{"id":233234,"date":"2026-04-28T15:25:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T01:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=233234"},"modified":"2026-05-08T17:08:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:08:53","slug":"uh-hilo-melissa-mayo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/28\/uh-hilo-melissa-mayo\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> Hilo: Melissa Mayo\u2019s path from foster care to pre-law graduate"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Mayo
Melissa Mayo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Melissa Mayo’s path to graduation is one of profound resilience, love and the power of perseverance. This spring, as she crosses the stage at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Hilo with her bachelor’s degree in political science<\/a>, a minor in gender and women’s studies<\/a>, and a pre-law certificate<\/a>, she represents a statistical triumph. Less than four percent of youth who experience the foster care system go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.<\/p>\n

\"Family
Mayo with her daughter and her nieces, who are now 19 and 21 years-old (Photo courtesy: Melissa Mayo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I would say proud, excited, nervous, surreal, but grateful,” Mayo shared when asked what words describe how she feels about her upcoming graduation. “I’m proud to be that person for my family.”<\/p>\n

Mayo entered the foster care system at age 13. After graduating from Hilo High in 2017, she immediately enrolled at UH<\/abbr> Hilo. However, life soon demanded more of her. At just 20, she adopted her 7-year-old niece. Shortly after, she took in two older nieces who had also entered the foster care system.<\/p>\n