Cleft & Craniofacial Club participates in WONDERKids Workshop

Students in the Cleft and Craniofacial Club at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry participated in a day of fun and fellowship for children with facial differences over the summer at the annual WONDERKids Workshop.

The full-day event, held July 29 at the Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center, was hosted by the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial Team at UTHealth Houston.

The event brought together children with cleft and craniofacial differences in a supportive environment where they could be themselves and share experiences.

School of Dentistry volunteers Katelyn Kennedy, Trevor Plihal, and Catherine Hunter described the building confidence of the children, some of whom shared that they had never attended a camp before.

“It was eye-opening to see the kids come out of their shells, share their personal experiences so openly, and be able to connect through them,” said Hunter, a member of the Dental Class of 2026. “It was also just fun to interact and play with the kids — conversing over lunch, coloring together, and hula hooping outside were some of the highlights of my day. By the end, each of these kids left with new friends and continued confidence to embrace their differences.”

Kennedy, a DDS Class of 2027 member, said the energy and enthusiasm the children brought to each activity were heartwarming.

“It was inspiring to watch them gain confidence and connect with one another in such a positive environment,” she said. “Knowing that the games were not just about fun but also about building their self-confidence made it even more meaningful. It was a chance to contribute to their personal growth and to remind them that they are strong, capable, and deserving.”

Activities included discussions on facial differences and how we can all “Choose Kindness,” drawing, and a viewing of the movie “Wonder.”

The Cleft and Craniofacial Club at the School of Dentistry is dedicated to serving patients with cleft and craniofacial differences, increasing awareness of the opportunities to learn about and be exposed to patients of this unique population, and celebrating these kids and their families.