Polk County High School students Dietrich Jackson and Amber Hall recently attended Chemistry First Day at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

The students, along with PCHS AP Chemistry teacher Leslie Rhinehart, attended the annual event, led each year by Dr. Amanda Wolfe as a way to showcase UNCA’s chemistry department and let prospective students know about two major scholarships the department has to offer.

The Chemistry Scholar program and GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Scholars program offer chemistry majors substantial help with college costs as well as funding undergraduate research and presentation expenses.

Chemistry First Day began with students enjoying doughnuts, fruit and coffee with Dr. Sally Wasaleski, Chemistry Department chair, and UNCA’s Dean of Natural Sciences, Dr. Herman Holt Jr.

Dr. Wolfe addressed the students and presented eye-opening statistics on the success UNCA students have had in both job placement and graduate school acceptance rates.

Jackson and Hall spent the rest of the day working in a college laboratory and getting hands-on lab experience, having lunch and taking tours of both the department and the school.

– submitted by PolkStudents.com