Vinson Orthodontics Scholarship Program
The Vinson Orthodontics Scholarship program awards an annual non-renewable $500 scholarship. Applicants must be current patients or have completed orthodontic treatment at Vinson Orthodontics. Applications will be accepted from present or previous patients planning to attend or attending an institution of higher learning for at least one year. If you are eligible and interested, please email us at scholarships@vinsonorthodontics.com to request information and an application.
Deadline is June 10, 2012!!
Congratulations to our 2011 Vinson Orthodontics $500 Scholarship Winner: Jimmy A. Joyner , Jr!!
Jimmy currently has a unweighted GPA of 3.10 on a 4.0 scale at Cary Academy. While currently taking a most demanding curriculum at Cary Academy, he continues to participate in many clubs and sports. He will be attending UNC-Asheville. Good Luck Jimmy!!
“What is the greatest challenge your generation will face and what ideas do you have for dealing with it?”
By Jimmy A Joyner, Jr.
“There are many challenges that my generation will face, but one that is very important is the aftermath that the natural disasters may leave. It seems as though natural disasters occur every week. The power of these disasters is unbelievable. Looking at the aftermath it’s hard to believe that anything can be done to help these people because their whole lives have been changed with the loss of everything. There’s no way to necessarily deal with the problem of these natural disasters, but being there for one another in the times of the aftermath is a great way to help. Support for one another is something that we need to do in these times. Support can come in many different ways: through cash donations, personally going and aiding, spreading awareness , or clothing donations. When the earthquake hit in Haiti, my two friends and I couldn’t believe the damage that it left. The people looked like there was no hope for the future, but we decided to do something in order to help them. We wanted to be there to support them in the time of their challenging situation.
Working with my two friends to organize and coordinate a shoe drive for the people of Haiti was very satisfying. As America watched the devastation that was plastered on television, everyone felt compelled to act, we were no different. As we sat around talking one afternoon one of my friends said we could just donate some of our old shoes. However, the more we thought about the idea we realized that we could do more than just donate our shoes, but get others to donate theirs as well. It soon became apparent that power is in volumes, thus the birth of the shoe drive. We spoke to our varsity basketball coach about pursuing the shoe drive as part of our yearly rivalry with our cross town opponent. As co-captain I also thought this would be a great team building exercise. Doing something for someone else has always made me feel good about myself and has always made me feel accomplished, so I figured it would work for the team as well. We spoke to the team and they committed to making it a success. “Young men giving forward” became our mantra. What started with a few shoes out of our closets became a few shoes out of many closets. We were able to collect 600 pairs of shoes and over $1000 in donations. It was such a high for the team especially when as young people were so accustomed to receiving, that we were able to give- “Young men giving forward”. It is my desire that the shoe drive will become an annual signature event for my high school basketball team.”
Jimmy A. Joyner, Jr.- Cary Academy
Congratulations to our 2010 Vinson Orthodontics $500 Scholarship Winner: Anne Buzzell!!
Anne graduated in the top 3% of her class at Clayton High School with a GPA of 4.645!! She will attend the Michigan Jewish Institute this fall. Good Luck Anne!!
"How My Smile Has Affected My Life"
by Anne Buzzell
"I didn't really smile before I had braces. I most often forced my lips upward into a semblance of a smile that probably fooled most onlookers. Braces were an obvious solution to my problem, but finding an orthodontist who would agree to work on my mouth was less apparent. By the time I was 14, I had already had half a dozen consultations with various orthodontists who felt that, in my case, orthodontics would be "risky".
Dr Vinson was the first doctor that gave me a positive feeling about my smile. He agreed to work on my teeth, with no reservations. I started smiling (real smiles) soon after having my braces fitted. It was natural and comfortable and a subtle improvement to my life. People commented-mostly my friends and family. Most notably, my homeroom advisor, a person whom I rarely spoke to, voiced a difference she saw in my school photos as she handed them to me , "You're actually smiling".
As time progressed, I acquired more friends, who later admitted to have previously avoided me because I seemed "cold" and "indifferent". I was shocked. I had fretted so much over my smile, that I had unintentionally emitted an impersonal coldness. It's truly fascinating how someone's smile-something seemingly physical, can affect a person so interpersonally, emotionally and even spiritually.
I would now consider myself a full-time "smiler" of three years. I've discovered the importance of smiling in communication and relationships. Before braces, I underestimated the value of a warm smile and uninhibited facial expressions. Braces have enhanced my life and have allowed me to live easier with natural confidence that emanates from my entire being, but is most obviously reflected by my smile."
Anne Buzzell- Clayton High School