Q: Tell us about your experience as a Prendie student.
A: I graduated in 1991 and was the second in my family to attend Prendie. My sister, who is ten years older, went there first. I was fortunate enough to follow her path, and I loved it.
Coming from a single parent family, I worked outside of school and my mom paid what she could. The generosity of donors covered the rest of my tuition.
Q: What were the highlights of your time as a student?
A: There were so many highlights. My school experience set my moral and character foundation. I know I didn’t get to where I am today by myself - many people encouraged me and helped me succeed.
I took art classes for three of my four years at Prendie. One memorable art project was a set of postage stamps featuring characters from the popular show Cheers. A teacher saw it and asked to purchase it from me, which was a big deal. It was incredible when she called me into the hallway to tell me another teacher wanted to buy it.
Q: When did you decide to pursue art as a career?
A: After Prendie, I attended community college for two years. There, I realized how much I love drawing and art, especially pastels and large-scale art. After graduating with an associate degree, I worked for a few years doing all sorts of jobs to save money. While working for an optician, I taught myself how to create advertisements on a computer. It made me realize how much I love graphic design. At 22, I transferred to Rosemont College as a non-traditional student and graduated in 1998. It was a great choice because it was local, small, and affordable. Thanks to the loans and financial aid I received, I was able to focus on my education without having to worry about finances until after I graduated. It took me 10 years, but I proudly repaid those loans. My love for art and graphic design flourished there, cementing my decision to pursue a creative career. After Rosemont, I worked at Aramark, creating a vast array of graphics for them. I spent a couple of years there before deciding to look for a new opportunity.
Q: How did you land the job at the Philadelphia Phillies?
A: As a woman, you don’t realize how much you give everyone else the credit. When I responded to the newspaper ad for the job, I had no idea I was applying to work for the Phillies. The ad simply asked, "Do you like sports and graphic design?" So, I mailed in my resume to the P.O. Box provided. When my phone rang on
St. Patrick's Day and it was the Phillies, I was shocked and thrilled. They said, "Melissa! You applied to be the Graphic Coordinator for us." She asked me when I could come in, and I said, "Now!"
The funny part is that they had been looking for someone to fill this role for two years and couldn’t find the right person. Ironically, if I had known the job was for the Phillies, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to apply.
Q: What was the interview process like?
A: On the day of the interview, I got there three hours early. I called everyone I knew. I was so excited. I managed to stay in the interview for four hours, talking to everyone who crossed my path. I took a test to prove I could do what I said I could and, thankfully, passed. When I got the offer a few weeks later, I went to a local sports shop to buy a Phillies hat for a few of my professors, and mailed it to them. I knew then what I know now—I did not get here on my own!
Q: How long have you worked for the Phillies?
A: It was 24 years on April 3rd. I started as a Graphics Coordinator, moved up to Graphic Artist, and now I’m the Manager of Graphic Design. I deal mostly in print – cover designs, giveaways, brochures, logos, banners, billboards and even a couple of bus wraps.
Q: What is a day in the life of your role like?
A: Every day is different, depending on the time of year. I love being creative, thinking about design elements, and seeing my work come to life. Every time I see one of my designs in print, it’s still, after all of these years, so humbling and flattering. It’s a childhood dream come true for me. In second grade, I wrote a report about wanting to work for the Phillies one day, and it happened. I never take it for granted.
Q: What is a favorite Phillies piece you designed?
A: One of my favorites is the Pope Rookie Card. It was a simple baseball-themed design that featured the Pope’s stats and nicknames. It was displayed in the Hall of Fame and approved by the Vatican.
Knowing the Pope had one in his room when he visited Philadelphia was incredibly special.
Q: What role did Prendie play in your current career?
A: Prendie played a massive role in building my foundation. The school instilled in me strong moral values and the importance of being a good person. One of my favorite classes was 11th-grade Morality. It reinforced the idea that I never want to play a bad role in someone else’s story - I want to be a positive influence wherever I go. I stay connected with some of my Prendie classmates and cherish the lessons I learned there.
Q: What inspires you to donate to Bonner & Prendie?
A: Bonner & Prendie gave so much to me. The education, the traditions, and the community spirit were invaluable. The generosity of donors allowed me to attend, so it’s important for me to give back. I want to ensure others have the same opportunities I did to learn and grow in such a supportive environment. I’m a big proponent of paying it forward. Whether through inspirational talks or direct support, I want others to know that if I can make it, they can, too.
Q: What did your Prendie experience teach you?
A: My experience at Prendie taught me the value of hope, grace, and treating others with respect. Everything I do now, from my work to my personal life, carries a bit of that spirituality and symbolism I learned during my time there.