The Daily News

Sixth-grade students from Breckenridge Elementary-Middle School may have been the youngest to compete at the Junior Envirothon at Fergus Falls, Minn., but five of them still secured a win.

Kirstin Amdahl, Raeanna Essig, Mason Schaefer, Nick Bullis and Joshua Erickson won second place at a soil competition and beat out 25 other teams. The group, along with the rest of their class, wound around five learning stations Oct. 7 at Prairie Wetlands Learning Center for the competition. A total of 70 students attended the event, including ones from St. Mary's School.

Students learned about soil, forestry and wildlife, and took a test at the end of each station. Afterward, resource professionals reviewed the exams and talked with students.

Breckenridge sixth-grade student Kori Bommersbach uses a clinometer to measure land elevation Oct. 7 at the Junior Envirothon in Fergus Falls, Minn. The class was the youngest to compete at the competition. Students Alyssa Marquez, left, and Isaiah Lemke stand behind her. photo submitted Advertisement

While the whole group could recall a series of facts they learned from the trip - such as distinguishing a mule deer from a white-tail deer by the formation of its antlers - one student appreciated the break from class.

"The best part was no homework," said Amy Bakken.

On a brief paper about the Envirothon, students detailed some of the facts they learned that day. Dylan Hansey discovered "an aspen E-10 tree's roots are bigger than a blue whale," while Alex Hendrickson learned there are no fish in the water due to the presence of ducks.

"I learned that if there was fishes there wouldn't be ducks or geese on or in the water," wrote Alicia Villarreal. "I also learned that there were different insects living in the water like fresh water shrimps or scuds."

Students were also required to think critically. The test asked a broad range of questions, including the definition of a Benthic zone and a description of a dabbling duck. They were even asked to use a clinometer, a device used to measure land elevation.

Wilson's class said they would love to return to the Envirothon next year and were pleased to get the opportunity through the Wilkin County Soil and Water Board.

"We are proud of the students' accomplishments and efforts, and encouraged them to participate in the Envirothon throughout their high school years," said Diane Lommel, district clerk for Wilkin County Soil and Water District.

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