Melissa Chai briefly lived in Shanghai, China for four years before permanently moving to California, where she has been part of the Temecula Valley Unified School District since kindergarten. In April 2025, she was elected as the district’s first-ever Student Board Member, running as one of four candidates for the new position.
Melissa has always enjoyed being active in and out of the classroom. A dedicated gymnast since third grade, she has competed at the regional level for five years. At Chaparral High School, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Platinum Press, Captain of the Mock Trial team, and President of the Asian Pacific Culture, National Honor Society, and Women in Law clubs.
Passionate about serving others, Melissa has accumulated more than 480 community service hours, many of them through her work as a mentor and attorney with the Southwest Valley Youth Court. She is also the author and illustrator of two children’s books on Chinese culture, donating more than $300 in proceeds to charity. She has shared her work with audiences ranging from children at the French Valley Library Summer Reading Program to students at Rancho Vista High School.
Following her graduation in 2026, Melissa plans to attend a four-year university, pursue a Juris Doctor in law school, and build a career in politics.
As the representative of over 26,000 students, Melissa is committed to serving as a fair and accurate youth spokesperson. She hopes to establish a strong foundation for all future Student Board Members throughout her term.
TVUSD students and community members can connect with her on Instagram: @chai4tvusd
