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Photo: Thomas Jefferson High School students won first place at the 2025 Envirothon at Boyce Park.

April 25, 2025

PITTSBURGH – Thomas Jefferson High School secured first place at the Allegheny County Envirothon on April 25, 2025, marking its third consecutive win. The team will advance to represent Allegheny County at the Pennsylvania Envirothon in Johnstown.

Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) hosted 132 high school students from nine school districts at the annual competition at Boyce Park in Monroeville.

The winning team from Thomas Jefferson High School includes Lukeman El-Hajj, Hunter Houk, Aislin Majoris, Kamryn Mull and Reagan Sandersonm, led by teachers Dan Giger and Brian McClain. Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy won second place, and North Hills High School placed third. Every winning student received a scholarship for academic pursuits following high school funded with support from event sponsors.   

"Today’s participating youth are tomorrow’s leaders,” said Executive Director Heather Manzo. “Envirothon moves students beyond the classroom, building career readiness and inspiring them to pursue futures in conservation. Thanks to our sponsors, 132 outstanding students gained real-world experience and the motivation to tackle environmental challenges in their own communities."

Envirothon is the largest environmental education competition in North America aimed at engaging local youth in natural resource conservation learning and stewardship challenges. This hands-on academic competition requires months of study and teamwork on five subject areas: soils/land use, wildlife, aquatic ecology, forestry and current issues.   

Envirothon provides exposure to environmental career pathways through partnerships with the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, Pa. Game Commission and the Allegheny County Parks Department.   

Qualifying teams at the state competition will advance to the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon in Alberta, Canada.   

This year’s sponsors include Fahringer, McCarty & Grey, Inc; Pittsburgh Regional Transit; and Bryan Materials Group.   

Other contributors include Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.; The Gateway Engineers, Inc.; Sheffler & Company, Inc.; and Eisler Landscapes. 

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About ACCD: Allegheny County Conservation District, part of a national regulatory network, engages and leads through partnerships, innovation and implementation to protect, restore and preserve Allegheny County’s natural resources.