Jasper County Biotechnology Research students Madison Abbott, Riley Burton, Cynthia Callaway, Jacob Mitchell, Drew Schilling and Cameron Snyder won the Southeast Lexus Eco Challenge in the Air and Climate Division.  Only two teams were selected from each region.  The southeast region included Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina.   The award of $10,000 is divided between team members and the school.  Each student was awarded $1167.  The students will progress to the next level of competition and compete against all the regional winners.  A total of 16 teams nationwide will compete for more cash prizes with the top team earning $30,000. 

The project adviser Mrs. Elizabeth Proctor was quoted saying, "This is the first time JCHS students have entered this competition and we are thrilled that they were selected as finalist.  This is just one example of how STEAM projects benefit students.  We are working hard at JCHS to promote authentic research through the biotechnology program." 

The Lexus Eco Challenge, designed by Lexus and Scholastic, is a nationwide education program and contest about the environment that empowers teens to create a better world. Since 2006, students and teachers have been making a difference in the eco health of our planet through the Lexus Eco Challenge, a national contest that encourages middle and high school students to develop and implement environmental programs that positively impact their communities. The JCHS students titled their project Stand Healthy and focused on how to maintain healthy stands of trees.  The students collaborated with Carolyn Johnson at Piedmont Wildlife Refuge and John Parrish president of Southeastern Consulting Services for forestry and land management.