Sady Martin Receives S4L Orthodontic Scholarship

Sady Martin has recently received braces from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri. Sady is the 13-year-old daughter of Gerald Martin of Malvern, AR. She is in the eighth grade and is involved in basketball, cheerleading, track, and softball. In a reference letter, Shelly Snowden, a family friend, said, “Sady deserves these braces. She is a beautiful person on the inside and just needs a bit of help on the outside. I know if she receives this, it will be something that she will appreciate for the rest of her life.”

Along with her application, there were many reference letters describing how delightful and strong Sady is. After reading her application, the Nea/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors selected her as a recipient of orthodontic care free of charge. Way to go, Sady! We know you will do many good things in the future, and we wish you the best!

--The Fergus Burris team

Congratulations to Kevin, winner of an Orthodontic Scholarship!

Drs. Burris and Fergus teamed up with KISS FM Jonesboro to award a Smile for a Lifetime scholarship to Kevin Johnson of Kennett, MO. Take a look at the heartwarming application that Kevin's parents submitted, below:

Kevin is my 16 year old stepson. He has a twin brother Keith, a 14 year old sister Kara and a 15 month old sister Alayna. (Keith & Kara are from my husbands 1st marriage). Keith and Kara were both born with a bone disorder called Morquio Syndrome (like the little boy in Simon Birch). It causes their bodies to stop growing, but their organs continue to grow. Not long after they were diagnosed, their mom decided to leave them. They have been with their dad for several years.

As long as I've been a part of their lives, Kevin has been a HUGE part in taking care of Keith and Kara. He helps them get on and off of the bus. He carries them upstairs to their classroom at church. Helps get them something to drink when they're thirsty, turns the lights on and off for them...basically anything that most of us take for granted, he does for them. He's also a big help with the baby. Over the years, Keith and Kara have had to have several surgeries and have required lots of attention. Kevin never complained. I've seen him give up chances to go places and do things simply becauce Keith and Kara can't.

He's a very hard worker and would do anything for anyone. I feel that he deserves something special in return. We just today found a dentist in the area that accepts Medicaid so we are in the process of getting him an appt. there. I had to have braces as a child and my teeth didn't look near as bad as his do so we're pretty sure he's going to have to have braces.

I think Smile for a Lifetime is an awesome program and Kevin would be so excited if he qualified. Thank you.

Nikki Perkins Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Congratulate Nikki Perkins! She recently received braces from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri. Nikki is the 13-year-old daughter of Barry and Donna Perkins of Hot Springs, AR. She is currently in the seventh grade and is involved in Locks of Love and basketball. Nikki said that she would to receive braces so that she will smile more and not feel self-conscious. In her application, her mother said, “Nikki is going to start a new school next year, and this will give her more confidence...Maybe she will smile with her teeth showing more.”

All letters of recommendation that accompanied Nikki’s application spoke of what a caring and giving heart Nikki has. The Nea/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors selected Nikki as a recipient of orthodontic care at no cost. Congratulations Nikki! We expect to see great things out of Nikki and wish her the best as she is on her way to a new smile.

--The Fergus Burris Team

Candice Beakley Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri is pleased to announce that Candice Beakley recently received an orthodontic scholarship! Candice is the 17 year-old daughter of Kathy Beakley of Paragould. Kathy wrote in Candace’s application, “The gap in her teeth causes her to be overly self-conscience. She lacks self confidence even though I and all those around her can see she has the potential of being a leader…All through her childhood no dentist ever told me that Candice was born without the two teeth that has resulted in this large gap.

"Candice has the normal stress of teenagers and school but this gap causes her stress level to sky rocket at times and she ends up with migraine headaches. She is a good, kind descent person who deserves this procedure.” The NEA/Bootheel of Missouri Board of Directors decided Candice was an excellent candidate and awarded the orthodontic scholarship. Way to go Candace and congratulations on beginning the process of your new smile!

--The Fergus Burris Team

Hunter Nunnally Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Hunter Nunnally recently received an orthodontic scholarship from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation! Hunter is the 14-year old son of Donnie and Heather Nunnally of Smithville. In her letter of recommendation Hunter’s former 5th grade teacher said, “Hunter is one of the brightest young men I have ever had the privilege to instruct. He is a wonderful student and very active in sports and clubs at school. Hunter has the ability to be a natural born leader but is very self conscious of his teeth. He rarely smiles with a toothy grin. I have noticed over the years that he is very leery of public speaking and in many ways is shy and at times withdrawn from his peers and I think that is due largely in part to the way he feels about his teeth. I think it is safe to say that his self esteem would be helped tremendously with braces.” The NEA/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors agreed and selected Hunter to receive orthodontic care at no cost. Congratulations Hunter!

S4L Central Arkansas Selects Recipients for Braces

Congratulations Cory Smith, Sadie Martin and Ashley Williams for being considered to receive orthodontic scholarships from the Central Arkansas Smile for a Lifetime Foundation. Cory, Sadie and Ashley will attend an orthodontic screening next week to assess their teeth. After they complete the screening that proves their teeth are ready for braces, they will be awarded their scholarship. Way to go Cory, Sadie and Ashley for beginning the road to your new smile!

S4L NEA Announces Latest Recipients

The Northeast Arkansas/Southeast Missouri Smile for a Lifetime Board of Directors recently met and selected six candidates to receive orthodontic scholarships for the months of August, September and October. Congratulations to Hunter Nunnally of Smithville; Isac Arellano of Leachville; Candice Beakley of Paragould; Kendra McGough of Batesville; Austin Carter of Sulpher Rock; and Wayne Wicker of Jonesboro for being selected by the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation! Each recipient will receive a scholarship for braces that covers the cost of treatment and follow-up visits. It is such an honor to be selected! Way to go!!!

Pictured: Back row, l to r: Kendra McGough, Hunter Nunnally, Wayne Wicker, and Candice Beakley. First row, l to r: Isac Arellano, Dr. Ben Burris and Austin Carter