I spent 60 years coaching youth football, but my profession was hiring and doing projects for Fortune 500 companies, and over time you learn how to recognize talent, discipline, and character. I can tell you honestly, it's very, very rare to meet someone as young as Javen with the maturity, the intellect, and the determination that he has. I saw it years ago when he was very young; he was breaking down film and studying things at a level most adults can't do—I don't think we've got a high school coach that can do some of the things he can do, period. Since then, he's never stopped growing. He gets better whether it's academics, debate—boy, I would hate to have somebody debate against him, that's going to be really fun to watch—public speaking, or leadership. When Javen puts his mind to something, he's going after it with incredible force and energy.

I guarantee that what I impress most is how smart he is, how seriously he takes his responsibility, and how much he studies. The world around him never sleeps, and he pushes the people around him to be better and better. Some people may look at age when they think about leadership; I look at capability, work ethic, and vision, and Javen has all those aced. It's unbelievable. Like I said, at least 3,000 kids have gone through my program and there's very few of them at the very top, but there are some, and he ranks right with them. We've got one who developed artificial blood and some other big things.

You can't really go through the 101 reasons you should play Dolphin football. You know the reason why I've been doing it 60 years? Because, you know, it's cold and wet, and I'm old, and I can't remember things, and my body hurts, you know? But I might die going down on the field—that's the only place it can happen to me. My wife, I think, loves nothing more than all the kids who come through our system. She never had one child, but we've got 3,000 of them all together. I'm so proud of him, and I believe that he truly believes this is only the beginning for him. Where he's going to go is probably the dream of a lot of people, but very few people have the determination and the grit that's in him to do it. And that's what football teaches—all these guys will tell you that same thing. When they wanted to quit and they had things tough... football players don't quit. And if you don't quit, usually you will be successful.

I want to thank you for being here to support him and helping him, and for what we can do as a group for the future of Vermont. I've been in Vermont most of my life, and it breaks my heart to see what's happening. I've traveled to a lot of states with my business professionally, and Vermont is still one of the best places, but if we don't start guarding it, it's going to get away from us. And I'm going to step down now, because Governor Jim Douglas is here to speak! Thank you.

Rene LaBerge

Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 | Javen Sears’ Campaign Launch Party