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First grader Jacob Irons won second place in the K-Third Grade Category. Photo: Otay Water District student poster contest

Winning Student Artwork Spotlights the Value of Water in Otay Student Poster Contest

Five student artists were named the winners of the Otay Water District’s 2025 “Being Water Wise is…” Student Poster Contest for best illustrating the value of water. The annual contest invites K-12 grade students attending schools in the District’s service area to submit their artwork.

Students learn about the importance of a clean, reliable water supply in the classroom through the Otay Water District’s educational program, which promotes water-use efficiency through art, and turn what they’ve learned into the award-winning posters.

Students Inspire Others To Protect Vital Resource

“We are grateful for all who participate in our program and help share the many ways to use water wisely, whether at home or outdoors,” said Eileen Salmeron, Otay’s communications assistant and contest coordinator. “We hope our young generation will continue to inspire others to join in the effort in protecting this vital resource.”

This year’s high school winner, Zhaoyu Zhai, captivated the judges with his drawing of an alien figure named Adrian taking a short shower, alongside the message “Short Showers Save Water.” Adrian is part of an ongoing character series that he has been developing over the past two years and has applied to other creative projects.

“As a parent, we’ve seen how passionate Zhaoyu is about these characters,” said Zhaoyu’s mother Huiyu Li. “His work includes both hand-drawn illustrations and digital pieces that combine drawing with animation and editing. His inspiration often comes from everyday life and his creative imagination.”

Winners Advance to Regional Southern California Competition

Although there were no middle school submissions, winners were selected in the kindergarten-third grade, fourth-sixth grade, and high school categories. The District recognized the winners at its Aug. 6 Board of Directors meeting with a gift card, certificate, art kit, and a goody bag.

The 2025 Student Poster Contest winners include:

K-Third Grade Category: 

Second grader Ethan Quintero-Ramos, won in the elementary school category. Photo: Otay Water District student poster contest

Second grader Ethan Quintero-Ramos, won in the elementary school category. Photo: Otay Water District

  • First Place: Ethan Quintero-Ramos, Second Grade, Olympic View Elementary 

First grader Jacob Irons won second place in the K-Third Grade Category. Photo: Otay Water District student poster contest

First grader Jacob Irons won second place in the K-Third Grade Category. Photo: Otay Water District

  • Second Place: Jacob Irons, First Grade, Discovery Charter Elementary

Fourth – Sixth Grade Category:

Mila Vega's winning artwork won first place in the sixth grade category. Photo: Otay Water District

Mila Vega’s winning artwork won first place in the fourth to sixth grade category. Photo: Otay Water District

  • First Place: Mila Vega, Fifth Grade, Valle Lindo Elementary

Sophie Coghill's poster won second place in the fourth to sixth grade category. Photo: Otay Water District

Sophie Coghill’s poster won second place in the fourth to sixth grade category. Photo: Otay Water District

  • Second Place: Sophie Coghill, Fifth Grade, Tiffany Elementary

High School Category:

Zhaoyu Zhai's creative alien theme won the high school category. Photo: Otay Water District student poster contest

Zhaoyu Zhai’s creative alien theme won the high school category. Photo: Otay Water District

  • First Place: Zhaoyu Zhai, Ninth Grade, Otay Ranch High School

The posters now advance to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s regional contest, for a chance to be featured in MWD’s 2026 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 calendar the past three years, including 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.

Winning posters are online at otaywater.gov/poster-contest-winners-2025.

A doghouse with a green roof is one of the whimsical design elements in the award-winning "Groovy Garden" display at the 2025 San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

San Diego County Fair Landscape Exhibits Educate and Entertain

Award-winning exhibits at the San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show offer attendees inspiration for their own low-water use landscaping projects from examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the Fair’s popular exhibit.

Groovy Garden Returns To County Fair’s Garden Show

The Groovy Garden is designed to draw attention from fairgoers who are new to gardening and creating waterwise landscaping. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

The Groovy Garden is designed to draw attention from fairgoers who are new to gardening and creating waterwise landscaping. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist with the San Diego County Water Authority, returned for her third consecutive year to the Fair as both an exhibitor and a speaker. She says the exhibits, including her own “Groovy Garden” display, show how Californians are updating their lawns with beautiful and interesting water-wise landscape designs.

Dunn said what she enjoys most about creating her exhibit is the opportunity to help fairgoers learn about sustainable gardening who aren’t initially gardening enthusiasts. “I want to get the education to the people that don’t know what they don’t know,” said Dunn.

Dunn’s display won awards for Most Educational and Best WaterSmart Landscape.  Her dog-bone shaped exhibit placed third for Garden Show Theme and runner up for the Master Gardener Association’s Earth-Friendly Gardening Award.

Embracing Pet-Friendly Design Elements

Humorous elements have a serious message about watersmart landscaping techniques. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority County Fair

Humorous elements have a serious message about watersmart landscaping techniques. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Dunn designs her whimsical exhibit each year, inspired by the annual Fair theme. She designs it and her husband, Tim Schultz, helps with the installation. The 2025 theme is “Summer Pet-tacular.” Dunn added a pink kitty litter sandbox, a doghouse with a green roof, and plants with animal-inspired names such as Kangaroo Paws, Lion’s Tail, and Lamb’s Ear.

“My sandbox is about educating people on keeping their grass when it serves a purpose – like for dogs and kids,” explains Dunn.  “The grass aeration plugs and compost look like something else you might find in a litterbox, but they are actually great tips for creating healthy grass.”

Dunn uses eye-catching, humorous elements to draw her visitors in to learn about household conservation practices. She repurposes colorful thrift store and garage sale finds to educate through imagination and playfulness to make a lasting impression.

“I like to incorporate over-the-top, fun display items into my exhibit that will draw people in and get them thinking about water use and sustainable landscapes,” said Dunn. Her Groovy Garden exhibit is known for featuring a colorful toilet so she can remind people to check for running toilets. This year, it is a bright shade of turquoise blue.

Support for Animal Adoption

Embracing the "Summer Pet-Tacular" County Fair theme, Debby Dunn of the Water Authority partnered with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society to feature adoptable dogs. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Embracing the “Summer Pet-Tacular” County Fair theme, Debby Dunn of the Water Authority partnered with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society to feature adoptable dogs. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

To help promote the Fair theme, Dunn partnered with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Its adoption center is just six miles from the Fairgrounds, and their popular thrift store is just four miles north. She is promoting upcoming events and supporting the organization by shopping at the thrift store year-round, where Dunn purchased several items in this year’s Groovy Garden display.

Dunn’s display also featured photos of adoptable pets, accompanied by a QR code that allowed visitors to learn more. Last week, she was delighted to learn that most of those pets had found their forever homes, so darling new pets are now posted.

Dunn says she’s talked to hundreds of Fairgoers this year. “There’s always a handful of showy, blooming plants people want to know about,” said Dunn.

The exhibit features tips on planning your landscape design to accomodate plant growth, and features many native plant choices. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

The exhibit features tips on planning your landscape design to accomodate plant growth, and features many native plant choices. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

She says this year it is Purpurea or Arabian Lilac (Vitex trifolia) with its green and purple foliage, as well as Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii), a California native plant with its delightful aroma and whorls of purple flowers.

Both plants can be found on the Water Authority’s Nifty 50 Plant list.

California Native Plant Society Sweeps Awards

The California Native Plant Society's County Fair exhibit won multiple awards in 2025. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

The California Native Plant Society’s County Fair exhibit won multiple awards in 2025. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

The California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS’s) show garden “Paws, Wings & Wild Things” swept the awards with the depiction of its message that outdoor spaces can be safely shared by pets, people, and wildlife alike.

Inspired by the fair’s “Summer Pet-tacular” theme, the CNPS exhibit showed how native plant gardens can become vibrant, inclusive spaces through thoughtful design. Shaded patios, paw-friendly paths, and pollinating buffet of plants came together in one frisky, practical garden. It also showcased a Catio, which allows cats to safely be outside without harming birds or other wildlife.

Visitors to the California Native Plant Society's exhibit can learn how to incorporate native plants in their landscapes. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Visitors to the California Native Plant Society’s exhibit can learn how to incorporate native plants in their landscapes. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Paws, Wings & Wild Things helps expose fairgoers to the organization who might never have visited a CNPS booth or native plant garden before.

CNSP awards include:

  • MiraCosta College Horticulture Program Award
  • Anderson’s La Costa Nursery Best Water-Smart Garden Design
  • Paul Ecke, Jr. Garden Show Theme Award – 1st Place
  • Paul Ecke, Sr. Best Overall Exhibit Trophy
  • Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture Award
  • Walter Andersen Most Practical Landscape Award
  • Master Gardener Association Earth Friendly Gardening Award – Grand Prize
  • San Diego Floral Association Best Landscape

Low-Water Use Gardens Suit Many Design Styles

The San Diego County Fair Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show runs through Sunday, July 6. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Dunn said low-water use landscapes offer many different styles to suit individual tastes and needs, similar to interior design styles.

“Everyone’s got their look and their style. It’s the same with plants. There are so many options and choices. Learn more by checking out the Water Authority’s Happy 100 plant list.

“If you’ve got kids and dogs, you may need grass; just water it wisely. But if the only person walking on the grass is the person mowing the grass, you likely don’t need the grass,” said Dunn.

“There are countless beautiful, California native and water smart plants you can place in your garden that will bring you entertainment and joy. Remember to check out the Nifty 50 and Happy 100 to learn more!”

The 2025 San Diego County Fair will end on Sunday, July 6. The fair is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The 2025 Vallecitos Water District scholarship recipients include: Back row (L to R): Board members Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, Craig Elitharp; Board President Jim Pennock; Board member Jim Hernandez, Board Vice President Jennifer Kerschbaum. Front row (L to R): Ricardo Cardenas, Kai Leffler, Brady Minger, Carolina Lopez, Angel Martinez. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Students Recognized For Scholarship Excellence by Vallecitos Water District

The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom, awarding $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students.

The scholarship program was established by the board in 2022 to provide scholarships to high school students, as well as students at Palomar College and California State University San Marcos. In 2024, scholarships were increased from the original $1,000 award to $2,000 for up to six students annually.

The scholarship contest opened on February 3, 2025, with a submission deadline of April 25, 2025. High school and college counselors were encouraged to let students know about the scholarship opportunity. Candidates submit an application, a personal essay, a letter of recommendation, and a financial needs worksheet.

The District’s Public Awareness/Personnel/Policy (P3) Committee reviews and recommends scholarship recipients to the Board of Directors each year. Twenty-four applications were received by the District this year.

Committee members assessed the applications, including completeness of the application packet, current enrollment of the student, future enrollment of the student, and whether the student had plans to pursue a career in water or a related field. Six applicants were forwarded to the Vallecitos Board of Directors, with the committee recommending scholarship awards.

Scholarship Winners Get All-Star Honors

The 2025 scholarship recipients include three high school students and three college students. Angel Martinez attends Mission Hills High School; Brady Minger attends San Marcos High School, and Ricardo Cardenas attends Twin Oaks High School.

The 2025 Vallecitos Water District scholarship recipients include: Back row (L to R): Board members Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, Craig Elitharp; Board President Jim Pennock; Board member Jim Hernandez, Board Vice President Jennifer Kerschbaum.Front row: Lindsay Pratel annd Carolina Lopez. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The 2025 Vallecitos Water District scholarship recipients include: Back row (L to R): Board members Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, Craig Elitharp; Board President Jim Pennock; Board member Jim Hernandez, Board Vice President Jennifer Kerschbaum. Front row: Lindsay Pratel and Carolina Lopez. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Carolina Lopez and Lindsay Pratel attend Palomar College, and Kai Leffler attends CSU San Marcos.

Vallecitos Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins livened up the presentation by introducing the recipients to the board in the style of a ballpark announcer as each student stepped up to ‘the plate’ with personal information about the recipient.

“Leading off for the Vallecitos Scholarships, setting the table, Palomar student and successful intern with Vallecitos during the recent Spring semester, Lindsay Pratel.

“Second in your lineup is the contact man, making contacts at the Boys & Girls Clubs Career Connections and Mock Interview event, from Mission Hills High School, Angel Martinez.

“Coming up third, with a combination of power and precision, where he recently took part in a mentorship program volunteering several times a week to work with elementary school students, from Twin Oaks High School, Ricardo Cardenas.

“In the clean up spot, looking to have a career in Human Resources for a water district, and he just completed his Bachelor’s degree from Cal State San Marcos, Kai Leffler.

“Up fifth, keeping the rally going, from Palomar College with a specific interest in water use efficiency and public affairs, Carolina Lopez.

“Up sixth, the last of our Vallecitos scholarship winners, who plans on majoring in mathematics with a minor in environmental policy, from San Marcos High, Brady Minger.”

Watch the award presentation at the Vallecitos Board of Directors meeting. 

Back row (L to R): Vallecitos water District Board member Craig Elitharp, Board President Jim Pennock, Board member Jim Hernandez, and Board Vice President Jennifer Kerschbaum. Front row (L to R): Student winners Maryanne Alvezures, Jimena Castillo Medina, and Liv Williams. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Students Recognized For Conservation Posters by Vallecitos Water District

The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) Board of Directors recognized students from district schools for their excellence in the classroom through its 2025 Student Poster Art Contest at its June board meeting.

Three fourth-grade students from the local community were named winners of the district’s annual student poster art contest. The poster contest, targeting fourth-grade students, is designed to promote an understanding of water issues in elementary schools.

In this year’s contest, 30 students submitted their artwork from the 12 schools with fourth-grade classes within the San Marcos Unified School District.

This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.”  The three winning posters were selected from all entries based on their depiction of the theme, artwork, originality, and poster design.

The winning posters will appear in the 2026 North County Water Awareness Calendar, which will be available free at the district’s office starting in November 2025. The calendar includes winning artwork from 11 North County water agencies.

“It’s inspiring to see how fourth graders turn their creativity into powerful messages about the value of water,” said Vallecitos Board President Jim Pennock. “A big shoutout to our 2025 winners for their amazing artwork and for reminding us all how essential—and worth protecting—our water really is!”

Winning Posters Depict The Value of Water

Jimena Castillo Medina of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School won first place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Jimena Castillo Medina of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School won first place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Jimena Castillo Medina, a fourth-grade student at Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School, won first place for her artwork, titled “Every Drop Counts.” Jimena says water “is good for your health and it helps people.” Her teacher is Andrea Vigil-Ruiz.

Liv Williams of Discovery Elementary School won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Liv Williams of Discovery Elementary School won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Fourth-grader Liv Williams at Discovery Elementary School won second place for her entry, which featured a mountain landscape and a person immersed in the beauty of the landscape. Liv wrote in her entry that water “helps us with our daily lifestyles. It also keeps us hydrated. Last, it can be really really really pretty!” Her teacher is Holly Hartzell.

Maryanne Alvizures of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School won third place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Maryanne Alvizures of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School won third place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Third place went to fourth grader Maryanne Alvizures of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School and also in Ms. Vigil-Ruiz’s class. Maryanne’s artwork depicts the Earth with a massive water faucet, symbolizing rain that provides water to trees, flowers, birds, and animals. Maryanne wrote, “Without water, we will not survive.”

Winning students received gift cards in the amount of $100, $75, and $50.

Finalists in the City of Escondido 2025 Water Awareness Student Poster Contest: Row 1 (L to R): Ethan Blades, Citali Guitierrez, Milan Galiano, Lila Manoocheri, Nathali Morales Amaya. Row 2 (L to R): Baylie Sarno, Ava Barclay, Landon Hickman, Michael Harmon, Matthew Rios Perez, Pakeezah Nabi. Not pictured: Haley Hone. Photo: City of Escondido

Winners Announced In City of Escondido 2025 Student Poster Contest

Twelve fourth-grade students from schools in Escondido were recognized at the City of Escondido’s May City Council Meeting as finalists in the 2025 Water Awareness Student Poster Contest.

Three students were named first, second, and third-place winners for their entries. These three winners will have their artwork featured in the 2026 North County Water Agency Water Awareness Calendar.

The contest is a part of the City of Escondido’s Water Science Education Program, which offers free presentations on a variety of water science topics to elementary school classrooms.

Throughout the school year, City staff provide free water science presentations on a variety of topics from the water cycle to the water treatment process to elementary school students. The contest theme, “Love Water, Save Water,” invites fourth-grade students to consider what they’ve learned about water and to illustrate the value of its water resources.

City staff reviewed nearly 100 entries, which depicted messages of pollution prevention and water conservation. Posters were judged on artistic skill, creativity, and representation of the theme.

Students Depict Value of Water in Winning Artwork

The winning artwork selected for 2025:

Milan Galiano from Heritage Elementary School is this year's first place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido 2025 student

Milan Galiano from Heritage Elementary School is this year’s first-place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

First Place: Milan Galiano, Heritage Elementary, Mrs. Miller’s class

Citlali Gutierrez from Lincoln Elementary School is this year's first place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

Citlali Gutierrez from Lincoln Elementary School is this year’s first place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

Second Place: Citlali Gutierrez, Lincoln Elementary School, Ms. Schaffer’s class

Haley Hone from Grace Christian School is this year's first place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

Haley Hone from Grace Christian School is this year’s first-place winner in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

Third Place: Haley Hone, Grace Christian School, Mrs. Arnold’s class

Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include (clockwise from top left): Ava Barclay, Ethan Blades, Landon Hickman, Michael Harmon. Photo: City of Escondido

Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include (clockwise from top left): Ava Barclay, Ethan Blades, Landon Hickman, Michael Harmon. Photo: City of Escondido

The City of Escondido congratulates the 12 finalists in this year’s Fourth Grade Water Awareness Poster Contest and thanks all the talented student artists who entered, as well as their dedicated teachers who brought this opportunity to consider and illustrate the value of water to their classrooms.

Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include (clockwise from top left): Lila Manoocheri, Nathali Morales Amaya, Pakeezah Nabi, Matthew Rios Perez. Photo: City of Escondido

Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include (clockwise from top left): Lila Manoocheri, Nathali Morales Amaya, Pakeezah Nabi, Matthew Rios Perez. Photo: City of Escondido

Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include Baylie Samo. Photo: City of Escondido

Finalists in the 2025 City of Escondido Student Poster Contest also include Baylie Samo. Photo: City of Escondido

 

 

All twelve finalist posters, along with information about rebates and other resources for water conservation, can be viewed on the City’s Environmental Programs webpage.

Three winning posters created by fourth grade students were chosen as the 2025 Olivenhain Municipal Water District Poster Contest winners. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD Announces 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest Winners

Three talented fourth-grade students were recognized by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors at its May 21 meeting as the winners of the 2025 North County Water Agencies Water Awareness Poster Contest, themed “Love Water, Save Water.”

Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School and David W. Brand and Audrey Nam, both from Stone Ranch Elementary School, submitted the winning entries.

“This contest inspires fourth-grade artists to highlight the importance of water through creative posters,” said OMWD Board President Matthew Hahn. “Congratulations to our 2025 student winners for their exceptional artwork and commitment to promoting sustainable water use.”

Student Posters Contest Winners Illustrate Contest Theme

The winning poster by Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

The winning poster by Kaiyan Beam from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Kaiyan Beam’s winning poster features a water spigot saving a water drop from falling, with the caption “Don’t waste water, love water.”

The winning poster by David Brand from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District student poster contest

The winning poster by David Brand from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

David Brand’s winning poster depicts a mountain range and a river flowing through a forest, with the caption, “Love Save Water.”

The winning poster by Audrey Nam from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District student poster contest

The winning poster by Audrey Nam from Stone Ranch Elementary School. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Audrey Nam’s winning entry showcases a colorful machine that recycles water, and the caption is “Water Saver & Recycler.”

The annual Water Awareness Poster Contest is now in its 32nd year. The posters will be featured in next year’s 2026 Water Awareness Calendar.

 

Ashley Beard received the Helix Water District’s Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship, and Agostinho Soto-wang received the Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship. L to R: Helix Water District Division 2 Director Andrea Beth Damsky, Helix Division 3 Director Mark Gracyk, Ashley Beard, Helix Board Vice President Joel Scalzitti, Agostinho Soto-wang, Helix Board President Dan McMillan and Helix Division 4 Director Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Photo: Helix Water District scholarships

East County Students Win Helix Water District Scholarships

Two exceptional East County students received $1,000 college scholarships awarded by the Helix Water District at the May Board of Directors meeting. They are Grossmont High School senior Ashley Beard and El Capitan High School senior Agostinho Soto-wang,

Ashley Beard Seeks Role As Legal Advocate

Midway through their senior year, Beard had a 4.87 weighted grade point average and Soto-wang had a 4.91.

Beard plans to earn a degree in political science and go on to law school, a decision she made after a senior year internship at a San Diego law firm showed her how legal advocacy can transform underserved communities.

Beard is an athlete: captain of her varsity softball, soccer, and flag football teams, named first team All-League in the CIF San Diego three times, and honored twice as a Mission Fed Credit Union CIF San Diego Section Scholar Athlete.

Agostinho Soto-wang Aims To Demystify Nutrition Science

Soto-wang plans to major in bioengineering and bioinformatics. When the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, he developed an online gaming platform for housebound students and discovered he loves to code. He wants to pursue a career in biomedical research and use machine learning and data to demystify nutrition.

Soto-wang serves on the Student Senate at his high school and is captain of the cross-country team. He is also an AP Scholar with Distinction, president of the medical club, and founder of the literature club.

Helix Water District Scholarships Honor Legacy of Leadership

Helix Water District is a local government agency responsible for tap water in San Diego’s east countysuburbs. The district’s regional water treatment plant serves 500,000 residents and the district distributes water to 278,000 residents in La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and other unincorporated areas. Photo: Helix Water District scholarships

Helix Water District is a local government agency responsible for tap water in San Diego’s east county suburbs. The district’s regional water treatment plant serves 500,000 residents and the district distributes water to 278,000 residents in La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and other unincorporated areas. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix scholarships are $1,000. The Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship was established upon his retirement in 1998, after serving as the district’s general manager for 19 years. Friedgen provided the seed money, and the board and others contributed additional funding.

The Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship was started by the Helix board in 1999 to honor Dr. Childs upon her retirement from the board and recognize the 20 years of service and leadership she had given to the district. Applicants must live in the district’s service area, have excellent academic standing, and excel in community service and extracurricular activities.

Vista fourth grade students Presley Regan and Cosette Kennedy display their award winning poster contest entries. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Talented Students Win 2025 Vista Irrigation District Awards

Vista Irrigation District (VID) selected three fourth-grade student artists from schools within its district as winners of its annual district-sponsored 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest, and awarded college scholarships to six graduating high school seniors at its May 7 board of directors meeting.

Vista fourth grade student Brylee Burton-Arner displays her award winning poster contest entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Vista fourth grade student Brylee Burton-Arner displays her award winning poster contest entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Students Depict Value of Water in Winning Artwork

Grapevine Elementary school student Cosette Kennedy received first-place for her entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District awards

Grapevine Elementary school student Cosette Kennedy received first-place for her entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Cosette Kennedy, a fourth-grade student from Grapevine Elementary School, received first-place honors from VID for her entry in the 2025 Water Awareness Poster Contest. She received a $100 award.

Second place went to the poster entry by Brylee Burton-Arner from Lake Elementary School. Photo: Vista Irrigation District awards

Second place went to the poster entry by Brylee Burton-Arner from Lake Elementary School. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Brylee Burton-Arner from Lake Elementary School received second place and a $50 prize.

Third place went to Presley Regan for her artwork depicting the Earth as a turtle. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Third place went to Presley Regan for her artwork depicting the Earth as a turtle. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Presley Regan of Alamosa Park Elementary School placed third and received a $25 award.

The poster contest, which targets fourth-grade students, is designed to promote an understanding of water issues in elementary schools.

This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.”  The three winning posters were selected from 230 entries based on their depiction of the theme, artwork, originality, and poster design.

All three winners’ artwork will appear in the Vista Irrigation District 2026 Water Awareness Calendar, which will be available free for pickup at the district’s office in November 2025.

College Scholarships Awarded to Six Graduating Seniors

Vista Irrigation District college scholarship winners include (left to right) Hailey Ahmed, Nayleen Griffith, and Andrew Lee. Photo: Vista Irrigation District awards

Vista Irrigation District college scholarship winners include (left to right) Hailey Ahmed, Nayleen Griffith, and Andrew Lee. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Vista Irrigation District presented six $1,500 scholarships to the winners of its annual high school scholarship contest at its May board meeting.

The scholarship contest, open to high school seniors living or attending school within VID’s service area, aims to increase knowledge and awareness of water-related issues affecting the district.

Twenty-two high school seniors submitted applications this year. Applicants were required to complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals.

Selection criteria also included community involvement or volunteer service and letters of recommendation from high school faculty.

Scholarships were awarded to Hailey Ahmed, Natalie Krahmer, Andrew Lee, and Nathan Sleeper from Rancho Buena Vista High School, Nayleen Griffith from Vista High School, and Christopher Rayo from Mission Vista High School.

Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board.  The district provides water service to roughly 132,000 people in the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of the county of San Diego.

Inspiring Future Water Leaders at the Festival of Science

On March 1, the San Diego County Water Authority connected with thousands of future water leaders at the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering at Petco Park. The annual event provided the Water Authority with a great opportunity to engage with students and their families about the science behind water management.

Water Authority staff at their booth at the 2025 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering.

More than 21,500 children and their families attended the free festival – 4,000 more than the previous year. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from 160 different organizations about a myriad of topics, from what the universe looks like through VR goggles to more utilitarian topics like how water gets cleaned before arriving at their homes.

The Water Authority’s interactive booth drew a large crowd of kids who were eager to learn more about everything the Water Authority does – from the miles water travels to reach their tap to what happens after it’s used – to keep our region’s supply safe and reliable. The Water Authority team played a game with the kids that sparked conversations about where our water comes from, the incredible infrastructure that keeps the water flowing, and the people who make it all work.

Martín Fuentes, father of two, told the Union-Tribune, “it’s important that [the kids] get to know that there’s many things out there for them to learn.”

Both kids and their parents left with a greater understanding of the complex world of water management in our region, and some inspiration to pursue careers they didn’t know were possible. Events like this are an important way to inspire the next generation of leaders in science and engineering fields.

The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering advocates for investments in STEM education as a way to build a secure socio-economic environment for everyone regardless of their background.

Urban Water Management Plan-Water Authority-Primary photo-Colorado River Aqueduct

Value of Water, Explained

For more than 80 years, the Water Authority and its 22 member agencies have worked together to deliver safe and reliable water to our community. Thanks to our coordinated efforts and investments, the 3 million people who call San Diego County home have the water they need for generations to come.

Where does San Diego’s Water Come From?

San Diego County has three main sources of water: The Colorado River (61%), local supplies (33%) and the State Water Project (6%). Together these three categories provide a diversified water supply to ensure we’ve got abundant options to keep the water flowing.

Local supplies – Seawater desalination, recycled water, water purification, and brackish groundwater, are sources of local water supplies in the San Diego region. Local water agencies have worked to maintain and create these supply sources, with support from the Water Authority. The Water Authority also invested in the Carlsbad Seawater Desalination Plant, brought online in 2015.

Colorado River – Most of the region’s water from the Colorado River is generated through increased conservation measures on farms and canals in the Imperial Valley.

State Water Project – The Bay-Delta is the hub of the State Water Project, a water storage and delivery system that is owned by the State of California and operated by the California Department of Water Resources. The Water Authority purchases State Water Project supplies through the Metropolitan Water District.

The Colorado River Basin provides essential water supplies to approximately 40 million people and 30 Tribal Nations, nearly 5.5 million acres of agricultural lands, and habitat for ecological resources across parts of several Western states (including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and Mexico.

How far does water travel to reach San Diego?

Water can travel up to a thousand miles before coming out of your tap. Snow and rain falls in the Rocky Mountains and travels to the region through the Colorado River. For the State Water Project, rain falls in northern California over 500 miles from San Diego and travels to the region through water infrastructure. In addition, the region has a growing array of local water supplies, including desalinated seawater and recycled water.

What does San Diego’s water infrastructure look like?

The Water Authority takes ownership of pipelines just south of the Riverside-San Diego county borderline and maintains more than 300 miles of pipelines in San Diego County that transport water throughout the region. Local water agencies operate thousands of miles of smaller pipelines that deliver water to homes and businesses.

Karla Sanchez-Engineers Week-Senior Engineering Technician

Water Authority Senior Engineering Technician Karla Sanchez. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

How many facilities does the Water Authority operate to keep our system running?

With 1,600 structures and over 100 flow control facilities, the Water Authority’s countywide infrastructure is vital to provide San Diego with a safe and reliable source of water.

What is leading to rate increases?

Water rates are rising across the state for a variety of reasons, including inflation that is driving up the cost of items like electricity, steel and chemicals needed for water delivery and treatment.

The Water Authority and its member agencies are not immune from those impacts. In fact, San Diego County’s strategic investments in supply reliability, coupled with the work to maintain the aqueduct system, means that residents and businesses will pay more for water in future years.

The good news is that even during long dry spells, the Water Authority can meet the regional demand for water that sustains our economy and quality of life.

 

What else is the Water Authority doing to help the region understand its role?

The world of water is a complex one that needs color and context. That’s why, over the past few months, the Water Authority has developed a bilingual (English/Spanish) outreach strategy to tell residents across the region who we are and what we do. This program delivers targeted messaging across multiple channels, focusing on the value of water, infrastructure investments, climate adaptation and the people who make the water systems work. We hope that this effort will provide a deeper appreciation of the Water Authority and a better understanding of everything we do.