Cecilia is a junior at Meredith College and expects to graduate in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and then continue on to dental school. She currently works part-time as a pediatric dental assistant, and is the mother of 3 boys, ages 6, 2 and 1.
Cecilia has had a goal of being a dentist since she was 7 years old, though she did not anticipate life throwing her a few curve balls along the way. She dropped out of college when she had her first child, and switched to attending dental assisting school to stay on her dream path. While she had complications with her 2nd child, she pushed on with obtaining her associates degree and applying for admittance to Meredith College, where she is part of the Wings program focused on adult education for women. When her 3rd child was born via a C-section, she suffered nerve injury and had to rely on her mother for help with tasks such as driving. But still she has persisted to work towards her goal of becoming a pediatric dentist.
One of her instructors and friends observes: ”Cecilia has many qualities that I have had the pleasure to see throughout the years, such as leadership abilities, dependability, teamwork and professionalism. She is very hard working, whether it be work, school or a mom. She puts heart into everything she does and takes pride in that.”
While Cecilia is working, driving an hour each way to school, and taking care of her children, she is still focused on her dream of becoming a pediatric dentist. She expressed that receiving this award would help ease the burden of college expenses and bring her one step closer of her dream of dental school.