North Lenoir senior Melissa Espino builds a foundation for success
Like most members of the Class of 2025, Melissa Espino set her sights on college and, at the same time, worried about how to pay for those four years. Consider the goal met and the problem solved for the North Lenoir High School senior.
Melissa has earned one of the most prestigious academic honors in the state: selection for the Goodnight Scholars Program at NC State University. She was also a semi-finalist for the Park Scholarship, making her one of the top scholarship contenders in North Carolina. Melissa’s achievements reflect her commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.
As a newly minted Goodnight Scholar, Melissa will join a select group of about 100 first-year students chosen from some 1,600 North Carolina students invited to apply for the scholarship. The months-long selection process culminated with interviews for 180 finalists on the NCSU campus in February and concluded with the notification of winners earlier this month. With Melissa in the winner’s circle is North Lenoir High classmate Lillian Daughety, constituting a first-time achievement for North Lenoir and a rare achievement for any high school.
The Goodnight Scholars Program is a highly competitive scholarship designed to support students from North Carolina pursuing STEM-related fields at NC State. Scholars are selected based on academic merit, service, and leadership, and they receive a full-ride scholarship along with extensive professional development opportunities.
A dedicated student leader, Melissa serves as the Student Government Association President, National Technical Honor Society President, and North Lenoir’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter President. Her leadership extends beyond her school, as she is also the North Carolina Southeast Regional FFA President, collaborating with students across the region to promote agricultural education. Melissa’s passion for agriculture and animal science was sparked by her older sister, Elizabeth- a former North Carolina FFA State President and current NLHS horticulture educator.
“That summer, when they were redoing the Ag hallways, my sister brought me along and said, ‘Hey, if you help us paint, we’ll treat you to lunch,’” Melissa recalled. That experience led to years of hands-on agricultural learning, including raising and showing animals and starting her own pet-sitting business. At NC State, Melissa plans to major in animal science with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.
“At first, I thought I would do small animals,” she said. “I love working with dogs, cats, even turtles and guinea pigs. But through FFA and 4-H, I’ve had so many hands-on experiences with larger animals like cows and pigs, now I’m not so sure.” She also hopes to minor in agricultural business to prepare for potentially opening her own veterinary clinic in the future. Beyond agriculture, Melissa is an active member of North Lenoir’s drama department.and serves as president of her school’s Student Government Association and National Technical Honor Society.
Academically, Melissa has embraced a rigorous course load, including Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses at Lenoir Community College. She is on track to earn an Associate in Arts degree before graduating from North Lenoir. Melissa credits her teachers, mentors, and advisors for their support throughout her high school career. “Without my advisors, teachers, and mentors, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. “They really helped push me, especially my senior year, and all those recommendation letters they wrote for me made a big difference.” As she prepares for her next chapter at NC State, Melissa’s dedication, leadership, and perseverance continue to pave the way for a bright future.
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