The Wallace State Community College Dental Hygiene program held a pinning ceremony for its 25 graduates on April 27, 2018. Pictured are from left, in front row: Karissa Hutchison of Jasper, Elizabeth Vinson of Bremen, Whitney Bowers of Danville, Magnolia Orozco of Fort Payne, Rachel Diaz of Decatur, Elisabeth Black of Cullman, Lydia Taylor of Trinity, Samantha Shultz of Oakman; second row: Jennifer Barber of Huntsville, Karlee Phung of Gadsden, Drakken James of Cullman, Katelyn Anderson of New Hope, Hannah Long of Guntersville, Marilu Domingo of Fort Payne, Stefani McClure of Huntsville, Amberly Euper of Huntsville; back row: Cassie Hall of Oneonta, Lauren Morrison of Douglas, Madison Stubblefield of Grant, Hanna Hornbuckle of Boaz, Donna Flores of Decatur, Mollie Hilburn of Guntersville, Alex Gregg of Jasper, Chandler Aldridge of Cullman, and Melinda Hosch of Birmingham.
HANCEVILLE – With bright smiles, more than two dozen young women were pinned as graduates of the Class of 2018 from the Dental Hygiene program at Wallace State Community Coleege.
In her remarks, instructor Susan Brewer complimented the graduates on the teamwork they exhibited throughout their two years in the program.
“That was really highlighted this last week and it really amazed me,” Brewer said. “It was beautiful to watch.”
During the last week of classes, students needed to complete their clinical requirements, which included a long list of practical experiences.
“It looked daunting,” Brewer said of the list. “But you guys made a plan, you made a back-up plan, and you made a back-up to your back-up plan.”
During the last week of clinic, Brewer said while many of the students completed their clinical requirements on one day, many of those students called in the following days. They messaged her or came by to make sure the students completing their requirements had the patients they needed.
“Because the ones who finished Monday still had back-up plans, and if the ones Tuesday hadn’t finished, they had their back-up patients lined up and ready to go for them,” Brewer said.
Student Stefanie McClure, of Huntsville, thanked all of the family and friends attending the ceremony for being their patients as they trained. “If it wasn’t for all of our friends and family, we would be where we are right now,” McClure said. “Thank you from me and all of my classmates. Nobody really understands what it’s like when you start this program. You’re anxious, so to have somebody in your chair that’s a familiar face means more than anything.”
Several students were recognized with awards during the ceremony. Award recipients included:
- Karissa Hutchison of Jasper, Thomas P. Hinman Scholarship
- Rachel Diaz of Decatur, Irene Newman Award
- Lydia Taylor of Trinity, Academic Excellence Award
- Elisabeth Black of Cullman, Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler
- Whitney Bowers of Danville, Colgate Star Award and Dental Hygiene Program Award
- Magnolia Orozco of Fort Payne, Dental Hygiene Club Award
- Elizabeth Vinson of Bremen, Who’s Who Award
Wallace State’s Dental Hygiene program is five-semester program offering an associate in applied science degree. One semester of pre-requisites is required before applying. Applications for Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting, which offers certificate and degree options, are currently being accepted through June 1 for Fall 2018.
