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Bryce Austell of Naperville, IL, is a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he’s double majoring in biomedical engineering and business management. He’s a straight-A student who plays sax in the school’s marching and concert bands, gives sax and piano lessons, interns at a pediatrician’s office and volunteers with Engineers without Borders.

“The past three summers have been full of self-discovery. Traveling on mission trips to Belize has instilled in me the fervent desire to save lives by becoming a doctor. I hope to become a pediatric oncologist, volunteer and serve in Africa through the Red Cross, raise a loving family and serve my community in ways to help those in need.”

Dana DeSantis of Bayonne, NJ, is a freshman at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, majoring in biomedical engineering. In high school, she wrote articles and took photos for the yearbook and newspaper, won the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and earned straight A’s. She also served as a Eucharistic minister, a summer camp counselor and a volunteer who every month decorated the cancer ward of a local hospital.

“I have one main goal in life; that is to be happy in whatever I do. However, I have many goals that branch from this one big goal. For example, after college, I hope to perform research to design a walking brace that is more effective than the one I currently have for my disability.”

Lisa Hill of Clifton, VA, is a freshman at Christendom College in Front Royal, VA, where she’s majoring in theology. In high school, she served as editor in chief of the newspaper and senior yearbook, played varsity soccer and volleyball, sang in the school musicals and founded GIRL Time, an outreach program to help female teens develop self-respect, prudence and strong friendships.

“In kindergarten, I discovered my love for teaching and it has only grown over time. It is my personal dream that GIRL Time (Genuinely Interested in Real Love) will flourish throughout the country. My goal is to teach and touch as many people as I can.”

Trevor Piatkiewicz of Fairfield, CA, is a freshman at the University of California-San Diego, majoring in pharmacy. In high school, he served in leadership roles with the Air Force Junior ROTC, heading up his unit in parades, organizing clean ups of local creeks and streams, and tutoring other students every day at lunch and after school. During summers, he works as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

“I continue to take classes to be certified as professional rescuer with the Red Cross. I want to feel confident with myself in my community, knowing I have the knowledge and experience to help anyone in danger. I also look forward to becoming part of the medical community as a pharmacist.”

Sean Zhang of Marlboro, NJ, is a freshman at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, majoring in economics. Graduating first out of a high school class of 514, he served as captain of the science and math leagues, and president of the Frisbee Club. He ran cross-country, volunteered for the UNICEF Summer Camp for Children Affected by AIDS and was a finalist in the Federal Reserve Challenge, a national academic competition about economics.

“I seek to become a corporate attorney and amalgamate my passions for business and public speaking. I desire to create a corporate precedent between America and China that truly reflects understanding and collaboration between these two vastly distinct cultures.”