Alexandra Blandon: The First Bloom of Many to Come

By: Nayeli Alonzo

Edited by Ariana Arias

Word Count: 1,060

Estimated Reading Time: 4-5 Minutes 

Alexandra Blandon came to college with a clear goal: becoming the first Blandon to graduate from an American university. This spring, Blandon will walk proudly across that stage and achieve exactly that. 

Blandon will graduate with an anthropology and sociology degree with a concentration in criminal justice and a minor in political science. 

As a first-generation student, Blandon came to Towson with immense pressure, but she  persevered through it. Her motivation and her dedication has paid off. 

“My undergraduate journey felt like a tulip blooming in the spring,” said Blandon. 

Four years ago, a journey that started off as uncertainty has now blossomed into confidence and self-assurance. This journey of leadership, self-advocacy, and growth has pushed Blandon to become the woman she has always strived to be. This journey has also helped her become a role model for those who come after her. 

“Now, as I graduate, I feel like a fully bloomed tulip: strong, grounded, and ready to continue growing in new environments,” said Blandon. 

For Blandon, earning a degree was never just about herself; it was about laying a foundation for her family, her future children, and generations to come. 

“I have always known I wanted to become a lawyer, and I understood early on that education would be the pathway to get there,” said Blandon. 

Blandon said she always knew she wanted to be a lawyer and understood that pursuing higher education was the way to achieve that and much more. It was a way to break cycles and create new opportunities for future generations.

Blandon’s achievements reflect the legacy she has built. Blandon served as president of Fraternity & Sorority Life for the 2024-2025 academic year at Towson University. She was also an MHEC guaranteed access grant recipient, a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society Alpha Phi Sigma - Theta Delta Chapter and the Order of Omega’sRho Alpha Chapter,and on the Dean's List three times. 

A quote  Blandon uses to describe her journey comes from Malcolm X, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

“This quote reflects my journey because I have always seen education as more than just a degree." It is my way of building a better future for myself and my family,” said Blandon.

Blandon's biggest motivation, however, is her mother. 

“She taught me resilience and strength, showing me how to keep going no matter how difficult things became,” said Blandon. “The drive I carry comes from her sacrifices and her unwavering support.”

After coming to the United States at age six, Alexandra and her mom only had each other. Her mother left her life in Nicaragua to come build a better future for them in America. 

When others doubted Blandon, her mother never did; she encouraged her to dream big.

Alongside her mother, Blandon's younger sister is a major source of motivation.  

“Being able to set a strong example for her is both a responsibility and a blessing. I strive to pave a path that she can follow, one where I can guide and support her and where she feels empowered to dream just as big,” said Blandon.

Just as those values were instilled into Blandon, she hopes to teach her sister that no dream is too big and that her opportunities are endless. She also wants to support her throughout her journey.

“I want to create the same safe space for her that was created for me, a space where she feels confident, supported and limitless. Most importantly, I want to show her that sí se puede!”

As Blandon looks back at her journey, she leaves upcoming seniors with the following advice: “Take in every moment, every thirsty Thursday, every meeting, every class because this chapter of your life goes by faster than you realize. Be gentle and kind to yourself. It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out or don’t know what your next steps are. We aren’t meant to have all the answers right away, and it’s okay to take your time.” 

“Remember, this is not a race, it’s a journey. Don’t feel pressured by the pace of others or by what the world expects of you. Everyone’s path looks different, and that’s okay. Trust yourself, stay grounded, and know that in the long run, you will end up exactly where you are meant to be,” said Blandon.