Sidney High School Takes Top Honors at Western Region Envirothon Contest

GORDON – A team from Sidney High School will represent the Panhandle for the Nebraska Envirothon Contest at Niobrara State Park Wednesday, April 25, 2018. The first place team was Sidney High School Team 1 who edged out their competition by just one half of a point. Jack Johnson, Kade Price, Mattea Scheuerman, Brodie Sutton and Lauren Uhlir earned the state berth with a score of 125 on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the regional contest held in Gordon. Forty-four students competed in the regional contest from six schools including Sidney, Chadron, Creek Valley, Banner County, Crawford and Leyton.

On the way to the Western Region title, the top overall placing Sidney team posted the highest topics scores in Aquatics, Forestry, Policy and Wildlife. Second place overall in the Western Region was clinched by Sidney Team 2 competitors and Creek Valley was third.

The Envirothon is open to all students in grades 9-12 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, seven regional Envirothon contests are coordinated across the state by Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts. The Western Region contest is hosted by the Upper Niobrara White NRD with assistance from partners. Historically, the Gordon contest is held at Gordon City Hall in conjunction with the District 12 Future Farmers of America (FFA) agriculture contest.

The winning team from each region 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 then goes on to represent Nebraska at the National Envirothon contest which will be in Pocatello Idaho July 22-25. 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.