Abbotsford Lions Club names Mireles-Melgarejo Student of the Quarter

Abbotsford High School senior Emely Mireles-Melgarejo has been named the Abbotsford Lions Club Student of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year.
Mireles-Melgarejo carries a rigorous class schedule which includes Trigonometry, World Designer 1, Written Communication, Publishing, Fab Lab, Spanish for Heritage Speakers and Mixed Choir. Her co-curricular activities include Student Senate, Spanish Club and Forensics. She has also participated on the volleyball team.
Spanish teacher Brian Popp highly recommended her for the Student-of-the-Quarter award.
“Emely is an exceptionally responsible individual,” Popp said. “She consistently meets deadlines, engages actively in class discussions, takes initiative in her learning and manages her time effectively, approaching her studies with a level of maturity that is commendable for her age. Additionally, she possesses a positive attitude and approaches challenges with enthusiasm and resilience.
“Her optimism is infectious, which encourages collaboration and drive for learning among her classmates,” he said. “Her pleasant demeanor makes her a joy to be around; her ability to connect with others and maintain a friendly rapport is a testament to her strong interpersonal skills. She is an exceptional candidate for this honor; I am confident that she will continue to excel and make meaningful contributions to her community.”

Mireles-Melgarejo’s volunteerism attests to her belief in community service. She has been actively involved by participating in the Christmas Parade and assisting in her church youth group, Booster Club concession stands, youth volleyball camps, Child Development Days and parent-teacher conferences.
When asked to identify an outstanding feature of the community, here was her reply:
“Having the resources for different cultures and ethnicities expresses our growth as a school and a community,” Mireles-Melgarejo said. “As a student, I’ve seen other students who speak little to no English express and speak their feelings with such comfort and confidence that it brings me joy and pride to be part of a community with such a diverse population.”
She also was asked what she thought is a major world problem.
“I would solve addiction and drug abuse, a global issue that for decades seems to keep increasing,” Mireles-Melgarejo said. “Putting your best food forward and realizing that the substances you are consuming are not ideal for your health could save your life.”
Emely previously worked at Rustic House Cleaning LLC. After graduation, she plans to attend UW-Whitewater, majoring in Democracy and Justice Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice, ultimately becoming a public defender.
She is the daughter of Emelia Melgarejo, of Abbotsford.