Stevenson High School senior Lacinya Zetouna scored a perfect trifecta on her path to a dream career as a dentist:

• Acceptance into a rigorous dental program at the University of Detroit Mercy
• A $16,000 merit scholarship from the university
• A path to enter a 7-year accelerated program that will result in a baccalaureate degree and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree 

“I’m still in a bit of shock,” she said. “It is a really hard school to get into.”  

It is a career and college dream come true for Zetouna, who wants to become a dentist to help others overcome their insecurities when it comes to their teeth.

“It was something that I experienced when I was younger and my orthodontist helped me with,” she said. “I want to do the same for other people who may have insecurities.”

Zetouna said her success could not be possible without the support she received as an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) student at Jeannette Junior High School and Stevenson High School.

“My junior high school teacher shifted my perspective on school and Mr. (AVID teacher Michael) MacLeod has incredibly helpful with everything, especially the application process,” she said. “My teachers in general just try make everyone the best they can be.”

UCS was first Macomb County district to offer AVID - a national research-based program that stresses development in key areas of organization, study skills, and critical thinking. Over the past 13 years, the program has expanded to every UCS secondary school.

It is a program where Zetouna has excelled, according to her teachers.

“Lacinya is one of my hardest working and most dedicated students,” said MacLeod. “She has put in a tremendous amount of effort into her last three years of school, and it shows. She's an inspiration to the rest of my AVID students and is destined for great things.”