The Ithaca Journal
August 11, 2006
Candor Envirothon team takes international honors
A team of Candor High School students recently drew honors in international competition.
Aidan and Seamus Enright, Emily Frey, Stephen Trinidad and Toby Heavenrich, also known as the Candor 400s, the
Envirothon team from Candor High School, placed 16th in the International Competition of the 10th Canon Envirothon
at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Candor's coaches Spencer Hunt and Jonathan Zisk along with Vince
Trawinski of Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Candor alumna Arminda Mattoon went with the
team.
Candor's teams over the years have won in the regional competitions, going up against other
local counties' teams, and won at the state competition level earning the opportunity to go to the International
competitions. Teams from Candor High School have won at the regional level a total of 13 times, and have won state
competitions five times.
The students at Candor work hard through the school year and into the summer, building their knowledge of aquatics,
forestry, wildlife and soils. At competitions, the team must address current environmental issues as well. Each
member of the team has a specialty but also must be knowledgeable on the other topics. Studying and research are
an important part of their training, and all members of the teams do it with enthusiasm. Candor also has a second
team, the Candor Horizons, a second group of students working its way up in competitions.
At the international competition, the Candor 400s placed 16th, going up against state teams from most other U.S.
states and 15 teams from the provinces of Canada; and the 400s deserves a round of applause for a job well done.
These students show a level of commitment and knowledge that is admirable. Bravo!
Envirothon history
In 1979 the Pennsylvania Soil and Water Conservation Districts created the Environmental Olympics, promoting hands
on environmental and natural resource management for high school students, hoping to achieve and maintain a natural
balance between quality of life and quality of environment. By 1987 there were 40 teams in Pennsylvania.
In 1988 teams from the states of Ohio and Massachusetts joined in the competitions, and in 1990 the states of Maryland,
New York and Maine joined as well. Today most of the U.S. states and all of the Canadian provinces participate,
reaching more then 500,000 high school students. Inquiries from foreign countries are coming in all the time, so
this is a movement that will keep growing, spreading the awareness needed to help future generations better understand
the needs of the environment as well as human needs.
Sponsors of this growing event are Canon, USA, the American Clean Water Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, the
National Association of Conservation Districts, and Soil and Water Conservation Society to name just a few.
These organizations along with the help of many volunteers make these competitions possible, and to find more information
about the program check the Web site at www.envirothon.org.
