ROCHELLE — With a nod, Connor Lenkaitis admitted he was a ‘nerdy science kid’. He said he got hooked in elementary school creating the iconic science project volcano.
“Yes,” he smiled, “it was the exploding kind.”
Mrs. Prestegaard further challenged him at Rochelle Middle School.
“I created a battery that powered a light using household objects. I stacked silver coins; paper towels tucked between to conduct the electricity, and orange juice (battery acid).”
When he got to Rochelle Township High School, Lenkaitis said he enjoyed Honors Biology. He followed it with Honors Chemistry where he met instructor Scott Campbell. The chemistry between the two must’ve been good, because Connor is currently preparing for his AP Chemistry exam May 7.
Next year, its onto Physics, but as he begins visiting colleges, this accomplished scholar who is among the top of the Class of 2019, is looking at Chemical Engineering programs. 

“I really like chemistry because it applies to so many aspects of life. There are subcategories and specialities in the field that offer me a lot of options,” he said.
One day last week, Campbell wrapped up AP Chem early so that Science Department Chair David Oldenburg could address with the class.  
“He basically said the science department chooses one junior for an award...and then he called my name,” Lenkaitis said.
Since 1933, Bausch + Lomb has honored outstanding high school science students with the Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award. A division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Bausch & Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare brands in the world.  
Winners of the award are automatically considered for the Bausch + Lomb Science Scholarship at the University of Rochester.  This program is open to all secondary schools in the United States.
Students are chosen based on the following criteria:

• Successful completion of freshman and sophomore year science courses and one semester of a junior-year science course.  
• Academic excellence in science;
• Rigor of courses taken in the sciences;
• PSAT Math, SAT Math, and/or ACT Science/Math scores.
Winners are automatically considered for the Bausch + Lomb Science Scholarship, providing $7,500 per year ($30,000 over four years).  Selection is competitive and is based upon the overall strength of the student’s application for admission to the University of Rochester.
Lenkaitis is a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, is a Silver Cord volunteer, plays golf and track for the Hubs. He is the son of Joe and Eva Lenkaitis. His plans for this summer include a STEM camp and continuing to work at First State Bank.