Dental assistants honored in pinning ceremony

By: Mike Gavin
Published: August 03, 2026

SPINDALE (July 31, 2026) — The seventh class of the Dental Assisting program at Isothermal Community College graduated recently.

A ceremony was held for the nineteen graduates in the Foundation Performing Arts and Conference Center.

The new graduates are Haley Barker, Cheyenne Glynn, April Partridge, Trista Williams, Stacia Conner, Katherine Greene, Gracie McSwain, Alesha Crotts, Kyndall Bridges, Randi Moss, Savannah Breeden, Ana Cardona, Joselin Varela, Shaniya Webber, Kendy Anderson, Jackelyn Vargas, Alexia Mata, Brianna Bradley, and Madelyn Hasty.

After a welcome by Dr. Margaret Annunziata, Isothermal’s president, the Pledge of Allegiance was led Trista Williams.

Joselin Varela, one of the students, addressed the graduates and their guests. Dr. Ashley Lowery, a local dentist and one of the faculty members, also spoke to the students.

Program director Stacey Jenkins, and faculty member Melanie Bailey presented the graduates with their pins, made several remarks, and led the class in the Dental Assistant Pledge. The group also watched a video of memories made during the past year.

Graduate April Partridge made closing remarks to the audience.

Dental assisting is a great career choice that pays well and has great stability and demand. The program only takes one year to complete. Dental assisting involves helping a dentist in skilled four-handed dentistry and graduates find employment in various types of dental offices.

For more information, contact the program’s director, Stacey P. Jenkins, BSDH, RDH, CDA, at sjenkins@isothermal.edu or 828-395-4440.