Regan Martin to represent Woodford at DYW of Kentucky

Woodford County High School senior Regan Martin didn't have any expectations - except to have fun - when she decided to participate in the Distinguished Young Women of Woodford County program last August. Regan did have some doubts about participating because she didn't dance or play an instrument like past winners. She overcame those worries about not having a typical talent by remembering her experiences as a "little sister" at last year's DYW of Woodford County program. "It was just a really fun experience," recalled Regan, 17. Her monologue, with "a bit of a different tone," about empowering girls coupled with her good grades, were enough for Regan to stand out at this year's DYW of Woodford County program, where she received scholarship dollars for being overall winner and other awards. "We were surprised. We just went on what she told us," said Kimberly Martin on her daughter's unexpected top finish. Regan credited Woodford County's DYW committee members for preparing her to compete in the local program and now for getting her ready for the state program, where WCHS grad Lindsey Carroll was named Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky one year ago. Regan can earn additional scholarship dollars, and volunteer hours at Ronald McDonald House and other charities, while representing Woodford County at the Distinguished Young Women of Kentucky program at the Singletary Center in Lexington on Jan. 13 and 14. Asked to explain why academics have always been important to her, Regan said, "It's a very self-driven thing. My parents have never been on me to get my grades up. They know I would be more disappointed in myself if I was to get a bad grade ... So I've just been taught to give my 100 percent effort - and that's just how I've gone through my academics." Regan hopes to pursue a career in medicine, and would like to help people in underdeveloped countries who "really, really need the medical care," she said. "You can't have a passion for medicine without caring for people," added Kimberly Martin. One of her daughter's greatest passions in recent years has been her involvement in Dance Gold - a WCHS fundraiser to be held on Friday, Jan. 6, that supports DanceBlue, which raises money to support the pediatric cancer clinic at Kentucky Children's Hospital. "It's a project that I've been involved in all four years of high school," said Regan, vice president of the National Honor Society at WCHS, which helped bring the program to the high school. "It rallies together all of our students in the high school," continued Regan. ".They know their time and money is going to a really great cause." Anyone in the community who wants to support the Dance Gold fundraiser may send or drop off donations at WCHS. Regan lives in Versailles with her parents, Andy and Kimberly Martin, and her three siblings, Sam, Thomas and Dorrah.