Pictured from left are Coach Mary Jantzi, Henry Mueller, Sophia Shearer, Abigail Parker, Sydney Hawkins, Owen Nelson, and Coach Brian Fortney. Submitted photo

MAYVILLE — After taking first and second place in the Regional Envirothon competition at Camp Merz in Mayville, the Chautauqua Lake Envirothon first place regional team returned from the state competition, winning 6th overall and finishing 4th place with their oral presentation.

“This year, we met and exceeded our goals. Chautauqua Lake Central School Team I took 1st and Team II took 2nd place in the 2022 NYS Regional Envirothon Competition for Region 1 against 20 other local Envirothon teams. As a result, Chautauqua Lake Central School’s Team I advanced to the NYS Statewide Envirothon Competition,” explained Mary Jantzi, Envirothon team coach.

The 2022 New York State Envirothon Competition took place May 25 and 26 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva. Thirty-five teams from across the state participated in the two-day competition.

“Chautauqua Lake is committed to providing opportunities that not only enrich our students but also community resources. Conservation, the study of ecosystems, and the complexities of managing the human impacts on our environment are all essential to our quality of life. Teaching the next generation of citizens to understand and learn in this rigorous program is an opportunity that we take to heart. We are so proud of our students who have worked hard to compete and accomplish these achievements at the state level,” said Rachel Curtin, secondary principal.

The Envirothon Competition is a series of field station tests in the areas of soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, and wildlife. An emerging environmental issue is also highlighted each year. This year’s new issue focused on how to manage different types of waste generated by individuals, households, communities, businesses, manufacturing, agriculture, and industry and how waste impacts our environment and natural resources.

The Chautauqua Lake State Envirothon team, made up of all senior class members, included Sophia Shearer, Abigail Parker, Sydney Hawkins, Henry Mueller, and Owen Nelson. Since their freshman year, Sophia Shearer, Abigail Parker, and Sydney Hawkins have participated in Envirothon. Sophia Shearer and Sydney Hawkins are the Class of 2022 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively.

“We had a fantastic group of students who participated in Envirothon this year,” said envirothon coach Brian Fortney. “Each student demonstrated hard work and dedication to prepare for the regional competition. Their efforts ensured they were knowledgeable and each team was well balanced and prepared to compete at the state level.”{

The state Envirothon is coordinated by the state Envirothon Committee, which consists of members of the state Conservation District Employees Association, New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, state Department of Environmental Conservation, state Department of Agriculture and Markets, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and volunteers. The program services hundreds of high school students throughout the state. Winning teams from regional and county Envirothon competitions advance to the state level and then to the national level Envirothon, earning awards and scholarships at each level. Additional information about the program and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.nysenvirothon.net.