24岁的萨曼莎·库克来自哈里斯县，从小接受的教育就是你应该帮助那些需要帮助的人。 The 2011 dual enrollment graduate of 永利博彩’s certified nurse assisting program and Harris County High School is taking that conviction all the way to 海地. 她的父亲山姆是永利博彩汽车技术项目的讲师，母亲莎伦是牙科辅助项目的项目主任。 Being around dentistry her whole life rubbed off on Samantha and after finishing her bachelor’s degree in health science at CSU, Cook is now a junior at the Dental College of Augusta with an anticipated graduation date of 可能, 2019.

萨曼莎做饭 shows off some of the dresses she'll be bringing to children in 海地

在不发达国家，牙科保健是必不可少的。 That’s why Samantha and several of her classmates will be leaving for 海地 in early 可能 to work with dentists and oral surgeons in providing free dental care for what is expected to be hundreds of people. The students are packing some additional brightness in their luggage for dozens of girls in the form of something called “pillowcase dresses.”

CTC的教职员工和家庭成员聚在一起收拾萨曼莎将带到海地的衣服。

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer photojournalist Mike Haskey interviewed Sharron about Samantha's journey.

“Everyone in our group of 20 was asked to bring 50 dresses. My mom heard about it and just took off with the idea,” Cook said. “A lot of her friends and co-workers here at Columbus Tech helped sew the dresses and donated money for fabric and other materials. 我想女孩们会很兴奋的！ 我只是喜欢回馈需要帮助的人。 Doing something simple like this helps fulfill my love for dentistry and it’s why I got into it in the first place.”

莎伦·库克 can’t remember a time when her little girl didn’t want to be a dentist.

“She always knew what she wanted to be,” Sharron remembered. “She’d even dress up as a dentist for Halloween. She applied one time and got in to dental school.”

Sharron feels the kids in 海地 will greet Samantha with enthusiasm and love since "she looks like they do and they'll be more comfortable."

Samantha says she’d like to focus on general dentistry so she can help as many people as possible and dreams of one day opening a community dental clinic.

“By giving to others, you get so much in return,” Samantha said with a smile.

Thanks to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer for covering the "Pack & Pray" event on Thursday, April 26 where 永利博彩 peers got together and packed up the dresses.