Alumni Spotlight
Honorable Melody McDonald Wilkinson, Crowley High School, Class of 1981
The 17th District Court of Texas judge has collected many professional honors and awards in the span of her
established law career. She is a great leader in our justice system, serving as president of the Texas Association
of District Judges. Wilkinson has also previously been president of the Tarrant County Bar Association, Texas
Young Lawyers Association and Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, as well as chair of the
Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation.
What are your best memories from growing up in
Crowley?
Wilkinson: “I enjoyed twirling the baton at Friday night
football games and pep rallies. I began twirling the baton
at H.F. Stevens Middle School and continued through
my four years in college. However, the camaraderie that I
had with my classmates and teachers was the best part of
my experience at Crowley ISD. There were quite a few of
us when we graduated who had known each other since
kindergarten and grade school. Periodically, I still get
together with my classmates or teachers. Facebook has been
a great tool for organizing gatherings and catching up.”
Wilkinson (left) was a baton twirler at Crowley High School and
continued to twirl for four years at Angelo State University.
Who were some of your influential teachers?
Wilkinson: “I had wonderful teachers at Bess Race
Elementary, H.F. Stevens Middle School and Crowley
High School. My experiences with my teachers in
Crowley ISD were so positive that I was torn whether
to become a teacher or a lawyer. I am teacher-certified
in secondary English and Government. Interestingly, I
never taught and instead went immediately to law school
following graduation from college. Some of my favorite
high school teachers included Ann Tyler, Barbara
Crowley, Janet Henderson, Peggy Dietz and band
director, Layton Keith. They, along with other teachers,
were formative in creating the ideas, beliefs and values
that embody the adult that I am today.”
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Wilkinson posing with her children - Emily, Ned and Elizabeth -
and her mother, Bonnie McDonald.
When did you know you wanted to practice law?
Wilkinson: “I always knew I either wanted to be a teacher
or a lawyer. When I was 5 years old, my grandmother
told me that I liked to argue so much that I should be a
lawyer. Despite being the first in my family to graduate
from college, I always remembered my grandmother’s
words about becoming a lawyer. Beginning at age 14,
I began working for law firms in the summers. I ran
errands and performed general office duties. It is hard
for me to believe that I filed papers at the courthouse
in the 1970s and 1980s, and today I have the honor and
privilege of going to work at the courthouse every day as
judge of the 17th District Court.”
What is it like to be a judge?
Wilkinson: “Being a judge is a
great job! One of the best parts
about being a lawyer is going to
trial. One of the best parts about
being a judge is that you have lots
of trials. Every day on the bench
is different. People have unique
disputes. It is rewarding knowing
that I am making a difference in
people’s lives. I enjoy carefully
listening to the facts of a case and making decisions. I
particularly enjoy interacting with juries and helping
people find closure in their disputes.”
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