Shelby Hamilton, senior, is a caring and humorous individual.

Shelby was born on March 27, 1997, to her parents, Jeff and Stephanie. She has a large family with three brothers and two sisters.

It is obvious, from her brother Brandon Hamilton’s perspective, that they are closer than most siblings.

Brandon, a student at Mott Community College, spends a lot of time with Shelby.

He said, “She is one of my best friends and so she has become good at listening to my rambling.”

Brandon described her as a caring, dedicated person that has impacted his life a great deal.

Not many siblings can say they are best friends, yet Brandon and Shelby seem to get along better than anyone.

Brandon said that when they were young they would play with his LEGOs, Hot Wheels, and stuffed animals together.

Brandon said, “Shelby has always cared about the things I care about and this has inspired me greatly.”

Shelby and Brandon both have a great sense of humor that makes them fun to be around.

“She cooks grilled cheeses and other food when we are home without our parents,” Brandon said, “so you could say I’d be dead from starvation if it wasn’t for Shelby.”

They like to joke around with each other, but they are serious and honest with each other when they need to be.

Shelby is very active, and having time to sit down and talk was hard.

Along with being the vice president of the school’s a cappella choir, she is the co-vice president of the school’s DECA chapter, and she works at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. During the school day, Shelby spends two hours in retail, managing the Hornet’s Nest and closing it down afterward.

Two to three times a week she stays after school for choir, and, on weekends, she spends her time working in Frankenmuth.

Shelby said working at Bronner’s is great because it allows her time to do what she wants during the week.

Shelby works 21 hours between Friday and Sunday, and with the busiest time of the year already started, Shelby does not have much time for herself. Homework is done at night, after everything else is finished.

Shelby said she has learned a lot from working, mostly how to deal with unhappy people and how to take charge.

Shelby’s friend Pavi Kunkel, senior, said that Shelby “takes her jobs seriously and is a great manager for the Hornets Nest, as well as a great best friend.”

Shelby has learned how to accept the role that seniority plays in businesses and that, although she wants to be in in a higher position at Bronner’s, she knows that comes with dedication and hard work.

When Shelby does find time to herself, she is not at home sitting around.

Most often she is at the bowling alley, keeping her skills sharp waiting for the season to start, or at her best friend’s house.

“My favorite person would be Anna (Rutledge),” Shelby said. “We really get each other; we’ve been through the same circumstances. We’re practically the same person.”

Rutledge graduated last year and spends a great deal of time with Shelby, at least two or three times a week.

Shelby likes to go to movies and collects all of her movie stubs, like many people do.

She loves to read and enjoys all kinds of books, especially the popular ones like the “Twilight” series and “The Hunger Games.” She has two entire bookshelves filled with all of her books that she doesn’t want to get rid of.

Anyone who knows Shelby would say she is a cheerful person who is always smiling and laughing.

But when sitting down with her, she has a calm confidence that shows she knows who she is. Shelby puts forth a lot of dedication to the work she does and to her family and friends.

After graduation, she wants to go to either Kutztown University in Kutztown, Penn., or Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill.

She isn’t sure what she would like to do but has been thinking about being an obstetrician and gynecologist or being a dentist.