Dental Assisting Class of 2024 Celebrated

Hanceville, AL — The Wallace State Community College Dental Assisting program recently celebrated the accomplishments of graduating students with a ceremony attended by family, friends and colleagues. The program, which has been shaping dental assistants since 1977, saw another group of students walk across the stage to don a white coat signifying their success.

“I would especially like to thank our friends and our family. You have been a crucial part of this program and helping us getting to where we are today, whether you know it or not, from pushing us, comforting us and telling us things that we really don't want to hear from the time,” said class president Peyton Rouse, of Dora, who was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Health Science Excellence at the college commencement exercises in May. “I'd like to take a moment to also thank the faculty and staff who helped get us here today and thank Dr. Karolewics and her team for leading Wallace State the way that they do.”

“You are all going to do great things in the field of dental assisting and in the field of dentistry in general. I have no doubt we will hear from you again doing wonderful things,” said Susan Brewer, interim Program Director for the Wallace State Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs. “I want to thank everybody who came to honor them, to celebrate them and to cherish this moment with them." 

Clinical Coordinator Halli Melton described the Class of 2024 as not only having mastered the technical skills required to become effective dental assistants, but having also embraced the values of empathy, compassion and integrity.

“Today, we gather to celebrate the culmination of dedication, hard work and unwavering determination. Each of these remarkable individuals before us has not only demonstrated academic excellence but has also exhibited a profound passion in the field of dental assisting,” Melton said. “They represent the next generation of leaders, innovators and advocates who will shape the landscape of oral health care for years to come. To the graduates, I offer my heartfelt congratulations.”

Several students were recognized for individual honors, including:

• Edmund Kells Award – Karla Zurita-Jarquin of Albertville
• Academic Excellence Award – Gabrielle Lanier of Tuscaloosa
• Clinical Excellence Award – Brooke Wilson of Scottsboro
• Douglas Allen Memorial Award – Esther Gamble of Hanceville

Other members of the Dental Assisting Class of 2024 include: 

Ella Edmondson, Falkville; Esther Gamble, Hanceville; Hannah Hatcher, Warrior; Makayla Jolly, Warrior; Gabrielle Lanier, Tuscaloosa; Bragan Payne, Hayden; Curtis Pepper, Cullman; Julia Pesina, Blountsville; Shelby Rainwater, Cullman; Cheyene Rockwell, Hanceville; Peyton Rouse, Dora; Kalee Sanders, Hayden; Kameryn Scales, Falkville; Lexi Sproul, Jasper; Cheyanne Watts, Hayden; Brooke Wilson, Scottsboro; Karla Zurita-Jarquin, Albertville.

The Dental Assisting program at Wallace State offers both certificate and degree options in three and four semesters, respectively. Applications are accepted from March 1 to June 1 each year for fall admission.

Registration for Fall 2024 classes at Wallace State Community College is underway, with regular and Mini Term I classes beginning Aug. 19. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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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 finalist 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.

Gabrielle Lanier, right, of Tuscaloosa received the Academic Excellence Award, presented by Clinical Coordinator Hallie Melton.

Brooke Wilson, right, of Scottsboro received the Clinical Excellence Award, presented by Clinical Coordinator Hallie Melton.

Esther Gamble, right, of Hanceville received the Douglas Allen Memorial Award, presented by Clinical Coordinator Hallie Melton.