Lauren Oliva Garcia, a Dental Occupations student at Berks Career & Technology Center and a Boyertown Area Senior High School senior, has already traveled an extraordinary path—one defined by perseverance, purpose, and a passion for learning.
Born in Cuba, Lauren lived there for the first 15 years of her life. Her father came to the United States 10 years ago, followed by her stepmother a year later. For Laruen and her sister, the journey took longer. After years of paperwork and waiting, they finally immigrated to the United States on March 3, 2023, enrolling at Boyertown Area High School shortly after their arrival. Because all the required immigration paperwork was completed while Lauren was still a minor, she is now a dual citizen of Cuba and the United States.
Adjusting to life in a new country was not easy. “It was hard at first,” Lauren shared. “My mother taught me English during the quarantine, but expressing yourself to people and school English is different. Biology was especially hard.”
Despite those challenges, Lauren pushed forward—and found her calling in an unexpected place: the dentist’s chair. Never afraid of dental visits, Lauren recalls falling asleep during orthodontic appointments while her grandmother sat nervously beside her. That calm confidence sparked her interest in the dental field.
Determined to pursue that interest, Lauren applied to BCTC’s Dental Occupations program and began during her 11th-grade year with an ambitious goal: to complete the three-year program in just two years.
Typically, Level 1 students focus on earning their Infection Control Examination (ICE) certification, while Level 2 students work toward the Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP) certification. Recognizing Lauren’s drive and ability, instructor Mrs. DeCarlo encouraged her to pursue both simultaneously.
“Mrs. DeCarlo thought I could work on both certifications in my first year,” Lauren said. “So, I was a Level 1 student for half a week and the other half I studied with Level 2 students. I took the ICE and AMP certifications on the same day and passed both! This year, I passed the Radiation Health & Safety certification.”
While many Level 3 Dental Occupations students will begin co-op experiences this semester, Lauren will continue advancing her skills through labs and hands-on work alongside Level 2 students while preparing for NOCTI—the standardized technical and performance assessment for career and technical education students.
“I like learning, and Mrs. DeCarlo’s class is fun, but rigorous,” Lauren said. “She expects a lot and gets it out of us. She is very sweet, but strict—and I love that about her. I don’t think a soft hand can be realistic in the adult world.”