Mahopac Students Score in Environmental Competition

Two teams from Mahopac High School demonstrated their knowledge of the great outdoors at the Hudson Valley Regional Envirothon, held at the Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill last month.

“We were the winning team from Putnam County,” said the groups’ advisor, MHS science teacher Robert D'Alessandro. The Mahopac teams competed against 22 teams and placed 9th and 13th overall. The team that placed 9th was invited to advance into the state competition.

Elizabeth Allen, Ashlee Belkevich, Ryan Byrnes, William Fall, Kyle Fergie, Michelle Filicko, Kayla Gorelick, Peter Peechatt, Emily Pope, Tommy Scanlon, Liam Shea and Amber Wendler participated in the competition, where five-member teams of high school students work together to compete on five environmental topics. They are tested on their knowledge of Soils, Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, and Current Issues. They also give a five-minute oral presentation on a problem-solving scenario on the environment.

The primary goal of Envirothon is to encourage students to learn about the natural environment so they become stewards of the land. In preparation for the event, students develop research skills, practice team building, and gain an appreciation for consensus decision making.

Envirothon incorporates schools from 10 counties including: Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan, and Westchester.