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<< Previous   of   Next >> Photo courtesy of the Snohomish Conservation Distr  (click to enlarge) The Stanwood High School's Envirothon team recently won a state championship and will next compete at nationals in North Carolina. Team members include, left to right: adviser Ryan Ovenell, Jack Medlicott, Scott Weisse, Alexa Flem, Thor Pearson and Andrew Salmon.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Stanwood students win state environmental competition The five-member high school team earned a place at a national competition. By Eric Stevick Herald Writer STANWOOD -- Andrew Salmon knew he and his friends had a pretty good sense of the world around them. He just didn't know how good. Salmon, 17, a junior, and four other Stanwood High School students used their knowledge of water, trees, soils and wildlife to win a statewide environmental competition May 19 and 20 and a berth at the national Envirothon in North Carolina this summer. The team, led by adviser Ryan Ovenell, finished first in the state at Camp Lutherwood in Whatcom County. Dozens of teams had competed in regional contests for the chance to advance to state. "I thought we were well prepared, but we were pretty shocked when we won," Salmon said. By winning state, the Stanwood team won free airfare to the University of North Carolina in Asheville in early August to compete against teams from all over the United States and Canada. Team members are senior Jack Medlicott, junior Scott Weisse, sophomore Alexa Flem, freshmen Thor Pearson and Salmon. The five-day event is sponsored by Canon and each member of the top 10 teams will win a college scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The Envirothon is a hands-on environmental problem-solving competition for high school-aged students in North America. Students compete on their knowledge of five areas: soils and land use, forestry, aquatic ecology, wildlife and a current environmental issue. This year's issue, which requires each team to give an oral presentation, is 'Biodiversity in a Changing World.' Stanwood's team includes students who have been active in Future Farmers of America and 4-H for years. It is believed to be the first team from Snohomish County to reach the North American competition, according to the Snohomish Conservation District, which works with local teams. Some members of the Stanwood team are considering career paths involving natural resources. Medlicott, for instance, plans to study wildlife management in college, Ovenell said. Salmon is considering studying agriculture business management or working toward an agriculture education degree at Washington State University. For now, they are turning their attention from Washington to the kinds of trees, soils and wildlife they might encounter in North Carolina. Ovenell is confident they will do well. "They are dedicated to the issues and learning," said Ovenell, who teaches agriculture science and natural resources classes. "They are hard workers." Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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