Two Newberg teams were the top finishers in the statewide Oregon Environthon, a hands-on contest that demonstrates knowledge of natural resources. This is the first time in Oregon Envirothon history two teams from the same school placed first and second. The contest was held May 9th at the Oregon Gardens.

Teams of five students train and compete in the areas of Aquatic Ecology, Forest Ecology, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife Ecology, and a current environmental issues relating to particular ecosystems. This year's Environmental Issue was Sustainable Rangeland Management.

Team 1, which includes Brennan Vandenhoek, Audrey Tucker, Jacob Volkman, and Margaret Halstead, took first place in state with the highest score ever recorded in the Oregon state competition. They also placed first in three of the five testing categories - Aquatic Ecology, Forest Ecology, and Sustainable Rangeland Management.

This team is eligible to compete in the international North American Envirothon competition August 4-9 in Bozeman, Montana.

Team 2 - Emily Marble, Megan Joyce, Lillia Huiras, Cayd Erickson, and Mackenzie Gunn, took second place in the highly competitive overall competition and was the top placing FFA team in the state. They also placed first in one of the five testing categories - Soil and Land Use. Team 2 is eligible to represent Oregon in the national competion at the FFA National Convention in Louisville, KY, next fall.

A number of freshman were also competing for the first time, according to NHS biology and horticulture teacher Pete Siderius. Freshman participants included Kylee Duey, Peter Fortner, Paige Virgin, Lindsey Means, Cole Evans, Madison Zurcher, and Keeghan Vanderwater

"The future is in the pipeline of Envirothon competitors from NHS," said Siderius. 

Siderius and NHS ag teacher Bob Beckner are team advisors in what Siderius describes as a "a long term collaboration at NHS that has been highly successful for the last 12 years."
 

Photo: Aaron Morland, NHS and  State FFA Treasurer, presents awards to Newberg's Team 2 at the Envirothon competition. Aaron was the Oregon Envirothon keynote speaker and was a member of the 2012 first place Envirothon team.