Melissa Earnest is serving as one of two Grand Marshals for the Black Patch Festival this year.
The Princeton Optimist Club selects individuals to recognize each year, because of their contributions to the community and their service to others. The group feels that Melissa is a great example of those qualities.
She shared what being a Grand Marshal means to her.
Melissa grew up in Princeton and graduated from Caldwell County High School in 1977 and from Austin Peay University in 1982 with degrees in computer science and history.
While attending APSU she met her future husband while dating one of his roommates. She explained another roommate called her and asked if she could come over to their apartment because the young man she was dating was having a difficult day.
They both soon married and welcomed a daughter to their family. John was then assigned to be stationed in Germany and after training in Oklahoma, the family made their move.
The Earnest family returned to Princeton after living in Germany for 6 years and with her training in technology, she soon found a job at the high school.
Melissa received her teaching certification and spent several years working in the school system before health issues forced her retirement from the classroom.
During that time, she decided to pursue a doctorate degree online and the week after acquiring her degree, she began teaching online.
Melissa is also very active in local civic groups.
She is also a member of the Christian Church in Dawson Springs where she served as organist for over 30 years.
Melissa remembers a fall in the cafeteria at the high school that led her to realize some health issues that forced her to retire. More medical issues have presented themselves over the years and she is open about them.
She began treatments and was in the process of receiving them when another life-changing event happened to her – the December 10, 2021 EF-4 tornado.
Melissa gave WPKY a personal account of the night the tornado struck their home. That interview will be aired Friday morning during Coffee Talk with Tess in the 8:00 AM hour.
Melissa and her husband John Earnest will lead the Black Patch parade scheduled for Friday evening, September 8, at 5:00, in downtown Princeton.
