Envirothon is the nation’s largest high school environmental competition. Sponsored by soil and water conservation districts, it revolves around five subject areas — aquatics, forestry, wildlife, land use and current environmental issues — with teams composed of up to five students who compete in hands-on competitions for which they prepare months in advance. 

The March 23 event included 58 teams from a district spanning 16 western counties — nearly 300 students. Of those 58 teams, 15 were from Haywood County. Two teams from Tuscola made it to the top ten — the Avians came in first place and the Nudibranches ranked fourth. The Pisgah FFA team from Pisgah High School came in seventh. Other top 10 teams were from Buncombe, Transylvania and Madison counties. The Haywood teams will join 11 others representing Western North Carolina counties to compete at the state level. 

Participants in The Avians were Adam Wampler, Jena Brown, Carter Huskison, Megan Planchock, Alea Boyd and advisor Suzanne Miller. Participants in The Nudibranches were Nina Dove, Jennifer McHenry, Virginia Fry, Rose Leek and advisor Suzanne Miller. Participants in the Pisgah FFA were Kaitlin Moore, Jacob Ashe, Isaac Wyatt, Jadyn Denty, Erica Ohliger and advisors Joshua Justice and Courtney Smith.

A variety of experts from state and federal agencies, as well as local organizations Haywood Waterways Association and Balsam Mountain Preserve, made the event possible.