ENHS Alumni Spotlight
Alessandra Ochoa
ENHS Graduation Year * 2005
Post-high school education/major/minor/ college degree(s) Doctorate of Pharmacy, the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Class of 2011
Current occupation/Job title * Pharmacist
Organization * Ochoa’s Pharmacy
Who influenced you most during your time at ENHS? * The person who most influenced me during my years at ENHS would have to be Mr. Manuel Saenz, Jr., my mariachi director and later, STC Art Appreciation instructor. I remember going into freshman year, taking a chance, and getting out of my comfort zone by auditioning for the mariachi group, Mariachi Oro. From the first practice we had as a group, I was hooked. Mr. Saenz was our director those four years I was at ENHS and made every single practice and competition so fun and memorable. He is one of those teachers that truly dedicates himself to his students. Mr. Saenz not only taught us about mariachi music, but he also taught us life lessons that I still put to use today. Mr. Saenz truly loves what he does. He loves music, art, and teaching his students. He taught us to do what we love, to give everything 110%, and to never forget to smile and enjoy the moment. I am so thankful and grateful that I took a chance and went to that mariachi practice because I had the best four years there at Edinburg North.
Share your best high school memory. * One of my favorite memories has to be competing in
mariachi competitions around the state (especially the time we beat the National Champions - Roma!). From the bus rides to the actual competitions, to get to open for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, they were all amazing experiences that I’ll never forget.
What is the most important thing you learned while you were at ENHS? * The most important
thing I learned at ENHS was the value of hard work. The hard work that you put in determines the outcome. Whether it was through classes, tennis practice, band, or mariachi practice, if you didn’t put in the work, then you wouldn’t have success. Getting through AP classes, and AP exams all required hard work and definitely prepared me for the challenging college courses I would have in the future.
What advice does have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience
at ENHS? * My biggest piece of advice would be to slow down and enjoy your time at ENHS.
Everyone is in such a rush to finish school, graduate, and grow up. Enjoy your classes, enjoy
the extracurricular activities, and enjoy the friendships that you make. High school only
happens once, and you don’t get that time back. Slow down, and truly enjoy the time you have. Some of my fondest memories are from tennis and mariachi competitions, and Friday
night football games with friends.
Describe ENHS in three words. * Unforgettable, Fun, and Inspiring!
How did your education at ENHS prepare you for what you are doing today? * I was very
blessed to have some amazing teachers and administration at Edinburg North that dedicated
themselves to seeing their students succeed. Taking AP classes and participating in
extracurricular activities helped me learn how to manage my time effectively. There are
countless members of faculty and administration that played a role and positively influenced
me during my time at Edinburg North. I remember going on the college tour trip with the
counselors of ENHS at the time and getting to visit different campuses around the state.
Having that exposure, as well as guidance from teachers and counselors, helped solidify my
decision to pursue a career in healthcare.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment? * Vaccinating members of the community throughout the COVID pandemic. When COVID hit, everyone’s lives were impacted. As a pharmacist in the Rio Grande Valley, it changed how we operated our pharmacy as we adapted to providing our patients with the best possible healthcare. In February of 2021, we received our first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines. We were able to vaccinate a little over 200 people, many of whom were elderly and could not physically stand in the long lines that many clinics had for vaccines. Being able to provide those vaccines to members of the community, especially alongside my father, who is also a pharmacist, is definitely one of my proudest and most rewarding moments as a healthcare professional. As of today, we have administered over 10,000 vaccines to the community.
What advice would you give current ENHS students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in your professional field? * Hard work, dedication, and time management are extremely important in furthering your education. Being a healthcare professional has been extremely rewarding for me because I love what I do. In high school, I knew I wanted to help people, and I knew that pursuing a career in the medical field would require dedication, planning, and good grades to get into a competitive school. It was not easy by any means, but with the support and guidance of my family, my teachers, and other mentors, I was able to achieve my dream.
What is something people may not know about you? * I am a full time pharmacist and full-time mom to two beautiful children; my daughter Reagan, and my son Mark.