Habersham Central High School alumnus Emily Foster Howell has been named this year’s recipient of the HCHS Lifetime Achievement Award. Howell graduated from high school in 1996 and was valedictorian of her senior class. She later graduated summa cum laude with highest honors from the University of Georgia with a degree in Management Information Systems.
Howell was crowned Miss Georgia 2001 and competed in the Miss America 2002 pageant, where she was a Quality of Life finalist and Lifestyle & Fitness Preliminary winner.
Professional achievements
Howell received a DMD degree and a post-doctoral certificate in Orthodontics from the Medical College of Georgia. She opened Howell Orthodontics in Jefferson, Georgia, which has been recognized as the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year” and voted “Best Orthodontist in Jackson County.”
Dr. Howell was named Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year in 2011, selected as one of UGA’s “40 Under 40” honorees in 2015, and named by Benco Dental’s Incisal Edge magazine as one of 2018 “Top 40 Under 40” best dentists in America.
“Though her accomplishments within her career are outstanding, those who know Dr. Howell emphasize the difference she is making in her community,” the news release announcing her selection states.
Community involvement
Howell is a graduate of Leadership Jackson and Leadership Georgia. She is an active member of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce and Jefferson Rotary Club.
Howell became the first female member of the United Community Bank Board of Directors for Habersham and Jackson counties.
She initiated the annual program “Give a Grin” in 2009, which affords an underprivileged Jackson County middle schooler with completely free comprehensive orthodontic treatment. In addition, Dr. Howell started “Serve Save Smile,” a program in her office that allows patients a credit of $10 towards braces for every hour of volunteer service, up to $500 per patient. So far, she has credited more than $80,000 for over 8,000 hours of volunteer work by her patients.
Dr. Howell also participates in a recognition program for students who have shown great improvement in attitude, grades, effort, and drive.
“Her strong faith is evident to all who know and work with her and is evidenced in the care her patients receive and her service to her church as a Sunday school and worship leader,” the release states.
Howell partners with the Work-Study Programs for Jackson County and Banks County High Schools and provides on-the-job training for dental assistant students at Lanier and Athens Technical Colleges.
Family
Howell is married to Jon Howell and has two daughters, Georgie and Lucy. She is the daughter of Blake and Jane Foster of Cornelia.
She will address the Habersham Central High School Class of 2021 during their graduation ceremony.
Howell is the second person to receive the school’s lifetime achievement award. Last year’s inaugural award went to Dr. Stacy Nicholson.
