BREATHITT CO. (LEX 18) — Breathitt County senior Olivia Friley has had an unusual final few weeks in high school, like many others across the Bluegrass.
The coronavirus has forced schools to cancel or dramatically alter graduation, so to try and make up for it, some seniors are being 'adopted'.
Community members are signing up to sponsor seniors by giving them gifts and well wishes for their futures.
Breathitt County woman, Teresa Spicer, decided to adopt Friley last month.
Friley said the gesture meant a lot to her, especially considering Spicer had recently suffered a terrible loss.
Her 32-year-old daughter, Tiara Kinder-Combs died in an ATV crash just last month.
"It was tragic and sudden," Spicer said.
Spicer added that it has been a comforting to adopt Friley during this time of grief and loss because Friley reminds her of Tiara.
They both went to the same high school, played volleyball, have a love for animals, a passion for medicine, and much more.
"It's helping me to keep my daughter's memory alive and to remember the happy days," Spicer said.
She said taking care of Friley has helped her in a way she could have never imagined: it's allowing her to heal.
