Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
a presentation before a panel of judges, which requires students to develop public speaking skills and learn how to collaborate with a team. Students are enthusiastic about the Challenge. "Participating in the Forestry Chal- lenge was one of my most memorable experiences in high school. Not only did it spark my interest in forestry and teach me so much about managing our forests, but I developed friendships and close bonds with my teammates," says 12th grader Adan Mendoza. " The youth of our generation are blind to the truth about our forests. Bringing knowledge to the public and revealing the sad truth can prevent under-man- agement from happening again. The Forestry Challenge is a way of doing this — implementing a fun time into learning," says 10th grader Austin Cole. Smallwood points to the larger student benefits. "Often kids don't know what they want to do and through the For- estry Challenge, they find out they are really good at solving complex problems and learn they are capable of more than they expected," she says. In a competition of 24 teams, Smallwood's two teams from Golden Sierra placed 4th and 7th, with nearby perennial champion and appropriately named Foresthill High School winning the championship. "I am not super competitive, but I love that our kids enjoy pushing themselves. That's the best part of the Challenge for me." For more information about the Forestry Challenge, visit forestrychallenge.org. Amara Smallwood's students prepare for the challenge in class. children's book, about animals and nature. He and his family run the non-profit Robinson Foun- dation, focused on spreading environmental awareness, fighting animal cruelty and assisting struggling communities. e book is the first in a series he plans to pen on the adventures of the main character, Ferguson. Robinson is grateful for the support, guidance and love he received from his primary educators. " To Mrs. Lopez, Mrs. Rickerl, Mrs. Swanson and Mrs. Vastine, thank you for giving me the knowledge and resources that built my skills and characteristics to create my art that inspires th e w orl d and future gen erations to c om e," says Robinson, whose books are available at brenthrobinson.com. "I am thankful for each of you and every educator that came after in my life. I am truly blessed for all of you." Lopez was excited to see the successful life her former student has built since leaving her sec- ond-grade classroom. "Teachers will always be your biggest cheer- leaders, even when you're fully grown," she says. "Through the Forestry Challenge, students find out they are really good at solving complex problems and learn they are capable of more than they expected." — AMARA SMALLWOOD, Black Oak Mine Teachers Association Bestselling Author, Continued from Page 45 47 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3 A young Brent H. Robinson