Inter-Lakes Middle Tier 'Eco Challenge' team wins $10k fighting milfoil, has chance to win a lot more

MEREDITH — "I couldn't be prouder than I am at this moment," Inter-Lakes Middle Tier Principal Everett Bennett said at a reception held yesterday at the school's library. The celebration was held to recognize the "Weed Busters," a team of five seventh graders who entered a national "Eco Challenge" sponsored by Lexus.

The team described and addressed the invasion of the aquatic weed milfoil and in doing so was selected as one of a handful teams from across the country eligible to compete in the final round.

By succeeding through the first round, team "Weed Busters" earned a $10,000 prize, which includes $3,000 to be spent on the school's science program and the balance to be divided among team members. In the final round, which will take place during January and February, the team will have the opportunity to compete for one of eight "first place" prizes of $15,000 or two "grand" prizes of $30,000.

As Bennett explained at the reception, the "Weed Busters" story goes back to August, when school board member Lisa Merrill asked Bennett to allow her to form a team. She persuaded him by promising that the subject matter would be germane to the Middle Tier's curriculum, especially for the seventh graders who focus on environmental science.

Working on a short timeline that ran out at the end of October, a team of five seventh graders embarked upon a public information campaign to help thwart the spread of aquatic milfoil, which is present in dozens of New Hampshire water bodies including some of its most treasured, such as Lake Winnipesaukee.

The campaign included interviews with hospitality magnate Edward "Rusty" McLear and real estate businessman and milfoil activist Stewart Lamprey. The interviews, recorded by volunteer Chris Mega, were aired on Lakes Region Public Access television. The team also prepared and submitted press releases to a local newspaper.

Additionally, the students invited Rebecca Hanson from the Squam Lakes Association, who presented a lesson on milfoil to seventh grade science classes. The students, with help from the school's art teacher, also recorded a theme song based on the theme from the movie "The Ghost Busters." They ain't afraid of no milfoil.

Other components of the project included creation of a web site and a 15-slide PowerPoint presentation.

"I felt privileged to work with these kids," said Kay Anderson, who along with Merrill and teachers Norm Roulx and Dot Hartson advised the team. Speaking to parents present at the reception, Anderson praised the students for their unusual dedication and maturity. "You sent us great raw materials," she said.

Jackson Williams didn't know the other members of the team before joining. He said, "Now I'm good friends with all of them. I'm proud of what we accomplished – because we won. I think we had great teamwork."

For Tristan Smart, his proudest achievement was raising awareness about milfoil among his peers. "Milfoil is extremely dangerous. Milfoil can grow as much as an inch per day," he said, explaining that its rapid growth chokes out native plants and fish.

"If you just take a cutting and drop it in the lake, it can re-root and spread all over the lake," said team member Brianna Knauss, who said she didn't know about milfoil before the project. "I helped many other people learn about milfoil," she said, hoping to start a "chain reaction" of awareness.

Joshua Schmalle helped write and administer the surveys which were given to students before and after the publicity campaign to gauge the team's effectiveness. "The results were staggering," he said. "We can't stop the threat of milfoil but we can control it. We can control it through public awareness."

Matthew Sundius was most proud of the team logo, which he created with help from the school's art teacher, and for the ceramic ornaments the team made and sold, proceeds from which were donated to the New Hampshire Lakes Association's effort to halt the spread of the weed. "We raised more than $300 to be donated to the cleanup of milfoil," he said.

Though eager to start work on the next round, the team has not yet received the specifics of the final challenge. Whatever the outcome is, the "Weed Busters" are already champions, especially in the eyes of the school officials and community members who worked with them.

"These kids," said teacher adviser Norm Roulx, after pausing to collect his emotions, "they warm my heart."

CAPTION for WEED BUSTERS in AA:

Team "Weed Busters," comprised of five seventh graders from Inter-Lakes Middle Tier, were one of eight middle school teams from across the country selected to compete in the final round of the "Eco Challenge" sponsored by Lexus. They have a chance to win a prize package totaling $30,000. Shown here, Joshua Schmalle presents a graph measuring student awareness of milfoil, while team members (left to right) Jackson Williams, Tristan Smart, Matthew Sundius and Brianna Knauss listen. Standing are team advisors Kay Anderson (left) and Lisa Merrill.