Graduating senior aims to make parents proud and reach her goals

CHILLICOTHE— Three years ago Chillicothe High School and Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center senior Olivia Hambrick lost her mother, however, she has worked to use this loss to push her to reach her goals in life.

Growing up Hambrick always knew about a condition her mother had that would cause her to have seizures, so much so that she had taken specialty classes to know what to do in case she was alone with her when one happened. The pair were very close talking regularly so in the summer before her junior year when Hambrick was on vacation and she could not get in touch with her mom for several days she knew something was wrong.

Even though she knew her mom could have seizures she never expected any of the reactions to get so bad that she would lose her while she was still in high school and her mother was 34 years old. She was devastated.

"She is the reason for everything I do," said Hambrick of her mom. "She was my best friend."

Hambrick was able to turn her sadness, and the help of her family, into fuel to help her reach her goals in life. This included becoming a cosmetologist, something her mom originally got her interested in as she always sported crazy hairstyles.

In her classes and through her internship at a local salon Hambrick has found that her favorite part of cosmetology is getting to help people feel better about themselves and leave her chair with a smile on their face. She said she knows what it is like to be going through a rough time so she always tries to be the positive and helpful person she needed during her struggles so that she might be able to help someone else during their battles.

Hambrick said her dad has also been a huge supporter of her career and life goals, having her braid his hair when she was only eight years old. After moving back in with her dad after her mother's death the two worked to bring a 360-degree photo booth to Chillicothe. When her dad saw the idea online he knew it would be a hit in the area and Hambrick was happy to help as she loves taking pictures of herself and others.

"My dad is my rock," said Hambrick. "I don't know where I would be without him."

Together the two run a local 360-degree photo booth business which has helped them get even closer. Hambrick's dad saw the idea online and knew it would be a hit locally and Hambrick was excited to help as she enjoys taking pictures of herself and others.

After graduation, Hambrick hopes to continue working with her father on their business while helping put smiles on people's faces at whatever salon she goes to. She said she is leaving high school knowing that her dad is extremely proud of her for what she has already done so far and that her mother would be too.

Chillicothe High School seniors will be graduating on May 17.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Chillicothe graduate stays busy and strives to reach goals