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Life's hurdles inspire Morrilton girl to help others

Melina Cambiano went from foster care to honors grad at Sacred Heart in Morrilton

Published: May 23, 2013   

By Dwain Hebda
Associate Editor

Dwain Hebda
Melina Cambiano graduated with honors from Sacred Heart High School in Morrilton May 18. She plans to study print journalism at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

When Melina Cambiano returned to Sacred Heart High School for her senior year, it was as if she’d never left Morrilton. Many classmates she left behind in sixth grade were still there and the school building felt so familiar she didn’t have many of the usual “new kid” issues.

But after what she’s overcome in life, a mere change of scenery probably wouldn’t have thrown her for a loop anyway.

Cambiano, who graduated May 18 with honors, overcame the splintering of her family at age 14 that landed her in foster care at Arkansas Baptist Home for Children in Monticello. The situation was difficult and confusing, even more so by being the only Catholic there. As she leaned heavily on her Catholic faith, she quickly became something of a curiosity.

“It was almost like, ‘Hey, we have a Catholic out back,’” she said. “My faith was a really big thing for me because when you’re just picked up one day and moved, with none of your possessions, all you can do is believe that somehow you’re going to be OK.”

Cambiano’s dedication to her faith piqued the curiosity of a house parent, who asked her questions about the Catholic Church.

“She was really open and she asked a lot of questions,” Cambiano said. “She wasn’t being judgmental; she just really wanted to know the differences between being Baptist and being Catholic.”

In return, Cambiano witnessed the kinder side of human nature in the way the staffer cared for the young people there. It shaped her system of values and her outlook on the future.

Returning to Morrilton in 2012 to live with her grandmother, Cambiano put her philosophy into practice and was noticed by teachers and peers alike. They point to this year’s prom as one example.

Cambiano’s family couldn’t afford formal attire and tickets for both her and her younger brother, a Sacred Heart freshman. When she found out her brother would have to miss the event, Cambiano approached school administrators, making arrangements to cover the costs so that he could attend.

“He was really surprised when he found out he got to go,” she said. “He kind of annoyed me because he wouldn’t dance, but I think he had a really good time.”

Cambiano will attend the University of Central Arkansas, studying print journalism. To her knowledge, she would be the first in her family to get a degree. The impending change is a little unsettling to think about, but nothing she can’t handle.

“I hear statistics that say because I was in foster care, I’m going to grow up to be a horrible parent,” she said. “That just makes me want to prove people wrong. You can’t listen to what other people say.”

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