12th Annual Cinderfella raises more than $15,000 while honoring Mina Rosenthal-Eames

Fourth-year dental student Julian Fernandez won the title of Mr. Gold Crown at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s 12th Annual Cinderfella. Photo by Marcos Hernandez/McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston.

The Texas Association of Women Dentists Chapter at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry raised more than $15,000 for the Mina Rosenthal-Eames Patient Care Fund during the 12th Annual Cinderfella Silent Auction and Pageant, held April 14 in the Cooley University Life Center. The annual tradition blends humor, talent, and philanthropy to support patients in need while honoring Rosenthal-Eames’ lasting legacy.

Amid busy schedules filled with classes, clinics, exams, and labs, 22 male dental students representing all four DDS classes took the stage in catwalk, performance, and interview rounds before a capacity crowd — the largest number of contestants in the event’s history.

Participants included Ali Arif, DS2; Shabeeb Bahar, DS1; Reece Bedee, DS2; Lance Castille, DS1; Michael Chai, DS2; Kevin Chan, DS3; Julian Fernandez, DS4; Joel George, DS1; Eliot Gottsegen, DS1; Pedram Hajykarim, DS2; Yousef Hilal, DS2; Thanh (Bill) Huynh, DS1; Truong Huynh, DS2; Michael Landavazo, DS3; Ali Oufi, DS2; Eric Peng, DS1; Nail Qazi, DS2; Husam Rassam, DS2; Puria Razinobakht, DS3; Arya Rezaei, DS2; Humberto Romo, DS2; and Seth Sarquis, DS3.

Throughout the evening, contestants collected donations from attendees, with individual fundraising totals contributing to their final scores.

Crown Winners and Performances

When all scores were tallied, Julian Fernandez, Class of 2026, received the coveted Mr. Gold Crown title, earning the highest overall score from the judges in addition to his fundraising efforts. Pedram Hajykarim, Class of 2028, was named runner-up.

Fernandez impressed judges throughout the evening, performing a Beyoncé-inspired catwalk to “Single Ladies.” In the talent round, he drew a standing ovation after showcasing his musical abilities by playing violin and cello before singing “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. In his interview, he shared that his “signature move” to impress patients in the clinic is to sing to them.

Awards were also presented for individual categories.

Arya Rezaei, Class of 2028, earned Best Catwalk with a Michael Jackson-inspired entrance to “Billie Jean,” featuring smooth gliding footwork and high-energy signature poses that energized the crowd.

Michael Landavazo, Class of 2027, received both Best Talent and Best Interview honors. His performance of both the female and male parts of “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera brought the audience to its feet. During the interview round, Landavazo was asked what Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, should do in retirement. He encouraged the dean to pursue an unrealized dream while sharing his own aspiration to become a pilot.

Honoring Mina’s Legacy

During the program, attendees reflected on the legacy of Mina Rosenthal-Eames. Sepideh Carvounis, DDS ’10, a classmate of Rosenthal-Eames and now faculty member at the School of Dentistry, shared memories and encouraged students to carry forward her determination.

“Dental school is hard, and there will be moments when you feel overwhelmed,” Carvounis said. “In those moments, I think of Mina — how much she gave, how hard she worked, and how much she would have wanted the opportunity to keep going.”

TAWD officers Rosha Chittuluru, president, and Suchi Chowdhary, vice president, also shared stories demonstrating the impact of the Mina Rosenthal-Eames Fund, including patients who received life-changing care made possible through the fund.

Family members and friends of Rosenthal-Eames also attended the event, underscoring the lasting personal impact of her legacy. Her cousin, Shelli Stewart, and aunt, Terry Hayes, were joined by family friends Candace Dartez and Angell Fontenot. Steward shared their appreciation for the School of Dentistry community’s continued commitment to honoring Rosenthal-Eames’ legacy.

“She would be so happy to see this,” Steward said. “She was born to be a dentist, and her legacy continues through all of you.”

Earlier in the day, Rosenthal-Eames’ family and friends met privately with School of Dentistry leadership, where they shared memories of her life, passion for dentistry, and lasting impact.

“It feels like Mina never left,” said Shalizeh “Shelly” Patel, DDS, MEd, associate dean for patient care. “Every year, her story is carried forward and passed on.”

The group remembered Rosenthal-Eames as joyful and determined, describing her as a great dancer who brought happiness to those around her and was “obsessed with teeth.” They also reflected on how the Mina Rosenthal-Eames Patient Care Fund has become a meaningful silver lining, allowing her compassion to continue through patient care.

A Celebration with Purpose

As part of the festivities, attendees recognized Valenza’s upcoming retirement with a musical tribute, “Bye Bye, Dean Valenza,” a parody inspired by the sitcom Parks and Recreation.

While scores were tabulated, Gary N. Frey, DDS, professor and chair of the Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health, conducted a live auction featuring high-interest items, including dinner with the dean and his signature homemade pecan, cherry, and chocolate pies.

Judges for the evening were Juliana Barros, DDS, MS; Stephen Laman, DDS; Patel; and Robert Spears, PhD, with Valenza serving as guest judge. Dental students Peyton Cain, third-year, and Matthew Pham, fourth-year, served as emcees.

Special thanks were extended to the TAWD officers, the Cinderfella committee members, and the event volunteers. The School of Dentistry’s Office of Student and Academic Affairs supported event organization and décor, and the PACE Center facilitated registration.

The Story Behind Cinderfella

Mina Rosenthal-Eames, a 31-year-old mother of two, was a second-year dental student at the School of Dentistry when she was killed by her estranged husband on the eve of their divorce in 2007. The Mina Rosenthal-Eames Patient Care Fund was established in 2009 in her memory and helps cover the cost of dental care for domestic violence survivors who might otherwise be unable to pay for treatment.

Contributions to the Mina Rosenthal-Eames Patient Care Fund can be made at Go.uth.edu/SODDonation or mailed to:

Attn: Texas Association of Women Dentists Chapter
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
Office of Student and Academic Affairs, Suite 4120
7500 Cambridge St., Houston, TX 77054