9th Annual WV Envirothon Continues Tradition of Excellence

Over 200 Students from Across the State Compete in Largest Event Yet

Submitted by Kevin Pauley

The rains held off on Thursday, April 28, as 42 teams from across the state, the largest amount in the history of the competition, participated in the 9th Annual WV Envirothon at Jackson’s Mill in Weston, WV. Each team, consisting of five 9 – 12th grade students, was tested in the areas of Forestry, Wildlife, Soils and Aquatics. The tests were conducted outdoors, allowing the students a hands-on approach to learning. The top five teams gave oral presentations in an effort to show their understanding of local natural resource issues and to present solutions to these problems. Here are the results of the 2005 WV Envirothon:

• 1st Place: Shady Spring High School Biology Club
• 2nd Place: St. Marys FFA
• 3rd Place: Doddridge County High School Gold Team
• 4th Place: Preston County FFA Blue Team
• 5th Place: Ripley High School Environmental Science Class

A special award was given to St. Marys FFA as they were also the “Highest Scoring FFA Team.” Also, the Most Enthusiastic Team Award was given to the Doddridge County High School Gold Team. The award was renamed last year to the “Mary Lee Hines Most Enthusiastic Team,” in honor of Mary Lee Hines, a member of the State Conservation Committee and a devoted supporter of the WV Envirothon. Along with this, the Ripley High School Environmental Science Class was awarded the “Rookie Team of the Year,” due to their scores being higher than any other first-year team.

As a result of winning first place, the Shady Spring High School Biology Club will represent West Virginia in the 2005 Canon Envirothon in Springfield, Missouri, this summer. Shady Spring High School received a $3,000 scholarship from Weyerhaeuser, as well. St. Marys FFA received a $2,000 scholarship from the West Virginia County Farm Bureaus and the Doddridge County High School Gold Team received a $1,000 scholarship from American Electric Power. Carhartt, Incorporated will provide Shady Spring team members with jackets to wear at the international Canon Envirothon, which consists of teams from across the United States and Canada.

Photos of all teams, the day’s events and the winning teams are available for viewing and downloading from the WV Conservation Agency’s website at http://www.wvca.us/gallery/2005_envirothon

NCRS participation included Ron Hilliard as an oral presentation judge; Carlos Cole, Greg Kist, and Carol Lagodich staffed the soils station; and Barbara McWhorter worked at the Forestry station. Recent retiree Kelley Sponaugle coached the winning Shady Spring High School Biology Club.

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