WORCESTER—Doherty Memorial High School’s Envirothon team was recently recognized with the Mass Envirothon Community Engagement Award for their outstanding research and advocacy on clean energy solutions within the Worcester community.
The team earned this award after participating in the 2024 Massachusetts Envirothon Competition. They were one of only three teams statewide to meet the criteria for the Mass Envirothon Community Engagement Award, showcasing their efforts on the 2024 Current Issue: Clean Energy for a Sustainable Future.
“Congratulations to our remarkable Envirothon Team for their outstanding achievement in the 2024 Massachusetts Envirothon,” said Principal John Staley in a statement. “Their dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement exemplifies the spirit of Doherty Memorial High School. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and their commitment to making a positive impact on our community and beyond.”
The 2024 Doherty Envirothon Team included 14 scholars:
- Felix Agyemang
- Sage Comeaux
- Sherise Darko
- Irsa Golemi
- Nazrin Ismail
- Dea Kamberi
- Jailene Matias
- Frejsis Telhaj
- Susay Toe
- Victoria Wakadilo
- Elena Melka
- Stephanie Muriuki
- Yuetong Zhao
- Serxho Kreka
The team was guided by Doherty educators Stacey Hill and Jess Racine.
The Mass Envirothon Community Engagement Award celebrates teams that conduct thorough community investigations and apply their findings to action projects. Participating teams integrate scientific and civic knowledge and skills to tackle environmental issues, aligning with the Massachusetts 2018 Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement.
In 2024, to qualify for this award, teams needed to understand the transition to sustainable energy sources in their communities. The Doherty team conducted in-person interviews, site visits, and researched relevant state legislation on clean energy. They documented their efforts using the Research and Action Checklist and participated in a Zoom interview to present their work.
Key Activities:
- Solar Farm Exploration: Investigated Worcester’s large solar farm on an old landfill.
- Sustainability Hub Visit: Visited the Worcester Sustainability Hub at Clark University.
- Green Building Features: Learned about the energy features of the new Doherty high school building,
- Interviews: Interviewed a state representative advocating for electric school buses, a green building architect, and an intern at the Worcester Historical Society.
- Public Forum: Hosted a public forum for Worcester City Council candidates, developing and posing questions to the 11 participating candidates.
Through these activities, the Doherty Envirothon Team developed environmental knowledge, teamwork, and civic engagement skills, demonstrating their capability for college-level work and their contributions to the community.
For detailed documentation of the Doherty team’s work, visit the 2024 Community Engagement Awards webpage.
Send your news to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
