At Hahnville High School, Olivia Whitaker became known for her positivity, perseverance and love of sports. Most classmates may not have realized that behind her busy schedule of athletics, academics and extracurricular activities, Whitaker was also dealing with numerous medical procedures and doctors’ appointments.
Whitaker was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor 11 years ago.
“When my mom told me that I had a brain tumor, I really did think that I was going to die,” Whitaker said. “I didn’t think that I was going to be here today.”
Over the last four years, Whitaker has undergone radiation and several surgeries. Before her freshman year at Hahnville, she had brain surgery to remove a cyst.
“I had a big shaved spot on the top of my head,” she said. “I was kind of nervous coming into my freshman year.”
But Whitaker kept a positive attitude. At Hahnville, she played soccer and joined the track team. She was active in Beta Club and Interact Club, and she helped coach swimming.
“I really don’t let the thing in my head stop me from school, sports, pursuing anything that I want to do,” Whitaker said. “It’s part of me, but it doesn’t define me.”
Although she had to sit out part of her soccer career and could no longer head the ball, she continued competing.
“I could kick, I could run, I could do anything,” she said. “I could do everything that a normal kid could do.”
Whitaker said sports have always been a major part of her life. She began playing at age five and participated in nearly every sport she could, including basketball, softball, tennis and soccer.
“I like the energy that it brings,” she said. “The crowd cheering, the teammates, the high fives, the hugs, the screaming — just everything about it. I love it.”
As a senior, Whitaker was named to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association All-Academic Divisional Team, an accomplishment she said was especially meaningful because of the challenges she faced while keeping up with schoolwork and medical treatments.
“I didn’t really struggle with grades, but with having a lot of medical things going on, I kind of struggled with keeping up with my work,” she said. “But I didn’t let that affect my grades.”
Whitaker credited Hahnville educator Elizabeth Folse and other teachers for helping her balance schoolwork and recovery after surgeries that caused her to miss significant time in class.
After graduation, Whitaker plans to attend Nicholls State University to study kinesiology and become a strength and conditioning coach, helping athletes improve their performance and physical health.