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Melissa Daugherty
When Melissa Daugherty claimed the Annie Powe Hopper Award, VSU’s highest academic honor, she was representing more than just her own efforts. She stood in front of the crowd as a daughter, who’s biggest supporter is her mom; a teacher, who now leads students at Valdosta High School through literature classes; a philanthropist, who helped to raise more than $2,000 for the National Eating Disorders Association; and an athlete, only the fourth to ever claim the prestigious award.
Named after VSU’s first dean of women, the Annie Powe Hopper Award marks the apex of accomplishment in one’s university career and recipients must stand high academically and exemplify the tradition of Valdosta State and those traits of character and dignity associated with the late Annie Powe Hopper. The loving teacher, who lived in Italy for four years and sings every chance she gets, certainly epitomizes the qualities of the late Ms. Hopper.
While at VSU, Daugherty maintained a 3.96 GPA and achieved all-state and all-conference honors as a member of the cross country team. She led the VSU team in all six races as a senior. She has been honored many times during her academic career, a path she chose because of her love for literature during high school.
“I want to be one of those teachers who inspires others to enjoy and connect with literature,” the athlete, who has run in two marathons, said. “My long term plans include teaching long-term and always positively impacting students’ lives.
Academic Year: Alumna since December 07
GPA: 3.96 upon graduation
Degree Objective: Secondary Education/English
Employer: Valdosta High School, teaching world and British literature
Hometown: Valdosta
High school: Lowndes High
Academic achievements/awards/recognition:
Recipient of the Charles McDaniel Scholarship
Dean's list every semester
Student-Athlete Academic Award (2006)
University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award
Summa Cum Laude Graduate
Annie Powe Hopper Award
University career highlights: Besides the awards listed above, I was also a cross-country athlete for VSU. I was named to the All-State team each year, as well as 1st team All-Conference, and All-Academic. I won the award for Most-Valuable Runner all 3 years of my participation (2004-2006). In high school, I won every Region title for cross-country and track (1600 and 3200 meters runs): 12 titles total.
I chose to attend VSU because… they have an outstanding secondary education department and a successful, growing athletic organization that I was proud to be a part of.
My favorite things to do on campus… were eat and study outside, surrounded by the beautiful scenery.
When I have free time, I like to… sing, play sports, and spend time with loved ones.
My favorite place to study is… outside.
The most exciting thing I've done is… perform on stage with a popular band here in town (and around the southeast) named The River!
My favorite professor was… Dr. Robbie Strickland.
My favorite class was… any British Literature course
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with… my boyfriend Chauncey.
If I knew I could not fail, I would… influence everyone to do something for someone else at least once a day.
The three words that best describe me are… energetic, funny and optimistic
Growing up, the person I looked up to the most was… my mom.
The things that I will miss the most about college are… the trips with my cross-country teammates.
The one VSU experience I will always remember is… walking across the stage at graduation.