Melissa Apolonio Venice Volleyball

Venice High School’s reputable victories in volleyball are outstanding at the very least, with team efforts that leave everyone astonished. While we often congratulate the school, it’s important to also recognize the individual team members- after all, they are the makeup of the team. Venice High School’s senior, Melissa Apolonio, has been a dedicated athlete and scholar with a passion for volleyball ever since her freshman year of high school. When asked what her favorite part of volleyball was, she answered, "I love that you have to try your hardest and you have to compete with other players." Her competitive and driven standpoint was an advantage on the playing field, and her coaches recognized that. While others may be disheartened by a little obstacle, Melissa strives to overcome any hurdle her way, exceeding expectations and using them to her advantage. With a little bit of time and support from her coaches, Melissa was able to surpass mental blocks and grow stronger over the years. A mindset like this got her committed to Stephen F. Austin State University where she will continue her volleyball career. Not only is her dedication to volleyball exceptional, but Melissa is also as much of a scholar as she is an athlete. Her determination and discipline didn’t allow her to lack scholarly focus although her success in volleyball flourished. She focused and studied hard for her goals to be an orthopedic PA, a strenuous career only accomplished through dedication and hard work. Melissa was never limited by the heights of her challenges and aspirations, in fact she believes that “If you want to succeed in something and you know your goals, even if they seem really big, you have to try your hardest.”