Katelyn Clark-Martin
BHS student intern
   BRIGHTON – Entering her final year of high school, Melissa Laurienti has had many goals and responsibilities that she continues to work toward.
    Not only is she a starting defensive specialist on the varsity team, she has managed to balance school and work alongside and excel in all three. Her accomplishments include staying on the honor roll thorough out her high school career and receiving academic excellence awards.
    “Working gives me a sense of responsibility and, most importantly, independence. I don’t like to be dependent on people and am a do it yourselfkind of person, I try to help my family out by working to pay for things by myself,” said Laurienti.
    She has also been a lifeguard for the Brighton Recreation Center and outdoor pool for two years. She also received employee of the month in the beginning of this year.
    The high school senior is no stranger to time management.
    “It’s all about managing your time right. I save time for friends and other things after work, on the weekends and sometimes during the week after practices,” said Laurienti.
The key to managing her time successfully is balance. Keeping herself on a schedule helps her immensely.
    “I go to school during the day, then go to a friend’s house while relaxing. Then I head to volleyball practice every evening from 5 to 7. After volleyball I usually eat dinner and do all my homework,” said Laurienti. “I am usually able to do my homework pretty fast despite the hard classes I’m enrolled in.”
    Luckily, her employer works with her busy schedule.
    “I have a job that is very flexible with hours. They allow me to work on the weekends – 12-6 on Saturdays and 9-5 on Sundays,” said Laurienti.
    Education is Laurienti’s top priority.
    “School is something I will need all my life. So I try to do the best I can by asking AP and honors classes so I am well-prepared for the future,” said Laurienti.
    She plans on attending Colorado State University the University of California Los Angeles and majoring in zoology.
    “I have wanted to be a wildlife biologist since I was little and can’t wait to begin my journey. I plan to travel and study animals in different places around the world before I settle down and start a family,” said Laurienti.
    To keep her good grades she does whatever it takes to get homework and other school projects completed.
    “If I don’t finish my homework during the night, I will either wake up early the next morning or find time between classes or during my lunch,” said Laurienti. “I play volleyball because it is something that I love to do, and it is a great stress reliever. It is the one thing I do just for myself.”
    Laurienti has excelled in volleyball as well. She has played on varsity for two years. She has lettered both years. Not only is Laurienti involved in school, work and volleyball, she also has stepped out to school clubs.
    “I am in student government and have been chair committee member for many events. I am in DECA, also attended the state competition, and made it into the finals in a role play event. I lettered my junior year. I am also in National Honor Society. We do many fundraising events for the DANI’s foundation and also are required to complete 20 hours of community service per semester,” said Laurienti.
    She is involved in Brighton Sister Cities and traveled to Ziebice, Poland, during the summer of 2010.
    “The thing that drives me to balance all of these things at once is my opinion that I will have to continue to manage my time throughout my life. So why not start now?” she said. “I also like to keep myself busy. It keeps me healthy, productive and I believe, successful,” said Laurienti.
    Laurienti and the rest of the Bulldogs host Horizon at 7 p.m., Sept. 8.

Contact Katelyn Clark-Martin at 303-659-2522, ext. 224, or at sports@metrowestnewspapers.com.