For Alondra Melendez, her love of science and anatomy began as a patient in her pediatrician’s office. Growing up the rural community of Brookshire, Texas, she suffered from severe asthma and allergies, which caused her to need monthly doctor’s visits.

She recalls seeing the anatomy models of the human body – specifically, the nose and lung – and being intrigued. As she grew through middle and high school, her interest in the medical and health care fields never wavered. For Melendez, it was a matter of choosing which path to take. That path would ultimately lead her to Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston.

“There were a lot of ideas floating around in my head,” Melendez said. “I ultimately went with nursing because they’re closest to the patients and get the most interaction.”

Passion born from community
Melendez grew up in a very small community with parents who only spoke Spanish. When visiting doctors, she recalled her sister having to translate from English to Spanish, something she says no child should have to do.

“I saw a shortage of Spanish-speaking providers as a child, and after going through clinical rotations I felt I really made the right choice,” she said. “I felt like I’d actually be making a difference.”

Empowerment for academics and development
While still in high school, Melendez and a few of her friends noticed a lack of college preparatory education for students. Since many high school graduates didn’t pursue college education, Melendez remembers school staff being unprepared for her and her friends’ questions.

“There was even a saying that said, ‘No one makes it out of Brookshire,’” Melendez said. “It was discouraging to hear.”

So, the teens took matters into their own hands with other students in the early college high school program. They helped each other write college entrance essays, referred scholarship opportunities to one another, and even edited one another’s resumes.

This communal effort led to the formation of the nonprofit Latino Empowerment for Academics and Development Initiative (LEAD), where Melendez is currently the chief communications officer.

Now in its third year, LEAD has expanded to more than 10 board members and has found increased success through social media. Melendez says they have assisted high school students, both local and international, get accepted into colleges across the country, including Rice University, Columbia University in New York City, and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

“It’s not just students in Brookshire,” she said. “It’s students all over the world!”

Accelerated achievement
In 2022, Melendez approached high school graduation with more than $31,000 in scholarships for academic merit and extracurricular activities. She had enrolled in dual credit courses during her junior and senior years. So, she walked the graduation stage with both her high school diploma and an associate’s degree.

Melendez had no plans to slow down. She began the Pacesetter track at Cizik School of Nursing that fall, which enabled her to earn her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 15 months.

“I’m now graduating college debt-free,” she said proudly. “I find it all amazing as a first-generation college student!”

Taking moments to breathe
In her spare time, Melendez loves listening to music and spending time with her family, including five nieces and nephews and her dog, an Australian shepherd.

“They’re so high energy,” Melendez said. “It really helps on long days when I’ve spent the entire day studying and am overwhelmed with a brain full of information.”

When she needs a quiet moment to herself, she likes to take walks and enjoy nature.

“Just 10 to 15 minutes outside in the fresh air and taking a quiet moment to breathe helps more than you think it would,” she said. “It definitely helps me more than I thought it would.”

Grateful for Community
As a 20-year-old preparing for college graduation, Melendez fully acknowledges its “been quite the 15 months” for her.

With an hourlong commute to and from campus multiple times a week, she initially approached school with a “get it done” mentality, but soon realized she needed to change her perspective. “Toward the end of my first semester, I realized I should take the time to actually enjoy this and build connections and friendships,” she recalled.

Melendez credits her participation in the Cizik School of Nursing Student Government Organization and serving as a Student InterCouncil representative with helping her find community.

“You get so many new life perspectives meeting new people,” she said. “I’ve had the ability to talk to a lot of students, and they really provide a lot of advice. People are always willing to help you through classes and challenges.”

After graduation, Melendez will continue working in the intensive care unit at Memorial Hermann-Memorial City, where she hopes to continue building her nursing skills and interacting with families.

“Intensive care keeps me on my toes and constantly thinking,” she said. “You get to build a relationship with the patients and their families while treating serious conditions.”

Cierra Duncan