Fourth-grade artists win OMWD’s 2020 Water Awareness Poster Contest

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors recognized the winners of the 2020 North County water agencies’ Water Awareness Poster Contest at its Sept. 9 meeting.

Earlier this year, fourth-grade students living or attending school within OMWD’s service area were invited to enter the contest. Due to the sudden change to distance learning in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest deadline was extended from April 6 to June 15. In total, six classes from OMWD’s service area participated.

“We have been holding this poster contest for nearly three decades,” OMWD board director Bob Topolovac said. “This year the classroom setting may have changed, but it’s reassuring to see that the students’ creativity and excitement for water conservation is as strong as ever.”

This was the 27th year that water agencies in North County have held the contest. This year’s theme asked students to illustrate how they “Love Water, Save Water.”

First Place: Ruchika Kench, Stone Ranch Elementary. Ruchika’s poster depicts the planet Earth surrounded by handwritten messages portraying the value of water and the importance of preserving water for all to enjoy.

Second Place: Kylie Barbosa, Stone Ranch Elementary. Kylie created a colorful illustration of bright flowers surrounded by a rainbow and multi-colored rain drops. She pledges to drink water from a reusable bottle and to take shorter showers.

Third Place: Ryan King, Flora Vista Elementary. Ryan drew an image of a person fishing with a sunset and a heart in the background. He recommends collecting rainwater to irrigate plants as a way to conserve water.

Kendra Jones, the first place winner’s fourth-grade teacher, also received a $50 gift card to Lakeshore Learning Store for classroom supplies.

2021 calendars featuring the winners’ artwork will be available to the public for free from OMWD in December.
—OMWD news release