Contributed to the Telegram

The Swamp Stompers Envirothon team from the Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount participated in the N.C. State Envirothon competition on April 25-26 at Cedarock Park in Alamance County. The Envirothon is a two-day event with training on Friday afternoon and the competition on Saturday morning. The high school team members were Seth Bauguess, Nathaniel Hartsell, Emmette Cousins, Misty Varnell and Joshua Peede. Alternates were Ana Stillings and Jake Fatheree. Their advisors are Karen Cousins and Jim Hartsell.

Two middle school teams also participated in the event. Their team members were Melody Outlaw, Aaron Hartsell, Kayla Hartsell, Calvin Bittner, Katie Bittner, Alayna Schmidt, Rebecca Peede and Emily Gates. Advisors for these groups are Linda Bittner and Melissa Hartsell.

The Envirothon is a hands-on environmental education program for teams of both high school and middle school students. It is sponsored by the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the N.C. Division of Soil & Water Conservation of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

These students study soils and land use, forest resources and plant science, aquatic resources and water quality, wildlife and habitat and current environmental issues during the entire school year. Students go on field trips, have resource speakers give presentations and study the Envirothon resource materials with their advisors.

Before arriving at the state competition, Envirothon participants and their advisors already have placed among the top seven teams at an area competition. The Swamp Stompers I (high school) placed fourth at Area IV competition, Swamp Stompers II was second place middle school, and Swamp Stompers III was fifth place middle school. About 35 teams competed at each level.

There were 56 high school teams of five students and 54 middle school teams of five students from all across the state competing for the state championships. The top five teams in both categories get prize money and plaques for their placement. Individual students are awarded medallions for those teams having the highest score at each of the 5 stations. The high school winner advances to the North American Envirothon sponsored by the Canon Corporation.

The Swamp Stompers High School team received medallions for their top scores in the areas of Wildlife and Current Environmental Issues. They came in third place overall. The winning high school team was West Johnston High School.

The middle school teams placed 10th and 11th with only 1 point separating their scores. The winning middle school team was a homeschool team from Moore County.

The students and advisors would like to thank Nash County Soil & Water Conservation District for supporting the teams in their endeavor.