The Green Dragons from South Texas ISD Science Academy claimed first place at the 2025 Texas Envirothon, held April 5–7 in Richmond. The annual competition challenges high school students in environmental science, natural resource management, and problem-solving. This year’s event was hosted at Long Acres Ranch and the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Team members Haadiya Ahmed, Maximo Arratia, Roel Cantu, Shelby Harrell, and Sean Nievera earned the top score and will represent Texas at the NCF-Envirothon, taking place July 20–26 at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The team is coached by advisors Andrew Cortez and Helen Martin.
Second place went to the Esperanzas, and third to the Spiny Lizards—both teams from the Academy of Science and Technology (AST).
Category awards included:
• Aquatics – South Texas ISD Science Academy’s Black Dragons
• Forestry, Soils, and Wildlife – South Texas ISD Science Academy’s Green Dragons
• Current Issue –AST’s Spiny Lizards
• Oral Presentation – Fulshear High School’s Sandy Loam
Wendy Reistle, program coordinator of the Texas Envirothon, emphasized the competition’s value in introducing students to real-world environmental challenges and potential career paths. “Envirothon gives students hands-on experience in environmental science while building teamwork and communication skills that serve them far beyond the competition,” she said. “We’re proud of every participant for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to learning.”
Thirteen teams representing six high schools participated: Academy of Science and Technology (The Woodlands), Berkner High School (Richardson), Carroll Senior High School (Southlake), Fulshear High School (Fulshear), Stuart Career Technical High School (Baytown), and South Texas ISD Science Academy (Mercedes).
Special thanks to the volunteers, presenters, test writers, and scorers who made this event possible, including: James Page, Scott Lightle, October Smith, Melissa Rodriguez, Dr. Daniel Colopietro, Dr. Kathleen Garland, Dr. George Guillen, Andy Sipocz, Johnny Otley, Ricardo Cagigal Jr., Jaden Kelly, Sam Hill, Cole Patton, Noah Santee, Isaiah Jaramillo, Hannah Meugge, Wesley Gibson, Tony Strohmeyer, Dr. Brenda Weiser, Jim Dobberstine, Dr. Cindy Roberts-Gray, and Dr. Sandra Metoyer.
This year’s competition was supported by generous sponsors at every level. CenterPoint Energy led as a Pileated Woodpecker sponsor. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher level sponsors included the Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Texas Association of Environmental Professionals and the Coastal Plains Soil and Water Conservation District contributed at the Red-winged Blackbird level, while Snowy Egret level support came from the Harris County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
ABOUT ENVIROTHON Envirothon is an academic, extra-curricular environmental and natural resource education program and competition designed for high school students. Teams composed of five students answer questions focusing on five areas of study: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and the current environmental issue. In addition to the field experience, students also participate in an oral component focusing on a real-world environmental problem.
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If you would like more information about the Texas Envirothon, please contact Wendy Reistle at 281-283-3045 or email at reistle
uhcl.edu.