and his brother eventually took a leap of faith and opened a restaurant in Texas City. Not long afterward, Garcia rooted in his hometown, where he debuted the first Las Hadas location.

While building on his business success – opening another restaurant, and acquiring and managing various rental properties – Garcia made it a point to continually reinvest his time and resources in his hometown. His generosity ran the gamut, from sponsoring and coaching many youth sports teams, to volunteering on just about every committee in La Porte. He was a member of the La Porte Optimist Club, La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, as well as several other civic groups. 

Perhaps Garcia’s greatest attribute was his humble nature, never wanting recognition for any of his countless good deeds.  His real desire was to help make La Porte a better place to raise a family and call home. Mission accomplished.

Distinguished Alumni
Kerron Clement
Kerron Clement has said that he keeps running because it is his love.  If his athletic accolades are any indication, he also loves winning.

Success on the track began early for Clement, a 2003 La Porte High School graduate. As the story goes, he cleared his first hurdle on the heels of a playground dare at La Porte Jr. High School. Little did he know that a coach had witnessed it, and it was not long before he was making daily treks to La Porte High School to learn from the older student-athletes.

Like anyone who owns great success, Clement had his share of early obstacles, including not even finishing his first race, and almost quitting athletics altogether because he had signed up for distance running – something that took a toll on his body – when he reached high school.  But urging from his coach and his mother brought him back to the track, and to many first place finishes.

His awards are many, including two gold medals in the Olympic Games, most recently in 2016. Clement also owns multiple world outdoor championships, as well as three NCAA championships from his days at the University of Florida, where he was also an All-American six times. Before he built a heavy collection of college and professional medals, Clement twice won the state high school championship while wearing La Porte orange.

Though he was the man of the hour around the U.S. after his 2016 gold medal performance in Rio de Janeiro, Clement avoided the spotlight, instead choosing to come home to La Porte and help the district celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Gene Washington
Any characterization of Gene Washington must include a description of his long journey of odds-defying triumphs during which hope served as his beacon. 

Washington, a star student-athlete at Michigan State University and all-pro receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, was an unlikely success story, who helped break longstanding color barriers during the height of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-led civil rights movement.  It all began here in La Porte, Washington’s hometown, and across the bridge in Baytown, where he graduated from the segregated George Washington Carver High School in 1963.

Though Texas universities thought highly of Gene Washington’s athletic prowess, he attended Michigan State, one of the few schools willing to admit African-American students. While there, he was twice named to the All-America first team, and won the NCAA indoor hurdling title, in addition to six Big Ten track championships. The pinnacle of his football career happened in Minnesota, where he played six years – including two All-Pro seasons – with the Vikings. 

Gene has enjoyed just as much success beyond the gridiron, having been honored numerous times for his leadership. He holds a degree in education and a master’s in higher education and is retired from 3M, where he was the manager of workforce development for 22 years. 

Russell Ybarra
From the time Russell Ybarra was asked to take over a struggling restaurant in Pearland, he has hummed a tune of success, benevolence and humility.

Ybarra, a 1979 La Porte High School graduate, began his career as a restaurateur by washing dishes in his father’s company, El Toro Mexican Restaurants. He caught the entrepreneurial spirit early and started El Matador Foods in 1986, a tortilla factory in Baytown, Texas.

In 1993, Ybarra seized the opportunity to make something out of nothing with a failed restaurant property, and Gringo’s was born. The popular Tex-Mex restaurant has continued its growth in the Houston market to nine locations, including four franchises. Alongside Gringo’s, Ybarra and his team have developed two other popular Tex-Mex concepts, Bullritos and Jimmy Changas.

Ybarra has shared the fruits of his labor in a variety of ways through the years, but his many quiet acts of compassion best describe his true self.  He has selflessly run the giving gamut, providing everything from funeral expenses to prosthetic limbs for those in need.  Ybarra’s reach has also extended to children, veterans and flood victims – for whom he has paid a yearlong lease while they recovered.

Through all of his success in the restaurant world, Ybarra has not forgotten his La Porte roots. Rather, he continues to invest his resources in the town and its residents … where it all began for him more than 25 years ago.