Student Spotlight-Flor Lazo

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Student Spotlight - Flor Lazo

Flor Lazo has fond memories of family road trips. Vacations to Oregon, Washington, and California sparked an excitement for exploring new places. Her adventurous spirit carried the El Paso native 14 hours across the state to A&M Texarkana. "A&M Texarkana ended up being the best option for me. My family loves traveling, so I thought, 'Let's do this. Let's try something new.'"

Flor only saw the campus virtually before arriving in the Piney Woods of East Texas. "The first thing I noticed were the trees, especially coming from West Texas that's mostly dirt, wind, and dry weather. I thought the campus was beautiful. I loved all the nature."

Traveling so far away from home, Flor found a second family with her volleyball coaches and team. "Coach Madeleine Halford is like another mom to me," Flor expressed. "Whether it's in or outside the court, she's always there. She's helped me grow not only as an athlete, but as a person. Having that relationship with her has helped this place feel like home."

Flor always loved science but never envisioned a traditional career in the field. "I love learning about life, about the body, how everything works, and how it's created. Science has always interested me."

Instead, she plans to combine biology and law with aspirations of becoming a medical malpractice attorney. "I've always had a strong voice. Ever since I was little, I was always standing up for my friends and myself, whether at school or in sports. As I've gotten older, I've always stood up for what I thought was right. I want to use my voice for people who are vulnerable or can't speak for themselves. Also, if I become an attorney, I'll be the first one in my family."

When Flor is questioned about her plans, she stands firm, proving herself with hard work and dedication. "Biology can lead to so many different careers. You just have to explore them." Today, Flor maintains a 3.8 GPA while balancing supervising the Patterson Student Center (PSC), competing in indoor and beach volleyball and leading her teammates as a team captain, preparing for the LSAT, and completing a job shadowing experience. "Managing all those things is one way I prove people wrong."

The summer before her senior year, Flor visited a familiar and friendly face on campus with a request. "I've had a close relationship with Mrs. Linda Branch since I started here and I'm extremely thankful for her. She was one of the first people I talked to when I came to A&M Texarkana for academic advising. Since then, she's always checked in on me. I told her, 'I want to do an internship. I want to see if I really want to become a lawyer.'

With Linda's help, Flor received a job shadowing opportunity with Miller County Prosecuting Attorney, Connie Mitchell. "I was excited to see an actual attorney arguing a case in person…watching them present their side and the other attorney respond. However, I was nervous about asking the wrong questions. But I realized you can never really ask the wrong questions."

When Flor began shadowing, the office was preparing for a murder trial. Originally expected to last several weeks, the case concluded in a single day after the defendant entered a plea. "I didn't't expect them to say, 'Come watch this.'"

Walking into the courtroom that morning confirmed something for Flor. "I immediately thought, 'I want to be an attorney.'"

Throughout that trial, both attorneys presented their sides, called witnesses, and explained their cases. Connie was leading the case. "Seeing a woman serving as the chief prosecuting attorney made me think, 'That's amazing. I want to do that. I want to be like her.' I'm extremely grateful to her and the other attorneys for giving me the opportunity."

Her summer days began at 6 a.m. supervising the PSC before heading to the Miller County Courthouse or Sheriff's Office to job shadow. Afternoons brought another shift at the PSC, volleyball workouts and practice, and evenings were spent completing coursework for her three summer classes.

"I've always had the motivation to just keep going. Of course, there are hard days when I don't want to get up and go do something. But I remind myself that I have the privilege to be a college athlete, the privilege to go to school, and the privilege to study. Every day is a privilege, and I don't want to take that for granted. That's what pushes me. And my mom. I watched her be independent and provide a life for both of us. She's worked so hard, and she's a huge motivation to me."

Faculty members have consistently encouraged Flor's unique path. Political Science Professor Dr. Gary Bugh has offered advice for preparing for the LSAT, while Professor Jeffery Sams, both attorney and professor, has shared insights from practicing law. "Whenever I told my professors about my plans, they encouraged me and told me I could do it."

In hindsight, it isn't't just the beautiful campus of A&M Texarkana that has left an impression on Flor. "It's the people. Everyone here is so welcoming, kind, and respectful. The people here make it feel like home."

Flor plans to take the LSAT in September 2026 and graduate in May 2027. "I want to make an impact on my clients. I don't want to help just one family or one person. I want to help as many people as I can."

She thinks about walking into that courtroom every day. "I called my family afterward, because I was so excited. It's something I'll never forget. I'm very family oriented, so being this far away from them is hard. I had the opportunity to gather for dinner with 20-30 family members, and I remember looking around the table and thinking, 'This is why I'm doing this-I'm doing all of this for my family."