Patsy (now deceased) and Don Lee established a memorial scholarship for their daughter, LHHS graduate Melinda, killed by a drunk driver. Photo by James Coreas.

If you heard the story of Lake Highlands High grad Melinda Ann Lee being killed by a drunken driver, you might have been left feeling helpless. Melinda was beautiful, intelligent and popular that October day in 1994 when, while a junior at Texas Tech, she was struck while riding in a car. She lingered in ICU for 54 days in great pain before passing away.

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You can kick that helpless feeling in one of three ways: you can pledge not to drink and drive; you can donate to the Exchange Club scholarship for LHHS students in Lee’s name; or you can contribute to the “Melinda’s Porch” project to memorialize her.

Before Lee was killed, she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Texas Tech – the same chapter where her older sister, Jennifer, had been a member. Now, her 1993 pledge class is raising $50,000 to build The Melinda Lee 93 Memorial Porch – part of the sorority’s new house under construction on Tech’s Greek Circle. The house and porch will be dedicated Oct. 4.

If interested, you can mail a check in any amount to Gamma Rho Chapter House Corporation, P.O. Box 2363, Amarillo, TX 79105 and memo it “Melinda’s Porch.” You can also give via PayPal here. One of her pledge sisters has offered to match contributions made before May 30 up to $25,000.

Alpha Chi Omegas at Texas Tech will name “Melinda’s Porch” for Melinda Ann Lee, the LHHS grad killed in Lubbock by a drunk driver

Melinda Ann Lee

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  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.