On Friday, April 11, Plaza College proudly hosted the Dental Hygiene Class of 2025 (Cohort 10) for their long-awaited Pinning Ceremony at the elegant Il Bacco in Queens—a cherished tradition marking the transition from students to professional clinicians.

Dr. Sleeper, Dean of Dental Sciences, opened the event with a warm welcome, expressing gratitude to the faculty, administration, families, and friends who supported the graduates through two challenging years of academic and clinical training.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Audra Haynes—an esteemed City Tech alumna and current President of the NYC Dental Hygienists’ Association. She shared her inspiring journey through education, advocacy, and leadership in underserved communities, encouraging graduates to embrace their potential to make a lasting impact in the profession.

Several students were recognized for their exceptional achievements:

  • Jenise received the Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award and was inducted into the Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society with a 3.98 GPA.

  • Julian was honored with the Men of Dental Hygiene Star Award, the NYCDHA President’s Award, and the Colgate STAR Award. He was also inducted into the Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society with a 3.96 GPA.

  • Pedro was celebrated for his outstanding professional growth.

  • Yazmine received the Cloud Dentistry Dental Hygiene Devotion Award.

  • Megan was recognized with both the Heartsaver Hero Award and the PDT Outstanding Student Award. She was also inducted into the Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society with a 3.92 GPA.

  • Robert received the Men of Dental Hygiene Pioneer Award and the NYDHA President’s Award.

  • Carol was honored with the Department Resilience Award.

  • Naomi and Sheyann received the Department Leadership Award.

  • Lauren received the PDT Periodontal Scaling Award for outstanding performance in periodontics.

Additional accolades, including multiple inductions into the Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society—awarded to the top 25% of the class—reflected the diverse talents, academic excellence, leadership, compassion, and resilience of this exceptional group of graduates.

The most touching part of the afternoon came during the pinning itself—a deeply symbolic moment where each graduate was pinned by a loved one or faculty member, signifying their readiness to enter the profession. Bachelor’s degree recipients received an additional pin in recognition of their extended academic journey.

Before concluding, the class stood to recite the Dental Hygiene Oath, reaffirming their commitment to excellence, integrity, and compassionate care.

As the celebration ended with group photos and a lively reception, one thing was clear: Cohort 10 is ready to make a difference.

Congratulations to the Dental Hygiene Class of 2025—your future is bright!