Theresa Dardanell
The Catoctin High School Mudcats, a team of students who participated in the Maryland Envirothon, won first place in the Frederick County competition. During the statewide Maryland Envirothon at Camp Pecomoth in Queen Anne’s County in June, they placed first in the Soils category, second in 5th Issue, third in Aquatics, and fourth overall. Their score was only six points less (out of a possible 500) than that of the first-place team. Envirothon coach and science teacher April Wells was very proud of her “amazing group of students.”
The Envirothon gives students the opportunity to study Maryland’s natural resources and then compete in the categories of Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a 5th Issue topic that changes every year.
According to Wells, the Mudcats chose their team name because they have occasionally worked in very muddy soil pits during competitions. In the Soils category, students work alongside soil scientists to learn about techniques used to determine soil characteristics for farming and developing activities.
Pictured from left are Edison Hatter, Devin Shorb, Alyssa Baker, Brietta Latham, and Jimmy Kempisty.
