• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • News

Texas Student And Her 82-Year-Old Grandfather Are Enrolled at Same College

Rene Neira, 82, and his granddaughter Melanie Salazar, 18, are classmates at Palo Alto College in Texas.
Courtesy of Melanie Salazar
ByGood Morning America
August 29, 2016, 4:44 PM

— -- Melanie Salazar didn't think anything of it when she tweeted that she was extremely proud of her grandfather for going back to college to complete his associate's degree.

The 18-year-old first-year student at Palo Alto College in Texas couldn't have guessed that her post about her 82-year-old grandfather, Rene Neira, would go viral and in the process provide proof to many that it's never too late to go to college.

Salazar tweeted last week, "I'm so proud of my grandpa for finishing his first day at PAC this semester! 82 years old and not giving up!!!" The heartwarming message was retweeted more than 2,000 times.

Related Articles

Student With Down Syndrome Who Went Viral to Start College

Related Articles

College Roommates' Ultra-Chic Monogrammed Dorm Room Goes Viral

What's even better is that Neira is going to the same college as Salazar. While her grandfather is taking the last class he needs to for his associate's degree in economics, Salazar is majoring in liberal arts.

"I'm actually very undecided, but I had to put down something," she admitted.

Rene Neira, 82, is inspiring thousands online for finishing his associates degree in Economics at Palo Alto College in Texas.
Courtesy of Melanie Salazar

The student from San Antonio, Texas, never expected her message to go viral.

"Honestly to me it feels normal that I’m going to school with my grandpa," she told ABC News. "I look at my grandpa and I’m proud of him. This is a normal thing. It feels great and I’m very proud of him."

It's normal for Salazar because she has watched her grandfather take classes here and there throughout her childhood. When he graduates this fall, he plans to enroll at University of Texas at San Antonio to obtain his bachelor's degree.

Rene Neira, 82, is inspiring thousands online for finishing his associates degree in Economics at Palo Alto College in Texas.
Courtesy of Melanie Salazar

"I don’t want to take credit for it. It’s not my story. It’s all my grandpa's story. I just so happen to have social media," she said. "It’s amazing that it just took off and people are inspired by this and motivated, more importantly, to get their education."

Salazar said that her grandfather has also motivated her.

"It only motivates me more not to give up and figure out what I want to study specifically," Salazar said. "I know that if he can do it and I can definitely can do it."

Up Next in News—

US issues new alerts for citizens to travel with increased caution

June 23, 2025

Sherri Papini claims ex-boyfriend abducted her in 2016 hoax kidnapping case

June 20, 2025

Meet Opal Lee, the 'grandmother of the movement' to make Juneteenth a federal holiday

June 18, 2025

American tourists speak out after escaping Mount Etna eruption

June 3, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News