As I reflect over the years that I attended The Rock School, many of the great memories that I have are not uncommon to the typical student: participation in team sports, auditioning for the school play, going on field trips, and more. Programs and events like these are offered at any school. However, I believe the one factor that sets The Rock School apart from the rest, and that made my experience there so memorable, was the people that I spent every day with.

My favorite part of going to school was the camaraderie I experienced with my classmates and teachers. They were like a second family for me. From the time I stepped into the classroom on the first day of fourth grade, to the day I gave my salutatorian speech at my high school graduation ceremony, I always felt completely at ease, knowing that I was accepted, respected, and cared for. The school's small class sizes nurtured an environment where no student was unnoticed or unimportant.

I considered the school to be a safe place; I never once had to worry about being bullied by my peers, treated unfairly by a teacher, or disregarded by staff members. It was just the opposite; my classmates were my best friends, and my personal growth was just as important to my teachers as my academic performance. That collective camaraderie created a fun and relaxed setting to learn and develop, and I really thrived!

I am proud to be a part of The Rock School family of alumni, and I will always be grateful for the lifelong friendships that were formed there.

Melissa Segarra graduated from The Rock School with the Class of 2002. She was awarded a Florida Bright Future Scholarship and attended the University of Florida. During her studies, Melissa was selected for a competitive internship on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. under then-Florida Senator Bob Graham. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing, graduating cum laude in 2006. After graduating, Melissa went to work for Pulte Homes, Corp. as a Marketing Coordinator, where she has worked for the past 2 and a half years. Melissa and husband Juan Segarra, whom she married in 2005, currently live and work in Ocala, FL.