Biography
Melissa is a native and resident of San Diego County. Born to a Navy family, she was raised in the same small town of Vista, CA for 18 years (a miracle by military standards). Upon retiring from the Navy, her father took an interest in electronics and later videography. Her mother spent her entire career as a schoolteacher. That upbringing molded Melissa into who she is today: a schoolteacher with a love for technology.
A graduate of Vista High School in 1990, Melissa went on to major in English and minor in Communications at Holy Names University. Melissa yearned to be in news broadcasting. So during that time, she interned with KPIX, in San Francisco, as a production assistant. It was a short-term assignment that threw a small fish into a large pond. Suddenly, journalism didn't seem to fit this small-town girl's personality. However, the diversity and eclectic tone of the Bay Area convinced her to stay after college. She saved money for a year, and then took off backpacking through Europe, the former Soviet Union, and finally the rare niches of the United States. After returning to California, like every college-grad-gone-backpacking-for-three-months, she was broke. Melissa took up room and board at Casa de los Padres until she could figure out what she could do with that blessed English degree.
Melissa couldn’t fathom living with her parents all over again - not after of her great summer of independence. She wanted to give broadcasting another shot. So she enrolled in some community college courses to reintroduce herself to the field. In the meantime, her mother suggested substitute teaching to replenish her funds. Soon another internship popped up, this time with KGTV in San Diego. Ultimately, her impression of news hadn't changed. It just wasn't for her. Back to square one...or maybe not. As much as she hated to admit it, she DID enjoy teaching. It made sense to get a teaching degree and turn her situation into something stable.
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