Alumni Valedictorian Road to Dentistry

enean Carr is a Northside High School, class of 1991, graduate that knows the true meaning of determination. Carr graduated from Northside with a 4.02 GPA, which earned her top honors as the class valedictorian. Her hectic schedule today, which makes most of us exhausted just thinking about it, only fuels her energy and desire to succeed. It's desire and energy that are deep seeded in her North Memphis roots.

Memorable Times

Carr lived in the Lauderdale Courts Housing Development, during her years at Northside. She was an active student and participated in student organizations: Pre-Health Organization, Project Achieve, Student Choir and Peer-A-Mid Club. The Peer-A-Mid Club was a volunteer organization that participated in community service projects in the North Memphis area. She was also a member of Northside's WREG-TV Knowledge Bowl team.

Although Carr was active in school, she admits that she was never part of the "in crowd". "I remember someone putting a thumbtack in my chair the first day I arrived at Northside. I was such a nerd." Her memories of Northside include school activities, a time of innocents and no responsibilities. Carr says that she also remembers fun times with friends, Vernon Foster, Laura Berry, Robert Brittenum, and the late William Cox.

Carr had many teachers at Northside that encouraged her to succeed. However, her favorite faculty member was Ms. Crawford who taught English. "We did not appreciate her in high school because she gave us so many projects, essays, and reading assignments. We would complain and moan about all the homework assignments." Once she entered undergraduate school, her resentment turned to gratitude because of her English Studies background at Northside. "I never scored anything less than a 94, on any English Composition assignment, in undergraduate school," says Carr. Upon graduating from Northside, Carr had aspirations of becoming a Biomedical Engineer. She was awarded an Engineering scholarship to attend Christian Brothers University (CBU).

College Life Brings Forth Disenchantment

In the fall of 1991, Carr enrolled into the engineering program at CBU. After taking preliminary engineering courses, Carr decided to change her major to Biology. "The engineering courses did not capture my attention. Since I always had an interest in Science and Biology, I decided to change my major to Biology." By spring of 1992, Carr became disenchanted with college and its curriculum. She decided to take a hiatus from school to do some traveling. During her hiatus, she lived in Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago for a brief period of time. She also fell in love. In October of 1992, she got married and moved to Chicago. In May 1993, Carr and her husband moved back to Memphis and became parents of two wonderful children. In August 1994, she enrolled at the University of Memphis (U of M) as Biology major and soon her personal life made an abrupt turn.

Mentors Advice Leads to Career Change

Problems in her personal life made her reevaluate her life and career choices. "I had such a rude awakening with the drama that was going on during my divorce and second pregnancy. I needed to get out of school quickly." Carr researched several four-year Allied Health Science programs at University of Tennessee Memphis (UTM) and found that Dental Hygienist paid the most salary. She looked through the Memphis Black Business directory and wrote letters to the African American dentist listed. The letter included her educational background and career interest as a dental hygienist. "I received one response from a Dr. Wisdom Coleman, D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) who is now the Dean of Dental Admission at UTM. Dr. Coleman called me and said that I should not settle for a career as a Dental Hygienist; instead, purse a career as a dentist because of my academic background."

Before attending UTM, Carr completed 90 hours of prerequisite courses from the University of Memphis. In fall of 1998, Carr was accepted into the UTM Dentistry program. To assist in financing her education, she received a full-tuition-paid dental scholarship through the Black Tennessean's Scholarship Program. The scholarship was established for African American students in the state of Tennessee pursing a degree in Medical, Pharmaceutical, Dental or Law School.

Time for Student Activities and Family

Currently, Carr is a fourth-year dental student at UTM School of Dentistry. As a full-time student, she is president of the Student National Dental Association on campus. The Student National Dental Association was established to provide support for minority students majoring in dentistry. The student organization is very active in their local communities. They provide dental screening, demonstrate brushing techniques, show dental videos, and distribute toothpaste and dental floss at health fairs.

Carr is also a divorced mother of two children, son Keith is eight years old and daughter Kerien is six years old. The little spare time that she has is spent with family and friends. "I enjoy hanging out with my sorority sisters in Sigma Gamma Rho," says Carr.

Plans for The Future

Carr has a certificate in Dental Lab Technology from the Tennessee Technology Center in Memphis. In June of 2003, she will graduate from Dental School. After she completes a one-year residency at the Memphis Veterans Administration Hospital, she plans to purse a certification in Pediatric Dentistry. The Pediatric Dentistry program requires completion of a two-year residency.

In September 2002, she plans to send in her application for entry into the UTM Pediatric Dentistry program. An African American female has never graduated from the UTM Pediatric Dentistry program. After completing her dentistry education, Carr plans to stay close to her roots. "I plan to practice in the Memphis area and give back to the North Memphis community," say Carr.

Taking some sound advice from her mentors over the years, has lead Denean Carr to a bright and promising future. However, advice alone has not taken her to where she is today. Her faith, determination and drive have played a big part. With each goal that she accomplishes, Carr will have the admiration and support of her family, friends and fellow cougars.