Aplauda - Laura Contreras-Rowe

by Idalia Rosa-Martinez

“I believe education is the important factor that changes the condition of poverty to prosperity,” Laura Contreras Rowe said. “It was what helped me see that there was more to life outside the trailer home in Laredo, Texas.”
Laura Contreras Rowe, our Mexican American neighbor, lives in Virginia Beach with her husband and two boys. Mrs. Contreras Rowe shared how her life struggles helped her ask herself a question at age 12, “Is there more than this life living in this trailer?”
There and then she pledged to seek more than poverty offered.
 “I didn’t always know whether there would be a next meal.”
Mrs. Contreras-Rowe did pull herself out of poverty and now, years later, puts her life’s motto “Why be average?” into action by offering educational scholarships. For her outstanding dedication to helping others ¡Aplauda! highlights this outstanding lady in Hampton Roads.  

Current Profession?
I am a full time Realtor for 9 years and franchise owner/partner of Keller Williams Realty Town Center. My office is in Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA. I am also Corporate Executive Officer and Founder of the organization to promote leadership skills in students from middle school to college-age students called, Aim High Leadership Experience.

Personal role model that influenced your life? Why?
This is a great question. I struggled with this question as a child. I would say early in my life it was my grandfather Eusebio Contreras who was the greatest influence in my childhood in so many ways. He taught my sister and me about God. Lito would say, “First pray then play”.  He taught us about generosity and the importance of family and hard work. Another role model later on in high school was Nancy Lopez, the professional golfer. I was introduced to her fame after joining sports in high school. I began to dream that if I became a professional golfer, I could get out of my circumstance of living in a trailer home. However, the summer I worked in a factory in Texas, I seriously injured my wrist on the job. That professional golfer dream came to an end. But learning of Nancy Lopez truly gave me the love of golf. I still play golf and consider it the greatest game on earth.

How do you see yourself giving back to the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads?
Because I believe education is the important factor that changes the condition of poverty to prosperity and it was what helped me see that there was more to life outside of my trailer home upbringing in Texas, I started the Laura Contreras-Rowe Scholarship fund. Right now I offer several scholarships at my Alumnus Oral Roberts University to help students in leadership positions. I am in the planning for the Aim High Leadership Experience to offer education opportunities in Hampton Roads. It is in its early stages, but I want to help Hispanic kids from middle school to high school through our local churches. It took an act of God to give me a glimpse of what was out there. I believe I was one of the lucky ones that made it from poverty to prosperity. I want to offer that same opportunity to other children in similar situations.

Words of wisdom for the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads
For parents, I would say that it should always be our prayer that our children succeed us in whatever they do. Our children should aspire to go to college or be an athlete. They should work to become a business owner, dancer, doctor, or whatever. But our children should exceed our success. Let your children dream of being more! The dream will take them where they need to go without limitations. For children and young adults, I would say aim high because the sky is the limit. You have to believe in yourself; that you can do and be whatever your heart desires. I promise it won't be easy because the realty is that in life nothing is easy. But with hard work and a dream in your heart, you can do it. I made many mistakes in my life and I learned from every experience and I believe it made me who I am today. I am glad that God gave me the opportunity to be a Hispanic woman. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Of what life achievements are you most proud? 
I believe my life achievements have not come to pass yet. In the next years, I would like to say that the Aim High Leadership Experience touched hundreds of Hispanic kids in Hampton Roads. I would like to say that it gave them the glimpse of what God truly has for them and that they saw their circumstances turn to success because they aimed high and asked themselves, “Why be average?” If I can instill this hope and vision in the younger generation then that will be my life achievement.

What is your favorite cultural dish?
Menudo and Tamales. I have my husband eating it and my boys love flour tortillas.

Laura Contreras Rowe trained in the real estate profession while a mother of two small children. You can see more about her personal drive at aiming high at Laurarowe.com and whybeaverage.com. 

¡Aplauda!

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