FROM LEFT, DR. John Fornetti presents the Eleanor Fornetti Dental Assisting Scholarship to Emily Elmer and Tory Christensen, students in the dental assisting program at Bay College West Campus in Iron Mountain.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Emily Elmer of Iron Mountain and Tory Christensen of Marquette have been chosen to receive the Eleanor Fornetti Dental Assisting Scholarship, the John Fornetti Dental Center announced.

Valued at $1,250, the scholarships are being applied toward Bay College West Campus’ dental assisting training program that started March 29.

In 2003, Dr. Ted and Eleanor Fornetti donated a 25-acre parcel that was the catalyst to establishing the Bay College West campus in Iron Mountain. In Dickinson County, the surname “Fornetti” is commonly associated with dentistry, as the family has produced nine dentists. However, matriarch Eleanor Fornetti was the first family member to work in the field. While her husband was in dental school, she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. J.C. O’Donnell in Iron Mountain.

In later years, she also assisted and managed Ted’s dental practice. Eleanor was passionate about education and would have continued on with college if there had been a local option at that time.

The recipients are eager to get started in the field of dentistry.

“The monetary burden of continuing education is real, but with this scholarship, it eases the burden off myself and my parents,” Elmer said. “It makes it easier to pursue the new-found passion in dental assisting and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.”

Said Christensen, “Receiving this scholarship relieves the financial stress of affording this educational opportunity. I’m grateful for that peace of mind. Dr. John is helping me open the door to a career that will better my family’s future and aid me in achieving professional growth.”

The launch of Bay College West’s dental assisting training program can largely be attributed to support and guidance from The Dr. John Fornetti Dental Center.

“My parents would be so excited to have a dental assisting program offered here at Bay College West Campus. My mother, Eleanor, would be especially proud because she opted out of college to stay home to take care of her ill mother. Had an offering like this existed, she could have cared for her mother while pursuing more education,” Dr. John Fornetti said.

For more information on Bay College West’s dental assisting training program, call 906-302-3012.