By Gary Lloyd
CLAY — Melissa Lopresti, a senior at Clay-Chalkville High School, was honored as a teen spotlight in Potential magazine and featured alongside her mom Tina Lopresti.
Lopresti’s been dancing since she was 3, an activity that has since evolved into a passion, earning her numerous recognitions at the United Dance Association such as all-star dancer, national dance team finalist and individual superior ratings for six years. At Clay-Chalkville Middle and Clay-Chalkville High schools, Lopresti served as co-captain and captain of the dance team. She’s also choreographed dance numbers during an internship with her youth pastor and acted as assistant director of church productions.
Academically, Lopresti also leads in her performance. She maintains a 3.97 GPA, holds a membership in the National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society, as well as membership in Mu Alpha Theta. In addition to tutoring fellow students after school, she also helps in her community. Clay Mayor Charles Webster recognized Lopresti’s community service efforts.
“She has worked tornado relief helping provide necessities to people who lost their homes, delivered meals and helped with tornado cleanup,” Webster said.
Following graduation, Lopresti plans to become an educator and attend UAB.
Potential magazine is a multimedia resource for parents of college-bound teenagers. In each issue, high achieving students in the seventh through 12th grades are featured and nominated for the “Reach Your Potential” scholarship.
Teens are recommended by their school or community leaders for excelling in one or more of the following areas: academics, business, leadership, philanthropy, overcoming adversity, citizenship and community service, athletics, and the arts. Potential magazine’s advisory board chooses teens each issue to feature and select which of the finalists will receive the $500 scholarship.
Nomination forms are available at www.potentialmagazine.com.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.