Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Melissa was exposed to the outdoors from many camping, hiking, and backpacking trips near Lake Tahoe and Desolation Valley.
Throughout high school, Melissa was an active Girl Scout member, soccer player, pianist, and ballerina. As a Girl Scout, Melissa completed her Silver, Rose and Gold Awards, each emphasizing a service project that would give back to the community continually.
Currently, Melissa is a third year Environmental Management and Protection major in the Natural Resource Department at California Polytechnic State University, with a specific concentration of Environmental Policy and Management. Melissa currently serves as President of the student chapter of Association of Environmental Professionals and Program Director of the Language Outreach and Opportunities to Kids community service program.
In her free time, Melissa plays intramural soccer and volleyball, and in her free time she likes to hike, boogie board, sew, travel, and read fiction novels. A new budding passion of Melissa’s has been one of exploration cooking, to learn the basics as well as other cooking techniques that require a little more spice!