ESEF Dedicates Classroom in Memory of Señor Frank Real Duane Conover gave $50,000 to the Foundation’s Endowment Fund to make possible the classroom dedication at the high school in the name of Señor Frank Real. Other friends of Señor Real have also donated close to $2,000 to the Foundation in his honor. Approximately 80 people convened for the event, held on Saturday, May 10th, in the Auditorium of the Music Building at the high school. Those present included members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Geoff Yantz, High School Principal Jim Garza, former teachers and students, representatives from the Educational Foundation, and the Real family. Board President Bill Watkins served as emcee and introduced several speakers who shared their special memories about Señor Real. Señor Frank Real
Following the dedication ceremony, the group adjourned to the Language Arts building to see the plaque that had been installed at the entrance to one of the classrooms. Afterwards, Conover invited the Real family, guests, and members of the Class of 1955 to his home for a reception. Duane Conover says Señor Real played a significant role in his academic and professional success, recalling that he demanded the very best work. Duane had lived in Brazil for three years and already spoke Portuguese when he began freshman Spanish in Señor Real’s class. "He insisted that I have a much more rigorous curriculum than other Spanish students, therefore I became fluent in Spanish. He also insisted that I apply to the top universities, and he wrote many letters of recommendation for me. When I graduated from Dartmouth, and later, Loyola law school, he always let me know how proud he was of my achievements. I was not the only student to benefit from his mentoring. When we had reunions, he knew the names of every one of my classmates even though many had never taken his class. He was the best," says Conover. Duane Conover
The Endowment Fund of the El Segundo Educational Foundation serves as a vehicle through which donors can provide permanent funding to ESUSD through the Foundation. Such contributions are utilized for investment purposes and only the interest is spent, leaving the principal intact in perpetuity to continue earning investment income for current needs. This means the donation will have a greater impact over time than if it were spent immediately. The Real Sons