Cumberland County students from three schools celebrated their achievements for Envirothon through the Soil and Water Conservation District during the June 21 Board of Commissioners meeting.
Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resource competition for middle and high school students and is the most widely recognized "hands-on" environmental education program in the nation. Middle and high school students immerse themselves in a year-long learning process that combines in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences facilitated by resource professionals such as soil scientists, foresters and wildlife specialists. The training culminates in a competition where teams are tested in five subject areas: Soils/Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and a current environmental issue. Scores determine winning placements.
Awards and Achievements
Students at Gray’s Creek High School received third place in the Area VII Envirothon and participation in the State Envirothon and won a medallion for their high score in the Forestry category. The team was comprised of advisor, Sean Garcia, and team members Alexandra Garcia, Kaleb Horne, Cole Leach, Larkin Reeves and Robert Woodall.
Students at 71st Classical Middle School received third place in the Area VII Envirothon and participation in the State Envirothon and received a medallion for a high score in the Current Environmental Issues category. The team was comprised of advisor, Victoria Gemelli and team members Madelyn Ard, Chad Harisell, Laila Lewis, Zaniya Reddick and Abnelly Santiago Gonzalez.
Students at Mac Williams Middle School/Mac Williams FFA received second place in the Area VII Envirothon and won a medallion for a high score in Current Environmental Issues. The team was comprised of advisor, Kristoff Minus and team members Bradon Knox, Eli Magness, Noah Magness and Eanna Taylor.
“I am so proud of all the students who participated in the Envirothon this year,” Soil and Water Conservation District Administrative Program Officer Donna Foster said. “Even during a pandemic, the students and advisors rose above and beyond the challenges for the past 18-20 months. The students have learned valuable lifelong lessons about our natural resources, soil, land use, water, wildlife, forestry, and current environmental issues. They are our future conservationist and their hard work certainly paid off.”
Soil and Water Area VII includes the districts of Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus, Harnett, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland Counties. Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District is in the Agriculture Center of the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, 301 E. Mountain Dr. For more information on the department and Envirothon, call 910-484-8479 option 3 or visit http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/soil_water/.