Page 56 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Hey guys,

I Have This Idea...

By Ted Wilson with
Jody Boudreaux Wilson

Don Williams – it’s At home that evening, his wife’s brother, Bruce, stopped
a common name, by for a visit. They talked, and the conclusion of the
but there is nothing conversation was that kids don’t take their senior years of
common or ordinary high school seriously. “Henry Cisneros and Bruce are the
about Don. He was two people who fed into the idea I finally came up with:
set apart for success. Plainview Education Partnership - PEP.”
He wears it well.
Don confesses, “I am The first high school juniors enrolled in 1989. Prior
astounded that I ended to this, Don worked to fund it. The newly-elected
up where I am. I’m not Chamber President announced, “Hey Guys, I have this
really all that smart, but idea.” Having no precedent that might presuppose
nobody will outwork failure, he got approval from the Chamber, approached
me.” the Plainview area United Way and the Industrial
Foundation, as well as other foundations and individuals.
Don was a CPA with They raised over $50,000 in a little over a week. The
his own firm and an Wayland chancellor agreed to match (now 4 to 1), and
entrepreneur with PEP got its start.
other businesses - among them an independent living
home where our aunt resides (and loves it), dining “We decided to challenge the kids at the start of their
and hospitality establishments, and a ranch. He is junior year to sign the PEP Challenge. Each student
the Sunday School teacher of the Koinonia Class at covenants to attend classes 95% of the time and maintain
First United Methodist Church in Plainview. He is a B or better average during their junior and senior year.
one of the prime financial supporters of the Jubilee ‘Forget the past. Start anew. You need to know that 79.6
Prison Ministry at the Formby Unit in Plainview. His is not a B and 94.3 is not 95%.’ The attendance is based
fulfillment comes by empowering others to grow, on the state’s requirements.”
succeed and rise above life situations. And Don With those requirements met, students are then eligible
wanted to see an educational growth spurt among for two semesters, up to 15 hours worth of tuition, for
the youth of Plainview. He wanted to give students a total of 30 hours. At Wayland’s current rate, that is
a chance at what he had received through hard work, over $500 an hour or $15,000. “Forget the money. It is
discipline and a college education. 240 days or so of exposure to college. Students may be

“I was about to become President of the Plainview less afraid now.” Another requirement is that they must
Chamber of Commerce when Henry Cisneros, then apply for any and all financial aid they can get. “Our
Mayor of San Antonio, came and spoke. We sat down money is last in the pot. They must begin right after
to lunch and discussed young people and the mutual graduation. The retention rate tells us that these kids are
dilemma. Few young girls were going on to college.” finding funds.”
Don was disturbed.

56 Lubbock Senior Link