WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 12, 2008 – The Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation recently awarded $13,000 in scholarships to 18 dental and hygiene students in the state.

Two Wisconsin students in their third year at Marquette University School of Dentistry received $2,500 each after demonstrating academic achievement, motivation, character and financial need in their scholarship applications.

Milwaukee resident Courtney Mills was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry by her father who, as a dental laboratory technician, made a difference in people’s lives by helping improve their smiles. Mills plans to pursue a general practice residency program after graduation before joining a small, group practice in western Wisconsin.

Mai Y. Xiong of Waukesha began her professional journey as a bilingual pediatric dental assistant. Determined to give back to the community, she volunteers for Give Kids A Smile screening day, Smiles for the Future and other dental health programs. Xiong is committed to educating the Hmong community on the importance of dental health and serving this population’s specific oral health needs.

Sixteen dental hygiene students enrolled in technical colleges statewide received $500 each. These scholarships were awarded on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. The schools, their scholarship recipients and cities of residence include:

• Chippewa Valley Technical College - Sheri Burnette (Rice Lake) and Stacy Licht (Chippewa Falls)

• Fox Valley Technical College – Sara Beatty (Larsen) and Kelly See (Chilton)

• Madison Area Technical College – Two recipients to be named at a later date

• Milwaukee Area Technical College – Two recipients to be named at a later date

• Northcentral Technical College – Kelsey Stroinski (Wausau) and Mary TeBeest (Wausau)

• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College – Emily Seidl (Luxemburg) and Katie Gschwender (unavailable)

• Waukesha County Technical College – Jessika Kozik (Muskego) and Meggin Hubacher (Mukwonago)

• Western Technical College – Joan Kennedy (Onalaska) and Abigail Walls (Onalaska)      

 “My dedication to this program is 100 percent. I feel this is what I am supposed to be doing; this is my calling and I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. I love this profession and am very excited for what the future holds. Again, thank you so much for choosing me for this wonderful scholarship,” said WTC’s Kennedy.

CVTC student Licht appreciates her scholarship because, “I am a single mother of one beautiful daughter who is 10. Though it can be very stressful at times, I find myself to be very determined. My goal is to successfully complete the dental hygiene program and work for a clinic that provides oral care to low income families. I also want to better the future for both my daughter and myself.”

The Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation was created as the charitable arm of the WDA in 1957. A qualified, tax-exempt corporation, the foundation provides scholarships to dental and dental hygiene students attending accredited schools in Wisconsin. It also gives financial support to projects providing dental care to the underserved and other dental-related philanthropic endeavors. The foundation also administers the Donated Dental Services program.

Established in 1870, the WDA is headquartered in West Allis. With more than 2,900 members statewide, the WDA represents the vast majority of practicing dentists in Wisconsin. Its members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. The WDA is one of 53 constituent (state-territorial) dental societies of the American Dental Association - the largest and oldest national dental association in the world. For more information on the WDA or the WDA Foundation, call 414-276-4520 or visit www.wda.org.