2025 Outstanding Exes
Samuel A. Simon
Class of 1963
Sam grew up in Kern Place and says that being the only boy with four sisters, three of them older, started him off as a “troublemaker” in life.
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Sam graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1970 and was one of the first lawyers to work with consumer advocate Ralph Nader in Washington, DC.
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He spent the next 35 years working in Washington, first with Ralph Nader and then as head of the nation's leading consumer group, focusing on telecommunications. The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC) was established during this period. During this period, the mainstream press took notice of his work, including a profile of him and his family in the New York Times. Then as a featured guest on the Phil Donahue Show, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Face the Nation, Good Morning America, and many more.
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During that time, Sam authored several books and articles on the potential impact of newer technology on consumers, including Reverse the Charges, How to Save Money on Your Phone Bill (Pantheon Press & A Book-of-the-Month selection), and After Divestiture: What the AT&T Settlement Means for Business and Residential Phone Service (MacMillan Publishing, 1985)
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He later found a public affairs firm in Washington, DC that specialized in creating win-win compromises between the telecommunications industry and public interest groups. As a result of that work, billions of dollars have been and continue to flow to public schools, and all advanced technology must be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities.
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In what he calls his fourth age of life, and into the present, Sam has become a playwright, actor, and author. The first, The Actual Dance, Loves Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer,” became a book by the same name, and toured the US for more than a decade. (www,theactualdance.com)
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In 2022, Sam was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease. He has written a one-person play about that ongoing experience called Dementia Man, An Existential Journey, which he has presented in more than 80 venues throughout the US. He continues to tour the show. (www.dementiaman.com)
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Sam’s Honors have included.
Who’s Who in the East, 1985-96 & 1987-1988
Who’s Who in American Law 1985-1986
Who’s Who in America, 2022 and 2024
The Frank Bowe Award for Disability Access, Hofstra University, 2014.
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Sam and his wife, Susan, now 59 years old, live in McLean, Virginia. They have two children and four grandchildren. Their son, Marcus Simon, is an attorney and an elected Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He and his wife Rachel have two children. Their daughter, Dr. Rachael Simon (Proper), is a pediatric dentist, and she and her husband, David Proper, have two children.
Louise “Dede” Rogers
Class of 1975
Dede was a proud El Paso High School Tiger. Some of her accomplishments and activities include: SNHS, JNHS, Tatler Co-Editor, Senior Class President, Junior Class President, Who’s Who, Varsity Tennis Top 6 and Letterman’s Club just to name a few.
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After EPHS, she graduated from SMU with a Business degree. Dede started her career in Journalism at Channel 5, KXAS in Dallas. She also became the first women to own a professional race car team. She was revered by her team and it was said that she raised the caliber of racing throughout the US. She was the first women voted “Owner of the Year” by the Toyota Atlanta Championship Series.
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Dede lived life with the kind of passion that energized everyone around her. To encounter Dede was to laugh with your whole body. She was a Philanthropist and raised funds in her beloved city, El Paso. It is hard to find a cause, charity or organization that wasn’t touched by Dede. Some of her Favorites include; UTEP, St Clement’s School, YMCA, Make a Wish, The El Paso Museum of Art, Texas Women for the Arts, El Paso Community Foundation, El Paso Zoological Society, El Paso History Museum, El Paso Fighting Hunger, Hospice El Paso, Ronald McDonald House, The Veterans Association, Diabetes Association, Kids Excel, Pro Musica, just to name a few. She touched many hearts.
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She is reunited in heaven with her parents Jonathan and Patricia Rogers, and her brother Mac. Survived by her Brother Jonathan Rogers Jr, Sister Isha Rogers Santamaria, and loving nieces and nephews.
Luis "Chico" Portillo
Class of 1982
Luis "Chico" Portillo is currently the Director of Fine Arts for the Liberty Hill Independent School District. Over the course of his 35-year tenure in both Pflugerville and Bastrop ISDs, he helped shape fine arts programs for thousands of students.
Before his administrative career, Chico dedicated 21 years to teaching band at the middle and high school levels. His bands were celebrated for their excellence, earning countless UIL Sweepstakes and "Best in Class" awards. Most notably, the John B. Connally High School Marching Band from Pflugerville ISD earned a bronze medal in 2003 and a silver medal in 2007 at the UIL 4A State Marching Band Contest. In his twelve years as the head of the Connally High School band program, 48 students advanced to become TMEA All-State Band and Orchestra members. He was named John B. Connally's Teacher of the Year in 2008.
In January of 2016 he retired from the Pflugerville ISD and began coordinating the EPHS Alumni Marching Band for the EPHS Centennial Celebration. It was a memorable event for all Tiger Pride members past and present. Along with rehearsing and performing at halftime of the Centennial Celebration, the Alumni Band contributed funds to the EPHS Band to provide needed equipment for their band program.
In 2017, the Performing Arts Center at John B. Connally High School was named in his honor in recognition of his profound impact on the Pflugerville ISD community as both a teacher and administrator, and for the outstanding achievements of his band students. This tribute stands as a lasting symbol of his service and the legacy he built.
He has contributed his expertise to various UIL and Texas Music Educator Association committees and served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Bandmasters Association where he was president in 2018. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Concordia University Texas, he is passionate about the importance of education in the lives of children. He attributes his successful career to his educational experiences at El Paso High School, his band directors, and his family and friends.
He is proud to be from El Paso and remains committed to representing the city and El Paso High School throughout his travels across the state and country. He would like to thank the many great teachers at El Paso High School for their passion, vision, and care in providing a healthy learning environment where students felt they belonged and could achieve excellence.
He lives in Austin with his wife, Reagan, and they are the proud parents of three children and one granddaughter. While he has built his life and career in Central Texas, he still considers El Paso home. He visits frequently to spend time with his mother and extended family, and enjoys keeping up with many of his friends from his youth.