RLCC Envirothon Team Advances to State

The current events station was invasive species in the state which is one of the top conservation challenges of our time and a high priority for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The specie of interest was the Hydrilla. Students go through a total of six stations: Aquatics, Soils, Forestry, Wildlife, Current Issue and an Oral presentation on Hydrilla. On the first five stations they answer a 20-point exam based on that station’s topic and then at last they give their 8-9 minute oral presentation.

For the first time a RLCC team advanced to the State Envirothon to be held Monday, May 16 at Lake Bronson State Park. The team of juniors Angel Auman, Kelsie Sirjord, Ashley Longtin, Nikki Schmitz and Megan Berberich came in tied for second place and on the tie breaker came in third place still advancing to state competition.

Juniors Taylor Bushelle and Alec Castaneda, and seniors Austin Waliser, Devin Lambert and Seth Johnson were another team. Their team received the highest score in the Oral presentation from all the RLCC teams and were just one point away from the overall best presentation. 

Other RLCC teams participating were the junior team of Lynsey Morris, Brandon Lee, Dylan Gustafson, Ana Almeida and Natalie Aakhus; sophomore’s team including Seth Paradis, Nick Pahlen, Hannah Kolstoe, Ethan Vettleson and freshman Connor Lambert; and the freshmen team of Julia Bernstein, Marie Johnson, Dawson Rystad, Sydnie Gunderson and Adam Cater.

The local sponsors of this Regional Envirothon competition were Anderson Family Funeral Home, Bejou Community Club, First National Bank of Mahnomen, Mahnomen Rod and Gun Club, Midwest Bank of Waubun, Shooting Star Casino, Snow-Drifters Snowmobile Club, Wambach & Hanson Law Office, WAMO and Wild Rice Watershed District from Mahnomen County; the American Federal Bank of Ada, American Legion #431 Twin Valley, Bennett Houglum Agency, Centrol Inc., Cliff Hanson, Inc., First National Bank Twin Valley/Mahnomen, Gary State Bank, Kelly’s Chrysler, Lee Brothers, Otter Tail, Prairie Dental, Skaurud Grain Farms Inc., Twin Valley Insurance Agency, VFW Post 7557 of Ada and Wild Rice Watershed District from Norman County; the Christian Motors- E. Polk, First National Bank of McIntosh- E. Polk, Ultima Bank Minnesota- E. Polk, Altru Health Systems- W. Polk, American Crystal Sugar Comp- W. Polk, American Federal Bank- W. Polk, Biermaier Chiropractic Clinic, PA- W. Polk, Bremer Bank, NA- W. Polk, Christian Brothers Ford- W. Polk, D & D Thomforde Garden Center- W. Polk, Dan’s Flying Service- W. Polk, Fischer, Rust & Stock, PLLC- W. Polk, Gasper Air Spray- W. Polk, HN Quality Plumbing Inc.- W. Polk, J & S Gravel Inc.- W. Polk, Kiel Corporation- W. Polk, KROX 1260- W. Polk, Opticare-Forks Vision Clinic- W. Polk, Otter Tail Power Company- W. Polk, Valley Plains Equipment- W. Polk, VFW Post 1902- W. Polk, Widseth Smith Nolting & Assoc.- W. Polk from Polk County; and Red Lake County SWCD from Red Lake County.

The Minnesota State Envirothon is sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts and the Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees with contributions from many businesses and organizations.