Melena Hagen

Melena was raised in a non-Christian home in Pasadena, California. Her parents decided to send her to a Christian elementary school because they thought it would be "safer." It was in the 2nd grade that Melena accepted the Lord as a result of hearing the salvation message during a school chapel. Melena's parents allowed her to choose where she attended junior high school, so she followed her friends to the local Christian schools because she wanted more exposure to the Christian faith. She started attending church during her senior year in high school, which was where she was introduced to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. As she desired a college experience where she could grow both academically and spiritually, Melena both attended and then graduated from PLNU.

Melena is grateful for her Christian education. She believes that if it weren't for her numerous teachers who helped shape and transform her over the years, she may not be who she is today. Her Christian education inspired her to become a teacher and has given her the desire to be what her teachers were for her when she was in school.