So imagine that you are a high school student, academically gifted, at the county’s highly competitive math and science high school, with a curriculum based around environmental science. You are among the best and brightest, challenging yourself and your classmates. And you’re at a prestigious academic competition for other high-minded, over-achieving students, vying for honors at the highest level. And you find yourself neck-deep in a soil pit. And it’s raining.

Ah, the privileged life of an academic.

“They were soaking wet last year,” said Dave Werner with a wry laugh.