Pathway to Success Luncheon celebrates students, leaders
Published 5:37 pm Friday, March 28, 2025
Dr. Mark Portier, Port Arthur Independent School District superintendent, left, SETEX Construction Corporation owner, Amy Miller, director of community affairs for Cheniere Energy Inc.; Sharita Gardner, corporate affairs manager for Bayou Bend CCS; and Latisha Poledore, Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce/Port Arthur Education Foundation, hold a roundtable discussion during Thursday’s Pathway to Success Luncheon. Lamar State College Port Arthur President Dr. Betty Reynard was also a speaker. (Mary Meaux/The News)
PAISD senior Kalan Gardner Jr. performed the National Anthem. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
PAISD senior Patton Sinegar tries on a pair of VR goggles at one of the various tables at the luncheon. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
Bursts of confetti erupt after Joe Tant, president and CEO of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, announced the donations of $180,000 toward the Education Foundation. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Joe Tant, left, Dr. Betty Reynard, Dr. Mark Portier, Nathan Rivers, Amy Miller, Sharita Gardner and Latisha Poledore. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
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Surveying the room filled with sponsors, educators, community leaders and students, Elizabeth Cravens described with ease the meaning behind the Port Arthur Education Foundation’s Pathway to Success luncheon Thursday.
She thanked the leaders for investing in the futures of the next generation of innovators and change makers and spoke of pride in the students who put so much into their future.
“Together as a community, we are building a pathway to success, one that leads to opportunity growth and a stronger future for Port Arthur. When we support education, we are not just changing individual lives, we are strengthening families, businesses and our entire community,” Cravens, a PAEF member and business owner, said.
The annual Pathway to Success luncheon was held Thursday at the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center and featured a roundtable discussion featuring Nathan Rivers, owner of SETEX Construction Corporation; Dr. Betty Reynard, president of Lamar State College Port Arthur; Amy Miller, director of community affairs for Cheniere Energy Inc.; Sharita Gardner, corporate affairs manager for Bayou Bend CCS; and Dr. Mark Porterie, superintendent for Port Arthur Independent School District.
The speakers imparted wisdom, sharing their personal experiences in college, their motivation and advice to their younger self.
Amy Miller said if she were sitting down with her 17 or 18 year old self she would say to set boundaries for yourself and the people you surround yourself with. There are people that love you and want to see you succeed but there are toxic people as well, she said.
Sharita Gardner said she would tell her younger self to push herself. She was a great student but looking back she wonders what would have happened if she had pushed herself. A communications major she believes she had the capabilities to do more such as becoming an engineering major, doctor or lawyer.
“One day, you’re going to shock yourself and exceed your own expectations. And every time I do that, it does tell me that there’s so much more in you, and there’s so much more in store for you,” Gardner said.
Nathan Rivers said he always knew he wanted to own a business. His journey was not always easy and he imparted that information to the room where students from PAISD and LSCPA were gathered.
He had family in the construction field but he wanted a different side of the business and began work with local architects in Beaumont. Through this he learned of other aspects of the construction field.
Later while working as a project manager for SETEX he was responsible for building two elementary schools in Port Arthur, which were the first major projects in his career. By 2014 he had the chance to purchase SETEX Construction. Financial obligations as a business owner led to sacrifices and the decision on whether to sell their home to make payroll. Thankfully there were small projects that led to larger ones and he didn’t have to sell, he said.
His business continued to grow and he went from 11 employees to 60 today.
Joe Tant, president and CEO of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, emceed the luncheon and announced the donations of $180,000 toward the Education Foundation.
