Smiles-Built-Through-Sacrifice.php
Smiles Built Through Sacrifice
Rock Valley College marked a special milestone on Wednesday, May 13, celebrating the Dental Hygiene Class of 2026 at its 24th annual pinning ceremony.
Dental Hygiene students and faculty celebrated with Dr. Howard Spearman during the Dental Hygiene Ceremony held Wednesday, May 13, in the Stenstrom Student Center Atrium.
Students, families, and guests were welcomed by Dr. Marie Navickis, Chair of the Dental Hygiene program, at the start of the ceremony.
She expressed appreciation for the faculty and staff, acknowledging their ongoing commitment to guiding students through the demands of licensure preparation and into their professional careers.
RVC President Dr. Howard Spearman emphasized the importance of community support and fostering a sense of belonging. He also shared a personal family story about dental care to underscore the value of high-quality service, noting that it begins at RVC.
Spearman reminded graduates of a powerful message, “You belong here, and because you feel that, remember that success is contagious, and you're just getting started,” he concluded.
Dental Hygiene student Diana Villegas expressed heartfelt appreciation for the support from instructors, family, friends, and her husband. Reflecting on the journey through the dental hygiene program, she emphasized the resilience and determination shared among her classmates.
“We stressed, we struggled, and on the hardest days, we kept going anyway. More than half of us drove over an hour each way just to be here, that alone tells you everything about how badly we wanted this. That’s something nobody can take from us,” she said.
She also reflected on the significance of receiving the program pin, noting that while the symbol itself may be small, what it represents is far greater: every late night, long commute, and moment of doubt the class pushed through to reach graduation. She encouraged her classmates to wear it proudly as a reminder of everything they accomplished to earn it.
Student success was recognized during a dedicated awards segment of the ceremony.
Class of 2026 Pinning Awards:
- Colgate Star Award – Jenna Bulliner
- Golden Scaler Award – Micaela Cooper
- Most Improved Clinician Award – Rena Rosenquist
- Sigma Phi Alpha – Victoria Lopez
- Pinning Speaker – Diana Villegas
Beyond the student honorees, adjunct faculty member Dr. Judith Runne was inducted into the honorary Sigma Phi Alpha membership in recognition of more than 18 years of educational service and contributions to the dental hygiene profession.
The program continued with the pinning of the Class of 2026 dental hygiene graduates, marking their transition into the profession.
Class of 2026 Dental Hygiene Graduates:
- Lindsey Aganon
- Amanda Bricco
- Jenna Bulliner
- Micaela Cooper
- Rebecca Espinosa
- Hagar Fanoush
- Daisy Flores
- Hannah Lamothe
- Victoria Lopez
- Rachel Moore
- Katelynn Ray
- Lillian Reeves
- Rena Rosenquist
- Andrea Simmons
- Brynn Thompson
- Brianna Untiedt
- Diana Villegas
Recognizing the hard work behind their success, the ceremony celebrated the graduating class. Congratulations to the newest dental hygienists as they begin their careers and serve their communities with care and compassion.
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