The Chautauqua Lake Central School fourth grade class has secured first place in the Schoolyard Sugaring Maple Challenge.

The annual statewide contest open to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grades. Guided by their teacher, Denny Morrison, the achievement marks an improvement from their second-place finish last year. Chautauqua Lake again partnered with McCray farms in Clymer and secondary field science students on this year’s winning syrup entry entitled, “Tree Water.”

The Schoolyard Sugaring Maple Challenge invites students and educators to transform maple sap into syrup while documenting their process through photography. Participating schools submit a sample of their classroom-made maple syrup, alongside curricular connections and photographs, for a chance to win in their grade-level division. The contest aims to foster an appreciation and understanding of the history, art, science, and careers involved in the production, marketing, and distribution of pure New York maple syrup.

“The Maple Syrup contest has become an amazing hands-on experience that brings together students and teachers from both our elementary and secondary school. It is great to see our students getting outside on our campus learning and enjoying the process of making maple syrup,” said Dr. Josh Liddell, superintendent of Chautauqua Lake.