2012 Bright Star Dental Healthcare Scholarship Recipients
Once again, Bright Star Dental has awarded future healthcare providers with scholarships for college. In 2012, four $1,000 scholarships were awarded to students selected on the basis of their essays. Excerpts from their essays are included below their photographs. Congratulations to these outstanding young men and women who will be valuable members of the healthcare field.
Left to right: Dr. Brian Gilbert, David Udero, Mireya Uribe, Mariah Groll, Devin Marketto, and Bright Star Dental Team Member Jennifer Massey.
David Udero will attend New Mexico State University this fall after graduation from Las Cruces High School. His goal is to earn a Doctorate in physical therapy. Here's part of what David says:
As a student athlete I had fractured my ankle my junior year while playing soccer and wrestling season was just around the corner. I had set forth the goal for myself to be state champion. Disappointed, worried, angry and anxious to work out, I was eager to heal quickly and safely. After several weeks of being on crutches and non-weight bearing, my physician referred me to physical therapy. While I was attending therapy I would observe the therapists working with other patients, and I noticed that every therapist in the building really enjoyed their job. Realizing this made me want to find out more about this career path and if it suited my personality. Researching information on this career made me even more interested in this field and I would like to be a part of this medical team to assist patients in becoming mobile, pain free, and athletes to meet their dreams.
Devin Marketto will attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, after graduating from Mesilla Valley Christian Schools. He plans to follow in the footsteps of his two older brothers, who also plan to become dentists. Devin says in his essay what made him decide to follow this path after shadowing a local dentist:
Through shadowing twice a week, I have seen the assistance that dentists offer their patients to help eliminate both physical and emotional discomfort. In society today, personal appearance is important and one of the first impression a person gives is his smile. I have also observed some of the skills a good dentist needs. To help his patients feel comfortable and have the best experience possible, he has to be very personable and genuinely interested in them. In addition, dentistry requires exceptional problem-solving abilities. I feel these are both areas where God has blessed me and I would be able to use these gifts to successfully help my patients in a dental practice.
Mariah Groll will head to Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico after she graduates from Oñate High School. She plans to study nutrition and dietetics, then earn a Masters in occupational therapy. Here's some of her essay:
One Sunday while in church, I sat and thought about where I would go in life, what I would do, who would look up to me and what my purpose really was. I looked around at all the people and thought about how unique everyone is and how we are all striving to succeed in our lives. A young man who had Down's syndrome, sitting listening to the gospel, stood out to me. I immediately knew what I wanted to do. I want to help others in any way possible. My family promotes the value of serving others in their everyday taks: my dad as a member of the military and my mom as a high school guidance counselor. I now know why helping others has such strong appeal to me.
Mireya Uribe will attend New Mexico State University after graduating from Mayfield High School. Her experiences working with the trainer at school helped her choose a career as a physical therapist. Here's part of her essay:
I chose physical therapy because I have worked as a student athletic trainer for Mayfield for the past three years and loved everything about it. Tim Acklin, better known as "Doc," is the certified athletic trainer at my school who has taught me so much in my three years being part of the program. I learn something new each and every day... Relieving people of their pain gives me an indescribable sense of satisfaction. I have wanted to go into the medical field since I was a little girl and I plan to make that dream come true.
