05/22/2026
From Dr. Claire to our first Middletown Family Dentistry recipient delivered at Shenandoah’s Senior Awards banquet earlier this week.
Good Morning everyone,
For those of you who may not know me, I’m Claire, maiden name Shewmaker. I am a graduate of Shenandoah High School, class of 2002. Congrats to all of you here this morning. It’s truly an honor for me to be here to present this scholarship.
I was born and raised in this community, and it shaped so much of who I am. Even though, when I was your age, I tried hard to deny it. But this
town gave me support, encouragement, and people who believed in me long before I knew what I wanted to do in life. And, within the past few years, this community has provided me with opportunity to return to my hometown and serve as a dentist and owner of Middletown Family
Dentistry. For these reasons, it’s important to me to give back in meaningful ways, which is why I am so happy to contribute to the Shenandoah Scholarhip Foundation for the first time.
When I decided to create this scholarship, I wanted it to represent more than academics alone. I did not want to create narrow parameters that would discourage anyone from applying. I wanted to recognize a student who genuinely cares about others, someone who understands the value of community, service, and kindness. Someone who doesn’t just ask, “What can I achieve?” But also, “How can I help others?”
The student I am honoring today reflects those values beautifully. Their essay states that even though they may not know exactly what their end
goal is, they want to be able to give back to a community that provided them with love and support, especially from the Ag community. Their
letters of recommendation speak highly of their work ethic, drive, integrity, and leadership.
So, it is with great pleasure, on behalf of Middletown Family Dentistry, I am
able to present this scholarship to Ms. Kylee Lutes. Congrats, and we are excited to see the good you will continue to do in the
future and for this community.
