Christopher L. Simmons Honor Award Winner Tre Isbell Found His Calling in Dental Hygiene
A dental assisting class at Penta Career Center gave Tre Isbell something he didn’t have walking into Lake High School — a direction and purpose. That direction led him straight to Owens Community College.
Isbell will graduate in May from Owens with his Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene while winning the Christopher L. Simmons Honor Award as an outstanding graduate.
Being a small-town kid from Millbury — which he pointed out only has one dentist’s office — Isbell said having the opportunity to take classes at Penta as a high school junior and senior gave him a “huge boost” in choosing his career path.
“I was slightly interested in the healthcare field because of my mom. I had the opportunity to go to Penta for dental assisting, which is really what influenced me to go further into the field of dentistry and landed me in the Dental Hygiene program at Owens,” Isbell said.
Through his years at Owens, Isbell said it has been his mom, Kristi Isbell, who has provided him with direction and motivation. An elementary school teacher, Kristi inspired her son’s decision to go into healthcare.
“My mom is the person who pushes me to become the best version of myself every single day,” he said. “She’s the one who guided me into the dental field and is the person who has helped me with any obstacle I’ve faced. I couldn’t be more grateful to have someone like her in my life.”
Next up, Isbell plans on working in a dentist’s office to gain more experience in dental hygiene. He’s also considering continuing his education and completing a bachelor’s degree and even taking on dental school.
Learn More About the Dental Hygiene Program
Published May 2026