FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason women's lacrosse student-athlete
Melanie Hutchinson has been selected as a recipient of the George Mason OrthoVirginia Student Achievement Award, an honor that recognizes outstanding student-athletes for their efforts in the classroom and out in the community.
The Merrimack, N.H. native was honored at the George Mason men's basketball game against Hofstra on Wednesday night.
Hutchinson, a junior, is a biology major and a two-time Atlantic 10 Commissioner recipient.
When she is not working hard in the classroom and on the lacrosse field, she finds time to volunteer at Facets to provide hot meals to the homeless around the Fairfax area. She also volunteers her time with Grace Love Church where she distributes care packages to first responders as well as meals and care packages to the underprivileged.
Melanie has used her lacrosse skills to work with US Lacrosse where she has assisted at clinics for underprivileged children learning the sport of lacrosse. In addition, she serves as an Ambassador for Morgan's Message and is credited with bringing the program to George Mason University.
Morgan's Message is an organization that works to amplify stories, recourses and expertise to confront student-athlete mental health, build a community by and for athletes, facilitate safe peer-to-peer conversations and provide a platform for advocacy.
On the field, Hutchinson started all 17 games for the Patriots as a midfielder during her sophomore campaign. She was most recently named a captain of the George Mason women's lacrosse team for her leadership on and off the field.
OrthoVirginia Student Achiever Definition:
The OrthoVirginia Student Achiever Award has been put into place to recognize outstanding student-athletes not just for their athletic performances. The student-athlete can be recognized for anything that they have done that exceptional outside their playing field… whether it be community service, leadership on campus, consistent performance in the classroom, incredible attitude, recovering from a long injury, improvement on the field, etc.
