Gretchen Hensley

About Gretchen:

Born Sept. 28, 1989.

Daughter of Jim and Kathryn Hensley of Crown Point.

Sister to Aaron.

Granddaughter of Jim and Gwen Hensley of Chicago Heights and John and Irene Ringers of Rapid City, S.D.

Member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Crown Point.

Accomplishments: Gretchen Hensley is a freshman studying biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. She received a Gustav Mesmer Award from the school, along with Best Buy, Tri-Kappa and National Merit Honeywell scholarships. A 2008 graduate of Crown Point High School, Hensley was ranked in the top 10 of her class with a 4.3 grade point average on a scale of 4.0. She was treasurer of National Honor Society and a member of Latin Club and the Quiz Bowl team that advanced to state. She was in choir and played soccer. Hensley is involved in her church youth group that meets weekly. She attends the annual state district youth gathering and last year went to the national event in Orlando, Fla.

During her sophomore year she was part of a mission team that traveled to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina relief. Hensley is involved in American Kennel Club obedience training with her 7-year-old Shetland sheepdog, Marco. He has one title and is working on a second. This past summer, Hensley worked at McDonald's restaurant in Crown Point.

Personal heroes: "People who will stand up for what they believe in and who aren't afraid to be who they are."

What I read: "A little bit of everything, mostly fiction, fantasy and mysteries."

What I do for fun: "This summer I've been learning to play the cello and I like to write and read. I keep busy."

People might be surprised to know: "I know how to scuba dive."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com