Winners named in water-wise poster contest

ARTISTS WITH A MESSAGE—Local youth display their winning posters in the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District's annual contest. The 12 winners were chosen from among more than 3,000 entries, all of which depicted the theme of water conservation. Twelve local students were selected as finalists in Las Virgenes Municipal Water District's annual Water Awareness Poster Contest.

The youths were recognized during a recent water district board of directors meeting and each was presented with a personalized Certificate of Recognition. The top 12 posters were selected from 3,061 entries received from public and private elementary schools within the LVMWD service area.

The Ann Dorgelo Water Awareness Award is annually presented to the top finalist. This traveling trophy honors the memory of a long-term member of LVMWD's board in recognition of her commitment to excellence in education.

During the 2009-10 school year, the trophy will be displayed at Lupin Hill Elementary School in Calabasas in recognition of the work of Khai Berry, a third-grade student in Randi Loeb's class. The watercolor poster shows a drought scene, a drain into which water is dripping and the message "Earth Without Water- Earth Without Life!"

The 11 other finalists are as follows.

•Ava Naziri, third-grader, Bay Laurel Elementary School in Calabasas. The crayon poster states, "Water is Life- Be aware of the water footprint you're leaving behind."

•Hunter Pearson, thirdgrader, Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills. The poster shows a caped watersaver, armed with a wrench and screwdriver, and examples of leaks that can be repaired. The slogan states "Conserve Water!! Fix Leaks."

•Evelyn Chang, fourthgrader, Yerba Buena Elementary School in Agoura Hills. Evelyn's crayon poster is centered on the earth surrounded by plants and animals enjoying life. The slogan states "Everybody needs water! Save It!!"

•Erin Pool, fourth-grader, Bay Laurel. The watercolor poster states, "Save Water- Save Life. Wait to irrigate 24 hours after rain!" and depicts flowers, a butterfly and raindrops.

•Bardia Barahman, fifthgrader, Bay Laurel. The poster, created in watercolor and crayon, shows irrigation sprinklers that state "Be Wise and turn it OFF!"

•Carolyn Yu, fifth-grader, Lupin Hill School. Carolyn's poster shows a row of children from around the world standing on the earth with a happy water drop. They all state, "Save Water."

•Madison Karedas, thirdgrader, Lupin Hill. The poster shows a smiling sun and a caped water hero joined by a happy water drop. Another water drop is in distress and the slogan states "Be a hero . . . Save our water!"

•Danielle Ovadia, thirdgrader, Chaparral Elementary School in Calabasas. Danielle's poster presents a happy goldfish that states, "Conserve Water," while holding a cup of water. The poster also states, "Watering your lawn more than twice a week is silly. It's like giving a fish a cup of water!"

•Bella Stier, fifthgrader, Lupin Hill. Her quiltlike poster uses perspective to state, "Conserve Water- Every drop counts," along with images of how to save water when brushing teeth by turning off the faucet.

•Emily McGraw, fourthgrader, Chaparral Elementary. Markers are used to depict a masked water drop perched on the edge of a sink who states, "Be a hero! Save Water!"

•Kaitlin Peters, fifth-grader, Sumac Elementary School. Kaitlin's poster shows a water drop holding hands with a leaf surrounded by blue recycling arrows and states, "Think before you Use!" because "Water is Life and Life Needs Water."

All of the posters will join the artwork of past finalists on display at the water district's headquarters on Las Virgenes Road.