Summerville High School 12th-grader Catherine Hodierne recently learned that she will spend July in the eastern mountains of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands exploring caves, kayaking and conversing with some of the brightest young science minds from the United States and around the world.
From July 1–25, Hodierne will take part in the 2009 National Youth Science Camp along with 100 students from the United States (two from each state) and an additional 16 students representing eight other countries.
The trip, which is all-expenses paid, will include a series of educational forums and recreational activities such as backpacking, rock climbing and camping.
“My favorite type of science is marine biology and I’m pretty good at chemistry so I look forward to the experiments we’ll be doing,” Hodierne said. “ I also look forward to meeting with experts in different areas of science to bounce ideas off of them.”
Hodierne says she was both honored and surprised to discover that she was selected for the program.
“I was amazed because only two people from each state were chosen,” Hodierne said. “I just couldn’t believe it at first.”
Part of the application process required Hodierne to submit a letter of recommendation, which she asked Summerville High teacher Sarah Hudson to write.
“One thing that makes (Hodierne) special is that she has such a good work ethic and is so dependable,” Hudson said. “A lot of these summer programs want kids who are highly motivated and she certainly qualifies.”
Hodierne, who ranks in the top 10 of her senior class and has been president of the school’s National Honor Society and secretary of the Beta Club, is trying to decide between attending Furman University or the University of South Carolina.

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com