Graduate Profile: Old Mill Senior Sets Example for Her Family

Paige Hamilton didn’t always take school seriously. But sometime during her junior year, she realized that she wanted to make a better life for herself and her family. 

“I was average, and didn’t try my best,” Hamilton said. “I wish I could have gone back and applied myself the whole time, because it’s not that hard.”

But Hamilton has no regrets, and she will graduate from Old Mill High School next week. She hopes to attend Carroll Community College in the fall, making her the first member of her immediate family to attend college. 

“Oh, my gosh, my mom’s gonna cry!” she said. “She didn’t get to go to her high school graduation. She’s been my motivation and has told me about how important school is.”

Hamilton, who lives in Glen Burnie, managed to keep her grades up even while working part-time at a local tag and title company. She even took an advanced placement psychology class.

“It was really hard, it was tricky, but I really wanted to do it,” she said. “I wanted to take at least one AP class and try it. It was really difficult, but it was worth it.”

Hamilton said she plans to study business in college, and may pursue a career as an insurance agent. 

“I want to get a degree in business, because you can do anything with business,” she said. 

Hamilton counts her mom as her biggest inspiration, but she said she also hopes to have a positive influence on her younger sister, who also attends Old Mill. 

“I’m going to miss high school, but I want to move on,” she said. “And I want to graduate, so my mom can see me.”