DiGrigoli's helps grad turn life around

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - What a difference a year made for one young woman graduating from DiGrigoli's cosmetology school Wednesday.

21-year-old Heather McCracken was a recovering heroin addict who was dangerously close to losing her two young kids. After a state case worker helped her with career counseling, she enrolled in the academy at DiGrigoli Salon.

Heather told 22News she finally found a sense of worth and purpose at DiGrigoli. Nine months later, she's a certified cosmetologist and graduated at the very top of her class.

Owner Paul DiGrigoli surprised Heather with the salon's most prestigious award Wednesday night at the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee. "This girl has not taken a little step, she's taken a giant step, and we're just so proud of her and all the graduates tonight."

"I'm going to just keep working hard. Working my way up, you know? I don't want to settle. I just want to keep going up," she said.

Heather told 22News the thing she loves most about her new job is helping other women discover their self-esteem.