![State Ecology Meet Champions Hold Certificates of Honor]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1543341265/smsdorg/pypjzokxq4r8lu1rzarx/ECOMeet.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1543341265/smsdorg/pypjzokxq4r8lu1rzarx/ECOMeet.jpg","width":400}])
Shawnee Mission South students earned a championship plaque at the 20th annual Kansas ECO-Meet State Finals.
One Shawnee Mission South team earned first place in the competition and another earned third place. The Raiders now hold the state Eco-Meet title for the second consecutive year.
August Chowning, a senior from Shawnee Mission South, also earned a $200 scholarship for earning second place in the Woodland Ecosystems individual event.
Competition organizers asked students to demonstrate their knowledge of Kansas plants and animals. The contest included multiple events: a test on Kansas woodland ecosystems, a test on reptiles and amphibians, a scavenger hunt, and an interpretive skit performance event.
Preparing for this competition takes a lot of time and effort, coach and science teacher P.J. Born said. Students practiced for the contest during school and outside of school, Born said.
“I was most impressed with how competitive this year’s group was,” Born said. “Their competitiveness really drove them to study hard and learn the material necessary for success.”
The first-place team included August Chowning, Claire Elscott, Harper Peck, and Cheyenne Town. Each student on this team earned a $300 scholarship.
The third-place team included Mason Fitzmaurice, Alexis Hoover, and Carley Leal. Each student on this team earned a $100 scholarship.
