Six talented students won the 2026 Otay Water District Poster Contest with their depiction of water conservation themes.Otay Water District Poster Contest Winners Create Art With A Message
Six students have been selected as winners of the Otay Water District’s 2026 “Being Water Wise is…” Student Poster Contest for their creative artwork highlighting the importance of water-use efficiency.
Every year, K-12 grade students attending schools within the District’s service area are invited to create posters that promote the value of water. Although there were no high school submissions this year, winners were selected in the elementary school and middle school categories.
“It is encouraging to see the level of creativity that students showcased this year to promote the significance of water conservation and stewardship,” said Eileen Salmeron, Otay’s communications assistant and contest coordinator. “This program helps inspire younger generations to better understand the importance of protecting our water resources every day.”
The student winners will be recognized during the District’s Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, July 1. Each winner will receive a gift card, certificate, art kit, and a goody bag.
2026 Otay WD Student Poster Contest Winners
Category: Elementary School
First Place: Gabriel M., Fifth Grade, Liberty Elementary School
Second Place: Kathlyn Clarie M., First Grade, Liberty Elementary School
Third Place: Julianna R., Fourth Grade, Sweetwater Springs Elementary School
Category: Middle School
First Place: Chloe K., Eighth Grade, Rancho Del Rey Middle School
Second Place: Delilah T., Seventh Grade, Rancho Del Rey Middle School
Third Place: Zoe C., Eighth Grade, Rancho Del Rey Middle School
Contest Winners Advance to Regional Competition
The posters now advance to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s regional contest, for a chance to be featured in MWD’s 2027 Art Calendar. The winners will be announced later this year.
Otay Water District students have won the regional contest and been included in the Metropolitan Water District calendar the past four years, including Zhaoyu Zhai, a ninth grader at Otay Rank High School in 2026; Ava Fabunan from Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in 2025; Sofia Cardenas Loera of STEAM Academy and Sophia Garvida of Bonita Vista Middle School in 2024; and Christian Rogacion from Thurgood Marshall Elementary School and Khilee Haull from Hillsdale Middle School in 2023.
For more information about the contest, visit otaywater.gov/poster-contest.
