After Melissa Fontes received an F in her chemistry class at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California, her grade-point average dropped below 2.5, which required that she be dropped from the cheerleading squad. She then sued the school for denial of due process and equal protection, pointing out that football and basketball players could stay on the team with only a 2.0 average. After the case was initially thrown out of court, Fontes appealed and prevailed in the 4th Appellate District.

Having been graduated from high school, Fontes is now a college student in Oregon, where she contemplates a career in law.

†