Building a better future
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 10, 2018 5:50 AM
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Fitness director for the Salvation Army, Antonio Hines stands among the exercise equipment. Hines, who once lived in the center's men's shelter, has since found a home, is married with a son and will soon be graduating from Wayne Community College.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Antonio Hines plays video games on his computer with his son Wyatt Miles before the Fit for Jesus fitness class at the Salvation Army. Hines, who two years ago was living in the men's shelter, is the fitness supervisor and will soon be graduating from Wayne Community College.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Antonio Hines starts the devotional time of the Fit for Jesus class by asking what everyone did for Easter. In addition to reading Scripture, Hines also uses the time to get to know people and gives them health tips to help with their fitness journey.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
"I think I've accomplished something. I need to make sure that I realize that life isn't going to stop and wait for me to make my next move, that I have to make it and if I do fail, I need to get up and try again." -- Antonio Hines, on how far he has come and what his future holds
Antonio Hines can be aptly described in two words -- gentle giant.
A looming figure on the football field while a student at Goldsboro High School, he was recruited for N.C. State before an injury sidelined him and changed the trajectory of his life.
"I just never really like fitted into a neighborhood as far as people who feel like they belong here as far as territory elements. I've always been different," he said. "Everybody could always tell I was smart, things like that, or different or better than that.
"I had a lot of encouragement to make it through high school."
Since graduating from GHS in 2009, other issues interrupted his education and career path, as well as the domestic one.
He has spent several stints living in the Salvation Army shelter, while also volunteering there to earn his keep. He continues to work there a couple days a week, supervising the fitness program, leading devotions and helping where needed.
But he never gave up on his desire to better himself.
"I kept myself focused. I was in church," he said. "I just tried to stay as focused as possible -- on who I am and all that I can be.
"It just took a while to get back on track."
One of those efforts was to further his education.
"He came to me a year and a half ago while living and working at the Salvation Army shelter," said Kirk Keller, instructor in the business administration, operations management program at Wayne Community College. "He shared with me his hardships and his dreams to overcome them.
"He followed my advice completely and currently maintains a 3.3 GPA (grade point average) in my program."
Besides obtaining financial aid and enrolling at WCC in the summer of 2016, many circumstances in Hines' life have changed.
He has a place to live a short distance away from the Salvation Army, with his wife, Tina, and son, Wyatt Miles.
The second-grader has his own short list of why Hines is a good dad -- from cooking together to playing video games, Hines is also funny and makes him laugh, he says.
"He tickles me," the 8-year-old said, chuckling before adding, "I do like to pick stuff out, like what movies we could watch and what stuff we could do."
The role is an important one, Hines said, and he aspires to make a lasting difference in ways that count.
"I want to say I'm inspiring, motivational," he said, pausing to think a moment before sharing what kind of dad he hopes to be. "I know I'm fun, but I think he feels very inspired to do what he wants to do but at the same time, (I want to) make sure that he goes to college and takes care of himself, that he knows how to do things the right way."
While juggling family responsibilities and his education, Hines has held several part-time jobs, including at the WCC bookstore and the work study program at the college.
In the process, he has also discovered some political aspirations, stemming in part from his role this year as vice president of the WCC Student Government Association. Recently, he also had the opportunity to attend a state SGA conference.
He said he has thought about ways to give back to his community, possibly trying his hand at local government within the next five years.
The opportunities that have come his way, including doors that have unexpectedly been opened and his upcoming graduation with an associate degree in May, have been a "God thing," he said.
"Being a Christian -- I have been a Christian all my life," he said. "A lot of people tell me I have a real big spirit. I think I bring forth that feeling.
"I'm going to give it all I've got."
He is excited about being on track to receive his diploma in a few weeks and formulating a plan for what will be next.
One of his goals would be to work at the college as a part-time faculty member while pursing additional education and more certifications in the business program.
He also wants to encourage others who, like himself, have experienced setbacks and challenges along the way.
He's the first to admit the struggle is always worth it if one does not give up or quit trying.
"I think I've accomplished something," he said. "I need to make sure that I realize that life isn't going to stop and wait for me to make my next move, that I have to make it and if I do fail, I need to get up and try again."