DANVILLE — A Danville Area High School graduating senior was named Danville Elks Student of the Year Thursday night.

Melissa Patterson received the surprise award from Wendy Smeal, Elks youth activities chairman. Melissa was chosen from among the Elks students of the month.

A daughter of Patricia Patterson of Washingtonville and Shane Patterson of Danville, Melissa is an assistant teacher at Karen Gronsky’s School of Dance with 14 years dance experience, works with children with disabilities such as Spina Bifida and Down syndrome, takes and teaches classes in classical ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, lyrical and others, volunteers at Susquehanna Valley House of Hope, serves as a mentor for troubled teens and recently helped organize and participated in a 13-hour dance marathon, individually raising $400.

In school, she was in Youth in Philanthropy, an elementary mentor, STAND or Smoke-Free Teens Against Nicotine and Drugs, three years in National Honor Society with distinguished honors, four years in Danville Ironmen Color Guard including co-captain her junior year and captain her senior year, Danville Women’s Lacrosse Club for two years, on the prom committee, in FISH Christian student group, four years in Danville Chorus, three years in Columbia/Montour County Chorus, four years in Danville Drama Club including dance choreographer the past two years and in this year’s spring musical playing the Fairy Godmother. She also baby-sits, participates in Relay for Life, was a Danville Elks Club Student of the Month in February, volunteers for Danville Little League and is a student representative for Lehr Photography.

In June, Melissa begins work study at Bloomsburg University in the nursing department and in the fall will attend BU to dual major in elementary education and special education. She received the Sallie Mae Brandon Teacher Scholarship and is employed by Geisinger Medical Center’s food service.