Of the thousands of students who have graduated from Delaware County Community College, only one, Melissa Maani of West Chester, is believed to have the unique distinction of being the proud owner of a 2008 World Series ring, professional baseball’s highest honor.

It is a fitting tribute to a woman who, as manager of graphic design for the Philadelphia Phillies major league baseball team, readily attributes her success to hard work, a belief in herself in the face of adversity and a network of caring family, friends and supporters. “I always believe I did not get here by myself,” said Maani, a 1994 graduate of the College.

In recognition of her accomplishments, the College awarded Maani its 2015 Alumni Professional Achievement Award on June 5 at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies. “Delaware County Community College gave me the fundamentals necessary to strive for even more than I ever thought I could be,” Maani said.

It has not been an easy journey. Maani, who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder as an adult, grew up in a low-income, single-parent household dreaming that she would one day play baseball. But girls did not play big league baseball; and while she could throw, she could not hit. “I can throw like a champ … but if you ask me to bat, I strike out every time,” she said.

After an average academic performance at Archbishop Prendergast High School, Maani, enrolled at Delaware County Community College’s former Collingdale Campus, where she found her academic footing. She so appreciated English professor Richard Mulvaney, who she said wore somewhat outdated ties, that she folded a navy blue, silk tie into her final exam booklet and turned it in as a way of thanking him.

After graduating, Maani held a series of jobs, including pre-school teacher and optician for an eye doctor. It was while working for the eye doctor that she discovered her calling, when he asked her to create some ads for his business. Later, after the ads helped increase sales, she became manager of three of his stores. At some point, she decided to go back to school, enrolling at Rosemont College, where she graduatePd in 1998 with a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in graphic design.

After Rosemont, she worked for Philadelphia-based Aramark making menu designs, logos and graphics. Later, she responded to a non-descript newspaper ad that turned out to be the job as graphic designer for the Phillies. Today, working for the Phillies, she designs captivating graphics for banners, brochures, logos, posters, giveaways, DVDs and other Phillies’ memorabilia.

In her office, there is a framed photo of the Phille Phanatic, the team’s green, furry, mascot, immersed in water reaching for a baseball. “This is your Masterpiece. You Rock!,” is written on the photo, a gift from the mascot. Maani digitally created the illusion that makes the Phanatic look as if he is swimming underwater reaching for the baseball. The idea came from the “Nevermind” album cover of the rock band Nirvana, which depicts a naked baby floating in water reaching for a dollar. The Phanatic’s gift, reminds Maani of what she enjoys most about her job. “I play all day,” she said.