DEDICATION: CHALLISSAH MILLS
Challissah Mills was just 26 years old and at the beginning of her life when she was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Challissah was a loving daughter, devoted sister, and loyal friend. She had a beautiful smile and energy that lit up the room. She had a way of making others always feel comfortable around her. Oftentimes, she would give her last or take the least desirable option to ensure everyone’s comfort.
Challissah, along with her three sisters (“The Mills Girls”), were inseparable, protective, and fiercely close from childhood. She was a role model to her little brother, who shared her love of video games, scary movies, anime’, and Pokemon. Her family was her number one priority. From childhood, she loved to cook and bake with her Grandmother. She had dreams of attending culinary school from a young age and wanted to open her own bakery. Challissah graduated from South Florence High and then enrolled at Florence- Darlington Tech. There, Challissah served as an education ambassador and was an active member of the Drama Club. She wanted to eventually transfer to Rutgers and had aspirations to be a chef, own a bakery, be a psychologist, or be a writer. Challissah was fearless in everything she did. Whether it was fighting fires, making peanut butter blossoms for her friends, rocking out in her bedroom with her little sister, or playing Beyblades on the floor with her little brother, Challissah always did it with such purpose. Challissah had a dark and daring sense of humor. She was sarcastic, witty, and naturally charming. Challissah earned her CNA license and graduated first in her class. She served as a CNA and spent the last few months of her life tirelessly caring for her sick mother. She was a willing support system to anyone who asked, earning the title “Dr. Phil” amongst her friends as they would turn to her for advice. Throughout her life she maintained the honesty and pure heart of a child, speaking what was on her mind and finding the good in everyone around her. On October 9 th , 2017, Challissah was pulling into her driveway when she was hit by a drunk driver. She did nothing wrong, yet, her life was taken at the age of 26. Challissah’s mother, Lisa Hagberg, has been a fierce advocate since then, working alongside MADD to tell her story and make herself available for every opportunity to inform stakeholders about the need for change in this state. Through Lisa, Challissah’s spirit is very much present in this report. “In 2017, there were 313 drunk driving fatalities in South Carolina. My daughter was one of them,” Lisa reminds us.
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