Mary Lou Rowley taught what was then called Home Economics for 16 years at Portales High before going on to teach at ENMU.  When she left her teaching post at Portales High, Mr. Henry who was principal at the time, suggested to her that she should consider running for a position on the school board.  Mary Lou went home and talked to her husband, Joe and prayed about it.  She then ran for a position on Portales School Board and won, she says she just kept running until this year when she resigned her board position.   Mary Lou served on the School Board from 1989—to 2017. 

For Superintendent, Johnnie Cain, Mary Lou Rowley was his first choice to dedicate the new Family Consumer Science Center at the Portales High in her and her family’s name and the rest of the board agreed. 

 The area has been the same since 1964 with no significant changes in equipment or design.   The new Family Consumer Science rooms have both been completely renovated with 4 kitchens similar to what you would find in a home and one kitchen outfitted with restaurant grade equipment and targeting those students which might seek a culinary arts career.   Mr. Cain says,” the family consumer science classes are some of the most popular classes that are offered.  Debbie Stenstrom is the current teacher with 6 periods of FCS classes each day and each one is filled up every semester.  “

The dedication was a complete surprise to Mary Lou.   The board and staff was “super sneaky” with the invitation to Mary Lou to attend the meeting and be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony.  Mary Lou, says, “ I had no idea what was going to happen when I walked into the room and there sat all my family, I just was so proud when they told me”  I don’t think I have done anything special to deserve this ,  I just live my life every day – it was a complete wonderful surprise”.   Mary Lou went onto to say, “Oh my gosh, what a beautiful center, it is all state of the art.   It is the most up to date kitchens you have ever seen, all top of the line!  Our students will come out of there prepared to work in even the finest of kitchens – I could not be more proud. ”