North Harford High School’s Envirothon team achieved an extraordinary second-place finish at the 2025 NCF-Envirothon international competition, held July 20–26, 2025, at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Representing the state of Maryland, the team narrowly missed the international title by just one point.

Competing against more than 50 of the top teams from across the United States, Canada, and China, the students from North Harford High School demonstrated outstanding knowledge in environmental science, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. The team included Frank DeLucia, Jacob Jestel, Jonathan VanBuskirk, Ryan Layman, and Samantha Hawk. They qualified for the international competition after securing their third consecutive Maryland state Envirothon title earlier this year.

Throughout the international event, the team participated in a rigorous series of tests covering five core topics: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and a current issue topic, Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change. North Harford earned a final score of 619.67, placing just behind Lexington High School from Massachusetts, which finished with 620.67 points.

The top three teams, including North Harford, presented a final oral presentation to a panel of judges. These scores, combined with results from the field tests, determined the final standings.

In addition to earning second place overall and a $10,000 scholarship award, North Harford was named the Aquatic Ecology station winner and received a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Canon USA.

The 2025 current issue challenged students to address forest health and sustainability in Alberta, a region where forests cover approximately 60% of the land. Teams developed science-based solutions that integrated Indigenous knowledge, climate modeling, and ecological research—skills essential to today’s environmental science fields.

This international success builds on North Harford’s strong legacy in Envirothon competition. Team member Frank DeLucia has participated in all three of the school’s state championship teams, while Jonathan VanBuskirk returned for his second consecutive international competition. Their achievement reflects years of preparation and the program’s emphasis on leadership and environmental literacy.

The 2025 season also marked another strong year for Harford County’s broader Envirothon program, which included Harford County Public Schools student teams from:

• Aberdeen High School – Advisor: Heather Runkle-Smith

• Bel Air High School – Advisors: Jordan Long & Tyler Hamilton

• C. Milton Wright High School – Advisors: Ashley Alexander & Rebecca Streett

• Edgewood High School – Advisors: Amy Blizzard & Rebecca Scarborough

• Fallston High School – Advisor: Craig McLeod

• Harford Technical High School – Advisor: Helen Cullinan

• Patterson Mill High School – Advisor: Jennifer Walker

• North Harford High School – Advisor: Laura O’Leary

This success is supported by more than 30 years of partnership with the Harford Soil Conservation District, which continues to provide guidance and opportunities for students across the county. The Envirothon program prepares students for future careers in environmental science, agriculture, and sustainability, while inspiring a deeper understanding of the natural world.

North Harford’s international achievement highlights the power of student dedication, educator mentorship, and community support in creating meaningful educational experiences and global impact.