The five-student team from the conservation program at Niagara Career and Technical Education Center placed sixth among 62 teams at the New York State Envirothon held at SUNY Cortland on May 28-29.
As Envirothon competitors, Jeremy Taylor (Niagara Wheatfield), Ian Kruger (Niagara Wheatfield), Anthony Enzinna (Wilson), Addison Schultz (Niagara Wheatfield) and Dan Wilkesmore (Lewiston-Porter) were tested on their knowledge and understanding of New York state’s natural resources while demonstrating understanding of science, public speaking and civic engagement.
The 2025 competition focused on the current issue of Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a canopy of change. The competition included field station tests in soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, and wildlife.
The students all said they enjoyed the challenge and being on the SUNY Cortland campus.
“I really love this program,” Jeremy Taylor said. “I have met some great people and I am going continue on with environmental studies in college.”
“It was a great challenge and definitely worth going to,” Ian Kruger said. “I will be attending Buffalo State for Environmental Studies.”
Conservation teacher Jay Kaplewicz said he’s proud of the team. “They did extremely well and I knew they would be at the top because of the wealth of knowledge and passion they have for the environment. It was a great experience for them and they worked very hard to get there.”