For Melody Rodgers, free time is just more time to spend with her clubs and organizations. The Pike County High School senior keeps herself busy with academic, civic and volunteer work, which has helped her become who she is.

"They have definitely taught me about leadership," Rodgers said.

She said her involvement in different organizations has also taught her to be friendly and outgoing and grow from the inside out.

"I've always said that I think beauty on the inside is far more important than any beauty on the outside," she said.

Her activities also give her a sense of accomplishment.

"It gives me something to be proud of," she said. "Especially in my volunteer work."

Rodgers is the president of the PCHS Future Business Leaders of America and the 4-H club, recorder for the 4-H City Council, co-editor of the PCHS yearbook, fundraising chair for the PCHS Ambassadors, a member of the varsity volleyball team and an active member in the National and Spanish Honor Societies, Pike Youth Leadership, Spanish Club and the Business and Finance Academy.

But that's just what she does while she's in school.

Rodgers also volunteers for the American Heart Association, the Brundidge Nutrition Center and the City of Brundidge Recreation Department. She is also an actress at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge, the choreographer for the Clio Community Church's pantomiming team and a vocalist for the gospel recording group Robert Lee Jr. and Friends.

One activity that has given Rodgers much needed business experience is the Business and Finance Academy.

Rodgers just completed her first year in the academy, but before she could join, she had to take pre-requisite classes beginning her freshman year.

"It's a very good program," Rodgers said.

"You have the opportunity to learn a lot of things you wouldn't learn in a classroom."

Rodgers is in her second year working at the First National Bank in Brundidge, a job she secured through her involvement with the academy.

FNB works closely with the program and when the academy's new home at PCHS is completed this January, it will include a working FNB branch specifically for students and faculty.

"Having the building will help with making it known," Rodgers said.

She said a lot of people in Pike County don't even know it's there and are surprised to here that the academies are offered at the high school level.

"You have to work hard," Rodgers said.

"I don't want to tell anyone that it's easy."

But she says the experience is worth it and that the academy is something worth taking note of.

"If you can go in and achieve the goals you set through the academy, then you ought to be proud, because it's a challenge," she said.

Rodgers hopes to use her experience in a computer engineering career. With all her artistic experience, that might seem like the last thing Rodgers is suited for, but she said it fits her just fine.

"I get bored real easily," she said. "I think that I can enjoy this job because technology is always changing and it will keep me interested in what I do."

Her goal is to finish high school as valedictorian-she's already had the highest grade point average for three years. But if that isn't possible, she wants to say that she did her best.