By the time Alex Smith crosses the stage at graduation, the moment will mean more than finishing a degree. For Smith, a 30-year-old dental hygiene student from Caulfield, Missouri, the milestone marks endurance, faith, and the ability to keep moving forward after unimaginable loss.
Smith, a mom of three boys, lost her youngest son when he was just 21 months old. In the depths of that grief, she learned she had finally been accepted into the Ozarks Tech Dental Hygiene Program.
“After I lost Kooper, I found out I finally got accepted into this program, which had been four years in the making,” Smith said. “I truly believe God placed that opportunity in my life right when I needed it most.”
Smith’s career in dentistry began in 2017. She enrolled in Ozarks Tech’s Dental Assisting Program and completed a 10‑month hybrid course on Saturdays.
In 2018, she began working at a rural health center in West Plains, Missouri. While working full-time, Smith retook prerequisites and assessments to strengthen her application to the competitive dental hygiene program. After three rejections, most would have given up. Smith did not.
“I did get discouraged,” she said. “Every time I got the denial letter, I was upset, but I never planned on quitting. I would keep applying as long as I had to.”
Her motivation was personal, driven by a deep faith. “I wanted to continue to improve my education for my family,” she said. “Something inside of me told me, ‘Don’t give up,’ and I’m glad I didn’t.”
Getting accepted was only the first hurdle. On clinic days, Smith rose before sunrise for the two-hour commute to the Ozarks Tech Dental Clinic. Once she arrived, she reviewed her schedule and set up her chair. Throughout the day, she and her classmates performed deep cleanings, took X-rays and educated patients about oral health.
“That experience was extremely valuable,” she said. “We’ve had hours and hours of hands-on experience with all different types of patients. We’re able to see a lot of different things.”
Smith credits the program’s faculty with being a lifeline during difficult days. Instructors knew of her loss and offered flexibility, were sensitive to emotional triggers and gave her space when needed.
“The instructors have supported me through everything,” Smith said. “If I have extra questions, concerns, or if I’m just having a bad day, they’re there. I can’t express enough how supportive they’ve been during this whole journey.”
“We really believe that education needs to meet students where they’re at,” said Rebecca Caceres, Ozarks Tech Dental Hygiene Program Director. “Alex is a prime example of how mentorship and quality instruction can help change obstacles into opportunities.”
Smith relied on a support system of family, friends and classmates who stood by her during the hardest moments. Her family helped care for her children, took care of daily responsibilities and made countless sacrifices so she could stay focused on school.
Her mother, Frankie Harris, has watched her daughter’s confidence grow over the past two years. “Alex has thrived in this program,” Harris said. “She’s proof that no matter what you’ve been through, you can do it.”
Smith hopes her story encourages others who may be grieving or feel defeated. “I want my experience to help somebody,” she said. “Just because you go through something hard, it doesn’t have to be the end. You have more to live for.”
Her family is honoring her son’s memory by creating a scholarship for a high school student who wants to attend college. It is one way Smith can pay forward the support she has received from her community.
“I will never quit,” she said. “I don’t want my kids to quit. One day, I hope my boys know that their mom got through one of the hardest things anyone could ever go through.”
Credits: Videographer Austin Barton and Photographer Kristina Bridges