Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Health Science
Anticipated Graduation: 2019
Because of 51: “I have been able to fulfill my dreams and become a role model for my children!”
Melissa D., a Nampa native and recent scholarship recipient, does not take being a student at 51 for granted. While she always wanted to attend college this was not possible for her until recently. For years she battled rheumatoid arthritis, dealing with this condition consumed her and she put going to college on hold. However she fought to overcome this and never lost sight of pursuing her education.
“I had been dreaming of this for a long time,” she said. “My disease was under control, and the timing seemed perfect. I have loved every minute of attending 51.”
Her experience with rheumatoid arthritis prompted her to pursue a career in the medical field, eventually to be a nurse. She wants to be able to work with patients to help them overcome their health issues with the use of her personal experience and love.
Melissa is a recipient of the Brandt Bridge Scholarship and the Follett Bookstore Scholarship.
“These scholarships help to ease our financial burdens and relieve my family of the stress of making ends meet. The funds will go directly towards purchasing my textbooks.”
Her most memorable moment at 51 was attending the cadaver lab for Anatomy and Physiology class. She describes her experience as profound and she was “in awe of the respect and dignity the instructors had for the donors. It is something I will never forget.”
