Tayra Meléndez ’12: Modeling Leadership and Dedication for Women in Sports

At Rivers, Meléndez was described as a “genuine citizen of the school community, a talented artist, and one of the most skilled basketball players in Rivers’ history.” As a psychology major at the University of Rhode Island (URI), Meléndez captained the basketball team and became one of only two players in school history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, and 150 blocks. Her excellence extended beyond college as she represented Puerto Rico in two Olympic Games—Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. She played professionally in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, and Croatia, winning two national league championships and being named Finals MVP in 2021.

Off the court, Meléndez has been a devoted coach and mentor—beginning as a coach at Rivers and extending to the Amateur Athletic Union circuit and collegiate basketball programs. She was appointed director of basketball operations at URI, then joined the Saint Francis University Red Flash, assisting with player development, scouting opponents, and recruiting.

Said Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem, “Her journey is a model of what it means to live with determination, resilience, and passion. [Meléndez] is inspiring the next generation 

of scholar-athletes and breaking boundaries for women in sport.”

Meléndez could not accept her award in person at Reunion due to basketball commitments in Amsterdam, but she expressed her gratitude in writing. “Rivers played a vital role in my life, and I am proud to say I am an alum. Having to wake up every morning at 5:00 a.m., take a public bus, public train, and school bus just to make it to school on time showed me responsibility, dedication, and commitment,” she said. “I will forever be indebted to Rivers for the opportunities it has given me, for the people I met and who still remain in my life, and for the basketball player and, importantly, the woman I have become today—a woman who set goals for herself that seemed impossible and then reached them with integrity and perseverance. That is something I learned at Rivers.”