BY COLLEEN LUTOLF
Staff Writer
MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Having played the game since he was 7, JFK High School senior Anthony Meluso has football down to a science. But off the gridiron, that’s exactly what this 16-year-old is obsessed with. Meluso hopes to major in biochemistry. Since he was 7 years old, JFK Memorial High School senior Anthony Meluso said football has been his life.
When the teen’s favorite team — the Pittsburgh Steelers — plays, Anthony can usually be found feverishly pacing the living room of his parents’ home in the Iselin section of Woodbridge.
“If the Steelers are on one side of the television, I have to be standing on that side,” Anthony said. “The only time I sit is when I eat something or during commercials.”
Like most kids who love football, Anthony, a Mustang tight end and defensive end, had dreams of playing pro ball one day. But now that he’s a senior in high school, Anthony said it’s time to grow up and be realistic.
“I had a dream of playing pro. Now, I realize my chances aren’t that good. You can’t always rely on a dream. You just have to face reality. I’m not saying I’m bad, but I can’t say I’m a legend,” the 16-year-old said, sitting near the television set he usually watches his beloved Steelers on.
But lucky for Anthony, he has more than one passion.
“I always liked science,” he said. “Science is something you use every day. It’s an explanation of everything. You sit in your car and turn the ignition and there’s a spark — that’s science; you walk outside and take a breath — that’s science. Without science every thing would be like back in the Middle Ages.”
Anthony said he likes science so much, by the end of his senior year, he will have taken every science class offered at JFK. He’s even forgone electives to take science classes.
“Instead of wood shop or art, I would take more academic classes. I’ll have taken every single science class my school has to offer. There are no more science classes for me to take,” he said.
“His claim to fame is taking every science course possible,” said Anthony’s anatomy and physiology teacher, Michele Lanigan. “It’s pure enjoyment in the field of science for him.”
Lanigan said Anthony’s passion for science will help him excel in anything he does in his life.
“He’s always asking questions,” she said. “He truly seems to enjoy being there. He just soaks in everything.”
Anthony said he plans on majoring in biochemistry when he goes to college next year.
Although getting into a biochemistry program at a college is probably a more attainable goal than being drafted by the Steelers, Anthony and his parents, Sharon and Tony Meluso, are discovering even attainable dreams have their pitfalls.
“We didn’t go to college,” Sharon said. “The whole college process is very new to us and very overwhelming to put it mildly.”
With Anthony’s guidance counselor, Jean Celeste, lending a constant helping hand (“We called her so many times. She’s wonderful. She’s never not been helpful,” Sharon said.) Mother and son struck out on their own one night to Barnes & Noble to do a little college research.
“For two nights in a row, we went to Barnes & Noble and took all the college books, sat down and took notes,” Sharon said.
“Even if you’re kind of optimistic and you know what you want to do, there is still a lot out there you haven’t seen,” Anthony said. “After we did the research, it gives you a better sense of where you want to go.”
Despite the Melusos’ inexperience with the college application process, Celeste said their involvement alone is what is important.
“Anthony’s mom came in to meet with me separately,” Celeste said. “When the parents are involved like that, it’s great. We’re all on the same page.”
Anthony had two criteria for his search: the colleges he would apply to must offer a solid biochemistry major and must be located in Pennsylvania.
Anthony said he gained an affinity for the state after spending his childhood summers there.
“I like Pennsylvania. I know this isn’t a busy city, but I’d like to get away and go where there’s more land,” he said.
Anthony decided to apply to five Pennsylvania schools: Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Mercyhurst College in Erie, and Lock Haven University in the north central part of the state.
Anthony said he does not plan on playing football if he attends Penn State or Pitt, as they are both Division 1 schools.
“You have to be very exceptional,” he said.
Duquesne and Mercyhurst are Division II schools, he said. If he attends either of them, he will probably play ball.
“But I didn’t base my choices mostly on football. Maybe 50/50,” he said.
Anthony is more concerned with science and Duquesne has a pretty impressive science lab, he said.
Anthony began writing his college essays with an idea that Duquesne will be his pick.
While he was doing that, his mom, a clerical worker and his dad, a plumber, began wondering how they would pay for the $21,000 tuition.
“As much as you say, ‘Sure I’m going to save for my child’s education,’ life always gets in the way,” Sharon said. “We knew we were concentrating on Pennsylvania. When I saw the prices, they were the most overwhelming. But I said finding what he wants to do is the main thing.”
But the Melusos have a plan — several, actually.
“We’re willing to relocate,” Tony said. “I’m a plumber. I can move anywhere in the country.”
And once they move close to where Anthony goes to school, Sharon and Tony plan on applying for jobs there.
“If you’re employed by the college, your child can go for free. With my husband in plumbing and it’s a pretty decent-sized campus, who knows? It’s worth a try,” Sharon said.
“I have some retirement funds as a last ditch effort, too,” Tony said.
Anthony said he is going to do his part, too.
“I’m applying for different scholarships,” he said. “They’re for between $1,000 and $5,000, and I’m going to apply for as many of those as I can. It adds up.”
Anthony scored a 1060 on the SAT, which he said he is pretty pleased with.
“They came out pretty decent. And there’s not one question related to science on there. I don’t want to be an English or math major,” he said.
Anthony’s GPA is a 3.2, but his junior year GPA was 3.8.
“Junior year was tough, but what’s ironic was that it was the highest GPA I got in my life,” he said.
Besides football, Anthony is involved in several other sports and after-school clubs. He also started snowboarding last winter and said he is looking forward to powder days this season as well.
Anthony played baseball until his junior year, he bowls and runs spring track to get in shape for football in the fall. He is also a member of JFK’s Peer Tutoring Club.
“It doesn’t give him any time to get into trouble,” his mother said.
But Anthony doesn’t join things to make his college applications look more impressive, he said. He does what he wants.
“I don’t do these things to turn heads in college,” he said. “I’m doing it for myself.”
The Melusos are quick to say how proud they are of their son.
“I’ll tell you, for 16 years old, he’s got his head in the right place,” Sharon said.
“He’s a good kid. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for him,” Tony said of his son. “I count my blessings every day with him.”
Anthony’s guidance counselor said she sees nothing but success for this soon-to-be JFK alumnus.
“His motivation and interest are there,” Celeste said. “I don’t think anything will get in his way.”
GPA: 3.2; 3.8 junior year
SAT: 1060
Clubs/sports:
football, spring track,
baseball 9-10, bowling
Volunteer job:
peer tutoring club
Colleges applying to:
Pennsylvania State University
University of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Duquesne University, Pa.
Mercyhurst College, Pa.
Lock Haven University, Pa.