Friends and Neighbors: Regan Hinton

Following her own path and time schedule, Regan Hinton is a woman on a mission.

A lifelong, multigenerational resident of Kimball, Regan is the oldest daughter of Regina Hinton and Bob Hinton, sister to seven siblings and auntie to several. When talking with her, one has no doubt that her love of family, children, and school have all played major roles in shaping her dreams of becoming a teacher.

It's unclear if Regan's work ethic is genetic or learned from her parents, either way, she has worked in some form or fashion since she was young. She became a lifeguard the summer before 11th grade and has continued working for the Kimball pool for the past six summers.

Regan graduated from Kimball High School four years ago and has not wasted a moment since. Everything is a priority in her life whether that is one of her multiple jobs, higher education, helping family or supporting the community.

This past May, Regan received her associates degree from WNCC. Although she says she is taking this semester off from college, she is currently studying to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), because, as she said, "I want to be a lifesaver."

It is important for her to be helpful to the community, as well as, family and friends, and it's not all selfless, "I want to be more of myself, I want to do more, I want to make something of myself."

When speaking of her desires to become an EMT, she talks about it in terms of the rest of the her life, not just right now. "It could take me anywhere, a hospital setting, not just on-call ambulance as it is here," she said.

Carla Goranson, Kimball Ambulance Director, has been a big influence in Regan's desire to be an EMT, "I see in myself that I'm a lot like her emotionally and compassionately, so I think I can do it."

Regan hopes to return to college next fall working towards a degree in secondary education with possible endorsements in science and English. Although she has no plans of budging from her chosen career, the location of where she will finish her higher education is still up for grabs.

Love of family, friends and community keep her tethered to Kimball and yet this young woman longs for new experiences and the opportunity to grow in ways that only living in a new city and region can offer her. Although online options for continuing her education are a possibility, she remains open to the possibility of moving away to attain her dream of becoming a teacher.

Currently, Regan is working at the Mary Lynch as a one-on-one para-professional and says, "I love my job, I love what I do, and I love the student that I work with."

She obviously enjoys being in the school system now, but even when she was younger, she liked school. Now that she is older and understands, she wants to help the younger generation.

"I think it's cool to help kids who struggle because I struggled with it (math) and now I can explain it to them in a way that they understand," she said.

Although she loves working with the little kids right now, she is more drawn to teaching at the junior high and high school levels in the future, "I want to be a positive influence for kids that are in the most awkward time of their lives," she said.

When she is not at the Mary Lynch or going to class and studying for the EMT, she isn't just sitting at home wanting for something to do. Not only does Regan donate her time to local groups and committees such as Santa's Helpers, but she is also the temporary, part-time events coordinator for the Kimball Event Center. With the help of a local volunteer group, Regan is responsible for booking events, helping to prepare for events, being present for the event and cleaning up after the event. Last weekend she pulled double duty as both event coordinator and one of Kimball's Santa's Helpers for the Father - Daughter dance.