19 Aug SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS BRING BRIGHT SMILES
Dr. Melina Cozby and Forney Family Dentistry awarded Taylor Crouch from Wills Point High School a full scholarship to Elite Dental Assisting School.
“Growing up in Forney, I know the importance of a local business supporting local students, and so I decided to sponsor this scholarship opportunity,” Dr. Cozby said.
Taylor is nearing completion of her course and will be a registered dental assistant by the end of September, 2015.
“I am so thankful to have received the scholarship! It set me off on the right path and has opened so many doors. I am so excited to have this journey with Elite Dental Assisting School,” Taylor said.
In January, 2015 all local schools within Kaufman, Hunt, Van Zandt, and Rockwall counties were contacted about the scholarship opportunity. Students were asked to submit an essay on why they wanted to become a dental assistant, answer several questions, and provide letters of recommendation. The applications poured in and the top five applicants were selected.
Dr. Cozby formed a selection committee to evaluate the applications and select the honoree. Several local officials volunteered their time to interview each applicant and make a decision on who was going to receive the $4,300 scholarship, which covers all costs of attending Elite Dental Assisting School.
At a dinner for the committee and finalists, Dr. Cozby gave each person a motivational Christian book on following your dreams, Imagine Big by Terri Savelle Foy; Dr. Cozby’s personal favorite book. But the night’s surprises didn’t end there.
“When I met all the finalists I decided that each of them needed to receive something,” Dr. Cozby said. Right then and there, she decided that the four applicants not receiving the full scholarship would receive a partial scholarship.
“Growing up in a small town, it is difficult to be noticed for scholarships over the bigger districts’ students, and I just couldn’t let anyone leave empty handed,” she said.
Dr. Cozby offered special thanks to all who served on the interview committee: Julie Sloan (Elite instructor), Christy Starlett (Assistant Superintendent, Crandall ISD), Dr. Alan Nix (Dentist), Judith Willis (Forney ISD) and Jeannette Pritchard (Pastor), saying, “without their sacrifice of their time and energy, this would have been impossible.”
The committee selected Taylor Crouch from Wills Point High School for the full scholarship.
“I have no doubt that I will be prepared to start my career after I complete the 14 week course. I am incredibly grateful to be given this amazing opportunity!” Taylor said.
Dr. Cozby added, “It is such a blessing to see Taylor and all the students in Elite thriving and developing their skills so they can start a stable career. That is my drive behind opening Elite Dental Assisting School: to inspire others to follow their dreams.”
Elite Dental Assisting School is located in Forney, Texas and offers a 14-week evening course with extern opportunities and financing available.
For more information about becoming a Dental Assistant call 855-653-0495