High School News

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The mission of the North American Envirothon competition is to foster knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated citizens who have an understanding of natural resources, and develop citizens who are willing and prepared to work towards achieving and maintaining a balance between the quality of life and the quality of the environment.  This mission is accomplished by engaging young people in a competitive process that fosters their understanding of the principles and practices associated with the management of natural resource and ecology.  Students are challenged to apply their knowledge in a competitive process as they are presented with complex ecological dilemmas.  One particular group of LaBrae students for the last two years has been the best the State of Ohio has to offer.  The LaBrae Envirothon Team, coached by biology teacher Craig Klotzbach, won their second state championship in June. At the state competition, team finished in first place in Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, and the presentation on Invasive Species.  They finished second place in Soils.  

The team's victory earned them the opportunity to compete in the national competition held in Ontario, Canada from July 24th to July 29th.  This year's competition was titled Invasive Species: A Challenge to the Environment, Economy and Society.  More information on the particular aspects of the competition can be found by following this link: 2016 National Envirothon.  The LaBrae team improved upon their 19th place finish in 2015 by finishing 8th in this year's national competition.  Congratulations are in order for Mr. Klotzbach and team members Tessa Smith, Alexis Nubani, Maddie Cope, Joe Jaros, and Caleb Hineman.

Reference: www.envirothon.org/aboutus

The Envirothon is designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources among high school students. The Envirothon tests students' knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. In addition, the Envirothon encourages cooperative decision-making and team building. While each student on an Envirothon team is challenged to contribute his or her personal best, the score that counts at the end of an Envirothon is the team score. It is sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD) in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Natural resource and environmental specialists from many agencies, organizations, colleges, universities, park districts and businesses devise the Envirothon questions and staff the various test stations.

In May, both LaBrae teams, A and B, won the Envirothon Region 2 competition earning the opportunity to compete at the state level.  On June 9^th the LaBrae Team A made up of Maddie Cope, Caleb Hineman, Joey Jaros, Alexus Nubani and Tessa Smith placed 1st in the State of Ohio at the State Envirothon Competition at Mohican State Park.  Winning the State Championship qualifies LaBrae Team A for the national competition in Springfield, Missouri.  LaBrae's A Team will be competing July 27^th- August 2^nd at the National Conservation Foundation - Envirothon Competition.

Also qualifying for the state competition was LaBrae Team B made up of Casey Dean, Emily Engler, Donald Fenstermaker, Allison Middleton and Alexis Wilson, which placed 12th in the state. LaBrae High School science teacher Mr. Craig Klotzbach serves as the advisor to our Envirothon teams. Congratulations to both teams on perpetuating the legacy of LaBrae's strong performances at the Envirothon competitions.  Moreover, LaBrae Local Schools congratulates Team A and Mr. Klotzbach for bringing home their first Envirothon state championship!