MHS exPRESS

It seems appropriate that Karsen Baker was voted “Best Smile” by her fellow seniors as Baker has a fascination with dental hygiene.

Baker has been shadowing dental hygienists over the last two summers as a hygiene assistant at Marlow’s Scott Family Dentistry.

As result of her internships, Baker has made definite plans for her future.

“I don’t see myself doing anything different than dental hygiene,” Baker said.

Baker plans to go to the University of Oklahoma to pursue her studies. She said she originally thought she was going to study to be a dentist, but after working at Scott’s, she realized she didn’t want to do some of the things that a dentist does.

“I don’t really want to pull teeth out and do root canals. I prefer to make things clean, neat and pretty,” Baker said. One of her mentors is Taryn Spurlock, a dental hygienist at Scott’s.

“Karsen’s willingness to spend her past two summers gaining knowledge about a profession, even before her senior year in high school, demonstrates her passion for her future goals, Spurlock said.

Spurlock also had good things to say about Baker’s intelligence and kindness.

“Her dedication to her academics and love for helping people will lead her down an exciting career path in dental hygiene,” Spurlock added.

Baker’s anatomy teacher Rhonda Hennen also had good things to say about Baker.

“Karsen is dependable, one of those people who, when you give an assignment to, she’s going to do the best she can.”

Academically, Baker has done well throughout high school as she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the national honor society.

Baker is the daughter of Aleta Wilson and Brian Baker and is a native to Marlow.