Melanie Hammons is the newest reporter for the Whidbey Crosswind. She officially joined the staff July 11.

Hammons grew up in Reidsville, N.C., and worked several different jobs after she graduated from high school.

“I wanted to do something more adventurous, so I joined the Navy,” she said.

Hammons served four years active duty and eight years in the Reserves, working as a Training Deviceman, dealing with flight simulators.

While in the Reserves, Hammons went to college, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and  minoring in biology.

“I always liked to read and I like words, which led to my interest in writing,” Hammons said.

Hammons met her husband, David, while stationed in San Diego. They married in 1986. They have one daughter, 13-year-old Rachel.

The Hammons family moved to Oak Harbor nine years ago for David’s job. He is an in-service engineer on the EA-18G Growler flight simulators.

Hammons said she looks forward to meeting new people as she begins her duties at the Crosswind, and finding new things to interest her. She has been writing for the Crosswind on a freelance basis since the paper’s first issue on April 1.