Rebel Buttery, 17, is spending her summer before her senior year working at Hardwaters Shaved Ice in Vian and soaking up her time on Lake Tenkiller.

At Hardwaters, Buttery is making a name for herself through hard work, her friendliness and a positive outlook on life, while enjoying all the summer job perks.

“It’s fun,” Buttery said. “I get to work with my friends while earning my own paycheck, and the free snow cones are a bonus.”

Outside of work, Buttery, a lifelong resident of Vian, is involved in cheerleading and spends her mornings at cheer practice. Most recently, she proudly landed a back handspring.

“It’s something I’ve been working on for a while,” she said. “I’m glad I finally landed it.”

After practice, Buttery said she usually gives some of her fellow cheerleaders a ride home, and then takes a short power nap.

“I make the most of my afternoons by going to the lake or spending time with friends,” she said. “My evenings are spent at work serving snow cones, then heading home and winding down with my favorite TV show, Love Island, before getting ready to do it all over again.”

Buttery said she also enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends, and playing card games, a favorite pastime she shares with both her friends and grandparents.

Now that she is nearing the end of high school and looking forward to graduation, she has started thinking about her future plans. She said she plans to attend college and pursue a career in healthcare.

“I’m still exploring paths, but I’ve narrowed my decision to either pediatric nursing or obstetrics/ gynecology,” she said, drawn by a passion for helping others and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

Despite her busy schedule, Buttery keeps a positive attitude. When asked what advice she would give to others, she said, “You only live once—YOLO.”

To her, it is a reminder to make the most of every opportunity.