In the short few months of this quarter, Melissa Stitt-Dastous has been fast at work making a name for herself. The 17-year old Running Start student from Lakes High School began her recent rise to prominence by serving on the Students and Activities Budget Committee.

While on the committee, Stitt was able to see the direct impact her suggestions could have on campus operations, as well as on students. For that reason, she decided that a more organizational position would allow her to have an even greater and more positive impact.

In April, Student Leadership started accepting applicants for its vacant Student Relations Senator position. The new senator was to serve for the rest of spring quarter, and Stitt was presented with a perfect opportunity.

After applying, Stitt was promptly chosen for the position. She was also chosen to fill in for the vacant Clubs Senator position this quarter.

“All of the positive encouragement from everyone was really motivating. In high school I wasn’t accepted very much, I wasn’t really good at anything; I didn’t have any notable talents,” Stitt said. “But when I came to Pierce, they [Student Leadership] made me feel like I could be anything.”

The student relations senator is responsible, in part, for reaching out to students, preparing for, and managing several campus events. The tasks can be overwhelming, but Stitt maintains her resolve and adopts the necessary managerial skills to be an effective senator, “I’ve definitely learned to use a planner. Honestly, I don’t know where’d I’d be without it,” Stitt said.

Stitt has big plans for the future. “I want to be the CEO of a major corporation. I always thought there was something missing in me. But I love to come up with solutions; it’s my favorite thing to do. I want to be the hero of my own story,” Stitt said.

Although her run as senator will cease as the quarter comes to an end, Stitt fully intends to stay involved in student government, and has already applied to serve next year. “I won’t be leaving anytime soon,” Stitt said. “It’s been a great experience.”

Students interested in clubs or seeking information on upcoming events can contact Stitt at [email protected] or schedule an appointment during her office hours from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. She can also be found staring in the upcoming Ten-minute play festival.