Future Dentist Relies on Faith and Hard Work to Reach Goals

Kristen R. LaBruna
January 25, 2019

As a high school honors student at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, NY, Kristen R. LaBruna’s interest in dentistry was so strong that she almost wished she could skip the pursuit of an undergraduate degree and go directly to dental school.

Since that  was not an option, she threw herself into an extensive, nationwide college search that eventually pointed her toward the Queens, NY, campus of St. John’s University—located a mere 30 minutes from her home in Manhasset, NY, and her grandfather’s alma mater.

“I attended open houses, researched curriculums, and spoke to faculty galore to be sure the program I chose would set me up for success in my intended path,” recalled Kristen, now a junior in the Honors Program who majors in biology with a chemistry minor in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Kristen’s award of a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship made it possible for her to attend St. John’s. The University also provided her with much of what she was looking for as part of her college experience: the continuation of the Catholic education she has enjoyed since grammar school; the chance, as she puts it, to “pursue a degree in the sciences at a well-known institution”; and the opportunity to stay geographically near her family.

“I love being able to take a break from school with a short trip home,” Kristen said.

Kristen is proud to follow the same career path as her father, Vincent A. LaBruna, D.D.S., and grandfather, Vincent V. LaBruna, D.D.S. ’54C, orthodontists who instilled in her the joy of transforming patients’ lives through restoring oral health. “Since I was very young, I have always wanted to be a dentist,” she said.

During the past three years,  Kristen has been forging her own community at St. John’s through her work as a Student Ambassador; as part of a study abroad trip to Rome, Italy; as a chemistry tutor to fellow students; as a volunteer in the University’s service programs such as the Midnight Run and Plunge; and as Vice President of the Student Programming Board, where she plans the popular Spring Fling Carnival and other large-scale campus events.

“As a science major dealing with lots of facts and figures, I get to use my creative side on the Student Programming Board,” Kristen said.

While volunteer service was built into her high school curriculum, Kristen faced no such requirement as a University student. “I participate in service programs at St. John’s because I want to. I enjoy it,” she said.

Kristen still treasures a Plunge immersion trip to Niagara Falls, where she stayed for a week among some of the poorest residents in New York State while volunteering at soup kitchens and a daycare center, where she spent a lot of time helping four-year-olds prepare for kindergarten and engaging them in play. “It was great to see the looks on their faces, to see them smile and laugh,” she said. “This is where I learned that I love working and being with children.”

St. John’s was the place where she realized that her Catholic faith was truly solid, even when challenges surfaced.

“It wasn’t until I was in college that my faith was really tested,” she said. “As a college student, I felt at times that I wanted to give up, that I couldn’t do it anymore because I had so much further to go.”

“I will never forget the morning of my anatomy midterm, stopping by St. Thomas More Church to say one more prayer, asking God to get me through this test,” said Kristen. “And, I earned an A!”

“I truly believe that with faith and hard work, you can help make your dreams come true.” 

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