Red Creek Places Second at NYS Envirothon Competition

Six Red Creek High School students represented Wayne County at SUNY Cortland on May 27 and 28.

On Wednesday and Thursday, May 27-28, six students from Red Creek High School represented Wayne County as they competed at the NYS Finals for Envirothon held at SUNY Cortland. 

Students were tested in the areas of Soils, Forestry, Aquatics, Wildlife, and Current Issue. This year the Current Issue topic centered on non-point source pollution. Students were tasked with developing a ten-minute oral presentation that outlined a plan on how to mitigate non-point source pollution on both the individual and community levels.

Seniors Ethan H. and Tiffany S., and juniors Graciana A., Natalie F., and Sophia S. made up the Wayne County championship team. Freshman Claire D. served as an alternate gaining valuable experience and insight into the competition.

After the two-day competition, Red Creek placed second overall with a score of 483.42, which was only 48.41 points shy of first place and repeat champion The MountAcademy from Ulster County. After a tie-break, Red Creek still tied Queens High School for the Sciences at York College for first place in Current Issue. Red Creek also tied for second place in Soils.

Advisor Joseph Bonanno says: “I am extremely proud of the efforts this team put in over the past month in preparation for the NYS competition.” He went on to say: “It was great to see how this team worked so well together. They took time to develop and study for this two-day competition while also enduring AP exams, a rigorous daily class schedule and extra-curricular activities that fill their afternoons. Their past experience competing at the state level helped them strive for success this year.” 

The NYS Envirothon was sponsored by the following organizations this year: General Motors, The NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Kate’s Real Food, Brothers All Natural, Chobani, Cornell University - College of Agriculture, New York Chip Company, Aqua Valley Spring Water, Brothers All Natural, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and NYS Conservation District Employee’s Association, Inc. For more information, visit www.nysenvirothon.org.