Local Students Inspire Conservation Through Creativity
Winning artwork may be featured across Southern California

June 30, 2025-Rowland Water District (RWD) is excited to reveal the winners of its annual Water Awareness Poster Contest, a program that invites students to think creatively about the importance of water conservation and their role in protecting this essential resource.

Each winning poster will move on to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) regional competition. Selected artwork will be featured in the 2026 Water Is Life calendar, as well as in outreach materials and on MWD’s website. Students’ messages about water conservation could reach millions of people throughout MWD’s service area, inspiring communities far beyond their own neighborhoods.

“We are continually inspired by the creativity and thoughtfulness our local students bring to the contest,” said RWD Marketing and Social Media Coordinator Brittnie Gildea. “By learning about water issues early on, they become lifelong advocates for efficient water use.”

This year, nearly 550 students from eight local schools participated in the contest, representing grades kindergarten through high school. Posters covered topics such as water-saving techniques at home, protecting the environment, and innovative ideas for securing a sustainable water future.

This year’s winners are as follows:

K-3rd Grade:

  • First place – Marcus L. (Second grade, Blandford Elementary School)
  • Second place – Wendy Y. (Second grade, Blandford Elementary School)
  • Third place – Tinsley L. (Second grade, Blandford Elementary School) 

4th-6th Grade:

  • First place – Julianne C. (Fifth grade, Wedgeworth Elementary School)
  • Second place – Emma L. (Fifth grade, Wedgeworth Elementary School)
  • Third place – Madyson L. (Fifth grade, Wedgeworth Elementary School)

7th-12th Grade:

  • First place – Abigail M. (Tenth grade, Nogales High School)
  • Second place – Mia H. (Tenth grade, Nogales High School)
  • Third place – Isis Y. (Seventh grade, Alvarado Intermediate School)

RWD board members recognized the winners during the May 28 board meeting, honored them for their achievements, and presented each with a Raising Cane’s gift card to celebrate their success.

The Water Awareness Poster Contest is one of several ways RWD works with local schools to support water education. By providing free classroom resources and hands-on learning opportunities, RWD helps students connect with real-world environmental challenges and become leaders in conservation.

To view this year’s winning posters and for more information about RWD’s annual poster contest, visit https://rwd.org/rwd-poster-contest/