Veronica Henry is an intelligent and awesome Stewart graduate who is now studying to be a dentist at Stony Brook University in New York. She attended Stewart school from1986-1996. From the Two’s and ABC preschool, she can recall going to Mr. Powell's house where she ate stone soup and hiked.
At Stewart Elementary her favorite subject was math. “I like factual basis and learning new things,” she commented. Some challenging subjects for Veronica were art, music, and reading. “I can't really sing or draw, but having Bobbie K as an art teacher was great fun. I am a slow reader so that has always been a challenge for me,” admits Veronica. Veronica was a basketball player in fifth grade, “I was awful!” she says. Veronica commented “The Stewart programs were always unique and so much fun. I loved dressing up and performing with friends.”
While at Stewart, Veronica learned how to manage her time very well because she was in sports and was overwhelmed at times with homework. “Stewart taught me to love school. I left there having a rich understanding about school and knowing about many subjects and topics.”
She remembers her trips to Washington, D.C. and paging in Indianapolis. She is also very proud that she can say she has been to D.C. “Paging was an experience that opened up my eyes to a world I had not seen before, nor do I think I would have had the opportunity to do so if I had not attended Stewart,” stated Veronica. While she was in sixth grade Stewart began holding a talent show for the children to participate in every year. Her class did not hold a school dance for the older students at that time. The girls still thought boys had cooties in sixth grade.
Regarding her graduation speech, she recalls feeling very nervous and afraid that she would lose her paper with her speech on it. When it was time to leave Stewart, Veronica was excited about trying something new, but also scared. She had been going to school with the same people since she was two years old. She could not imagine life without them, yet only four of her classmates went to Northside.
In junior high, Veronica ran Cross Country and was the MVP. While attending North High school, she was treasurer of the honor society in her senior year, and she also continued swimming which she has been doing since she was six years old. She was captain of her swim team and went to state four times.
Veronica received the Marine and Army Scholar Athlete Award when she graduated from high school, and she also was given the Optimist Award and the Youth Salute. She was granted an academic and athletic scholarship during high school as well. She was an active volunteer while in high school. She prepared Christmas care packages for Turning Point, volunteered at Kids Commons, raked leaves for Hospice patients, and put siding on houses for Habitat for Humanity. “It is amazing how simple deeds mean so much to others,” commented Veronica. During her summers in high school Veronica worked as a swim coach and swam for Donner Swim Club.
Veronica attended Xavier University and participated in a semester at Boston University's extension in Padova, Italy. She was the top scholar athlete at Xavier University her junior year. Veronica received a biology award when graduating from Xavier University. She received faculty nominations all four years at Xavier. During college she was elected to be a member of the SAAC Board, she was also member of Alpha Epsilon Delta (a pre-health professional society) and Alpha Sigma Nu (honors society at Jesuit schools). Veronica even established the pre-dental society.
She is now studying at Stony Brook Dental School, which is the third dental school in the nation and will only accept one out of state student per class. “To be given such an opportunity is such an honor,” She stated, “I have wanted to be a dentist since I was a sophomore in high school.” After her sophomore year of college, Veronica lived with a family in Italy while attending class. Afterwards she went to France and watched the Tour de France live.
The first time she went to Tour de France with her Italian house brother, they lived out of the car literally, and ran out of food but had no time to stop. The second time she went with her family through Trek Travel, and was able to ride part of the actual tour. “It was such an accomplishment when I made it up the Col du Tourmalet (a feared mountain in the Pyrenees) with our guide and former competitor Kevin Livingston,” she says. Veronica's favorite place is Italy, but she loves the northern part. “Venice and Cinque Terre are both amazingly beautiful places,” comments Veronica. She has been on a medical mission to Latvia too, “It was an eye opening experience,” states Veronica.
Veronica stated that dentistry is a great profession especially for women. “It is extremely rewarding to see a person who was afraid to smile due to their teeth smile proudly,” adds Veronica. Dental school is extremely hard and Veronica barely has time for anything else including sleeping. It is a four year-program. There is no summer break, except after their first year when they receive five to six weeks off. Veronica is taking gross anatomy, biochemistry, operative dentistry, dental morphology, and health systems at this time. “Achieving my goals while also maintaining a balance of swimming, family, volunteering, and friends has probably been my greatest accomplishment during my school years,” Veronica commented “Follow your dreams and do not forget that smiling is contagious and friends are forever.”