Fernando Mejia came to us from Aldmeda, Calif. in the fall of 1995. He came to Meridian with his family when his father was stationed here at the time. Meridian has been Fernando’s home for the most part since then.

Mejia graduated in 2000 at Northeast high school, and then attended some classes at Meridian Community College before enlisting in the Navy.

“I was in the Navy for four years. I originally wanted to learn how to fix cars, but I ended up working on a boat fixing pumps in a hit engine room,” Mejia said.

Fernando then decided that military life wasn’t for him, and after he completed his time there, decided to find something else to do.

“I was working 18 hour days so I never had time for anything, and I wanted to go back to school, so I left after my four years,” Mejia added. “I’m very interested in massage therapy at the moment. I’m great with my hands, so I figure that could be a good place for me.”

Mejia plans to go to a massage therapy school in Jackson in October. In the meantime, he works selling cell phone accessories.

“I’ve really become passionate about my money. It’s something I have to get real about, and grow up about. I’m just trying to get things straight and get serious,” Mejia explained

Where does Fernando see himself in 10 years?

“Wherever God places me,” Mejia said.