Southmoreland High School Wins Westmoreland County Envirothon

Southmoreland High School Team 1 took first place Monday in the Westmoreland County Envirothon – an academic competition in which students test their knowledge of the natural world.

Rounding out the top three winners are--

-- Second Place Winners – Yough Senior High School Team 2— Caitlin Allen, Christian Wardezak, Kaylee Goblesky, Emma Krofcheck, Kyla Denitti, Greg King (advisor)

-- Third Place Winners – Greater Latrobe High School Team 2— Macy Logan (advisor), Rebecca Dill, Alexis Brown, Rachel Garbeglio, Hunter Petrosky

They bested a field of 21 teams from nine Westmoreland County high schools in their knowledge of forestry, soil and land use, aquatic ecology, wildlife, and this year’s current environmental issue: agricultural soil and water conservation stewardship.

Some high schools had more than one student team competing.

Team 1 from Yough Senior High School netted second place and Greater Latrobe High School Team 2 placed third in the hands-on competition, hosted by the Westmoreland Conservation District.

The first-place Southmoreland High School Team 1 will go on to compete in the state competition at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown on May 23 and 24.  

This is the second year in a row that Southmoreland High School will represent Westmoreland County in the state competition.

This year’s Westmoreland County Envirothon received funding support from the Pennsylvania Envirothon, Inc.; Apex Energy, LLC; and Smithfield.

A number of cooperating organizations and agencies also assist the Westmoreland Conservation District in hosting the event, including: the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling.

To learn more about county conservation district Envirothons, visit the PA Envirothon webpage.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Westmoreland County Conservation District website.

(Photo: Southmoreland High School Team 1 members Alex Busato, Haley Rollinson, Brendan Hixon, Jenna Hixon (advisor), Mady Bodenheimer, Raine Lookabill.)