BIOGRAPHY
Melissa Witek was born on April 9, 1981, in Rockledge, FL. She attended St. Mary's grade school and Melbourne Central Catholic High School before moving on to the University of Florida, where she graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations.
During her tenure as a UF student, Melissa participated in Delta Delta Delta sorority. Her "sisters" nominated her for the Miss UF/Miss Florida Gator pageant, which she won on her first try in 2002. This propelled her into a Student Senate position, a Public Relations director position for Student Government Productions, and a Co-Director position for UF's Homecoming festivities. Melissa is a proud Gator alumni!
After graduation from UF, an opportunity arose for Melissa to start up a new builders supply company in her hometown. Ampex Granite, Inc. began in December 2003 with Melissa at the helm as CEO and majority owner. Ampex was one of only a few woman-owned businesses of its kind and was featured in newspapers and magazines across the country, including a half page article in the USA Today publication.
Not too long after Ampex incorporated, Melissa decided to give pageantry another try. She competed for the Miss Florida Panhandle USA title in Tallahassee, FL. She won the Miss Congeniality award as well as the crown. This qualified her to compete at Miss Florida USA. On July 10, 2004, Melissa took home the state crown and began her year as Miss Florida USA 2005.
During her reign, Melissa made over 150 appearances, mostly promoting ovarian cancer awareness and prevention. She helped to raise over $10 million for charities across the state. She also had the honor of delivering the invocation at the live, nationally televised NASCAR race at the Homestead/Miami Speedway in November 2004. On April 11, 2005, Melissa competed at Miss USA and placed as 4th runnerup.
After she passed on her title to the new winner in the summer of 2005, Melissa was cast on a new NBC reality show entitled "Treasure Hunters." She filmed it in September 2005 alongside Miss Kentucky USA Kristen Johnson and Miss Indiana USA 2005 Kaitlyn Christopher. They were called "Team Miss USA." The show aired in June 2006, and Team Miss USA made it in 7 episodes before being eliminated in Paris. Then they participated in the live finale on NBC in August 2006.
Melissa now resides in the Orlando area and works as a model, actor, spokesperson and television host. She dreams of one day becoming a premier entertainment and/or sports reporter on a major network.
During her tenure as a UF student, Melissa participated in Delta Delta Delta sorority. Her "sisters" nominated her for the Miss UF/Miss Florida Gator pageant, which she won on her first try in 2002. This propelled her into a Student Senate position, a Public Relations director position for Student Government Productions, and a Co-Director position for UF's Homecoming festivities. Melissa is a proud Gator alumni!
After graduation from UF, an opportunity arose for Melissa to start up a new builders supply company in her hometown. Ampex Granite, Inc. began in December 2003 with Melissa at the helm as CEO and majority owner. Ampex was one of only a few woman-owned businesses of its kind and was featured in newspapers and magazines across the country, including a half page article in the USA Today publication.
Not too long after Ampex incorporated, Melissa decided to give pageantry another try. She competed for the Miss Florida Panhandle USA title in Tallahassee, FL. She won the Miss Congeniality award as well as the crown. This qualified her to compete at Miss Florida USA. On July 10, 2004, Melissa took home the state crown and began her year as Miss Florida USA 2005.
During her reign, Melissa made over 150 appearances, mostly promoting ovarian cancer awareness and prevention. She helped to raise over $10 million for charities across the state. She also had the honor of delivering the invocation at the live, nationally televised NASCAR race at the Homestead/Miami Speedway in November 2004. On April 11, 2005, Melissa competed at Miss USA and placed as 4th runnerup.
After she passed on her title to the new winner in the summer of 2005, Melissa was cast on a new NBC reality show entitled "Treasure Hunters." She filmed it in September 2005 alongside Miss Kentucky USA Kristen Johnson and Miss Indiana USA 2005 Kaitlyn Christopher. They were called "Team Miss USA." The show aired in June 2006, and Team Miss USA made it in 7 episodes before being eliminated in Paris. Then they participated in the live finale on NBC in August 2006.
Melissa now resides in the Orlando area and works as a model, actor, spokesperson and television host. She dreams of one day becoming a premier entertainment and/or sports reporter on a major network.
