Mount Wachusett Community College held a pinning ceremony for the twelve members of the Dental Hygiene Class of 2026 on May 20, marking their transition from students to dental hygiene professionals.
Kelley Martell, Chair of the MWCC Dental Hygiene Program, opened the ceremony by saying, “I stand before you with great pride and joy as we celebrate these wonderful women. They have worked so hard and have shown such compassion for one another and for the work they do. We celebrate their resilience, perseverance, commitment, and empathy.”
Kim Shea, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at MWCC, addressed the graduates: “Your journey through this program has taught you more than how to scale teeth and take X-rays. It has taught you how to build trust, how to listen with empathy, and how to show up every day with professionalism and purpose. As graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College, you are well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s healthcare system. You leave here not only with knowledge and skill, but with a deep understanding of the importance of equity, compassion, and excellence in care.”
MWCC President James Vander Hooven said during his remarks, “This is an academically and personally challenging program. You have chosen a field that is filled with compassion, caring and serving others, and for that, you have the gratitude of myself and the communities you will serve. I would also like to thank the families and friends who have supported these graduates. They wouldn’t be here today without you.”
The event included guest speaker Kelly Jancaitis as well as faculty members Heather Almeida; Julie DeCouteau; Kaitlyn Geise; Brenda Highlands; Annie Peterson; Kristina Sanders; Katherine Soal; Alison Waite; along with administrative assistant Zulma M. Torres.
All twelve members of this year’s class successfully passed their clinical board exam: Eveline Orlova McPhee (Ashby), Kendra Nicole Scott (Ashby), Alivia Grace Zuccalmaglio (Ashby), Adriana K. Cintron Rodriguez (Athol), Rylee Anne Litchfield (Fitchburg), Desiree Santana (Fitchburg), Destiny Irene Bennett (Gardner), Renee M. Blouin (Gardner), Kathleen Rita Mott (Gardner), Crystal M. Payant (Greenfield), Christeen Atef Megala (Leominster), and Mayling Ann Tedstone (Leominster).
