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Melissa Thibodo is a sophomore and public relations major at the University of Oregon. She has been doing photography since her junior year of high school and typically does senior portraits. Here at school, she is heavily involved with community service through her sorority, Kappa Delta, and loves to volunteer and be a part of making positive change. After college, Melissa aspires to continue her photography and work with an international non-profit organization.
“I took these photographs when I was in Uganda this August. I went with an organization that I am extremely proud to be a part of called Hope at the Edge. Our mission is not only to help those who are in need, but also to build connections and become friends with those people too. (Which is great because I love people!) In addition to this, I have always adored photography, specifically portraits, because it has the ability to tell a story in an exceptional way. I believe that everyone’s story is beautiful and valuable, and I was overjoyed to take pictures in Uganda because I could tell the stories of people who might not have been able to on their own. I am completely and totally enamored with the beauty of Uganda, and when I think about what inspires me, I think of this journey and the people I met along the way.” – Melissa Thibodo