Melissa Stewart, 27, was born and raised in Nome. She moved to the Mat-Su Valley in 2009 to attend Northern Industrial Training and decided to stay. She later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the Charter College. Melissa lists her occupation as Owner of Alaska Soaps & Scents. She says she has wanted to run the Iditarod as long as she can remember. “My dad ran the Iditarod the year I was born and mushing is in my blood. After completing four Jr. Iditarods, I ran my first Iditarod in 2008 and am the youngest female to finish the Iditarod. After taking a few years off, we have decided it is time to come back and run again and show the dogs what it is like to race across Alaska. My husband, Jason, and I now share the responsibilities of the kennel and enjoy spending time with the dogs and seeing them grow as a team. I’m looking forward to another wonderful with the dogs and watching them continue to grow and mature.”