DORAL | With the poise and self-assurance of a college graduate, Melissa Rey addressed members of the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women at their annual scholarship luncheon Feb. 22.

“Two years ago, I was an eighth grade girl with many problems and some aspects of my future looked uncertain,” said the 15-year-old. “Today, I am a young woman whose future could not look brighter.”

Melissa was reading from the thank-you letter she had written to the council women last August. In 2012, the Blessed Trinity eighth-grader had been one of four recipients of an MACCW scholarship that allowed her to attend Msgr. Edward Pace High School.

At the time, her mother was undergoing treatment for cancer and had missed a lot of work. Now, her mother’s cancer is in remission and “I could not be happier,” said Melissa, a sophomore.

“People have been so good to me,” she said. “The MACCW in particular has given me the best gift they could have given me — a Catholic education. My life has been completely changed.”

“This is why we do what we do,” said Josephine Gilbert, MACCW president. “Because of gals like Melissa, that will receive this and go on to do better things in the future.”

About 160 women from MACCW councils throughout the archdiocese were in attendance at the 15th annual luncheon to raise funds for the scholarships. Since the program began in 1997, more than $195,000 in scholarships has been distributed.

The scholarship amount has increased from $750 each to two winners in 1997 to $5,000 apiece to three winners in 2013. Winners are selected based on financial need, character and academic excellence, as well as essays written by the girls about why they want to continue their education at a Catholic high school. The girls receive their scholarships at the MACCW’s annual convention, which will take place this year at the end of April.

Melissa said she harbors no doubts about her choice.

“My life has been completely changed,” she repeated, singing the praises of her high school. “At Pace, I’ve just met people that are so kind. You can feel the Christian love. And here I see all of these women and I’m inspired to be a better person. I just wanted to come back and say thank you.”

“Your testimony means so much to us,” replied Mary Weber, chair of the MACCW’s scholarship committee.

She reminded her fellow council members — who also support myriad other causes in their parishes and around the world — that “through your support (for the scholarships), you are investing in the future of the world.”

The luncheon, along with the silent auction and Chinese auctions that accompanied it, were expected to raise about $10,000 for the scholarship fund.

Donations to the MACCW Scholarship Fund are tax deductible and may be sent to: 1700 N.E. 105 St., #419, Miami Shores, FL 33138.