Alumni Spotlight

Dr. Amelia Hanney ’14 attended ACDS from kindergarten through eighth grade before continuing her education at Leland High School, graduating in 2018. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Pacific in 2021 and went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2024.  

Dr. Hanney and her fiancé purchased a dental practice in January. She is a member of both the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association and currently serves on the board of directors for the Redwood Empire Dental Society.

When asked about her proudest accomplishment, Dr. Hanney highlights the opportunity to care for and educate her patients. "One of my greatest accomplishments has been becoming a dentist and having the opportunity to serve my community through healthcare. I love educating patients about their oral health and helping them feel confident in their smiles. It is incredibly rewarding to know that I can make a positive impact on someone's life every day."

She shares that one especially meaningful opportunity was traveling to Jamaica on a dental mission trip, where she provided free dental care and taught students about the importance of oral health. "Experiences like these remind me why I chose this profession and how fortunate I am to do work that I truly love."

Outside of dentistry, Amelia enjoys volunteering, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Over the past five years, she has had the opportunity to visit 15 countries and participate in a variety of cultures, a lifelong goal of hers.

This September, she will be getting married, marking another exciting chapter in her life. Amelia and her fiancé, Brandon, also share a two-year-old miniature long-haired dachshund named Willow, who keeps them entertained and is often along for their adventures.

Amelia credits ACDS with providing the foundation for many of the skills she relies on today. "ACDS instilled the creativity, curiosity, and work ethic that provided the foundation for my career in dentistry. Looking back, I can see how many of the skills I use every day began developing during my years there." She especially remembers art classes with Mrs. Wilkus, whose encouragement helped develop the attention to detail and fine motor skills essential to dentistry. "I still have the clay octopus fountain I made in one of her classes displayed in my garden today."

ACDS also offered other opportunities that helped her grow in significant ways. "The physical education program and playing volleyball taught me teamwork, perseverance, and a lifelong appreciation for staying active. Another highlight was participating in the drama program with Mrs. McGinnis and Mrs. Curtis, which inspired creativity, self-confidence, and a love of theater, music, and dance." She credits these opportunities with helping her develop skills and interests that continue to influence her life.

When asked about her favorite ACDS traditions, Amelia reflects that the library always felt like home to her, so some of her favorite traditions included the Birthday Book Squad and the book fairs. She loved seeing the library transformed into imaginative worlds inspired by books and stories. She notes that “Whether it was a Roald Dahl-themed exhibit or an underwater adventure, those experiences encouraged creativity and fueled my love of reading. Looking back, they played an important role in developing my lifelong curiosity and passion for learning.” She also fondly remembers EDGE Day adventures and the many class trips organized throughout the years, which created lasting memories and a strong sense of community. 

Some of her most meaningful memories at ACDS involve family. During a summer production of The Wizard of Oz, her older sister played Dorothy while she took on the role of the Mayor of Munchkinland. “At the time, it felt like a very big responsibility, and I loved being part of the production alongside my sister.” She also fondly remembers watching her younger brother perform What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction during ASSETS. “Looking back, those small moments and shared experiences with my siblings make up some of my favorite memories from ACDS.”

Amelia’s family supported her at ACDS in other ways as well. Her father, Chris Wardner, served as her physical education teacher, volleyball coach, and speech and debate coach. "Through him, I learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, confidence, and public speaking—skills that continue to help me in my career today."

She also credits Ms. Williams as an important mentor. “The library was one of my favorite places on campus, and she was always someone I could turn to for advice, encouragement, and guidance.” Her kindness and mentorship left a lasting impression and played a meaningful role in her time at ACDS.. 

For current students and younger alumni, her advice is simple: "Don't be afraid to try new things, even if they feel challenging or outside your comfort zone. Some of the most important opportunities in my life came from taking chances and believing in myself before I felt completely ready."

Reflecting on her journey from ACDS student to dentist and practice owner, Amelia remains grateful for the people, opportunities, and experiences that helped shape her future.

"Every child has unique strengths, interests, and talents, and ACDS does an exceptional job of helping students develop confidence in those gifts. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the education and experiences I gained during my time there, and I believe they provided a strong foundation for my future success."