High School Tri-County Envirothon 2024
(Clarion, Forest, Jefferson County)
On Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 the Tri-County Envirothon competition took place at Clear Creek State Park in Sigel, PA. The competition included thirteen teams from seven different high schools in Clarion, Forest, and Jefferson Counties. Six teams competed from Clarion County (Keystone, Union, Redbank Valley, and North Clarion high schools), two teams from Forest County competed (West Forest high school), and five teams from Jefferson County competed (Brockway and Brookville high schools).
At the Tri-County Envirothon, teams of five students rotated through testing stations covering environmental topics such as Wildlife, Soils, Forestry, Aquatics, and the Current Issue: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future. The station tests were proctored by Sean Lauer and others from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (Wildlife), Eric Shelgren from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (Aquatic), Miles Valchar from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry (Forestry), Megan Whitlach from the Jefferson County Conservation District (Soils), and Michael Sell from the Saint Francis University Institute for Energy (Current Issue). Each station consisted of a written test as well as hands-on components to test the students’ knowledge on the topics. The students have studied throughout the school year with the guidance of their teacher advisors.
At the Tri-County Envirothon, teams of five students rotated through testing stations covering environmental topics such as Wildlife, Soils, Forestry, Aquatics, and the Current Issue: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future. The station tests were proctored by Sean Lauer and others from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (Wildlife), Eric Shelgren from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (Aquatic), Miles Valchar from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry (Forestry), Megan Whitlach from the Jefferson County Conservation District (Soils), and Michael Sell from the Saint Francis University Institute for Energy (Current Issue). Each station consisted of a written test as well as hands-on components to test the students’ knowledge on the topics. The students have studied throughout the school year with the guidance of their teacher advisors.
The event was coordinated by the County Envirothon Coordinators from each of the three counties; Hannah Bequeath from the Clarion Conservation District, Jenna Biggie from the Jefferson County Conservation District, and Donna Zofcin from the Forest County Conservation District. Additional help was provided by Jefferson County Conservation District staff; Laryssa Remmick, Christine Hughes, Dana Hannibal, and Shaun Wessell. Financial support was provided by Intermediate Unit #6.
The West Forest-1 team will be representing Forest County at states and they are: Ayla Reese, Jayden McKeel, Esther Forker, Zach Carll, and Hazel Hilyer. The advisor for West Forest High School is Donna Zofcin, District Manager at the Forest County Conservation District. Donna has worked with the students who competed from Forest Area on a weekly basis to prepare them for the event and will accompany the team to the State Envirothon.
The West Forest-1 team will be representing Forest County at states and they are: Ayla Reese, Jayden McKeel, Esther Forker, Zach Carll, and Hazel Hilyer. The advisor for West Forest High School is Donna Zofcin, District Manager at the Forest County Conservation District. Donna has worked with the students who competed from Forest Area on a weekly basis to prepare them for the event and will accompany the team to the State Envirothon.
Awards were distributed by the environmental agencies who proctored the stations as well as local representatives including: Forest County Commissioners, Patrick Kline and Mark Kingston; Jefferson County Commissioners, Scott North and Mark Humes; Zac Ankeny on behalf of Senator Cris Dush; and Diane Porter on behalf of Senator Scott Hutchinson.
The top teams from each county are eligible to compete in the Pennsylvania Envirothon, starting with the Oral Component video presentations due on May 13th and then they will have the opportunity to compete at the in-person Station Testing Day on Wednesday, May 22nd at Camp Mount Luther in Mifflinburg, PA. For more information about the Pennsylvania Envirothon please go to https://www.envirothonpa.org/
Photo: West Forest 1 - Patrick Kline, Zach Carll, Hazel Hilyer, Esther Forker, Ayla Reese,
Jayden McKeel, Mark Kingston,
Photo: West Forest 2 - Alison McLaughlin, Bobby Payne, Patrick Kline, Alanah Wagner,
Macalie Hoffmann, Mark Kingston