He Overcame Learning Challenges to Become Valedictorian

A valedictorian of PCCC’s Class of 2026, Thomas Melani earned an Associate in Arts degree in Humanities with highest honors and also received the 2026 Graduate Achievement Award in Liberal Arts-Humanities. This was an unexpected victory for a student who dropped out of high school not just once, but twice.

Diagnosed with both autism and ADHD, Thomas found the typical high school environment challenging to navigate socially and academically. After dropping out, he returned later to try again, but lasted only two weeks, describing the classes as incompatible with his learning style.  

After earning his GED (high school equivalency), Thomas decided to give formal education another try. He enrolled at PCCC, primarily because the tuition was affordable, but unexpectedly found the education to be transformative.  

Thomas clicked immediately with the PCCC atmosphere.  “From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt nothing short of welcome.”

What impressed him most was the faculty. “I was immediately struck by how different lectures were from the classes I had taken at high school. I could tell the professors were genuinely interested not only in the subjects they were teaching, but also in imparting their understanding to students in an accessible and stimulating way.”

Studying Plato and Aristotle, Thomas re-discovered the “sense of wonder” those philosophers emphasized as essential to education, a sense that Thomas said was once “so integral to my passion for learning as a child.”

Reading Plato’s dialogues is what prompted Thomas to pursue philosophy in depth. “What I found so compelling is that Plato never advanced a particular doctrine but rather showed characters discussing a problem from various angles. The onus is on the reader to think of a solution for the problem posed.”

Thomas especially valued the conversations he had with his professors, particularly Professor Shawmaf Khubba, whom he thanked in his valedictory speech “for going above and beyond his role as a professor to mentor me and advise me in philosophy.” 

As a result, Thomas now foresees a future career in academia and is currently enrolled in a baccalaureate program at Rutgers University where he is majoring in philosophy with a minor in economics.

 “I chose to minor in economics, because I believe the quantitative reasoning skills it provides are a fantastic complement to the critical thinking and analytical skills for philosophy,” explained Thomas. He also pointed out a number of philosophers who were, like John Stuart Mills, also economists.

Despite his achievements at PCCC, Thomas was surprised to be chosen as a valedictorian. “I had a humble goal when I enrolled here,” he said. “To graduate and wear the cap and gown that I did not get the chance to wear for high school.” So he decided to use the opportunity to honor PCCC in return. “I wanted to express my gratitude to the school for the opportunities and experiences it afforded me.”

Thomas delivered his valedictory speech at PCCC’s May 20 Commencement ceremony where he told the story of his high school setbacks, thanked his professors, and referenced an inspirational Buddhist parable about not allowing a failed attempt at attaining a goal to discourage you from trying again.

Congratulating his fellow graduates, Thomas acknowledged the obstacles many of them faced to reach this point and – applying the parable – advised that when they meet with future challenges, to  “move forward with the assurance” that they already successfully faced and overcame their obstacles to graduation and can do it again.

 “Coming to PCCC,” Thomas said, “was without a doubt, the best decision I ever made.”

Written by Linda Telesco
Photo by John O’Boyle Photography