[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF PLEASANT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL'S ENVIROTHON TEAM

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 24, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pleasant Valley 
High School's Envirothon Team. The team of Emma Barrett (captain), 
Reece Kresge, Zachary Dooner, Jacob Possinger, and Benjamin Keppel 
recently placed seventh at the International NCF-Evirothon competition 
hosted virtually at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  Evirothon began in Pennsylvania in 1979 as the ``Environmental 
Olympics'' to encourage young people to take an interest in 
conservation and environmental issues, and, over the past four decades, 
the program has expanded to 46 states and internationally to Canada and 
China. Teachers and professionals support high school students as they 
participate in natural resource environmental education both in the 
classroom and outdoors.
  To advance to the international competition, the team competed 
against teams from 58 Pennsylvania counties in a series of field 
station tests focused five areas: soils and land use, aquatic ecology, 
forestry, wildlife, and environmental issues. They also prepared and 
delivered an oral presentation where they demonstrated their problem 
solving and oral presentation skills and provided their recommendations 
to solve a current environmental issue. Their impressive performance 
earned them first place and a chance to compete at the international 
competition. The team also posted the top score in the wildlife 
station.
  At the 32nd annual NCF-Enivrothon competition, hosted by the National 
Conservation Foundation and the Nebraska Association of Resources 
Districts, the team took on 42 teams--35 from the United States, four 
from Canada, and three from China. Vying for glory as well as 
scholarships and awards, the team competed in the five stations and 
delivered their oral presentation to a panel of judges, ultimately 
placing seventh overall and earning $1,000 scholarships.
  It is an honor to recognize Emma, Reece, Zachary, Jacob, Benjamin, 
and their advisor, Maricatherine Garr, as they celebrate this 
outstanding achievement. They have made the 8th Congressional District 
proud and represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania well on the 
world stage. These students have bright futures ahead of them in 
whatever career path they choose, and I wish them well as they continue 
on in their studies. May they be lifelong stewards and advocates for 
our environment.

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