Ledyard's Superstar Mom: Michelle Hinton

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

Mother’s name

Michelle Hinton

Your name and relationship to the nominee

Hailey Hinton

Why does your mom rock?

My mother, Michelle Hinton, definitely rocks! It’s not an understatement to say that she’s not the average parent. Since I was very little, she has always gone above and beyond for not only my brother and I, but for all those in her life. She has surely taken me on some of my most memorable adventures.

When I was very young, I lost my grandfather (my mother’s father) to cancer. I watched this take a toll on my mom, as my grandfather, “Pepe,” still had so much to do with his life. That’s when my mom realized that life really is “too short,” which has become her life motto, which is how her bus trips started.

For my entire childhood I spent a lot of time on a bus. Starting with just friends and family, and extending into hundreds of people on the mailing list. I’ve been everywhere from Niagara Falls, New York City, Lancaster Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and Red Sox and Yankees games.

I’ve experienced waking up before the sunset to lay in a field and watch a sky full of hot air balloons; Singing “Sweet Caroline” at Red Sox games; devouring a home-made lunch cooked and served by an Amish Family while listening to their children sing; Laughing at each other in the big yellow ponchos on the “Maid of the Mist” in Niagara Falls. I am so thankful for all the amazing people I have met through my mom. Doing this trips, strangers have become close friends.

But, this isn’t her job. She works full time as a housing leaser at Balfour Beatty housing in Groton, while also making time to be at every one of mine or my brother’s games or competitions.

She has always supported me in any way possible. Since elementary school, she has supported me directly as the PTO president at Ledyard Center School, a member of the Ledyard Board of Education, and the current president of the parent council for the substance-free graduation party.

Competing in the Miss America Organization, she had driven me all over the state to appearances, meetings, and events. And when I hear the cheering in the audience as I’m on the stage, I know the extremely loud voice in the front (of course costumed in buttons and signs with my face on it) is my mother.

My mother has gone through some tough times. With some recent family difficulties, and the loss of her brother, she has definitely been tested to her limits. However, seeing her strength among the stress and problems showed me the power she really does possess.

She’s taught me a lot, and shaped me into the person I am today. In the fall, I will be majoring in biology at the University of Connecticut. I would not have been so successful and gotten into this college without the support I have been given and without the drive I have been taught to have. I would not have been a 3 year class president without being taught to be a leader and speak confidently in public. And I would not be as content with my life without being taught the confidence I have.

My mother is beyond a superstar- She’s my best friend. She is most deserving of your recognition.

Editor’s Note: This article originally ran on May 7, 2015.