- Beatrice: My name is Beatrice Youd
and I am a senior from F.J. Turner High School
in Beloit, Wisconsin.
- Beatrice Youd's love of science
has led her to search for solutions
that will help the environment.
- Beatrice: So my current project
is about septic systems and filters,
biodegradable filters that you can put into septic systems
to filter out something called phosphate,
which causes some really bad environmental effects.
I tested these different biodegradable filters
and their ability to kind of fix phosphate and filter it.
I tested this in my house, as any high schooler would.
I built a septic system in my basement.
And thanks to my amazing chemistry teacher
and other science teachers,
I was able to test this.
- Her commitment to science
has earned Beatrice numerous awards
and presented her with extraordinary opportunities.
- Beatrice: As a result of my science projects,
I've gotten to meet so many amazing people.
I have been lucky enough
to travel all over the United States
to present my research,
and that has really been a highlight.
- And even though she's missing out
on a traditional graduation ceremony,
she's remaining optimistic and looking forward
to attending Harvard University in the fall.
- Beatrice: It took a while for me to kind of accept
that I wasn't going to get a normal graduation
or kind of finish out school.
But I'm very excited about college.
I'll be in a completely different area
and I just can't wait
to meet all sorts of new people,
expand my horizons.
I can't wait to meet all of my professors.
They are great researchers
and I'm just happy to be
in the same room with them. [laughs]