Hays High School junior Mariella Dreiling and her mother Monica recently visited the museum to receive help from director Reese Barrick in identifying some geological specimens.

Mariella collected several specimens from Gove and Ellis Counties as part of a 4-H project for the Ellis County Fair. Mariella is a second-year geology student in the Gemini Junior 4-H Club.

Barrick pulled specimens from the museum’s collection area as a means to correctly identify those discovered by Mariella.

Mariella said collecting specimens is primarily a hobby and indicated it was unlikely she would pursue it as a future profession.