Dental Hygienist Program Graduates, Left to Right: Stephanie Van Obstfelder, Rachel Bailey, Stephanie Stettin, Madelyn Byrne, Abbey Bauer, Tess Nafzger, Julia Pyles, Lexi Graber, Kylie Redman.
Graduates of Blackhawk Technical College’s Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist programs were recognized Friday morning during a pinning ceremony held on the Beloit-Janesville Campus. Both groups will also participate in Blackhawk's upcoming Commencement Ceremony on May 17.
"The education that you've received in this program, the degrees and credentials that you have earned, are keys that will open doors that will change your lives," said Lisa Johnson, Dental Hygienist Instructor.
Nine students completed the Dental Hygienist program, which prepares graduates for licensure through written and clinical examinations overseen by the State Dentistry Examining Board and the American Dental Association’s Joint Commission. During the ceremony, several students were recognized for outstanding achievement:
- Lexi Graber received the Dental Hygienist Rising Star Award for demonstrating exceptional growth throughout the program.
- Maddy Byrne earned the Golden Scaler Award for exhibiting remarkable skill and talent in clinical practice.
- Abbey Bauer was recognized as a recipient of a scholarship from the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
Fifteen graduates from Blackhawk’s Dental Assistant program were also celebrated at the event.
"Many of you overcame obstacles during your time at Blackhawk," said Kristin Ziegler, Dental Assistant Instructor. "Together, we’ve met those challenges head-on and succeeded in preparing highly skilled graduates ready to make a difference."
Congratulations to the following Dental Hygienist graduates:
- Rachel Bailey
- Abbey Bauer
- Maddy Byrne
- Lexi Graber
- Tess Nafzger
- Julia Pyles
- Kylie Redman
- Stephanie Stettin
- Stephanie Von Obstfelder
Congratulations to the following Dental Assistant graduates:
- Emma Beutin
- Grace Brown
- Emma Cary
- Natalia Castillo Perez
- Rama Chennamaneni
- Madeline Inman
- Elizabeth McQuality
- Samantha Nabar
- Allison Notbohm
- Olivia Pohlmeier
- Bobbi Prehn
- Riley Robinson
- Payton Teubert
- Nanci Turrubiates
- Kaelyn Whitehead
Dental Assistant Graduates, Left to Right: Samantha Nabar, Olivia Pohlmeier, Rama Chennamaneni, Payton Teubert, Kaelyn Whitehead, Natalia Castillo Perez, Emma Cary, Nanci Turrubiates, Bobbi Prehn, Allison Notbohm, Emma Beutin, Grace Brown, Elizabeth McQuality, Madeline Inman, Riley Robinson
Blackhawk will hold two main commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, at The Dream Center, 2460 Milwaukee Road, Beloit. The 9 a.m. ceremony will include graduates from Blackhawk’s University Transfer, Business, and Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology & Transportation division programs. The 11:30 a.m. ceremony will include graduates from Health and Public Safety programs.
To learn more about the Dental Assistant program, visit blackhawk.edu/dentalassistant.
To learn more about the Dental Hygienist program, visit blackhawk.edu/dentalhygienist.