Last week, Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) held its 34th Annual Envirothon Competition.  Thirteen high school teams from Allegany, Mountain Ridge, Fort Hill, and Bishop Walsh School competed in the competition at Rocky Gap State Park. The event tested the team’s abilities in the areas of Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, Soil and Land Use, and Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future. After the competition, one Allegany team “The Flower Rangers” was named the overall winner for the third consecutive year and totaled an ACPS record of 432 points. “The Beetles” from Mountain Ridge placed second. Allegany’s “The Money Trees” team placed third and Fort Hill’s “Tardigrades” team received honorable mention.

“The Flower Rangers,” coached by Anne Stark, has qualified to attend the State Envirothon event on June 12th and 13 at the Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Team members include Kinsey Hostetler, Daniel Ly, Audrey Rader, Colin Sheehe, and Sam Wu. “The Flower Rangers” from Allegany again swept all five of the categories of Aquatics, Wildlife, Soils, Forestry, and Adapting to a Changing Climate on their way to their 432-point first-place finish.

Thank you to all the individuals and groups including DNR staff, Rocky Gap Resort and staff, and Allegany County Public School staff, that help to make the Envirothon a success each year. Special thanks to the Board of Supervisors of the Allegany Soil Conservation District for donating the wildlife pictures for the winning teams and each association that offered gifts for the winners of each topic.

1st Place "The Flower Rangers" from AHS

First Row - Kinsey Hostetler, Daniel Ly, Colin Sheehe, Sam Wu, and Audrey Rader. Second Row - Carl Robinette - Chairman of ASCD,  Heidi Laupert  - special guest teacher; Kevin Trezise - Supervisor of ASCD board, and Dr. Eric Van Slyke - Secondary Science Supervisor

2nd Place - “The  Beetles” from MRHS

First Row - Becky Byzon - teacher, Kaylee Hardman,  Iola Sloan, Brycen Ritchie, Jacqueline Geary, Eowyn Hansrote, and Gage Jacobs - coach Second Row - Carl Robinette - Chairman of ASCD, Kevin Trezise - Supervisor of ASCD board, and Dr. Van Slyke - Secondary Science Supervisor

3rd Place - “The Money Trees” from AHS

First Row - Katie Ly, Elizabeth Anderson, Ryan Wu, Steven Ness, and Corinna Hildebrand Second Row - Carl Robinette - Chairman of ASCD,  Heidi Laupert  - special guest teacher; Kevin Trezise - Supervisor of ASCD board, and Dr. Eric Van Slyke - Secondary Science Supervisor

Honorable Mention “The Tardigrades” from FHHS

Left to Right - Ms. Carol Garner - teacher, Marlia Morris, Kamryn Rice, Ella Valentine, Katherine Clark, and Dr. Eric Van Slyke - Secondary Science Supervisor