Tina Lynn Kirkman Young is a 1991 graduate of Todd County Central High School.
She values most from her time in school the friendships she made along the way and says she felt her Todd Central peers and teachers were like a big family. She still has lasting friendships with the people she went to school with, such as her best friend Sarah Laster Belanger. The two graduated together and are still close — they are even in the same family now as Young’s husband is Belanger’s nephew.
She adds she has fond memories of her teachers, who were always willing to help their students. She truly loved her teachers and knew they cared about her education. Young says she has so many treasured memories from Todd Central, especially being in chorus with Mr. Borders and taking part in the Rebel Revue. She was also a basketball manager and loved getting to travel to ballgames with all her friends on the team. Young will always love her Alma Mater and says Todd County will always be home to her.
She advises current Todd Central students to apply themselves and make the very best of things. Also, to finish their education while they’re young and go to college right after high school, study hard and complete their degree. Young says she did not end up finishing her college degree directly after high school and eventually returned after she had children. She was very proud of herself but says obtaining a degree while raising a family is not for the faint of heart.
To current educators, she says to show students they care about them and always listen. She adds educators are a blessing and definitely make a difference — she thanks them for all they do.
After graduating high school, Young went straight to work at Covington’s Convalescent Center where she worked and studied to receive her Nursing Assistant Certification. She also briefly attended Hopkinsville Community College but did not finish her nursing degree until later.
She eventually went on to attend Madisonville Community College and receive an associate’s degree in applied science. She graduated in 2006 and has since been practicing as a Registered Nurse in various different settings. This has also enabled her to take care of her son Trevor, who was diagnosed with esophagus cancer at age 15. Young’s nursing skills and knowledge made a difficult situation easier and helped her throughout his journey of cancer, surgeries, and complications, and she is thankful she was able to help take care of him. She says nursing is her calling — she is grateful for her education and being able to take care of so many families throughout her life.
Young was born in Dayton, Ohio, and currently lives in Russellville, Kentucky with her husband Jamie Young. She has three children, Trevor Chase Hesson, Jolynn Hesson Rosser, and Peyton Kaylee Young.
Spotlights on Todd Central alumni are part of a partnership between WEKT and the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc. To be featured, please visit the Alumni Foundation’s website to fill out the application.
