Brian Regino found a home at Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, and the senior earned a prestigious scholarship that will help him in his next step in life.
Regino received a $40,000 scholarship from the Kind World Foundation, an organization started by Norman Waitt Jr., who grew up in Sioux City. The scholarship is administered by the Siouxland Community Foundation on behalf of the Kind World Foundation.
Regino will use that money toward his education at the University of South Dakota.
Regino realized even as a sophomore at Heelan that his background and upbringing — which included being homeless before being adopted by Mike and Charmaine Regino — could be a springboard for helping kids who were in a similar situation.
Regino said he wants to be the adult to those children who aren’t sure who to reach out for help. That’s a key reason why he’s going to study Elementary Education at USD.
He was the Boys & Girls Clubs state Youth of the Year as a sophomore where he hosted a coat drive and conducted a drive for soda cans and bottles for the Gospel Mission. He also became an Eagle Scout in the summer of 2022.
While at Heelan, Regino could be seen cheering on the Crusaders at football and basketball games. He also helped clean school classrooms in the summer with a student work crew.
“Heelan pushed me to do the best I can do,” Regino said. “I love giving back to people who were in a similar situation that I was in. I understand what they’re going through. Heelan feels like a second home.”
At the beginning of the year, Regino remembered walking into the school and reflecting on how Heelan has shaped him to be the person he’s become.
“Being able to learn and grow, I’ve made so many memories in this school,” Regino said. “That’s how school should be.”
Regino wasn’t the only Crusader who received a Kind World Foundation scholarship. Ayla Nelson and Nyla Jochum each earned $10,000 scholarships while Annelle Grieve, Hung Dong and Ashlyn Utech got $5,000 scholarships.
For more information on the Kind World Foundation’s Scholarship, contact the Siouxland Community Foundation at 712-293-3303.