Laker Nation News New Dental Hygienists Recognized at Pinning Ceremony Posted on May 22, 2025 Lake Land College dental hygiene graduates received their pins at the annual pinning ceremony. Several students received scholarships or awards during the ceremony. Kylie Miller, Assumption, and Sydney Miller, Vandalia, were recognized for receiving the Linda Lee Fletcher Scholarship earlier this year. Abria Herron, Vandalia, received the Colgate Student Total Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award, which is offered to a graduating student who shows excellence and commitment to the hygiene profession and exhibits extraordinary compassion in patient care. Herron was also recognized for receiving the Heartland Dental Scholarship. Mackenzie Fonner, Effingham, received the Best Dental Hygienist Award, which was voted on by students in the program. Emily Stern, Ashley, received the Golden Scaler Award for demonstrating advanced skills in instrumentation. The following students were pinned during the ceremony: Name Hometown Brooklynn Bailey Brazil, Ind. Emma Beck Edinburg, Ill. Kylee Brooks Altamont, Ill. Katelan Conley Terre Haute, Ind. Kailynn Drew Charleston, Ill. Taylor Foxworthy Terre Haute, Ind. MacKenzie Fonner Effingham, Ill. Abria Herron Vandalia, Ill. Emilly Higgins Terre Haute, Ind. Alyssa Loveall Decatur, Ill. Noah McCorvey Olney, Ill. Cheyanne Miller Paris, Ill. Kylie Miller Assumption, Ill. Sydney Miller Vandalia, Ill. Chelsey Riley Mount Vernon, Ill, Kaitlyn Schumacher Sigel, Ill. Rebekah Sharp Mattoon, Ill. Shawn Sides Vandalia, Ill. Emily Stern Ashley, Ill. Chelsea Wenger Olney, Ill. Dental Hygiene is a special admission program at Lake Land College. The program prepares students with specialized skills necessary for employment as a dental hygienist. Emphasis is on dental hygiene treatment and on the hygienist’s abilities as a dental health educator. The hygienist’s services are sought by dentists, schools, prisons, hospitals, departments of health and industry. The dental hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. At left, Dental Hygiene Instructor Kara Molzen presents the Heartland Dental Scholarship to Abria Herron, Vandalia, during the 2025 Lake Land College Dental Hygiene pinning ceremony. At left, Dental Hygiene Instructor Logan Smith presents the Student Total Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award to Abria Herron, Vandalia, during the 2025 Lake Land College Dental Hygiene pinning ceremony. At left, Dental Hygiene Instructor Kara Molzen presents the Golden Scaler Award to Emily Stern, Ashley, during the 2025 Lake Land College Dental Hygiene pinning ceremony. At left, Sydney Miller, Vandalia, is pictured with Dental Hygiene Instructor Lacy Huddleston and Kylie Miller, Assumption. The students were recognized for receiving the Linda Lee Fletcher Scholarship Award during the 2025 Lake Land College Dental Hygiene pinning ceremony. At left, Dental Hygiene Instructor Lacy Huddleston presents the Best Dental Hygienist Award to Mackenzie Fonner, Effingham, during the 2025 Lake Land College Dental Hygiene pinning ceremony. -30- Read More Laker Nation News