Olympus has been collaborating with the University of Utah's landscape architecture students to plant vegetation. This year, U. students are designing a building to shade the amphitheater in the outdoor classroom.

Through all their work, the Olympus students are gaining an appreciation for the environment. "In order to have future generations experience what we experience, we need to keep it clean," said Austin Rasmussen, 14.

Kaylie Grant, 15, said, "Once we do the damage, it's really hard to take it back. It's like this is our only chance."

Challenge winnings are split between the students, the school and the teacher's classroom. The total from last year was $120,000 for Olympus students and $48,000 for the school and classroom.

Olympus spent $15,000 on the outdoor classroom vegetation and will spend another $15,000 on a gazebo, signs and garbage cans. With her classroom prize of $15,000, Brown bought eight digital cameras, a laptop computer, a Smartboard and a trip to Body Worlds for 100 students.

This year the challenge has upped the ante by offering $10,000 for regional winners but $35,000 for national. Grand prize is $50,000.

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