Dental Assisting program celebrates recent graduates

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College’s Dental Assisting program celebrated its latest graduates with a pinning ceremony held on Monday, July 27, at the James C. Bailey Center.

“Today we are celebrating their accomplishment and honoring the completion of the program,” said Susan Brewer, Director of the Dental Assisting program.

“Congratulations, Class of 2025,” said Class President Briana Cummings of Bremen. “I could not have asked for better classmates. You are all amazing, and I am so proud of each and every one of you here today.”

Clinical Coordinator Halli Melton welcomed the graduates to the field of dental assisting.

“The pinning ceremony holds a special significance for our students,” Melton said. “It symbolizes the transition from student to professional, from learner to practitioner. We have every confidence that these graduates will make meaningful contributions to the field of dental assisting. They represent the next generation of leaders, innovators, and advocates who will shape the future of oral healthcare.”

Several students were recognized with awards during the ceremony, including:

• Melia Gladney – Program Award
• Raven Dukes – C. Edmunds Kells Award
• Kayley Daniel, Taylor Vaughn – Academic Excellence Award
• Jade Covaci, Summer VanScoyk, Brandy Varible – Clinical Excellence Award
• Claire Chandler – Douglas Allen Memorial Award

Members of the Dental Assisting Class of 2025 include:

• Boaz: Pamela Gilstrap
• Bremen: Briana Cummings
• Carbon Hill: Kayley Daniel, Raven Dukes
• Crossville: Jade Covaci
• Dora: Summer VanScoyk
• Gardendale: Saundra Calvert, Brandon Davis, Taylor Vaughn
• Hanceville: Yasmin Benitez, Maggie Bentley, Kyndall Clark, Karmen Johnson
• Holly Pond: Brandy Varible
• Jasper: Odalis Cortes, Crimson Willoughby
• Montevallo: Melia Gladney
• Woodville: Claire Chandler

The Dental Assisting program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester. For more information, call 256.352.8300 or visit www.wallacestate.edu/Dental-Assisting.

Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 19. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to attend sessions of Wallace Way to tour campus, learn how to navigate their student accounts, get a student ID, parking pass and more. Visit www.wallacestate.edu/advising to register.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.

Melia Gladney of Montevallo was recognized as the Dental Assisting Program Award recipient for the Class of 2025.

Raven Dukes of Carbon Hill is presented with the C. Edmunds Kells Award by Wallace State Dental Assisting Program Director Susan Brewer during a pinning ceremony held on Monday, July 27, at the James C. Bailey Center.

Kayley Daniel, center, of Carbon Hill, and Taylor Vaughn, right, of Gardendale each received an Academic Excellence Award presented by Wallace State Dental Assisting Program Director Susan Brewer during a pinning ceremony held on Monday, July 27, at the James C. Bailey Center.

Wallace State Dental Assisting Program Director Susan Brewer, left, presented Jade Covaci of Crossville, Summer VanScoyk of Dora, and Brandy Varible of Holly Pond with a Clinical Excellence Award during a pinning ceremony held on Monday, July 27, at the James C. Bailey Center.

Claire Chandler, right, of Woodville received, the Douglas Allen Memorial Award presented by Wallace State Dental Assisting Program Director Susan Brewer during a pinning ceremony held on Monday, July 27, at the James C. Bailey Center.

View more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCoApG