Extracurricular Activities
- Singer on my church's worship team - President of my Dental Hygiene Cohort - Design and sell my own stickers on Etsy - Currently getting back into tennis and am joining a local tennis group!
A Little Bit About Me
Hello! My name is Mercy, I am 19 years old, and I love Christ, Christmas, and country music (in that order). I work as a fishmonger on the weekends at a local seafood market, which may seem strange or gross, but it truly is the most fun job, and it has prepared me for a career in the dental field by getting me comfortable with all things slime. I have two dogs, Hank and Rosie, and a gecko named Spice, and they are my whole world! In my free time, Hank and I like to go on runs (Rosie doesn't like running), I make cards, dance, and do puzzles. I am a social butterfly through and through; my friends and I enjoy days at the lake, playing board games, and late-night Taco Bell runs. I don't like to sit still and am always ready for an adventure!
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
I chose dental hygiene because it's a career that allows me to have a nice work-life balance, serve others in a mission sense, and enjoy all things science! Dental hygiene combines anatomy, biology, pharmacology, and more to create the perfect blend of science. I chose Oregon Tech because they place an emphasis on serving, especially internationally, and I like the opportunities a bachelor's degree gives me.
My Influential Professors
A professor that I look up to is my sophomore clinic lead instructor and "sophomore mother hen", Charisse Botsch. Professor Charisse has so much energy and passion and is ready to make you smile no matter what her own day has brought her. When I was having struggles in my personal life, Charisse was there to give me a hug and support me as more than a teacher, but as a mentor and a friend. She extends this same warmth to our patients in clinic, making sure to greet, compliment, and thank each one of them. Her enthusiasm and knowledge inspires me to be a hygienist that my patients look as forward to seeing me, as hers look forward to seeing her.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
My greatest learning experience at Oregon Tech was when I took my first full mouth series of x-rays in my radiology class. To take the "perfect shot," there are countless tips and tricks, but with every patient's anatomy being different, it's easier said than done. With my timer clicking down, I chose not to dwell on the same area of the mouth that I was struggling with and moved on to the next one. It ended up turning out great, and it helped me gain confidence as well as taught me how to get past stressful moments!
My Plans After Graduation
Post graduation, I plan on spending my summers serving abroad, both with my church and with organizations such as 1,000 Smiles, cleaning teeth, placing sealants, and helping people achieve better oral health in any way that I can. The times that I am at home, I plan on working at a pediatric clinic, where I hope to be the "Miss Frizzle" of the office and dazzle kids with my dental headbands and daily random holiday announcements. My goal is to inspire group trips where everyone in my office serves abroad together.