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Oliwia Baney of Los Altos, CA, is a freshman at UCLA (the University of California, Los Angeles), majoring in microbiology. In high school, she served as president of the book club, humor editor of the newspaper and vice president/treasurer of the Apollo Music Club. She also taught violin and music theory to sixth graders, knit scarves for the homeless and organized Special Olympics dances.

"When I realized what I wanted to do with my life, there was no fanfare or dramatic revelation with an operatic soundtrack. I want to become a virologist and study viruses and diseases. I also want to make this knowledge more accessible to non-scientists and may also become a science writer."

Kevin Michael Burch of Arlington, TX, is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he majors in biology and is a member of the Honors College. (He's only 19 years old). This summer, he participated in the Salzburg Global Seminar International Study Program in Austria. A guitarist and avid horseback and motocross rider, Kevin has worked for over 10 years as a volunteer and employed staffer at an animal hospital and a therapeutic horseback riding center.

"‘I want to be a vet.' I must have said that a million times since I was nine. Being homeschooled, I was able to schedule school, volunteer hours and my jobs, as well as start college at age 15. I love animals, and my goal has not wavered to become a veterinarian so I can continue to work with animals and help them anyway I can."

Alyssa Herrmann of Orchard Park, NY, is a sophomore at Siena College, in Loudonville, NY, enrolled in an eight-year program that combines degrees in biology and medicine. A skier and photographer, she's on the volleyball team and is active in the Biology Club. She also serves as a volunteer at a soup kitchen and in an afterschool reading program at an inner city school.

"I want to use my medical degree to assist the underprivileged. Not only do I hope to open my own office, but I also want to be active with Doctors Without Borders. I believe it's essential for doctors to utilize their years of training to assist people in need, especially those who live in Third World countries."

Amanda Quintana of Hayward, CA, is a freshman at San Diego State University, CA, majoring in sociology and law. In high school, she was yearbook editor and Most Valuable Player on the basketball team. She also served as a basketball and volleyball coach and volunteered to help children with reading and homework in a shelter for abused women.

"I will be the first to go to college in my family. As a lawyer or social worker, I want to give back to the community as an advocate for those who don't have a voice or who simply cannot be heard. I feel this type of work can be life changing for the people who do it and the people whom it helps."

Kanchana Sthanumurthy of Sterling, VA, is a freshman prelaw student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. In high school, she served as Key Club president and a senior advisory board member, played lacrosse and participated in the High School Diplomats-Scholarship Exchange Program between U.S. and Japanese students. She also tutored elementary school students and volunteered for Amnesty International..

"There is nothing I love more in the world than curling up with a good book ... except maybe writing about said book or using knowledge from it to make a difference in the world. I want to work as a government attorney to help people who do not have the money or resources to afford a lawyer."