All it took for Diamond Teniente to apply to Blackhawk Technical College was her best friend.

“She was telling me how affordable it is and how people there want to see you succeed and they will try their hardest to give you all the tools you need to succeed,” she said.

The Madison LaFollette graduate is in the dental assistant program with her eye on a May graduation. Teniente says being able to help people is what drew her to this program, and she plans on furthering her education to become a dental hygienist after graduating.

Teniente, a mother of two, remembers many sleepless nights when she was making sure she turned in all her homework or was studying for an exam. She credits her children as her main motivation for completing the program and following her dreams.

“I want to show my children that if you put your mind to anything, you can achieve it and be successful,” she said.

Beyond giving her the knowledge and tools to become a dental assistant, Teniente thinks BTC also made her a better person. She says the staff is what she likes best about BTC.

“Everyone wants you to succeed and they are very helpful. They actually care about you,” she said.

Dental program instructor Kristen Ziegler said Diamond is a dedicated student who is committed to the dental assistant program.

“She balances being a full-time student with the demands of being a wife and mother.  She continually prioritizes and organizes her home life to support a successful education,” Kristen said.