Two teams from Clay High School’s Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program earned first place competing in the District One FFA Career Development Events held March 8, 2011 at Wauseon, with four of those students placing in the top ten in their competition!

In the area of Wildlife Management, the FIRST PLACE TEAM consisted of:
Maggie Mullen - First place individual,
Dan Mausser - Second pace individual,
Phillip LaPlante - Fourth place individual
Tyler Rich – Seventh place individual

Also on the team were :
Austin Cortez, Mary Mominee, Michael Wiedmann, Adam Rynolds, Tyler Dunbar, Tony Ueberroth, and Summer Dwyer.
Students in this competition had to identify 37 Ohio mammals by looking at pictures or skulls.  They learned to identify wings and mounts of 38 Ohio gamebirds.  They learned to identify 39 Ohio fish, and 43 plants that could be used as food or cover for Ohio wildlife.  They were also tested on their wildlife management knowledge, controlling nuisance animals, and reading topographic maps.

Clay High School FFA's FIRST PLACE Wildlife Management Team, and Fourth Place Nature Interpretation Team left to right  are:
Back Row: Dan Mausser, Summer Dwyer, Maggie Mullen
Middle: Tyler Dunbar, Phillip LaPlante, Tyler Rich, Adam Reynolds, mary Mominee, Brian Richmond, Austin Cortez
Front: Tony Ueberroth, Veronica Johnson, Jessica Duez, Liejla Hodjovic, Michael Wiedmann

In the area of Nature Interpretation, and also earning Fourth PLACE TEAM consisted of Clay students Brian Richmond, Lejla Hadjovic, Jessica Duez, and Veronica Johnson.
This team worked to identify 37 Ohio mammals, 46 song birds and raptors common in Ohio,  38 reptiles and amphibians, and 50 wildflowers found throughout Ohio.  They were also tested on methods of leading nature hikes, identifying animal calls, and nature interpretation principles.

Through their Environmental & Agricultural Technologies classes at Clay High School, the students learn many skills needed in preparation for a variety of careers.  “This competition helps prepare me to do well at Hocking College next year, and for my future wildlife career!” said Colton Plumb, a senior at Clay High School.

These competitions encourage students in their preparation for college and careers in wildlife biology, park management, natural resources, fisheries management, and other environmentally related areas.  It expands upon the material that is taught by Mr. Charlie Schneider, in his Environmental & Agricultural Technologies classes at Clay High School.

The Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program at Clay High School prepares students for college and careers relating many diverse opportunities in wildlife, environmental management, horticulture, landscaping, animal care, and aquaculture.

The Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program is one of twelve Career Technology Programs at Clay High School in which students may chose from many career paths without leaving their school district.  Over 55% of the students at Clay High School are served by Career Technology Programs where they are trained for skilled employment immediately following high school, or immediate enrollment in post-secondary education, including apprenticeship and Associate through Bachelorette and Masters Degrees.