Katherine Garza
The DuPont Challenge 1997
First Place, Senior Division
Bishop Noll Institute
Hammond, IN
Essay Title: Phytoremediation: The Use of Plants to Remove Metal Contaminants from the Soil
Teacher: Cristine Trevino
What are you doing now?
I am a Magistrate Judge in Lake County Superior Court, Juvenile Division.
Where did you go to college?
I attended the University of Notre Dame for both my Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees.
What were some of your favorite memories from the competition or awards trip?
I will never forget having lunch with my mom, biology teacher, and a NASA astronaut in Houston.
Do you think taking The DuPont Challenge was a meaningful experience?
Researching and writing my essay for The DuPont Challenge was a lot of fun, and I learned so much by the process. Not only did I learn about soil remediation, but learning how to write a scientific essay was an important tool that I was able to use in college and beyond.
Why would you say science writing is important?
I believe science teaches you how to think and reason analytically. Analytic thinking is helpful in every profession and stage of life.