Melissa Schroeder is an award-winning journalist who came to WSET in April 2018. You can catch her weekdays on Good Morning Virginia from 5-7 a.m. and on ABC 13 News at Noon.

Melissa grew up in a small farm community in northwest Ohio. She knew at the age of 10, she wanted to be a TV journalist after giving a speech in front of her class on Germany and receiving a standing ovation. From that point forward, Melissa dived into her passion and got involved in everything from the local newspaper to speech contests. She graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Ohio University.

She began her on-air career at a small Christian cable station in Dalton, Georgia. She also worked at stations in Corpus Christi, Little Rock, and Evansville, Indiana.

Melissa won first place for general assignment reporting from the Texas Associated Press for a story she did on a young man who was left disabled after a drunk driver hit his car. She also won the Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Award as the first reporter in the state to link the opioid crisis to an overcrowded foster care system.

Melissa is very involved in the Lynchburg community with a cause she holds close to her heart -- foster care and adoption. She and her husband, Brandon, adopted their son Ryder through foster care in 2020. Melissa is involved in a non-profit organization called "Isaiah 117 House Lynchburg." It gives children a temporary place to stay until they are placed into foster care. She's also involved in many adoptive mom support groups like "Thomas Road Foster and Adoption" and "RAD Like That". Melissa volunteers with her church "Calvary Chapel Lynchburg" too. She takes part in video announcements, Christmas plays and "Good News Club" which is an after school bible study program for elementary students.

Rescuing dogs is another passion for Melissa and Brandon. They have three fur babies -- Ellie, Shadow and Baby Olive. Melissa likes to feature Baby Olive on her Facebook page dressing her in silly costumes and wigs! All of the pups came from rescue organizations or the streets. Melissa and her husband are animal advocates and promote adopting instead of shopping and spaying and neutering your pets.

If you have a story tip or just want to say "hi", you can follow Melissa on social media, or send her an email at mschroeder@wset.com.