Though their journeys into dentistry started differently, Lysie Caldarera, Aime Fontenot and Jake Latham share a dedication to service, perseverance, and giving back to their communities. Each built a solid academic foundation at McNeese while gaining practical experience that confirmed their calling to the dental field. Supported by scholarships and mentors, they are now navigating the challenges of dental school with a common focus on patient care. Lysie, Aime and Jake ultimately aim to make a meaningful impact, particularly in the Southwest Louisiana communities that influenced them.
Lysie Caldarera
Lysie Caldarera didn’t
start out aiming for a career in dentistry. Raised in Moss Bluff, she once thought she’d become a veterinarian, but the emotional demands of veterinary work led her to reconsider. “I always knew I wanted to be in health care,” she said. “I wanted to improve people’s lives. Dentistry seemed like the perfect balance of meaningful work and a healthy lifestyle.”
That balance is exactly what she’s pursuing now as a first-year student at LSU Health Dental School in New Orleans. Her days are packed with classes from 8 to 5 most weekdays, while studying fills the rest. But for Lysie, the rigor is worth it. “I really do love learning,” she said. “Human anatomy is fascinating, and knowing what we can do to improve someone’s quality of life makes the work exciting.”
McNeese laid the groundwork for this next chapter. Lysie earned her biology degree with a pre-dental concentration while receiving crucial support through TOPS, the John McNeese Scholarship, and the Dr. David A. Kestel Memorial Pre-Dental Scholarship. Later, she was awarded the Board of Supervisors Scholarship, nominated by donor Rebecca Boniol. “I am so thankful for Ms. Rebecca,” Lysie said. “She not only made my education financially possible, but she truly believes in us as students. Her support shows us that people are invested in our future, and that motivates me to keep pushing forward.”
That kind of encouragement has made a lasting impression. Lysie is committed to giving back by practicing in Louisiana, which she notes is an underserved state for dentistry. “I want to stay close to my family and also help meet the need here,” she said. “The scholarships and encouragement I received through McNeese and Ms. Rebecca have made that possible. I’ll always be grateful.”
Aime Fontenot
For Aime Fontenot, her path to dentistry began with something as simple and powerful as a smile. At a young age, she found comfort in the small act of making others smile. “It really made me value how important a person’s smile was,” she said. That realization deepened when she shadowed dentists in high school and witnessed firsthand how dental care could restore confidence and brighten someone’s day.
At McNeese, Aime majored in biology with a concentration in pre-dentistry and minored in chemistry, graduating in 2024. She spent more than three years working at George Family Dentistry, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship. “That was honestly the best experience I’ve had in the dental field,” she said. “Watching patients leave the office happier than they came in confirmed for me that this was what I wanted to do.”
Now in her first year at dental school at A.T. Still University in Arizona, Aime is adjusting to the rigors of long lectures and labs while keeping an open mind about her future specialty. Orthodontics, general dentistry, and other fields remain on the table. “The program gives us a lot of clinical experience across specialties, so I want to take it all in before deciding,” she said.
Scholarship support also played a role in her journey. Alongside her TOPS award, Aime received the Dr. Michael M. Kurth Scholarship, which helped ease the financial burden of her demanding studies. “It really makes a difference when you’re carrying such a heavy academic load,” she reflected. “Not having to worry as much about finances allows you to focus on becoming the best version of yourself.”
Jake Latham
For Jake Latham, dentistry has been the goal for as long as he can remember, but the path started with a painful accident. At twelve years old, a baseball bat struck him in the mouth, breaking his front teeth. What might have been a devastating experience became a defining one. “I had to get a bunch of dental work after that,” Jake said. “I got close to my dentist, and she actually pushed me in this direction. Looking back, I’m really thankful for it.”
Jake carried that determination with him when he enrolled at McNeese in 2019 as a pre-med major, focused on pre-dental studies. With the
help of TOPS and the John McNeese Scholarship, he was able to cover nearly all of his tuition. “I think I paid maybe a hundred dollars a semester,” he said. “It allowed me to graduate without debt, which was huge.” Free from that burden, Jake had the flexibility to coach youth baseball on weekends while dedicating himself fully to academics.
After graduating in 2023, he took a gap year to regroup and gain real-world experience. For six months, he slowed down before taking a job at Lake Area Dentistry in Moss Bluff. That role provided him with hands-on insight into the profession and reinforced his decision to pursue a career in dentistry. By fall 2024, he was seated in a first-year classroom at LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans.
Though big city life has been an adjustment for Moss Bluff native, Jake has kept his sights on the long term. A Board of Supervisors scholarship, recommended by Dr. Kathy Jackson and awarded through Rebecca Boniol’s leadership, eased the financial pressure of his first year. “That scholarship really took away the stress of paying for school and living on my own,” Jake said. “It allowed me to focus on my classes.” His plan after graduation is simple: return home to practice in Moss Bluff or Lake Charles, bringing his story full circle.
Article written by: Madison Shuff
