At the age of 18, Melanie's plans for college ended abruptly when her father murdered her mother, leaving her to raise her younger brother alone. Melanie's tremendous resilience and invincible spirit eventually led her to the HCC Honors Institute, where caring faculty and staff helped change the course of her life.
She completed her associate degree at HCC and went on to Mount Holyoke College. As Melanie works toward her bachelor's degree and a career as a teacher, she looks ahead to a bright future.