Jacob Albers, son of Daphne Albers, Concord, will be attending The University of Chicago, majoring in Biological Sciences. Jacob’s goal is to eventually go into the Biotechnology field and to explore the development of new biofuels and biodegradable consumer products, as well as methods for utilizing bioremediation to clean up environmental contaminants.

Hanna Boyd, granddaughter of Duane Boyd, Walnut Creek, will be a junior at University of Colorado, Boulder CO, majoring in Finance/Entrepreneurship. Hanna’s plan is to go to law school after completing her undergraduate degree and to focus on international business law. Eventually, she would like to work with a non-profit organization, specializing in developing countries. During the summer of 2012, Hanna has had the opportunity to go to impoverished townships in South Africa, doing business consulting for them. She sees her business and law degrees as giving her the background to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her.

Phil Salazar, son of Mark Salazar, Benicia, will be attending Stanford University, majoring in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Phil hopes to start a business that develops technology to eliminate damage to our environment and to work with communities (local and international) in the battle against poverty and hunger.

Ashley Scharaff, granddaughter of Janet Pressler and the late Leland Pressler, Orinda, will be in her sophomore year at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), majoring in Mechanical Engineering. As a freshman, Ashley was a member of Engineers Without Borders organization, and she participated in the design process for sanitation projects and toilets for household use in the community of Sainji, Uttarakhand, India. Ultimately the environmental risks were too high, but it showed her the importance of engineering and the contributions to society. Ashley wants to make positive contributions to the community to consider her career as a success.

Jesiah Stedman, grandson of Don Stedman, Concord, will be attending Azusa Pacific University, studying youth ministry. Jesiah’s role models are his father and his grandfather, who worked for Chevron for 38 years and has been married for 60 years. Jesiah’s goal is to be a youth minister and to make a difference in teenager’s lives and to have a strong and healthy family as his family and his grandfather’s family have been.

Stephanie Steinbrecher, granddaughter of Donna Steinbrecher, Walnut Creek, will be attending Scripps College, majoring in communications. Stephanie has had the opportunity to observe and participate in the production of a daily newspaper through the Contra Costa Times Life in Perspective Board and has had an internship at the local Valley Sentinel Newspaper. She hopes to continue with graduate school to specialize in the field of journalism and to one day have a career with a newspaper of magazine, either working as a writer for the Internet or in print.