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St. Petersburg, FL – September 30, 2025 – The Dawson Academy is proud to announce the winner of the 2025 Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship: Yanelis Garcia, a D4 student at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine.
This prestigious scholarship recognizes her outstanding commitment to advancing excellence in restorative dentistry. The Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship was established to empower D4 dental students with a passion for restorative, prosthodontic, functional, and cosmetic dentistry.
As the 2025 recipient of the Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship, Yanelis Garcia has distinguished herself through her commitment to dentistry and service to others, reflecting the mission and values of The Dawson Academy.
Carrie Botsford, President of The Dawson Academy, shared her excitement:
“The committee’s vote was unanimous. Yanelis’s application stood out for its clarity of purpose and the depth of her commitment to the profession. Her work ethic, character, and vision align beautifully with what this scholarship represents. She earned this recognition through genuine dedication and a clear passion for advancing dentistry.”
Dr. Pio Modi, Dawson Senior Faculty, echoed this praise:
“Her video submission immediately conveyed how eager she is to grow within the Dawson philosophy. What was equally impressive was the emphasis she placed on giving back. Her volunteer work and desire to uplift her community speak volumes about the kind of professional she is becoming.”
We recently caught up with Yanelis and asked her in her own words, what winning this scholarship meant to her.
Winning this scholarship is a tremendous honor that validates my dedication to dentistry and lifelong learning. It gives me confidence as I begin my career and motivates me to keep striving for excellence. Personally, it feels like a recognition of both hard work and passion.
I am especially excited to strengthen my knowledge in comprehensive treatment planning and occlusion. These fundamentals are essential for creating long-lasting, esthetic, and functional results for patients. I also look forward to learning directly from leaders who inspire excellence.
This opportunity will provide me with the clinical foundation and philosophy to approach dentistry in a more holistic way. I know it will guide me to consider the entire system of function and esthetics when planning treatment. It will also help me grow into a more confident and well-rounded practitioner.
I want to sincerely thank the Dawson Academy for this opportunity and for investing in my future as a dentist. I am deeply grateful to my educators Dr. Chiang, Dr. Amini, Dr. Bendayan, Dr. Mosquera, and Dr. Hsu for their guidance and encouragement. Most importantly, I thank my family and mentors, Dr. Guerra and Dr. Yanes, whose support has shaped both my personal and professional journey.
We are now proud to open submissions for the 2026 Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship, exclusively for D4 dental students who envision pushing the boundaries of restorative, functional, and esthetic dentistry. The scholarship offers over $30,000 in continuing education value through full access to Dawson’s 7-part Core Curriculum series, along with mentorship from Dawson faculty.
What is needed to apply:
Be in their D4 year and be eligible for licensing by May of the following year
Be available to complete all Core Curriculum modules over 18–24 months
Show passion in restorative, prosthodontic, functional, and cosmetic arenas of dentistry
Two letters of recommendation from full-time faculty at your dental school
A video (≤ 4 minutes) presenting your vision and passion for this scholarship opportunity
Written responses about your interest in delivering comprehensive care, balancing work/life, and your longer-term career goals
We encourage all eligible students who are ready to make their mark in dentistry to apply. Let your voice, vision, and devotion guide your application—and join the legacy of excellence that is the Dawson Academy. The deadline and full application instructions are posted on the Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship web page.
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Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.
