MENTOR, Ohio — Aurora Lavrich, 18, a recent graduate of Mentor High School, has spirit for days.
It runs deep, not just because of her involvement with the Sparkles cheerleading team, but because she was born making people smile.
Diagnosed with a brain condition called agenesis of the corpus callosum, Aurora has never let it stand in her way.
"If you ask Aurora what it means to have special needs, she'll just tell you that her brain thinks different," Cheri Lavrich, Aurora's mom, said. "(We) focus more on the ability and less on the ‘dis’ because everybody is able in their own way."
Aurora is more than able. She does it all. She's an enthusiastic cheerleader, an alter server at St. Bede Parish and a bingo caller at Danbury Senior Living.
She's also a bit of a daredevil.
“I rode on a motorcycle," Aurora told us, of riding on her dad's motorcycle.
She also loves roller coasters. Her favorite?
“Millennium Force," she said.
Aurora inspires. Everyone. Everywhere.
"She's fearless, and she doesn't mind putting yourself out there," her dad, Paul Lavrich, told us.
"She can sit down next to a total stranger and within 30 seconds, she's talking to them and they're just chitchatting away like they've been long lost best friends," Cheri said.
“I think what makes her happy is to make other people happy," Paul said.
And, as it turns out, Aurora is a huge 3News fan. Her family says she never misses a show.
“Aurora is up at the same time every day, so even with the virus going on, Aurora is still getting up between 5:15 and 5:30 every morning," Cheri said. "And I come downstairs to start getting ready for work, and she has Channel 3 on and is sitting on the couch, waiting for me to come join her with my cup of coffee."
So our team decided to surprise her with a 3News parade this week that featured our morning crew.
“She'll be waiting for Ms. Hollie to tell us what the weather is going to be like. She keeps hoping that Mr. Chudowsky is going to tell us that sports are coming," Cheri said.
Aurora exudes goodness. So, that's all she sees in everyone.
“Aurora is just always one of those positive people. She never has a bad day. She can make anyone smile," Cheri said.
She's the apple of her dad's eye.
“If I have a bad day at work, it doesn't matter what happens," Paul said. "As soon as I come home, within 30 seconds, this young lady makes it all better. Makes me smile again."