South Plantation High School Wins Fairchild Challenge

Students in the Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration Magnet program at South Plantation High topped off an award-winning year when they were named overall champions of the Fairchild Challenge, the largest student environmental competition in the world. The 2011 title was the fourth consecutive win for South Plantation High School. Students competed in 10 options, ranging from art to science with an environmental focus. The school received $1,000 to continue its environmental initiatives.

The school also earned a “Met the Challenge” banner, five years of participation in the competition. “Our goal this year was to meet the challenge and hang the banner so everyone who visits the school can see our accomplishments,” said Pamela Krauss, the team’s coach and teacher.

The Challenge named senior Jessica Millar an Environmental Role Model for students and Madeline Rosario the Teacher Environmental Role Model. Rosario also won recognition for her design of an educator logo.

South Plantation students earned first or second place or special merit award in most options. First place awards went to Christian Keeve for his Opinion Paper; Tuyet Pham for her Natural Element Watercolor; Victoria Andonova, Ashley Woolbert and Sasheem Snell for their LEED Design Green Wall/Roof; Jessica Millar for her Solar Invention; Andreina Inciarte, Tia Young, Annuska Samidass and Kelsey Wascisko for their Canal Restoration; and Candace O’Neill for Environmental Action. A group of students led by Ellen Coronica and Jonathan Kinney received first place for 11 gardens in the School Garden/Habitat Restoration category.