Melissa Kinney is not your typical princess. Sure, the Lakes High School Daffodil Princess makes statements befitting a princess and dons the jonquil gown of the 23-member 2016 Daffodil Court, but there's more to her than heels and gowns: This princess wears combat boots and heads up the Lakes High School JROTC as their Battalion Commander.  Her passion for engineering will lead her into her next adventure next year as she enters the University of Texas, Arlington, with scholarships from both the Daffodil Scholarship Foundation and the ROTC.

But even beyond the sensible footwear Kinney wears with her uniform, Kinney is a different sort of princess than the type of charmed girl one would expect in the glittery heels.  In her own words, "Over the last few years, I have essentially, been on my own. My parents have struggled over the years with substance abuse and severe financial problems. I managed to stay out of the way and out of trouble, by staying at school as much as possible and joining everything I could. Soccer, tennis, JROTC, orchestra, varsity swim and dive teams. Also, different community service activities through my church, JROTC, and different nonprofits. I have over 500 hours of community service while in high school. (250 of those are just Daffodil Princess hours from this school year.)

"I made a very good friend (Taylor- Van) my freshman year and her family took me in my sophomore year. I stayed with them as much as I could since my mother cycled through many residences and I could not get reliable transportation to school. Then my best friend moved away with the military and I was back to uncertainty.  By the middle of my junior year, I found myself sitting alone in an apartment without electricity occasionally. I called my best friend's mom and she got the ball rolling to find me a stable home to help me finish strong and graduate. I moved in with a new family the summer before my senior year. I am currently staying with the Salgados; Teresa and Israel, and their son Jacob. They are very supportive of anything I do."

She added, "I know how blessed I have been with these two loving families in my life and they have been true mentors and encourage me to keep trying and reach for my dreams. I would like to have the opportunity for a fresh start and be the first in my family to graduate college."

Kinney mused, "I know that I wouldn't have been able to get through this without my faith in God and his miracles. He was walking right with me through it all.  And the support from my best friend, her family, and the Salgados. I know that if I ever need help or encouragement, they are ALWAYS there for me. I love them so much!"