Wake County Students Advance to State Environmental Championship

Smiling members of The Mean Green Beans Envirothon team hold their first-place plaque
The Mean Green Beans from Panther Creek High School show off their plaque and medallions.

After months of hard work, six teams from Wake County Public Schools are headed to a statewide competition that will test their skills at environmental problem-solving. After taking home wins at the regional level, the students earned their spots in the esteemed NC Envirothon contest, which takes place on April 28–29 at Cedarock Park in Burlington.

“This qualification showcases the remarkable talent of Wake County's environmental champions,” said Susan Evans, vice chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners. “With both high school and middle school teams advancing to the championship, we’re confident that they’ll continue to get recognition at the state level.”

The regional competition was held in March at the huge 400-acre natural park in Durham called West Point on the Eno. Teams from 11 counties were challenged on topics ranging from aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife and current environmental issues.

The Mean Green Beans from Panther Creek High School in Cary and Mustang FFA from LeRoy Martin Magnet Middle School both earned first place, an engraved plaque, a $100 cash prize and numerous top-score medallions.

“NC Envirothon promises to be a challenging experience,” said Teresa Furr, Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Director. “We’ve had teams make it all the way to the international competition, so many of these students have great experience in going up against the best of the best around the world.”

This year the regional winners are:

High Schools

  • 1st Place: Mean Green Beans, Panther Creek, Cary
  • 2nd Place: Subchronic Exposure, Enloe Magnet, Raleigh
  • 4th Place: Flaming Drip Torches, Enloe Magnet, Raleigh
     

Middle School

  • 1st Place: Mustang FFA, LeRoy Martin Magnet, Raleigh
  • 2nd Place: Thundering Herd, Martin Magnet, Raleigh
  • 4th Place: Demeter’s Serpents, Martin Magnet, Raleigh
     

In addition, four other Wake County high school teams scored in the Top 11 out of a field of 20 teams:

  • 8th Place: Green Grass, Green Hope, Cary
  • 9th Place: The Lettuce League, Panther Creek, Cary
  • 10th Place: Benthic Dwellers, Enloe Magnet, Raleigh
  • 11th Place: Trojan FFA, Garner Magnet, Garner
     

Each year the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors sponsors the $200 registration fee for each Wake County team that advances to the state competition.

To sponsor the Wake County Envirothon or for information about forming a Wake County Envirothon team, contact Sheila Jones at sbjones@wake.gov or check the Envirothon webpage.

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Press Release