Belgreen student's average near perfection

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
BELGREEN-Every grade level in every school across the nation has one overachiever in it; someone who goes above and beyond what is expected of him or her, and strives for perfection.
Melissa (Bendall) Welch is that student for next year's freshman class at Belgreen High School. She earned seven certificates, five plaques and two trophies during the 2006-07 school year, and she doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
"I won't settle for something that is just average," Welch said of her drive for perfection.
Welch is ranked at the top of her class, with a 99.074 grade average for her entire eighth grade year.
"I always try to do my best so I try to get ahead by learning things before we get to them in class," Welch said.
Welch will begin earning credits toward an Advanced Diploma next year with her eye on an academic scholarship.
"I want to get a scholarship to Auburn," Welch said of her ambitions after graduation in 2011.
While she knows where she wants to go, Welch isn't sure of her career path just yet, but she has thought about becoming a teacher some day.
"I like different things like writing and math, but I am not sure what I want to do yet," Welch said.
Her mother, Tonya Welch, said that Welch has always been an overachiever and that she has always aspired to do her best.
Welch said that she loves to learn new things but her favorite part of school is the different projects that are assigned to her.
"We mad a pinata in Spanish and life size medieval people for history this year," Welch said. "They were both fun."
This summer, Welch plans to spend her time like many teenagers do. She plans to swim, and read.
Welch resides with her younger sister, Alanis, and her parents Tonya and Tony Welch in Belgreen. She is the granddaughter of Harold and Gail Phifer of Russellville.