Facts are not like opinions. Opinions are subjective, but facts are objective. And when it comes to making decisions—whether in business, government, or community leadership—you and I know it’s always better to stick with the facts.
The latest Census Bureau information continues to remind us of a simple truth: the more education you have, the better your chances of building a life free from poverty. The facts are clear and sobering.
A person with a college degree will earn about $2.8 million over their lifetime. Compare that to just $1.7 million for someone who never earned a high school diploma. That’s not opinion—it’s fact.
And when we look at poverty rates by education, the numbers from the Census Bureau drive the point home:
If you don’t complete high school, the odds are stacked against you. In the Rio Grande Valley, far too many of our neighbors are living in poverty because they never had the chance—or support—to finish their education. The question for us is simple: do we keep patting ourselves on the back for the current high school graduation rates, or do we dig into the Census Bureau’s facts and let them guide our actions?
Because this is about you, your family, and your community. We all want to live in a place where everyone has a fair shot at a good quality of life. But some of our people need more direction to get there, and every institution designed to serve them must deliver better results.
We have one of the youngest populations in the nation—hungry, eager, and ready for success. Yet too many fall by the wayside, locked into poverty cycles that are hard to escape. Yes, they must work hard. But you and I must also do our part to help them.
That means programs like High School Dropout Recovery, which allow students up to age 26 to finish their diploma, should be in every high school in Hidalgo County and the region. Region One Educational Service Center already has the tools to help school districts make that happen. Charter schools like PossAble Dream are designed to help people up to age 50 earn their diploma—with the flexibility real life demands. Let’s promote charter schools that are helping the region get students back to finish their education.
The Hollies once sang, “The road is long, with many a winding turn… He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.” Those lyrics capture exactly what’s at stake. His welfare—and her welfare—is our concern.
We cannot leave another generation behind. Our future will be built by our people here in the Valley. You, me, and every leader in this region must recognize the facts, invest in education, and commit ourselves to breaking the cycle of poverty.
The road is long, and on the way there, why not share? So, if we walk it together, we can get there.
A great song by the Hollies, written by Bob Russell and Bobby Scott, so listen to it when you get a chance.
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by Mario Reyna, coordinator for the Prosperity Task Force. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author.
