Chelsea’s Burchett makes winning a habit

By Sheila Pursglove
Special Writer

When Melanie Burchett took the title of Junior Homemaker of the Year at the Chelsea Community Fair in August, it was yet another feather in this talented young lady’s cap.

She is no stranger to the title – she has entered Jr. Homemaker seven times, won in 2003, 2005, and 2009, and was runner-up in 2002, 2007, and 2008.

And in 2008, Melanie was runner-up for Fair Queen, showing her llama as her talent. “It was one of the proudest moments of my life,” she says.

The Chelsea native has been going to the fair for as long as she can remember.

“It’s always the best part of my summer,” she says. “I love how it brings the whole community together and everyone can have fun and show off their exhibits.

“I usually go to the fair every day. When I was younger, I participated in the Kiddie Parade, and this year I was a judge. On Wednesday, my youth group always watches the derby. Friday morning I attend Ladies’ Day. If I’m not in the Fair Parade on Saturday, which I usually am, I sit and watch with my family.”

Melanie first entered items at the fair when she was 9 years old, and has entered every year since. She usually enters 40-60 items each year, mostly crafts and baked goods.

“The two days before the fair are spent baking cookies, cakes, fudge, cupcakes and brownies. I also enter in floriculture, antiques, photography, horticulture, and gift-wrapping,” she says. “I don’t really have a favorite thing -- I really enjoy making crafts but I also love taste-testing all my delicious treats!

“I definitely have to credit my mom for helping me every year, and teaching me many of my skills in arts, photography, and baking.

“There are several things I like about winning, not just the money and ribbons. I love seeing a ribbon on something I made, it gives me satisfaction knowing that I’m being rewarded for something I made with my own two hands, something I put time into and means something to me. Plus, I like being a role model for younger kids. I hope they see what a great thing the fair is and that get the chance to show off their own exhibits.”

Melanie, the daughter of Doug and Karen Burchett of Chelsea, is a Chelsea High School senior and vice-president of Key Club, a group that provides community services. This is her second year as a member.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, and last year joined yearbook, currently serving as Senior Section editor. She is in her second year acting as a new student mentor, meeting with an incoming student and giving a tour of CHS, then staying in contact and being on hand to help throughout the freshman year.

She has always been on the High Honor Roll, and has received her Academic Letter. An honors student, she has taken four Advanced Placement classes which count as college credits.

She is president of Spanish Club, where last year she served as secretary.

“We practice Spanish outside of class, learn more about Hispanic culture, and hold several Spanish movie nights throughout the year,” she says.

She also has tutored Spanish, as well as math, and science, for the past three years.

Burchett, whose brother Kevin is a junior at CHS, also speaks German, and would like to study languages in college --although she has yet to decide on a final college choice.

Melanie is in her seventh year in 4-H, and is a member of the Double L Llama Club, where she has served as secretary and president. This year she is a Washtenaw County 4-H Ambassador.

She has been in Girl Scouts for 12 years, a member of the Chelsea Free Methodist Church youth group for six years, and earned money by babysitting for three years. She also enjoys reading, writing, spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, traveling, music, and playing with her animals.

Melanie’s win at the fair capped an exciting summer, in which she received a scholarship to be an exchange student, and traveled to Germany to stay with a host family in Bavaria for six weeks.

“It was one of the best things I’ve ever done,” she says. “I gained a whole new perspective on life and our culture, and other people who live differently than we do. I gained so much confidence in myself, and independence, too.

“I loved absolutely every minute of it, and I hope other people have a chance to do what I did.”

Sheila Pursglove is a freelance writer. She can be reached at bingley51@yahoo.com.