Way to Go! Sachem North junior Ruchi Shah

Ruchi Shah, a junior at Sachem North High School in Lake Ronkonkoma, was one of 80 high-schoolers nationwide this past summer to participate in the Student Challenge Awards Program of the Earthwatch Institute, a nonprofit that offers science research opportunities to those concerned about Earth's future.

Shah was assigned to a 10-student team that traveled to Savannah, Ga., where they spent two weeks investigating rising sea levels with scientists from the University of Pennsylvania.

"Effects on sea level rise can be seen easily in marshes," said Shah, 16, who wore high boots and went out in 100-degree weather to collect soil samples. "By the end of each day, I was covered head to toe in mud."

Shah's science involvement goes beyond Earthwatch. Last school year, she and a classmate finished fourth worldwide in the biochemistry team division of the Intel science competition for a project that explored the appeal of human sweat to mosquitoes.

In addition, she was vice president of a five-person Sachem North team that won first place in Suffolk County last spring at the Long Island Envirothon.

Shah is also secretary-general of her school's Model UN Club and a member of the Quiz Bowl and math teams.