Lauren Utz

Prior to my career as a university student, I attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado. There, I participated in many extracurriculars that I either had an interest in, such as Cross Country and Key Club, or that benefitted my academics and those around me, as was the case with volunteering in the Tutoring Center. My group of friends and I also started the Environmental Club at our school, which earned us a Sustainability Award through the city and enlightened my perception of how my actions as an individual can affect my community and the environment. In high school, I participated in the International Baccalaureate Program, was enrolled in multiple Advance Placement Classes, and also took dual enrollment classes through my local community college. Needless to say, I had a heavy load as a high school student, but my intense curriculum helped me realize how deeply I enjoy academics - especially STEM. This realization was also encouraged by my participation in the NASA HUNCH program, where I was a member of the Hydrofuge Team and worked to improve the hardware aspects of our prototype for its next mission to the International Space Station. My veneration for all things space is what has led me to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I am thrilled to be a student at CU and cannot wait to participate in the wide range of opportunities offered to aerospace students so that I can gain further experience for what I love and create an impact through my hard work and dedication.