Students were handsomely awarded June 12 for their public education efforts and artistic abilities during the 13th annual Lakehaven Utility District Water Conservation Poster Contest awards ceremony.
There, 14 children were given loads of gifts and told their water conservation posters will be included in a calendar. Lakehaven sponsors the poster contest every year. The contest is part of a state mandated effort to teach children to conserve water and use it efficiently, said Linda Kochmar, Lakehaven Utility District program manager and Federal Way City Council member.
All students in the Federal Way School District, ages kindergarten to fifth grade, were encouraged to submit an entry. This year, 518 students from 16 schools participated.
“(The contest) is a big deal for us,” said Ron Nowicki, Lakehaven Board of Commissioners member. “Conservation is one of the things we’re trying to promote.”
The winning students included on their posters facts and tips they learned in school. The posters advised readers to wash pets and vehicles in the grass instead of the driveway, make sure leaky pipes are replaced, be cautious not to over-water outdoor plants and turn off the faucet while brushing one’s teeth, among other things.
Each of the students, ages 6 to 12, were awarded a T-shirt with their poster design on the front, a miniature backpack from Weyerhaeuser, water bottles, bubbles, key rings, gift cards for The Commons mall, Pattison’s West skating center and Century Theaters, two passes to Wild Waves Theme Park, an art box full of materials, a Frisbee and travel mug. The top five winners received more gift certificates and candy. Top winners were awarded season passes to Wild Waves.
Anna Rodriguez, 10, of Adelaide Elementary, won the first place title with her poster of a dripping faucet with a caption that read “Drop by drop our water is gone.” Anna’s artwork earned her a free party for 25 people at a South King Fire and Rescue fire station.
The timing for Anna’s first-place claim worked to her advantage. She will celebrate her birthday this month, she said. But the prize Anna was most excited about was her season pass to Wild Waves. The poster contest taught her the importance of protecting and helping the Earth, she said.
Danielle Reynolds, 8, of Spring Valley Montessori School, earned a spot among the 14 winners with her poster instructing readers to replace leaking pipes. Danielle said she was most eager to use her art supplies.
The youngest winner, Alina Anderson, 6, of Spring Valley Montessori, won fourth place with her poster that advised readers to wash their pets outside on the lawn. Alina’s shyness got the best of her when she was asked what her favorite prize was. Her mother said she enjoys doing art projects in school and the art supplies would be put to use.
All the winning posters will be compiled into a calendar and given to the artists’ schools to sell as a fundraiser in October, Kochmar said. Federal Way School District Superintendent Tom Murphy said he is reminded when he looks at past years’ calendars that young generations are making the world a better place by conserving resources.
“There isn’t any better way to begin the conversation about conservation than through a partnership (between Lakehaven and the school district),” Murphy said.
Contact Jacinda Howard:
jhoward@fedwaymirror.com
