Six local elementary school artists are the winners of this year’s Water Awareness Poster Contest, and their colorful works are on display at Santa Maria City Hall, and soon to be online.

Winners of the Water Awareness Poster contest show off their colorful entries and their trophies.
Winners of the Water Awareness Poster contest show off their colorful entries.

Mayor Alice Patino proclaimed the month of May 2023 as Water Awareness Month, urging all Santa Maria residents to do their part to conserve and preserve.

To commemorate and celebrate Water Awareness Month, third-grade students throughout the community participated in the Utilities Department’s 12th Annual Water Awareness Poster Contest.

The winners were recognized by the City Council at its meeting on May 2.

Keira Paz of Tunnell School was the Grand Prize Winner; other winners were:

Mariel Espinoza/Alvin School for Best Celebration of Water
Emily Fernandez Salgado/Alvin School for Most Colorful
Pilar Sierra/Alvin School for Most Original
Vania Perez Bautista/Tunnel School for Most Water Aware
Filiberto Mendez Garcia/AdaSchool for Most Artistic

The colorful and thoughtful posters artistically speak to conservation tips and a general celebration of and respect for water as a precious resource.

Winners in each category received trophies, prizes and certificates from the Utilities Department, along with other prizes donated from sponsors American General Media; Boomers; Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum; Emerald Wave Media; the city’s Recreation and Parks Department; and Rockin’ Jump.

A collage of the winning posters is featured at City Hall for the remainder of Water Awareness Month.

The Utilities Department appreciates the Santa Maria-Bonita School District for supporting the contest, and especially the teachers, school administrators, and families who encouraged and supported students’ participation.
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