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Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 5:57 PM
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WNC Fallon Grad Jump Starts Career with Dancing

  • Source: Western Nevada College Information and Marketing
WNC Fallon Grad Jump Starts Career with Dancing
Melanie Plasse with NSHE Regent Cathy McAdoo, WNC President Dr. Vincent Solis

Melanie Plasse’s academic achievements would thrill any high school student and their parents.

For one, she is the Jump Start valedictorian for Churchill County High School.

Furthermore, Plasse earned an associate degree through Western Nevada College’s Jump Start program before realizing her high school diploma, graduating on Thursday morning on the Fallon campus.

“She's one of our rock stars,” said WNC Fallon Campus Director Holly O'Toole, who is equally impressed with Plasse's work in the college's library where she shows “professionalism, helpfulness and excellent customer service.”

However, Plasse’s academic accolades and people skills are only part of her success story. As a high school freshman, Plasse was diagnosed with scoliosis, the sideways curvature of the spine. Not exactly what an aspiring dancer initially wants to hear.

“We found that I did not have enough muscle around my spine and in my back to help properly support my developing spine, so my chiropractor encouraged me to dance,” Plasse said. “Dancing allows me to work with every muscle in my back, neck, abdomen, and arms to give me the proper support I need. It also keeps me flexible and mobile, helping my joints grow accordingly.”

Three years later, Plasse has danced and studied her way into the University of Utah’s prestigious School of Dance. That honor didn't happen until Plasse auditioned for the program.

“I’m so so happy that I was one of the few selected,” she said. “The University of Utah is a classified school of dance and I am honored to be represented there.

“I have always had a passion for dancing; it gives me joy in this world. I didn't let this inconvenience stop me from doing what I love, and I am thankful that I have the opportunity to continue my passion with other professionals.”

At Utah, she will double major in Modern Dance and Applied Positive Psychology. Following graduation, she hopes to combine those two passions into a career of sports psychology.

“My goal is to one day work with athletes or dancers to improve the mental aspect of their talent,” Plasse said. “Helping them overcome anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD or any other mental blocks they may face helping them become the strongest athlete they can become.”

In becoming one of 139 graduates from WNC’s Jump Start College this spring, Plasse has enjoyed challenging herself and being around other students committed to excellence.

“I loved being in a classroom setting with other students who wanted to be there,” she said. “I was able to challenge myself academically and take on harder classes that pushed me to my limits. I loved the professional setting WNC offers, and as a high school student, I felt like this opportunity allowed me to grow my maturity and in a more adult setting.”

That undaunted approach and conscientious work made her graduation from WNC even more special.

“It means to me that all my hard work over the last two years is shown here at this moment,” she said. “The whole reason I am here is to work toward my degree and it is these long-term goals and rewards that can get lost along the way. All the countless nights of homework or studying for finals, it’s this moment of graduation that makes all those strenuous nights worth it. It is my reward and what I have been looking forward to these past two years.”

            For more information about WNC’s Jump Start College and high school dual enrollment programs, go to https://www.wnc.edu/high-school-programs/ or contact Tricia Wentz at [email protected].

 


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July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 1
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Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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