Fox Melo’s love for the ocean inspired him to volunteer hundreds of hours at the Aquarium of the Pacific and to organize beach and park clean-ups in and around the Los Angeles area where he grew up.
Fox currently attends the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon, where he is double majoring in Marine Biology and History. He also works with the National Marine Educators Association. During his 2023 summer break, he will attend the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. Despite his heavy courseload and busy schedule, Fox continues to volunteer for conservation projects, especially any that involve the ocean.
“I have continued to volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific when I am home on breaks,” said Fox, who graduated high school in 2021. “During the summers, I have been doing beach cleanups including the Coastal Cleanup in September 2022 where I used my skills in scuba diving to extend the cleanup underwater with other divers.”
Fox’s Eagle Scout project, completed a few years ago, also focused on the environment. Fox researched, designed and implemented sustainable landscaping for his home parish, St. Finbar in Burbank. He and his crew of 47 volunteers removed a water-wasting lawn of grass not suited for the California environment and replaced it with 300 native, drought-tolerant plants. Even Fox’s Lola (Filipino for grandmother) became involved in his project, feeding hungry landscape volunteers homemade Filipino egg rolls called lumpia.
“I feel both a sense of accomplishment and a mission to do more,” said Fox when he sees his landscaping at St. Finbar during visits home, knowing the parish is conserving water and saving money thanks to his work. “The project reflects my commitment to fulfilling my role as steward of God’s creation. It is a demonstration of my love, care, and respect for all of God’s creatures and my desire to leave a positive impact on the world. The project’s successful completion which came about only because of the community of people who came together to complete the project brings me joy.”
Fox has long served his parish in many ways. A few examples of his service to the Church: he was an altar server for many years, and from kindergarten through high school he volunteered at St. Finbar’s Church Fiesta Fundraiser, plus from sixth through 12th grade, he helped organize the parish Easter Egg Hunt. In Scouting, Fox served numerous leadership positions, on the staff of Camporee for his local council and as Youth Chaplain. In his community, Fox has volunteered at 5Ks to raise money for cancer charities and supported the YMCA, the Burbank Tournament of Roses, Kiwanis, Elks and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.”
“Volunteering is part of my commitment to living out my faith and my oath as a Scout. I am committed to continuing my life of service to causes large and small, following God’s commandment to “love one another” and the Scout oath to “help other people at all times.”
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awarded Fox a $5,000 scholarship through the Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Scout Scholarship Fund in 2021 for his service to Scouting, his community and the Church.
“Service to others, particularly the environment, is crucial for the sustainability of our planet and the well-being of all living beings,” said Fox. “It allows us to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution and waste, and promote biodiversity. Ultimately, it contributes to creating a healthier and better world for future generations.”
“Volunteering is part of my commitment to living out my faith and my oath as a Scout”
Fox Melo’s love for the ocean inspired him to volunteer hundreds of hours at the Aquarium of the Pacific and to organize beach and park clean-ups in and around the Los Angeles area where he grew up. Fox currently attends the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon, where he is double majoring in Marine Biology and History. He also works with the National Marine Educators Association. During his 2023 summer break, he will attend the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. Despite his heavy courseload and busy schedule, Fox continues to volunteer for conservation projects, especially any that involve the ocean.
“I have continued to volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific when I am home on breaks,” said Fox, who graduated high school in 2021. “During the summers, I have been doing beach cleanups including the Coastal Cleanup in September 2022 where I used my skills in scuba diving to extend the cleanup underwater with other divers.”
Fox’s Eagle Scout project, completed a few years ago, also focused on the environment. Fox researched, designed and implemented sustainable landscaping for his home parish, St. Finbar in Burbank. He and his crew of 47 volunteers removed a water-wasting lawn of grass not suited for the California environment and replaced it with 300 native, drought-tolerant plants. Even Fox’s Lola (Filipino for grandmother) became involved in his project, feeding hungry landscape volunteers homemade Filipino egg rolls called lumpia.
“I feel both a sense of accomplishment and a mission to do more,” said Fox when he sees his landscaping at St. Finbar during visits home, knowing the parish is conserving water and saving money thanks to his work. “The project reflects my commitment to fulfilling my role as steward of God’s creation. It is a demonstration of my love, care, and respect for all of God’s creatures and my desire to leave a positive impact on the world. The project’s successful completion which came about only because of the community of people who came together to complete the project brings me joy.”
Fox has long served his parish in many ways. A few examples of his service to the Church: he was an altar server for many years, and from kindergarten through high school he volunteered at St. Finbar’s Church Fiesta Fundraiser, plus from sixth through 12th grade, he helped organize the parish Easter Egg Hunt. In Scouting, Fox served numerous leadership positions, on the staff of Camporee for his local council and as Youth Chaplain. In his community, Fox has volunteered at 5Ks to raise money for cancer charities and supported the YMCA, the Burbank Tournament of Roses, Kiwanis, Elks and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.”
“Volunteering is part of my commitment to living out my faith and my oath as a Scout. I am committed to continuing my life of service to causes large and small, following God’s commandment to “love one another” and the Scout oath to “help other people at all times.”
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awarded Fox a $5,000 scholarship through the Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Scout Scholarship Fund in 2021 for his service to Scouting, his community and the Church.
“Service to others, particularly the environment, is crucial for the sustainability of our planet and the well-being of all living beings,” said Fox. “It allows us to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution and waste, and promote biodiversity. Ultimately, it contributes to creating a healthier and better world for future generations.”