Incoming dental hygiene class includes students from coast to coast states

New and returning West Virginia University School of Dentistry Department of Dental Hygiene students began fall 2022 semester with an annual Academic Day/Welcome Picnic.

The multipurpose event is the first meeting of all students and faculty in the program and is a time to review policy and set expectations.

Amy Funk, department chair and program director, welcomed the largest freshman class she’s seen in decades. The Class of 2026 is made up of 27 students representing states from coast to coast and diverse backgrounds.  Additionally, there are four advanced standing sophomores joining the Class of 2025.

“Our program is highly competitive with nuances not offered elsewhere. For each freshman we accepted into our program this year, more than 12 others were vying for that spot. To be able to recruit students from California to Florida with unique experiences and different heritages only broadens the education and introductions we can offer future dental hygienists,” Funk said.

The WVU program is the first and only four-year integrated Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. The first-year, students spend much of their time in liberal arts and science classes, most on the downtown campus, with a few dental hygiene courses at the Health Sciences Center.  Lab and clinical instruction begin their second year with direct patient care beginning that following May.  Six semesters of direct patient care, numerous rotations through dental specialties, multiple courses, one research project, 125 service hours, various certifications and board exams later, the students graduate as highly sought-after professionals.

The Class of 2026 includes:
Victoria “Tori” Alger, El Dorado Hills, CA
Madeline “Maddie” Amoia, Fort Washington, PA
Lexey Amsdell, Watertown, NY
Myka Anderson, Morgantown, WV
Maddalena Bergeron, Herndon, VA
Abigail “Abbey” Bonham, Inwood, WV
Cheyenne Carr, Key West, Florida
Sidney Fortin, Midlothian, VA
Ava Kelly, Ocean View, NJ
Kyra Kerr, Richmond, VA
Brooke Koper, Erie, PA
Josey Moore, St. Marys, WV
Madilyn Muhly, Morgantown, WV
Lilly Namsupak, Charleston, WV
Haley Nieroda, Allentown, NJ
Jakayla O’Neil, Martinsburg, WV
Mikaela “Kae” Parish, Massillon, OH
Yazna “Yaz” Riddick, Bensalem, PA
Katelyn Ross, Greensburg, PA
Gillian Rupert, Bridgeville, PA
Bethany Sims, Bluefield, WV
Stephanie Stewart, Sutton, WV
Jefferson “Jeffe” Umana, Leesburg, VA
Emma Ventura, Shirley, NY
Julianna “Julie” Watts, Ellicott City, MD
Sydney White, Shepherdstown, WV
Ashlynn Zimmerman, Carlisle, PA

Advanced standing sophomores include:
Taylor Stotler, Berkeley Springs, WV
Julian Jesse “JJ” Tamakloe, Clarksburg, MD (originally from Ghana)
Sophie Taylor, Charleston, WV
Kendra Wolford, Morgantown, WV

Upperclassman take the lead at the academic day event. Promoting one WVU while celebrating their differences, this year’s returning students hosted a multicultural feast requesting attendees bring a dish that represents them, their family or community. Many of these delicious dishes have been passed down through generations.   For the first time in the picnic’s history, a student from Fairmont contributed the pepperoni roll known in the region as a lunch snack created by Italian families working in local coal mines. A student born in Ghana introduced classmates to a corn salad his family enjoys.

Click for gallery of photos from event. 

Dental hygiene students can become members of the student chapter of the American Dental Hygiene Association or (SADHA). The association is in place to support members in their educational and professional journeys and develop strong leaders in oral health.

SADHA leadership for the 2022-2023 academic year are:

President: Rachael Johnson
VP: Amanda Lux
Secretary: Jodi Drumheller
Treasurer: Kailey Cullen
Social Chair: Jenna Colagiovanni
Senior Historian: Hannah Nicoletti
Junior Class Reps: Ava Mele and Madison Atwell
Junior Historian: Lauren Byrnside
Sophomore Class Reps: Sidney Fox and Rebecca Good
Sophomore Historian: Grace Dempsey
Freshmen will elect representatives at a future date.

The annual academic welcome includes fellowship activities. This year’s hands-on teamwork event had students planning seeds in tooth-shaped vases.