UNWNRD News Release: Thursday February 12, 2015
A team from Sidney High School will represent the Panhandle for the Nebraska Envirothon Contest near Cozad at Camp Comeca onWednesday, April 29, 2015. The first place team comprised of Skylar Arent, Tanner Nienhueser, Theda Parker, Logan Uhlir and Ryan Birner earned the state berth on Tuesday, February 3 at the contest held at the Prairie Winds Community Center. Forty-nine students competed in the split regional contest. Schools represented included Sidney, Gering, Alliance, Gordon-Rushville, Creek Valley, Banner County and Chadron at two separate locations, Bridgeport and Gordon.
On the way to the Western Region title, the top overall placing Sidney team tied with Chadron (Team 2) and Banner County for the highest score on the Soils test. Second place overall in the Western Region was clenched by Chadron (Team 1) competitors Murphy Churchill, Toni Doescher, Brooke Roes, Greta Welch and Clay Madsen.
The Envirothon is open to all 9-12th grade students and encourages high school students to learn more about the natural environment. The contest challenges students’ knowledge on aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range, soils, land use and natural resource policy or issues and one special topic of national interest. Up to five-member teams compete in a setting where they learn that cooperation is needed to achieve success.
Each year several regional Envirothon contests are held across Nebraska by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts. The Western Region contest is coordinated by the South Platte, North Platte and Upper Niobrara White NRDs and the Gordon contest was held at Gordon City Hall in conjunction with a regional Future Farmers of America (FFA) Agriculture Mechanics contest.
The winning team from each regional competition is invited to represent their region at the Nebraska State Envirothon Competition. An additional eight wildcard teams with the highest scores are also invited. The state champion goes on to represent Nebraska at the National Envirothon contest which will be in Springfield, Missouri, July 27 through August 1, 2015. Members of the top ten teams from that event will be awarded National Scholarships that can be used toward a four year university, two year college or trade school.
Overall Team Champion Sidney
Sidney High School won the Western Region Envirothon title to qualify for the Nebraska Envirothon on April 29. They posted the highest score on each of 6 topics plus tied with Banner County and Chadron (Team 2) recording the highest score on the Soils test.
Team Banner County – Soils (3 way tie)
Banner County High School’s Team also posted a high score in soils section at the Western Regional Envirothon in Gordon.
Team Chadron – Soils (3 way tie)
Chadron High School’s (Team 2) were locked in a three way tie for the highest score in Soils section with Banner County and Sidney. Chadron (Team 2) members pictured left to right: Cody Madsen, Beau Jersild, Drew Jersild, Kylee Garrett and Hunter Hawk.
