They get their hands dirty and win
By ADAM STEWART Staff Reporter
Stanwood High School students are off to contend in national competitions, again.
For the second year in a row, the Envirothon team and the FFA Natural Resources team earned the right to represent Washington state.
Two weeks ago, the Envirothon team of Jacob Flake, Thor Pearson, Alyssa Thompson, Scott Weisse and Cory Calkins, topped 17 teams at the State Envirothon Competition at Cispus Learning Center near Randle.
It is an impressive feat considering Envirothon is the leading high school environmental education competition with more than 500,000 students across North America participating annually.
The competition is based on six components focused on wildlife, aquatics, soils, forestry, current issues and an oral presentation. Teams work as a unit in hands-on events relying on their problem solving skills, training and natural resource management principles and practices.
The national competition is “intense,” said Weisse.
The team is drawing on the experience of Weisse and Pearson to prepare for this year’s contest at California State University, Fresno on August 1-6.
“Last year was an eye opener,” said Weisse. “Twenty five points separated first place from last.”
Envirothon advisor, Ryan Ovenell said the team will pair up with industry professionals to help train prior to heading to Fresno.
There is also a change in strategy.
“This year we will have each member of the team specialize in a component,” said Weisse. “We saw other successful teams employ the tactic last year.”
“The best aspect of Envirothon can’t be placed in the trophy case,” said Ovenell. “Developing career skills and networking with people in the industry is number one.”
Through his work on the team, Calkins was offered a summer internship with the Natural Resources Conservation Services by the state director.
Unlike the Envirothon, where students work together on the events, students on the FFA Natural Resources team work individually at competitions.
In May, the Stanwood team of Alyssa Thompson, Cory Calkins, Gavin Voelkers, Jacob Flake and Aaron Olson combined to take first place at the state conference at Washington State University in Pullman.
They will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. in October.
The team finished in second place last year, mere fractions of a point behind the top finisher.
What’s the secret to Stanwood’s success in the environment-based competitions?
“You’re looking at the guy,” said Calkins pointing to Ovenell.
Ovenell avoids the praise by turning it back on his students.
“It doesn’t have to do with me,” he said. “In all honesty, there’s an expectation for CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs to do well.”
Former students have inspired current participants in the program to excel, said Ovenell.
“The students work hard and have been rewarded by attending many national competitions,” he said. “It’s impressive to watch how hard they work to achieve their goals.”
