Viatorians have been in the Las Vegas area for over 70 years. On Viatorian Voices, as they realized they’ve been there for over 20 years of that history, Associates Deborah and Romeo Perez had to process it. “When we came to Las Vegas and started learning, we met all these other Viatorians doing something and thought we’re just building on it. But we’re part of that, too,” Deborah said, thinking of longtime servant-leaders like Associate Connie Gerber and Fr. Larry Lentz, CSV and now countless others. “Now, we’ve kind of been in this a while and left some little mark of good on our world.”
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Initially, Romeo liked the Las Vegas area after having traveled there from their home in Texas. Then, an opportunity to buy a law practice in Las Vegas arose, so he took it. They decided to move permanently to the area, where they then had their two kids, Rylie and Romeo Jr.
From there, providential stories abound – from Deborah meeting Associate Rosy Hartz at Gymboree while they played with their daughters, to Romeo meeting Associate Paul Hartz and other great dads while helping at St. Viator Parish School, to making their commitments as associates in 2017 and helping launch Cristo Rey St. Viator’s Corporate Work Study Program. Deborah was its first program director, and Romeo’s law office is a program partner that employs student workers. Deborah works in the office with Romeo now, and they love the chance to mentor these bright students.
The Perez family recently celebrated RJ’s graduation from high school. Rylie, who studies at Fordham University, was back for summer break to celebrate with Romeo and Deborah.
“Every child that comes into our office, we take them in, spend time with them, have lunch with them. Maybe they didn’t want to go to college when they started, and when they’re leaving, maybe they’re thinking there is some benefit,” Romeo said. “A student last year wanted to be a mechanic. I thought that’s great but told him how much better would it be if you owned the mechanic shop? At the end of the year, he said he was glad we had the conversation because he never saw it that way.”
Listen to all of Episode 89 with Deborah and Romeo on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
For further listening:
- Deborah previously appeared in Episode 21, where she and then-principal Melissa Gruenhagen shared about the Viatorian and Cristo Rey education provided to students at Cristo Rey St. Viator.
- Romeo previously appeared in Episode 34, where he and Associate Paul Hartz talked about being Viatorian dads and husbands.
For further reading:
- In 2022, both Rylie and Romeo Jr. earned special recognition for their commitment to service.
- In 2024, the St. Viator School Foundation Dinner honored Deborah and Romeo alongside two other couples for their long-running dedication to serving the school community.