Melik Frost

Rising to the Occasion

A relentless work ethic and positive mindset ensures this athlete is always ready to embrace opportunity.

To see what hard work and perseverance looks like, Melik Frost only has to look at his mother. She’s set the example for him and his siblings their entire life, holding down several jobs at once to provide her children with what they need. And she still finds the time and energy to be Melik’s biggest supporter, both on and off the field and to help him stay on track to achieve his goals. “My mother is my hero,” he states simply. He puts in the work to emulate her example by giving his all in the classroom, in his sports, at his job, and through his volunteer work.

The effort has paid off in more ways than one. Melik was the only skills player to make his high school’s varsity football team as a freshman. However, he didn’t log much field time as the older players on the team typically got to start on Friday nights. Still, he kept working and kept his faith, knowing that one day soon he’d get his chance. That chance came in the second to last game of the season when his team desperately needed a win in order to make the playoffs. With just 13 seconds left on the clock and the team’s starting kick returner injured, Melik’s coach put him in the game. “Son, just get what you can and go down,” his coach advised. But when Melik got the ball, he went all the way, scoring the go-ahead touchdown for his team.

While that victory felt good, Melik is most proud of winning the Ancient Order of Hibernians Saint John Paul ll Award, an honor that recognizes students who excel in service to the community. For Melik, having his efforts recognized by those he “didn’t know were paying attention” was life-changing, confirming his conviction that putting in long hours of study, practice, and service and working diligently at everything you do is often its own reward.