A cluster of students surrounds a large metallic pot, pouring in generous amounts of oils and potassium hydroxide to create a vaseline-like substance. After several days, the students begin diluting the substance into a liquid form and aromatic fragrances reminiscent of affection and bliss. The students then proceed to package it and append it with leaflets that read: Body Wash.

To honor chemistry and former chemistry teacher Eileen Rohmer, Soap Club has been creating and selling a variety of soap products ranging from hand soap to lip balm for the past four years.

“We make soap and body wash by hand, mostly during lunch, and add fragrances and bottle it,” club president Ella Nielsen said. “All the money made from selling it goes to the Eileen Rohmer Science Award, which is given to a senior every year.”

Rohmer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and underwent a two year battle with the illness until passing away in 2012.

“[The Science Department] wanted to do something to remember her, so we changed the science award to her name and [attached a scholarship to it],” club advisor Tom Huffaker said.

The club sells 12-ounce bottles of soap for ten dollars at Mulberry’s Market, on campus during the holidays, and at craft fairs, donating the proceeds to the Eileen Rohmer Award, Huffaker said.

“The holidays are big days for us. we will sell on valentines day and mother’s day, all the big comercial holidays,” Nielsen said.

Every year the science department chooses a dedicated senior to receive the award. Last year the award was given to Nathan Cook along with a small scholarship of three hundred dollars, Nielsen said.

“[The department] looks for enthusiastic science students,” Huffaker said. “Not necessarily the highest scoring students but the ones that are clearly interested and passionate about science.”

Huffaker said he decided on soap because he was interested in the chemistry involved in making it as well as the easy modifications that can be made.

“Making soap is more fun than it sounds,” Nielsen said. “It seems like it’s boring but it is interesting and fun to be able to customize the soap, add different fragrances, and choose the names.”

Soap club is looking for new officers to join next year, Huffaker said.

“People should definitely join because it’s not something a lot of people know how to do,” member Kit Asa-Hauser said. “It’s been really cool to learn about something we use every day and it is for a really good cause.”