Happy, fun, compassionate senior Olivia Melazzo will attend Delaware Valley University to pursue a career in animal science. She has been an outgoing student here at Bangor with participation in Soda Club, Ecology Club, Literary Magazine, and stage crew!

What are your favorite classes? What was it about these classes that thrilled you?
Environmental Science: I really enjoyed learning how to properly conduct and present research. Getting to make my own research project was a lot of fun and allowed me to work hands-on something I’m passionate about. I also enjoyed assisting others with their projects. I made a lot of good friends in that class and enjoyed presenting my research at a bunch of colleges.

Ceramics: This course is a lot of fun, it’s a break from academics and gives me a chance to make a range of projects of my choosing. I would recommend this class to anyone. I’ve made a birdhouse, candle holder, chip and dip bowl, and a bunch of other things. I like that I get to choose what to make and how to paint it.

What are some positive adjectives that your friends would use to describe you?
Happiness, fun, and compassion are definitely qualities my friends would attribute to me. They often mention how my upbeat energy can turn any situation into a memorable moment, and they appreciate my ability to listen and offer support when they need it most. I strive to bring joy and positivity to those around me, and it’s heartening to know that my friends recognize and value these aspects of my personality.

What are your plans after high school (college, military, career path, etc.)? What do you hope to study? What career(s) appeal to you. Why?
I am going to attend Delaware Valley University to major in animal science before continuing to obtain my veterinary degree. I hope to go into private practice one day. I really enjoy working with animals, and our farms are super important, so working to maintain the health of our farm animals is a great way to invest in something I care about.

Describe, in detail, your ideal life 10 years from now.
I hope to have my own veterinary clinic that works to provide affordable solutions as well as alternative solutions if cost is an issue. I want it to be an ingenious space that allows for research and active outreach into the community. I would also like to run a small sustainable farm that produces enough food for my family while being an educational space for others. I hope to foster and adopt teens and give them a safe space to grow up.

What is your best high school memory and why?
I really enjoyed the football games. I would always go with my friends and walk around the field. They were exciting and I enjoyed standing in the student section with the quarry crew. Dressing to match the theme was always fun, and getting to learn all the chants made every game exciting, no matter what the score.

If there were a movie made about your high school days, what would be the title and which actor would play your part? Why?
“It was a Blur” would be the title because it really was, and I would be played by Ed Sheeran because he’s a fellow ginger, and his acting skills are decent, so I think he could pull it off.

Which event/events will you miss the most and why?
Football games, the bonfire, and the bike and boat trip. I really enjoyed going to games and really got into the school spirit. Getting to build the bonfire was a lot of fun, even if it was a bit difficult. It was fun to build up the tower with other seniors. The bike and boat trip is a fun event that the Ecology Club does every year. We go on a 3-mile bike ride and a 2-mile boat ride. I really enjoyed going out and spending the day outside with my friends.

Which artist could play the soundtrack to your high school career and why?
Conan Gray would play the soundtrack to my high school career. He sings a lot about small towns, hanging out with friends, and the general habits of people in high school. I often share the same views as him about high school, and I think he picks up on a lot of important things, but overall, his music is just great.

What is your favorite quote to live by and why?
“Be afraid and do it anyway.” Fear holds us back from doing lots of things, and it held me back from lots of things. I was waiting for me not to be afraid, but I learned you can’t wait until you’re not afraid, because you’ll be waiting forever. Lots of good has come from doing things I was scared to do, because I learned they weren’t scary, and I’ve had a lot of good experiences with this mindset.

Who will you remember most in Bangor and why?
Leea Ipanaque, she’s been my best friend all throughout high school. We clicked instantly during my sophomore year and have been inseparable ever since. She’s taught me to stand up for myself, speak my mind, and be more assertive. We have a lot of good memories together, and she made high school a lot of fun. We went to all the football games, dances, and school events together. We’d drag each other along to all those events, and because of that we went to almost every school event. She made high school memorable.

Who is your biggest mentor? Why?
I have two. Number one, I would say Mrs. Gee, she taught me how to time manage and think of a problem logically. It’s an important skill to have and I’m grateful for her. Number two would be Mr. Hachtman. Despite my lack of background knowledge, he allowed me to take the research course and gave me the tools to excel and discover my passions. Both teachers taught me I could accomplish more than what I expected and that with hard work, time, and patience, I was capable of anything.

What activities (sports, clubs, jobs) have you done throughout your high school career?
I am the secretary and a mentor in SODA (Students Organizing to Develop Attitudes) Club, a club devoted to mentoring kids from 5-7 grade. I am active in the Ecology club and Envirothon. I am the chief editor of our Literary Magazine, a student-led magazine that contains art and writing from the student body and faculty. I also am a member of the stage crew for the musicals. I am part of the scenic running crew.

Which of these activities is your favorite and why? What was/is your position in the activity? Why did this activity matter to you so much? List any accomplishments. 
I love Lit Mag; it’s filled with fun people who love literature and enjoy sharing ideas and opinions on literature and art. It’s a great way to give voice to the opinions and ideas of the students and faculty at Bangor. I am the chief editor of the club, so I work to edit, collect content, and promote the magazine. I also enjoy SODA Club, where I am the secretary and a mentor. It’s a great club, and really invests in the kids that will eventually come to Bangor Area High School.