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Phoenix, Arizona 85013
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Dental Hygiene Student Receives Special Award

By: Christy Skeen

Phoenix College Dental Hygiene student, Kelli Neil received the 2003 Debby Kurtz-Weidinger Maricopa Foundation Scholarship for demonstrating a commitment to the dental hygiene profession and for community service, as well as displaying a unique compassion toward her clinical patients.

Neil, along with five of her classmates, Marcela Waggener, Lynn Simon, Kathleen McGuire, Renee Bruns and Maria Napier competed for this special award. For those outside of the Dental Hygiene Program, the Debby Kurtz-Weidinger Maricopa Foundation Scholarship may appear to be like many other scholarships; however, to the scholarship applicants it is a great deal more.

Debby Kurtz-Weidinger, Dental Programs adjunct faculty has inspired a number of students through her teaching; therefore, to receive this award would be an honor to any dental student. For the applicants, the scholarship not only provides financial assistance but it is also a sincere recognition from instructors of the program.

Scholarship recipient, Kelli Neil agrees.

"Debby is one of the most inspirational instructors I have ever met," said Neil. "She is extremely dedicated to her students and takes on so much outside of the classroom. Debby is compassionate and understanding and gives so much of herself, so to receive this award was an absolute honor. It was a very emotional experience. I was truly ready to cheer for someone else. I had no idea that I would receive this award…there were so many qualified, well-respected applicants."

Neil, the oldest of eight children thanks her younger bother Joey for the drive and dedication that she has today. Joey, who was born with Down’s syndrome, "is such a gift," she added.

The impact that Joey has had on Neil has led her to a life of community service and volunteerism. She has been involved in the Special Olympics Program for more than 10 years, has given dental screenings to homeless children and participated in the Caring Hands Clinic. Neil was also selected as 1 of 20 students in the United States to volunteer her services in England. In addition to her brother, Neil is extremely grateful for her 4-year-old daughter.

"Of all the scholarships I’ve received, this was by far the most meaningful," she said.

"We had six highly qualified, outstanding students apply for the scholarship," said instructor, Debby Kurtz-Weidinger. "These six individuals were very special; however, we only could choose one and Kelli was very deserving."