2025 Essay - Becca Melito Edit page

• Share with us a significant memory of your life in the PVVW community.

212 Sandee Road has always been more than just an address to me, it has been the backdrop to all 18 years of my life. From my first day of kindergarten at Pinewood Elementary to my last day of senior year at Dulaney High School, my front yard has witnessed every milestone, every scrapped knee, every lemonade stand, and every celebration. Pine Valley-Valleywood is not just where I live, it's where I belong because it’s composed of neighbors who feel like family and an infinite amount of memories that have grown alongside me. It is this amazing community that has shaped who I am today.

One way our neighborhood's sense of community has grown stronger is through our family's journey of fostering animals. So far we've helped find loving homes for seven dogs which were adopted by families right here in Pine Valley-Valleywood. What started as a way to help animals in need quickly became a way to connect with our neighbors, and these interactions often led to long conversations, shared stories, and new friendships. As word spread that we fostered, more and more people came to us when they were ready to adopt a dog or cat. Now when I walk down the street, I smile and wave at Nola, one of our former fosters, peeking through her fence, happily settled just a few houses away. I still remember carrying her over to her new home as a puppy and seeing the excitement on her new family's faces. Our next door neighbors, the Kauffman’s adopted Ollie from us. My dad cut a small window in the fence between our yards so our dogs and Ollie can greet one another and watch one another. It’s little moments like these that have made me feel rooted here. Fostering didn’t just help the animals, it helped create stronger, more compassionate connections across our block.

• Why do you want to further your education?

My love of animals, which began at a young age and was maintained through years of fostering, has grown into a lifelong passion. Our family has now cared for over 72 foster animals over the past decade, each one reinforcing my desire to dedicate my life to the well-being of animals. Watching sick puppies recover, helping shy cats find comfort, and seeing the joy on neighbors’ faces as they welcome a new pet into their homes have inspired me to continue my education at Clemson University this fall, where I plan to study animal and veterinary sciences. I hope to become a veterinarian not only to care for animals, but to support families and communities like mine who understand how deeply animals enrich our lives. Furthering my education is the next step in turning my passion into a profession where I can make a real, lasting difference.

• What extra-curricular activities are you involved in?

Throughout high school, I’ve been deeply involved in extracurricular activities that have shaped me as both a student and a leader. I played varsity soccer for three years and varsity lacrosse all four years at Dulaney High School, proudly serving as captain of both teams during my senior year. These sports have been a part of my life since childhood, starting with casual games at Pinewood Elementary’s fields and in my backyard and in my neighbor’s backyards with my siblings and neighborhood friends. These peers taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance which I now carry with me off the field as well. Beyond athletics, I’ve been a committed member of the National Honor Society at Dulaney High since sophomore year. I have been a member of One Love since freshman year, an organization that promotes healthy relationships and education about abuse prevention. These activities have not only strengthened my time management and leadership skills, but have also helped me stay grounded in values that matter to me: community, compassion, and commitment.

As I prepare to take the next step in my journey, I carry Pine Valley-Valleywood with me. From the front yard of 212 Sandee Road to the fields of Dulaney High, every experience has helped shape the person I am today: someone who values connection, leads with purpose, and is passionate about making a difference. Clemson University is where I hope to build on that foundation, turning years of compassion, hard work, and community involvement into a future of service and care as a veterinarian. No matter where life takes me, I know I will always be rooted in the strong sense of community that helped me grow.