Charter School of Wilmington Team A won the school’s 22nd straight Delaware Envirothon championship today at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford. Left to right are team members Siddhi Dinavahi, Arya Gupta, Eesha Sagiraju, Dharshini Senthilnathan, Amber Wong and Elaine Zuo (Alt.) /DNREC photo.

Charter’s Team A Claims School’s 22nd Straight Victory in Statewide Environmental Competition

Charter School of Wilmington Team A is the winner of the 2024 Delaware Envirothon competition held today at Abbotts Mill Nature Center in Milford, the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts announced today. The latest state Envirothon championship marks Charter School of Wilmington’s school’s 22nd win in the event’s 28-year history, highlighted by an unbroken winning streak in the Envirothon competition since 2002. Odessa High School FFA came in second place and Wilmington Charter School Team B placed third in the Envirothon competition.

Sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the annual environmental education competition is open to high school students statewide.

The 16 competing Envirothon teams representing nine high schools and one 4-H club statewide – Calvary Christian Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Middletown High School FFA, Newark Charter High School, Odessa High School FFA, Polytech High School, Smyrna High School FFA, Sussex Central High School, Sussex Tech High School FFA and Peach Blossom 4-H Club – worked hard all school year to prepare for the 2024 event held at Abbotts Mill Nature Center in Milford.

Each team answered questions, reviewed specimens, and took measurements in topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land use, wildlife, forestry and the current environmental issue of “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.” Teams also had to give a seven to 10-minute oral presentation of a scenario based on the current issue.

After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2024 state champion. The first-place team will represent Delaware at the 2024 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) International Envirothon to be held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, from July 28 to Aug. 3.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon and other prizes. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school. The second through seventh place teams received more than $1,300 in special team awards and cash prizes.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official results are as follows:

• First place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Siddhi Dinavahi, Arya Gupta, Eesha Sagiraju, Dharshini Senthilnathan, Amber Wong and Elaine Zuo (Alt.)
• Second place – Odessa High School FFA: Makennah Bell, Luke Brown, Camrynn Chambers, Emma Sweetman and Jackson Wills
• Third place – Saathvi Arunkumar, Rujula Borkar, Finnigan Carroll, Subiksha Srinivasan Vidya, Dhriti Tattari and Jane Oommen (Alt.)
• Fourth place – Peach Blossom 4-H Club: Ava Gallo, Aidan Garey, Mason Hay, Kaylyn Jones, Justus Moritz, Sofia Marquez (Alt.) and Lexi Hay (Alt.)
• Fifth place – Newark Charter High School Aquaholics: Zahra Ali, Anavi Chintam, Nina Moses, Ritisha Sarbajna and Aaliyah Sheikh
• Sixth place – Sussex Tech High School FFA: Hayden Chisenhall, Johnna Hataway, Morgan Lowe, Brock O’Day, Trent Ruark, Jack Willin (Alt.) and Connor LeCates (Alt.)
• Seventh place – Polytech Future Fertilizer: Christopher Clay, Aiden Clough, Abigail Masterson, Aiden Taylor and Emma Vernon

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $70,000 in scholarships to 140 students. The event is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local districts.

In addition to DNREC, major sponsors include the Delaware Solid Waste Authority, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Sussex Conservation District, the Kent Conservation District, and the New Castle Conservation District, along with many other smaller donors.

More information about the annual event can be found at delawareenvirothon.org.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Charter School of Wilmington Team A won the school’s 21st straight Delaware Envirothon championship today at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center on the Delaware Bayshore near Smyrna. Left to right are team members Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Zavior Brown, Dhriti Tattari and Amber Wong. DNREC photo

Charter’s Team A Claims School’s 21st Straight Victory
in Statewide High School Environmental Competition

Charter School of Wilmington Team A is the winner of the 2023 Delaware Envirothon competition held today at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Aquatic Resources Education Center on the Delaware Bayshore near Smyrna. The latest state Envirothon championship marks Charter School of Wilmington’s school’s 21st win in the event’s 28-year history, highlighted by an unbroken winning streak in the Envirothon competition since 2002. Newark Charter High School The Thneed for Speed came in second place, while Odessa High School FFA placed third in the Envirothon competition.

A program of the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts and sponsored by DNREC, the annual environmental education competition is open to high school students statewide.

“Our high school students are today’s environmental leaders. This is helping to show their knowledge and continue to learn,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Congratulations to all the competing team members who applied their environmental knowledge to planning and presenting their inventive solutions to present-day environmental situations.”

The 16 competing Envirothon teams representing nine high schools and one 4-H club statewide – Calvary Christian Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Middletown High School FFA, Newark Charter School, Odessa High School FFA, Polytech High School, Smyrna High School FFA, Sussex Central High School FFA, Sussex Tech High School FFA and Peach Blossom 4-H Club/Lake Forest FFA – worked hard all school year to prepare for the 2023 event held at the Aquatic Resources Education Center managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Each team answered questions, reviewed specimens, and took measurements in topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land use, wildlife, forestry, air quality and the current environmental issue of “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Teams also had to give a 7-to-10-minute oral presentation of a scenario based on the current issue. After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2023 state champion. The first-place team will represent Delaware at the 2023 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon to be held at Mount Allison University in Tantramar (Sacksville), New Brunswick, Canada from July 23 to 29.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon and other prizes. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school. The second through seventh place teams received more than $1,300 in special team awards and cash prizes.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official results are as follows:

• First place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Zavior Brown, Dhriti Tattari and Amber Wong
• Second place – Newark Charter High School Thneed for Speed: Noah Ali, Samita Bomasamudram, Andre Gill, Anna Gliwa and Sidrisha Sarbajna
• Third place – Odessa High School FFA: Zach Binnie, Joseph Delaney, Kalena Diaz, Marco Lucia, and Nate Sutton
• Fourth place – Peach Blossom 4-H/Lake Forest FFA: Ava Gallo, Aidan Garey, Brenna Geidel, Mason Hay, and Justus Moritz
• Fifth place – Polytech High School Dirt Diggers: Zoe Goodbred, Julianna Korup, Eve-Alexa Mobely, Chloe Smith, and Sadie Vaughn
• Sixth place – Odessa High School The Under Ducks: Kaelin Desrosiers, Natalie Holdren, Bruce Macolley, Taylor Mahoney, and Ella Vandervort
• Seventh place – Calvary Christian Academy Climate Heroes: Carolyn Laskey, Tiara Nichols, Dawson Shahan, John Thomas, and Michelle Thomas

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $64,000 in scholarships to 135 students. The event is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local districts.

In addition to DNREC, the Delaware Envirothon is also sponsored by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Delaware Department of Agriculture – Pesticide Management Section, FMC Corporation, and the New Castle Conservation District.

More information about the annual event can be found at delawareenvirothon.org.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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USDA-NRCS State Conservationist Kasey Taylor, with Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Meghna Raj Annasagaram, Erica Hong, Claire Andreasen, and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. DNREC photo.

Charter School of Wilmington Team A is the winner of the 2022 Delaware Envirothon competition held today at the St. Jones Estuarine Research Reserve in Dover, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts announced today. Today’s win marks the school’s 20th win in the event’s 27-year history, including an unbroken winning streak since 2002. Peach Blossom 4-H Club came in second place and Odessa High School FFA placed third in the Envirothon competition.

“Today, 10 teams of Delaware students were challenged to apply their environmental knowledge to plan and present inventive solutions to present-day environmental situations – and I would like congratulate all of them for stepping up to the challenge,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “These students are today’s young environmental stewards, and I look forward to seeing them taking leadership roles to help ensure the future.”

This year, the 10 competing Envirothon teams representing six high schools and one 4-H club statewide – Calvary Christian Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Newark Charter School, Odessa High School FFA, Smyrna High School FFA, Sussex Tech High School FFA and Peach Blossom 4-H Club – worked hard all school year to prepare for the event.

Each team answered questions, reviewed specimens, and took measurements in topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land use, wildlife, forestry, air quality and the current environmental issue of “Waste to Resources.” Teams also had to give a seven to 10 minute oral presentation of a scenario based on the special topic. After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2022 state champion. The first place team will represent Delaware at the 2022 North American National Conservation Foundation Envirothon held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in late July.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon and other prizes. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school. The second through seventh place teams received more than $1,300 in special team awards and cash prizes. Special cash awards for the top three teams in air quality, forestry, and soils were provided by the DNREC Division of Air Quality, the Delaware Forestry Association, and the Pocomoke Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official results are as follows:

• First place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Claire Andreasen, Meghna Raj Annasagaram, Erica Hong, Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ and alternate Rujula Brokar
• Second place – Peach Blossom 4-H Club: Brielle Carter, Aidan Garey, Brenna Geidel, Bethany Knutsen and Leighton Webb
• Third place – Odessa High School FFA: Kaelin Desrosiers, Natalie Holdren, Bruce Macolley, Taylor Mahoney and Ella Vandervort
• Fourth place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team C: Rakshetha Balaji, Mikul Duggal, Arjan Kahlon, Khai McCaskill and Dharshini Senthilnathan
• Fifth place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team B: Amogh Baradwaj, Siddhi Dinavahi, Pargya Singh and Michaela Somers and Joanna Tan
• Sixth place – Newark Charter High School CliMates: Samita Bomasamudram, Anna Gliwa, Amber Gray, Jared Murray and Benjamin Schultz
• Seventh place – Calvary Christian Academy: Dawson Shahan, John Thomas, Michelle Thomas, Elijah Washington, Kayleigh Young

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $62,500 in scholarships to 125 students. The event is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local districts. A program of the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts, the Delaware Envirothon is also sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

More information can be found at www.delawareenvirothon.org.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Wilmington Charter School Team C members are, top row: Darren Wu and Shriya Boyapati; middle row: Joanna Tan and Meghna Raj Annasagaram, and bottom: Amogh Baradwaj.

Wilmington Charter School Team C Finishes First

Charter School of Wilmington Team C is the winner of the 2021 Delaware Envirothon, an annual environmental and natural resources education competition for high school students sponsored by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts in partnership with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Charter School of Wilmington Team A finished second and Charter School of Wilmington Team B placed third out of a total of 10 teams participating in this year’s competition. In addition to the three Charter School of Wilmington teams, other teams represented Calvary Christian Academy in Dover, Middletown High School FFA, Newark Charter School, Odessa High School FFA, and the Peach Blossom 4-H team from Kent County.

Instead of an in-person competition, students competed virtually over the course of four days. Each team answered questions on topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land-use, wildlife, forestry, air quality, and the current environmental issue, “Water Resources Management: Local Control and Local Solutions.” Charter School of Wilmington Team C will now represent Delaware in the virtual 2021 National Conservation Foundation Envirothon out of Lincoln, Neb., at the end of July.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 college scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school. The second through seventh place teams received more than $1,300 in special team awards and cash prizes. Special cash awards totaling $450 were provided to the top three Forestry teams by the Delaware Forestry Association.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official results are as follows:

First place: Charter School of Wilmington Team C
Second place: Charter School of Wilmington Team A
Third place: Charter School of Wilmington Team B
Fourth place: Peach Blossom 4-H Club
Fifth place: Middletown High School FFA
Sixth place: Odessa Ducks FFA
Seventh place: Newark Charter School Dino Nuggets

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $6,500 in scholarships to 125 students. The competition is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts, a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local conservation districts. For more information, visit delawareenvirothon.org/.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DOVER – The Kent Conservation District invites everyone to a rompin’, stompin’ good time at its 20th Annual Barn Dance fundraiser to be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at the Harrington Fire Company, 20 Clark Street, Harrington, DE 19952. The event features a down-home meal including beef and dumplings, fried chicken, and all the fixings, plus live and silent benefit auctions, and dancing to DJ music.

Tickets are now on sale for $20 per person or $35 per couple. Tickets for children 12 years and under are $10 each, while children under two are admitted free. Reserved tables seating eight are available for $150, and must be reserved in one name and paid by a single check.

Funds raised through the Barn Dance support the Delaware Envirothon, an annual competitive, problem-solving, natural resource challenge for high school students which is co-sponsored by DNREC. Additionally, DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship guides the Conservation Districts staff in providing technical and financial assistance to Delaware’s farmers, landowners, and homeowners to protect and enhance the state’s soil and water resources.

For tickets or more information, please call the Kent Conservation District at 302-741-2600, ext. 3.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 49, No. 223