Rachel, a first-year student from Frederick, Md., is passionate about serving people by helping their animals. Even before arriving at the U of I she nourished that passion by participating in two foreign mission trips with Christian Veterinary Mission. She hopes her veterinary career will include mixed animal and equine medicine and a continued investment in local and international community service.

Hanna, a first-year student from Woodstock, Ill., has worked at an equine ER and sports medicine clinic for the past two years. While in veteriary school, she plans to use the summers to increase her small animal experience and explore her interest in small animal emergency medicine. Then she can make an educated decision about her eventual practice focus.