Ford Game Day Hero: student veteran Melissa Villanueva

Walking out of the tunnel onto the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium, butterflies are part of the game.
 
That feeling was no different for Saturday's Ford Game Day Hero Melissa Villanueva, but hearing the roar of the crowd melted away those nerves and allowed her smile to shine through.
 
"It was awesome. Shocking and nerve-racking," she said.
 
"It was very exciting and left me with a proud feeling just to be a part of that because I was honored that they picked me to do it."
 
Villanueva had many jobs and acquired a wealth of knowledge throughout her travels during her 11 years in service with the Air Force. She finished her career as an EMT at Eglin Air Force Base and was looking to further advance in the medical field by going back to school. 
 
"I was looking at schools with good animal programs and that were close by, and Auburn has a great one. I applied to other SEC schools with good programs, but Auburn was very helpful and the quickest in responding which made my separation easier," she said.
 
Villanueva will graduate this fall and receive her bachelor's degree in animal sciences with a concentration in muscle foods and is ready to continue her travels back home to Texas.
 
"I want to start a family and use my degree to provide nutrition for animals, large or small," she said.
 
Though Houston is where she calls home, Villanueva has enjoyed her time here on the Plains.
 
"Auburn has been great. The College of Agriculture has been very helpful in figuring out what I want to do and what kind of jobs I can get with my degree," she said.
 
Villanueva also was a former philanthropy chair for the Auburn Student Veterans Association, assisting in raising money for scholarships for fellow student veterans, and encourages them to interact with the veterans' community.
 
"I first came here and met Robyn Westbrook and other members who sold it quickly as I started meeting new people, going to football games, and began hanging out all the time after that," she said.
 
"Auburn is a great school; being able to come here, get my education, and leave with so many friends I now consider family has been a wonderful experience," she said.
 
Melissa Villanueva, thank you for your service and War Eagle.
 
Navy veteran Jonathan Housand is a student assistant in Auburn Athletics communications