March 24th, 2025

By Charles Martinez, WRDSB Graduate and current Engineering Science Student and the University of Toronto National Scholar

Less than a year ago, I was a Grade 12 student, wondering what defining high school experience would stay with me for the rest of my life. As I approached my final semester, I assumed my high school journey was coming to an end, but little did I know that some of the most incredible experiences were still ahead.

One of my most memorable, educational, and defining experiences in high school was participating in Envirothon. It became a defining experience of my high school journey, filled with travelling adventures, invaluable learning, and friendships that remain strong today. The competition enriches participants academically and enhances their presentation and problem-solving skills, which I use daily as an engineering science student.

I first learned about the Envirothon competition years before arriving at Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI) and had been eager to participate since Grade 9. However, that year was 2020, so naturally, I had to wait. When the program resumed, I finally decided to give it a try. I mentioned it to a friend in my Biology class, casually introducing the idea: “Hey, I’m joining this program called Envirothon and looking for a team. Want to give it a try?” That simple question sparked an incredible journey and a lasting friendship.

The competition, consisting of teams of five, allows participants to explore various fields of environmental science, such as forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife, and a current environmental issue. As someone fascinated by fish for years and maintaining a 50-gallon tank at home, I chose to specialize in aquatics. At first, the sheer volume of material we had to learn felt overwhelming, but studying together on weekends made the experience much more enjoyable (and, of course, we all loved getting food afterward).

Competing in the regional and provincial rounds of Envirothon was an incredible experience—we gained valuable hands-on learning and the chance to connect with like-minded individuals. The Ontario Envirothon was a three-day event that allowed us to stay at the University of Waterloo’s campus residences. We had a blast participating in various workshops that helped refine our knowledge and presentation skills as a team.

Charles at the Ontario Envirothon in 2024

After completing all the activities and competitions, we did not expect much more, as the program itself had already been an immensely rewarding experience. However, we were fortunate to be awarded the top prize: the opportunity to represent Ontario at the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon in New York State during the summer of 2024. This gave our team one final chance to come together after graduation for an unforgettable road trip and competition.

The NCF Envirothon marked the culmination of an extraordinary journey that I will never forget. Over the week, I built meaningful connections with nearly every participant, regardless of their origin. To this day, I remain in touch with several people I met in New York, and the experience has further fueled my passion for environmental research as I continue my studies in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto. Experiences like these begin with exposure to programs like Envirothon. I hope this article has given you insight into this incredible opportunity so that you might embark on your own Envirothon journey.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a former WRDSB student and is part of the Student Agency and Voice program. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.