Benjamin Melzer
I grew up in Littleton, Colorado and went to Columbine High School. Science class has always been a favorite subject for me but I became interested in chemistry in high school because of my teacher. I took both normal chemistry and AP chemistry with him and both years he did fun and interesting experiments and demonstrations. I plan on becoming a high school teacher, like he is, after I finish college.

Ethan Hill
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As a young boy I always had an interest in rocks or the weather but it was not until my high school Chemistry course that I began to take a keen interest in Chemistry. I attended Colorado Springs Christian High School and graduated in May 2007. I have completed one year at Colorado State University. I also plan to do my graduate work there. With a degree in Chemistry and a degree in Chemistry Education, I hope to participate in research and eventually end up teaching at the high school level.

Joanna Whitsitt
My name is Joanna Whitsitt and I spent the first eight years of my life in a small town in Western South Dakota before I moved with my family to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1997. While a student in the Poudre School District, I had a wonderful experiences with my science teachers. Mr. Kendall and mr. Barnaby first sparked my interest at Webber Junior High School, while Mr. Gainley solidified my passion for Chemistry at Rocky Mountain High School. My grandmother was a role model for my desire to become a teacher. Combining my passion for chemistry and my desire to teach, led me to declaring a double major at CSU in Chemistry and in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Chemistry.

Jackie Stonebraker
I was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado where I attended Boulder High School. Although I have been interested in science for as long as I can remember, I didn't fall in love with chemistry until my high school chemistry class. In this class I was lucky enough to have an amazing teacher who helped me realize that this was a subject I wanted to pursue far beyond high school. Next year, I will be attending Colorado State University as a freshman and majoring in chemistry. Although I am not sure of an exact career path I want to follow, I know I want it to involve chemistry. At this point I think I would like to pursue a career mostly revolving around research.

Rebekah Adams
I grew up in Minnesota where the love of science began with my mom providing science experiments for me and my brothers. I wanted to use science somehow in my life to help people and after I put medical school plans on the backburner, I knew that the form of changing the world that I found truly fulfilling was teaching. I am graduating with a Chemistry Education degree this year and will be continuin on to teach high school science.

Chase Girard
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. I have been interested in science ever since I was six years old. When I was young, I wanted to be a surgeon, but along the way I fell in love with chemistry and have since developed a strong passion for it. This past year at Colorado State University has only strengthened my desire for a degree in chemistry, and I look forward to the years ahead. Once my education is complete, I plan on attaining a research position in industry.

Kevin Horrell
I have grown up and lived in Houston, Texas all my life with my parents and my three siblings. Despite Houston being a less than adequate place for being outside, I still found the heat and humidity accommodating to explore my neighborhood. Soon I found a better way to increase my love of science; my mom is a geologist and she took each of us on fossil hunts individually. I loved the hunts because I was always outside and of course, I loved digging and looking for stuff. I graduated from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Summa Cum Laude and am currently a senior at Colorado State University. I am studying Chemistry with the hope of being a high school teacher. In the fall of 2008 I will be working for NASA as an intern in the San Francisco area of California. After researching I will return to Colorado State University and resume my education.

Dustin Kramer
I was born and raised in Loveland, CO. My father first introduced me to science at a young age when he gave me a book containing numerous science experiments. We would perform many of the experiments and I remember being fascinated by the outcome. Throughout my time at Loveland High School, the classes that really interested me were mathematics and science. After taking AP chemistry, I knew I would be a chemistry major at CSU. After I graduate from Colorado State University, I plan on going to graduate school. I would like to pursue a career in research or education. Thank you Hach Scientific Foundation for your continued support.

Lauren Rubenstrunk
I grew up in Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. No matter where I was, my life was driven by a passionate desire to become a doctor. For as long as I can remember, I've been working diligently towards that goal. I took a particular interest in chemistry during high school at JK Mullen in Denver where I discovered science to be my most natural academic talent. During my pursuit of a degree in chemistry at Colorado State University over the past two years, my admiration and love for it have deepened beyond my expectations. I eagerly anticipate learning more about the scientific community and its endeavors as I continue my academic career.