Melissa Legaspi Introduction by Vanessa Galban

My name is Vanessa Galban and I’m here to speak on behalf on my friend Melissa Legaspi.

When you see Melissa walking around campus, you probably wouldn’t think she’s capable of much. I mean, she’s so little. She may be little, but she’s got one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever known.

We met back in 2001 in 7th grade biology class. After the end of that year, I convinced her to join the Wilson cheerleading squad for our 8th grade year. She was a little skeptical about it, since she was a “macho” football player and all, but since she was so small I knew she’d like being tossed up in the air for stunts. That 8th grade year I also got her to play softball with me. We quickly became inseparable. We did absolutely everything together and have remained incredibly close the past six years.

Melissa has achieved many things during her stay here at Glendale High. Who else do you know that can say they were on the softball team, the national champion drill team and a starter on the JV football team? With all these extra curricular activities she still maintained a solid G.P.A, and volunteered hundreds of hours as a youth counselor at the YMCA Summer Camps helping young kids develop self-esteem. Oh, and she was a Homecoming Princess this year, too.

She is the perfect definition of the line “big things come in small packages.” She’s beautiful, talented in everything she does, dedicated beyond belief, and athletic. She’s a leader and role model on and off the softball field. And she’s also a great friend.

There is no doubt in my mind that whatever school Melissa decides to go to, whatever she does in life, she will excel.

Will Melissa and her family please join me on stage?