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The Straughn High School Envirothon team finished the 2025 Alabama Envirothon competition at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama, in first place out of 23 teams on Saturday, March 1.

Alabama was the first state to hold its competition this year with more competitions taking place this spring. Hollie Carter has served as the team sponsor at Straughn for the last 10 years.

“I am incredibly proud of these students. They have put in a tremendous amount of effort,” Carter said. “I am eager to see them compete at the international level. These students consistently give their best, and I am excited to witness their future accomplishments.”

The Envirothon is a multi-level environmental and natural resource education program and competition that encourages students to think critically and creatively about the natural world and their place in it. The Envirothon consists of in-class curriculum learning with hands-on outdoor field experiences where students can learn natural resource management techniques from natural resource professionals.

Participants competing on this year’s team are Emiley Faith Bush, Orrin Douglas, Mallory Hall, Christian Pate, and Arina Thai.

Each will graduate from Straughn High School on May 23 and attend the 2025 National Conservation Foundation Envirothon at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, from July 20-26.

“Our students faced a series of challenging tests and a complex scenario. They developed a 20-minute presentation and delivered it to a panel of judges. Their presentations were informative, engaging, and they displayed great confidence. It truly requires bravery to present for 20 minutes,” Carter said.

All five team members were excited to represent their school and win the state competition.

“Winning the state championship this year is truly a memorable moment for me,” Bush said. “This was my first year on this amazing team, and I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. To come out on top in the Alabama Envirothon competition is a huge accomplishment, and it makes me proud of all the hard work, dedication, and collaboration that went into it. It’s a moment I will always remember.”

“Winning this year’s state competition is an exhilarating achievement for us, especially after last year’s disappointment,” Douglas said. “Our hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and we’re honored to bring this victory to Straughn High School. We’re incredibly proud to represent our school on such a prestigious platform.”

“Winning the Alabama competition is super exciting,” Hall said. “We didn’t make the top three last year, so we came into the competition ready to work but not expecting too much. When we won the whole thing, I was so excited. I thank God for all his blessings.”

“Winning the state Envirothon competition is a historic achievement for our school, as it’s the first activity to ever take us outside the country,” Pate said. “We weren’t expecting much, especially since we were competing against much larger schools with well-established environmental science programs. However, our team’s dedication and teamwork allowed us to defy the odds and secure this win, which is a tremendous accomplishment.”

“Last year, we went home disappointed, so winning this year’s state competition is an incredible honor,” Thai said. “It means all the hard work and dedication we’ve put into studying and preparing have paid off. This victory feels like recognition of our efforts and a proud moment for us to represent Straughn High School.”

With the state competition now behind them, each team member looks forward to this summer’s competition in Canada.

“I’m really excited about the national competition in Canada. It’s a great opportunity to represent my team and showcase everything we’ve learned so far,” Bush said. “I’m looking forward to meeting other teams from across the country, sharing experiences, and pushing ourselves to be even better. The competition will definitely be a challenge, but it will be an unforgettable experience that I’m excited to be a part of.”

“The opportunity to go to Calgary, Canada, this July is exhilarating. To go to a foreign country for a school activity is a one-of-a-kind, thrilling activity,” Douglas said. “We can hardly wait to see Canada and interact with students from all over the world. To be Alabama’s representatives in this prestigious affair is the perfect culmination of our high school life before we pursue the next journey of our life.”

“I’ve never traveled out of the country, so I’m looking forward to the trip. I hope we can meet some new people from all over the world, but I’m most excited to spend time with my friends,” Hall said. “The state competition is so much fun, so I bet going international will be even better. It’ll be a great opportunity to close out my senior year before I go to college.”

“I’m looking forward to the national competition in Canada for a few reasons. For one, it’s my first time leaving the country, so it’s a huge personal milestone,” Pate said. “Additionally, since the Envirothon team is made up of my closest friends, this trip feels like a special senior trip. It’s a great opportunity to make lasting memories together and cap off the year on such a high note.”

“The trip to Canada is truly an opportunity of a lifetime. Not many people can say they are going out of the country for a school trip,” Thai said. “I can’t wait to explore Canada and the many attractions it’s known for. I’m also very excited to meet students from across the world and represent the state of Alabama alongside my closest friends. It will be a great way to end the summer before starting the next chapter of our lives.”

For more information email hollie.carter@cov.k12.al.us or call 334-222-2511.