Adena senior gets a jump start on her future

CHILLICOTHE— Adena high school senior Ariana Lane will be walking across the stage and getting her diploma with her classmates at graduation, but unlike her classmates, she may not be feeling the same sense of relief of being out of school.

This is because she has already started the next step of her education by attending cosmetology school full time.

"I feel like I already graduated," said Lane.

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Lane has not attended regular Adena classes during her last semester of school since she had already completed all of the academic classes needed to graduate. Instead, she has been attending the Class Act School of Cosmetology in Chillicothe, where she will get over 1,000 hours of training.

Graduating early was a goal Lane has worked hard to achieve by taking college classes online since her sophomore year. By graduating early she is able to get a jump start on her future.

When she was in fourth grade Lane lost her younger sister to a heart condition. This loss, understandably, shook Lane who was afraid to go to school afterward. She says her sister was her right-hand man and sometimes thinks about the experiences they could have shared together while growing up.

"There is a lot of things I wish we could have done together," said Lane.

Despite the loss, Lane tries to keep a positive attitude in life. The loss of her sister made her into the person she is today. Lane works to remind herself and others that there are always better days coming soon and that bettering yourself is always a good choice to make.

"Everything I have been through I've overcame," said Lane "I always want to be better than I was yesterday.

Inspired by the doctors that worked to help her sister Lane originally thought she would go into the medical field, but after taking a few classes realized it was not for her.

"I wanted to help people the way the doctors helped her," said Lane.

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As a cosmetologist Lane still desires to help people by giving them a safe place to talk about their life. While she may not be able to medically help people she understands the benefit of having an outside person to tell your problems to and how much having someone to talk to can help someone who is going through a rough time. She also hopes to boost people's confidence through her stylings.

While at Adena Lane gravitated toward the agricultural classes the school offered. She spent much of her time in these classes learning and becoming friends with those around her. Outside of classwork Lane has completed over 500 hours of agricultural community service. With these hours Lane received her Ohio AgriBusiness Association credentials and industry-recognized credential that verifies a high school student's expertise.

"I've always loved the agricultural aspect of things," said Lane.

This love of agriculture likely stems from her being raised on her family's farm. The farm was a perfect place for her 4-H pigs which she showed for 12 years.

Lane is the senior president of the school's FFA and vice president of the school's National Honor Society. She is no stranger to talking to and in front of people as these positions often landed her behind the podium giving speeches. With these positions, Lane also spends much of her time volunteering to help others in the community. Her favorite volunteering event is the veteran's breakfast where students work together to prepare and serve a breakfast to local veterans who have served their country.

"It is a really rewarding event," said Lane.

Unlike most other graduating seniors Lane will not get time off this summer as her cosmetology program does not take a break. By the time her peers are graduating college she will have completed her education and could possibly be starting her own local salon. These goals are something Lane is excited to peruse as she finds the subject of cosmetology to be very interesting and engaging.

"I love it," said Lane. "I like being able to learn about things I like."

Even though she does not regularly attend Adena anymore she will be walking at the Adena graduation as the school played a special role in her life. Looking back she can still remember how it felt entering high school and how much she has grown since then.

"I remember walking down the hall my first day of freshman year and being afraid," said Lane. "That feels like yesterday."

Adena high school will hold its graduation at 7 p.m. on May 28 at the high school gym.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Adena senior gets a jump start on her future