She had worked for weeks to improve the readings.

The device was still inexpensive and imperfect, but it could detect changes in several basic water measurements and display them clearly.

She presented the limitations as carefully as the strengths.

I stood a few feet back so she could speak for herself.

Gavin arrived early this time.

He carried no gift, no camera crew, no dramatic promise.

He simply listened.

When a judge asked Selena what inspired the project, she told the story of the old filter at home and the cost of clean water for families on tight budgets.