MVS provides scholarships to PCHS grads – The Eatonton Messenger
June 19, 2025
Dr. Willie Oliver congratulated (l-r) Putnam County High School graduates Regina Aspen, Makayla Todd, and Lauren Oliver as recipients of his $1,000 Most Valuable Smiles scholarships, as each will begin attending various universities this year. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Dr. Willie Oliver of Most Valuable Smiles in downtown Eatonton said he was inspired in 2023 to begin awarding $1,000 scholarships to Putnam County High School students interested in pursuing careers in the medical or dental field.
“What motivates me to do this is trying to get people from Eatonton to want to come back here and dedicate their services in healthcare,” Oliver said June 5, after awarding scholarship checks to three recent PCHS graduates. “We don’t want the healthcare system to fall apart.
“And also, I always think about who’s going to take care of me when I get older,” he added.
Receiving the first award was Lauren Oliver, who will be attending Kennesaw State University this fall to begin schooling to become an orthodontist. Lauren was a member of the Service Leadership class and Key Club at PCHS, as well as on the school’s cheerleading squad.
While she enjoyed her friends and time at PCHS, Lauren said she’s ready to move on.
“I’m excited to see where life takes me,” she said.
Next, Oliver presented a scholarship check to Makayla Todd, a senior member of the Anchor Club and Beta Club. In addition to the MVS award, Makayla received a Delta scholarship courtesy of alumni in Milledgeville.
Makayla is now poised to enter Augusta University, where she will also study biology with the intention of becoming a dental hygienist.
The final MVS scholarship recipient, Regina Aspin, will enter the biochemistry program at the University of Georgia on its pre-pharmacy track this fall.
Regina was named a STAR student at PCHS and received a scholarship from PEO, a women’s organization, as well as a Citizenship Award scholarship from the Pilot Club. She was also an athlete at Putnam, serving as team captain for both the girls’ volleyball and soccer teams.
Oliver said his scholarship program is gaining popularity annually, and he’s responded by adding to it each year so far.
“Next year we may stay with three, but then, we may go up in numbers or maybe go up on the amount, I just don’t know,” he said. “But every year, I want to try to do more to pour back into the healthcare of Eatonton.
“Because hopefully they’ll come back, and they’ll serve the city of Eatonton with their skills and their talents and their gifts in medicine,” Oliver continued. “Hopefully, they’ll want to come back and help their people, their friends and families here.”
Oliver explained he makes his scholarship award selections after carefully considering each application received.
“I kind of focus on academics, but I also consider any extracurricular activities, and they also write a short essay for me. I do have a kind of points system that I use to give them certain points for things that I’m looking for, and then I kind of narrow it down from there,” he explained. “I prefer to do it all myself because when it gets to the end, I just kind of follow my heart and pick who I think are most deserving.”
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