ST. JOHN NEUMANN STUDENTS PLACE FIRST DURING THIRD DAY OF 2014 CARBON COUNTY ENVIROTHON

Pictured from left are Mighty Oaks members Fran Lenahan (teacher), students Nathan Cunfer, Jonathan Hillanbrand, guest Audrey Wargo (Secretary for Carbon Conservation District), and Lions Club Liz McElwee (District 14-U Governor). From back left are teacher Elyse Gair, students Matthew Doherty and Gabe Bauer.

Five students, called “The Mighty Oaks”, from St. John Neumann School Regional School placed first during the third day of the 2014 Carbon County Envirothon held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center (CCEEC) in Summit Hill.
The 4-day Envirothon includes teams from schools in Carbon and Eastern Schuylkill Counties. (Page down to view photos.)
37 teams from 11 schools competed on Wednesday. School’s that competed Wednesday included Leighton Middle, Penn Kidder Campus, L.B. Morris Elementary, SS. Peter & Paul, Palmerton Junior High, Panther Valley Middle, Towamensing Elementary, SS. Palmer Elementary, Weatherly Middle, and St. John Neumann.
Competing each day are 2 and 3 graders (Snoops Division) of Monday, 4th and 5th graders (Explorers) on Tuesday, 6th to 8th graders (Investigators) on Wednesday, and 9th to 12th graders (Scientists) on Thursday.
Placing first on Monday was team “The Killer Bees” from Weatherly. (Click HERE to view that story.)
Placing first on Tuesday was team “Fabulous Falcons” from Palmerton. (Click HERE to view that story.)
During the event, all teams compete in a variety of categories; to include forestry, wildlife, soil, aquatics and current events.
Franklin Klock, naturalist at the center, said the center is one of a few in the state that work to get all grades involved, rather than focusing only on the high schools. Klock added that the kids really take this competition seriously.
Coordinating the Carbon County Envirothon is Jeannie Carl, who serves as a Naturalist of the center.
Susan Gallagher, Chief Naturalist of CCEEC, said the Envirothon is sponsored each year by Lions Clubs International, Region II, District 14-U. She added, “Thanks to their loyal support, students enjoy a well-organized and coveted awards.”