Education Archives

Sergio Gonzalez prepares for an Unconfined Compressive Strength test for the California Department of Water Resources Division of Engineering. Photo: Xavier Mascareñas, California Dept. of Water Resources

2025 Scholarship Applications Open for Aspiring Water Professionals

January 22, 2025/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

San Diego regional member water agencies and California water associations offer multiple college scholarship opportunities in 2025 to help candidates secure their education as water and wastewater professionals.

The acceleration of industry retirements and the increasing need for a skilled workforce trained to implement new technologies result in an increased effort to develop more skilled individuals for water and wastewater industry jobs, including in San Diego County.

Scholarships are available for community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and graduate-level programs. The following examples are due in the coming weeks for the following academic school year.

San Diego Regional Water Scholarships

Helix Water District will recognize two outstanding graduating high school seniors living within the district’s service area with $1,000 scholarships for their university studies next fall

The Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship and $1,000 Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship honor two past leaders of Helix Water District. Friedgen retired in 1998 after 19 years as the district’s general manager, and Childs retired in 1999 after 20 years on the board of directors.

Applicants must graduate in Spring 2025 and attend a four-year college or university starting Fall 2025. Students submit a two-page essay exploring potable reuse and the East County Advanced Water Purification project. The scholarship committee reviews each applicant’s grades, extracurricular activities, volunteer and work experience, academic and career goals, and financial need.

Deadline: 5 p.m. on March 7, 2025. Learn more about eligibility and find the online application here.

(L to R) Ilona Medina, Elizabeth Fellars, and Juan Paz are the 2024 scholarship recipients from the Vista Irrigation District. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Vista Irrigation District invites local high school seniors to compete for up to six scholarship(s) from the District ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The purpose of the scholarship program is to increase knowledge and awareness of how water related issues influence our daily activities.

Students who compete for a scholarship must complete an essay and provide a one-page personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria also include community involvement or volunteer service, and letters of recommendation from high school faculty.

Applications must be received via email or at the District’s office by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025. Eligible students must live or go to school within the Vista Irrigation District service area. Find the application link here.

Contact Brent Reyes at (760) 597-3107 or with questions or to request application information.

Vallecitos Water District intern Logan Crawford was introduced to multiple job assignments during his recent internship. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Vallecitos Water District invites local high school seniors and students at Palomar College and California State University San Marcos to compete for scholarships from the District. Up to six scholarships may be awarded, up to $2,000 per scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage students to learn more about water-related issues impacting their community.

Eligible students must live or attend school within the Vallecitos Water District’s service area. Scholarship applications from students pursuing careers in water, environmental science, engineering, or related fields are highly desirable.

Students must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria include community involvement or volunteer service, a financial needs worksheet, and letters of recommendation from faculty or an associate.

Scholarship packages will be available starting February 3, 2025. To get application materials, email Chris Robbins at . Applications for the 2025 scholarship must be emailed or delivered to the District office by April 25, 2025.

Sweetwater Authority’s “Work for Water” scholarships are now open for applications.

Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to new or currently enrolled students at the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College or another accredited college, community college, or trade school with a career goal in the water industry. The application deadline has not been determined. For questions regarding the scholarship, application, or uploading documentation, email .

California’s community colleges can help you quickly prepare for a water career by obtaining an associate’s degree. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources

Through the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, the Mark Watton Scholarship Fund supports students attending the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College. It honors Otay Water District General Manager Mark Watton’s four decades of service to the district.

Applicants must be enrolled for at least six units at Cuyamaca College, verify financial need, and complete the general application and essay. Scholarships of $1,000 are available. The application period is March 24 to May 2, 2025.

Students can contact Cuyamaca College scholarship specialist Shirley Hughes with questions at

National University partners with the San Diego County Water Authority to offer a 25% tuition reduction scholarship to employees and employees of all member water agencies. The San Diego County Water Authority Tuition Reduction Scholarship benefits working adults who want to reach specific educational goals but find it challenging to fit classes into their busy life. The tuition reduction scholarship can be applied to most associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Click for more information.

California Statewide Water Scholarships

Andrea Solis used the CWEA Kirt Brooks Memorial Scholarship to fund her Civil Engineering studies at UC Davis. Photo: CWEA

The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship is a scholarship for students in or interested in the water environment industry who are members of CWEA or sponsored by a CWEA member.

Scholarships are given for the Fall – Summer school year following the application deadline.

Applications are due on April 25 for the school year beginning the following September. Applicants are notified in May/June of their status/amount of award. Apply online here.

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) offers four undergraduate scholarships, one graduation scholarship, and a fellowship opportunity to qualified applicants attending a University of California or California State University campus.

Students must be juniors or seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree in a water-resources related field such as engineering, agriculture, environmental studies, or public administration. Criteria include scholastic achievement and motivation to the vocation of water-resources management.

ACWA began its scholarship programs in 1961 to motivate committed students to join the effort to ensure California’s water quality through sound management policies. The scholarship program is all about investing in future water leaders.

Deadline: March 1, 2025. Application Link. For questions, call 916-441-4545 or email .

Water and wastewater agencies and associations provide water workers with opportunities for training and career development, so you can continue to grow and advance in your career. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources

Water and wastewater agencies and associations provide water workers with training and career development opportunities, so you can continue to grow and advance in your career. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources

The California-Nevada section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) awards more than $20,000 in scholarships supporting students and professionals pursuing careers in a drinking water-related field. Two $5,000 graduate scholarships, four $2,500 undergraduate scholarships, and two $1,000 scholarships in support of training as a drinking water treatment/distribution operator are available.

Environmental and civil engineers; water, wastewater and recycling treatment plant operators; distribution system operators; chemists; laboratory technicians; biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists; and others whose roles support safe and reliable drinking water are all suitable candidates.

Deadline: March 15, 2025. Application Link. For information, call 909-481-7200 or email

The Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Canham Graduate Studies scholarship provides $25,000 for a graduate student in the water environment field. The scholarship is for education-related expenses such as room and board, tuition, and books. It may not be used to cover stipends or wages.

The applicant must be a WEF member, complete an online application, and be enrolled in a graduate program. Recipients must commit to working in the water industry for two years following graduation.

According to the Centers for Excellence in Labor Market Research (COE), 67% of California water agencies report they are finding it difficult to recruit water and wastewater operators. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Deadline: March 31, 2025. Apply online here. For questions, email

With approximately 1,400 water and wastewater jobs expected to open across San Diego County in the next five years due to retirements, water industry careers offer promising lifelong professional opportunities. For more information, visit sandiegowaterworks.org

The Center for Water Studies recently added an advanced water treatment program, which will prepare individuals for jobs at facilities such as Pure Water San Diego or the East County Advanced Water Project. Photo: East County AWP open house

Explore Water Industry Careers at Center For Water Studies Open House Jan. 21

January 16, 2025/in Education, Features, Jobs and Training /by Gayle Falkenthal

Explore career options in the water and wastewater industry at the Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies annual Open House and Student Orientation on Tuesday, January 21 at 6 p.m. in room L-104 on the Cuyamaca College campus.

Joe Young, Center for Water Studies program manager, enjoyed a successful 35-year career at the Helix Water District before leading the program. Instructors are all current or retired water and wastewater industry professionals.

Prospective students tour the Cuyamaca College Water and Wastewater Technology lab facilities during a recent open house. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

“Everybody that works in this program, they’re all either working now or they’ve retired recently. Everybody has strong, intimate knowledge in their specialty,” said Young.

Young encourages anyone interested in exploring water and wastewater careers to attend and learn about the many options for good-paying, meaningful jobs.

Center for Water Studies alumni include Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, seen here with his predecessor Don Carlisle. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Hundreds of current water and wastewater employees at San Diego County water agencies are Center alumni, including Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, and Helix Water District General Manager Brian Olney.

Young said the opportunities and earning potential are substantial. In addition, the work itself is extremely rewarding.

“You’re providing this service your community cannot live without. It gives you a sense of purpose, a sense of mission, and it was the most appealing aspect of my career. What we do is really important,” said Young.

Cuyamaca College’s innovative Field Operations Skills Yard is newly updated to provide students with practical challenges they will face working with water and wastewater industry facilities. Photo: Cuyamaca College

During the Open House, Young said participants will hear an overview of the program, learn about the degrees and certificates offered, details on the State required certifications necessary for employment, and the range of careers available in the water and wastewater industry. Participants can meet instructors and current students and ask questions.

Young said instructors will discuss the program and what students will learn. “We’re training people in the knowledge they will need to pass their state certifications, and we’re very successful at that,” explains Young.

To RSVP, send an email to or .

Meaningful Job Opportunities

The Center offers seven degree programs with certificate and two-year degree options. Young says specialties include water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, backflow and cross-connection control, and water resources management.

Recently, the Center added an advanced water treatment program, which will prepare individuals for jobs at facilities such as Pure Water San Diego or the East County Advanced Water Project.

A career in the growing water industry presents an opportunity to pursue a very rewarding career while protecting the environment and serving the community in an essential role.

Skilled water professionals are in high demand as the current workforce ages. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), water and wastewater agencies employ more than 60,000 workers statewide, including 5,000 in San Diego County. The Water Research Foundation anticipates one-third of the utilities workforce will retire over the next decade, offering numerous openings.

According to the BLS, wastewater treatment and system operators earn an average annual wage of $80,000 in California.

Partnerships With Local Water Agencies

Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. Photo: CWEA

Established in 1960, Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. It has been educating the state’s water utility workforce for more than half a century.

Its innovative Field Operations Skills Yard provides students with practical challenges they will face in today’s complex water and wastewater facilities. Two labs give students hands-on training with backflow and cross-connection control and water quality lab analysis.

Members of the Cuyamaca College Water & Wastewater Technology Program Industry Advisory Committee include the San Diego County Water Authority, City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, Helix Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Sweetwater Authority, the City of Escondido Utilities Department, Olivenhain Municipal Water District and other agencies.

Local Media Turn To Water Authority at Start of Dry Year

January 9, 2025/in Education, Features, San Diego County /by Jordan Beane

As San Diego enters the driest start to the water year since record keeping began in 1860, the San Diego County Water Authority has the reliable water supplies needed by the region for 2025 and beyond.

“We’ve been preparing for over three decades to have reliable water supplies, whether we’re in a drought or whether we have a wet year,” Water Authority Senior Water Resource Specialist Efren Lopez told CBS 8. “We have a lot of emergency storage in case there’s a disruption to our system.”

With coverage from CBS, KPBS and KUSI/Fox 5, the Water Authority has been informing and updating the public at every available opportunity.

The City of San Diego recorded only 0.14 inches of rain since Oct. 1, when typically it would have received between three and four inches.

While the lack of rain negatively impacts San Diego County’s flora and fauna — including increasing fire risk during the Santa Ana windstorms — the San Diego region doesn’t depend on local rainfall to supply the water that powers our economy and sustains our quality of life. Instead, the region uses a combination of desalinated seawater, conserved water from the Colorado River, recycled water, and runoff from the Sierra.

“San Diegans don’t need to worry about any water restrictions or any conservation mandates — we have plenty of water,” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, Northern California has been relatively wet. That means the state’s six major reservoirs are at 121% of their historical average levels at the beginning of 2025, slightly better than the same time last year. Additionally, the statewide snowpack is 115% of its historical average.

Precipitation over the next few months will be key to determining the state’s overall water supply for 2025. Regardless, the San Diego region has sufficient water for the foreseeable future.

Summer 2023 Water Academy class visiting the Olivenhain Dam and Pump Station.

Applications Now Open for Spring 2025 Citizens Water Academy

January 7, 2025/in Education, Features /by Jordan Beane

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity for emerging leaders throughout San Diego County to join the Citizens Water Academy and get an up-close understanding of our most important resource.

Over multiple sessions participants will learn firsthand about critical water issues affecting the region and go behind the scenes with water managers, planners, and engineers to gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission.

Citizen Water Academy participants check out the Olivenhain Dam.

Since its launch in 2015, this award-winning program has equipped nearly 800 civically engaged leaders with the water knowledge they need to make a difference in their communities and careers.

Whether you’re a staffer or a working professional, an elected official or business leader, the information and relationships you’ll gain from the Citizens Water Academy will be impactful. Finally, graduates will have access to a robust and growing alumni network from across the region.

The application period runs from January 6 to February 28, with the class taking place in early April. Citizens Water Academy participants must attend all three sessions. The application is available on the Water Authority website through this link.

Session Guide:

Session 1 – Wednesday lunch hour, April 9 via Zoom. Welcome and overview by General Manager Dan Denham.

Session 2 – Thursday evening, April 10. Dinner, presentations, and activities. Topic: planning for a water-resilient future.

Session 3 – Saturday, April 12, half day. Breakfast and lunch, and behind-the-scenes tours of the Water Authority’s Operations Center and Olivenhain Dam and Pump Station.

L to R (back row): Burbank Conservation Program Specialist Amy Tremmel, Metropolitan board Vice Chair Michael Camacho, Chair Ortega, Director Stephen Faessel, Director Desi Alvarez, Cucamonga Valley Water District President Randall James Reed and Metropolitan mascot Admiral Splash, with attending student artists. Photo: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Student poster winners

San Diego County Student Artwork Featured in 2025 Calendar

January 6, 2025/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

Four San Diego County student artists from four member water agencies are among the 37 Southern California students whose artwork will appear in the 2025 Metropolitan Water District’s 36^th annual “Water Is Life” Student Art Calendar.

The creative artwork of 37 kindergarten through 12th-grade students, including the students from San Diego County, was recognized for being selected at the district’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters in December.

The 2025 calendar features art from 37 students in Southern California, including four from San Diego County. Photo: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

During the first in-person calendar celebration in five years following virtual recognition ceremonies, the artists, their families, and local educators heard from Metropolitan Chair Adan Ortega, board director Brenda Dennstedt, and other student artists featured in the calendar.

Students also met five water mascots and took photos with them.

MWD board chairman Adán Ortega, Jr. thanked the students, their family and friends, and the many educators who support the annual contest.

San Diego student art featured in July and August 2025

Charlotte Chatham’s winning artwork is featured on the July 2025 page in the calendar.

Charlotte Chatham, a talented eighth-grade student at La Mesa Arts Academy, represents the Helix Water District in the 2025 calendar for July 2025. Her teacher is Alison Lindsay.

Three additional winners are featured on the August 2025 page.

Kenziee Bowen, Ava Fabunan, and Tristan Ong are featured in August 2025.

Kenziee Bowen, a fourth-grade student at Carlton Oaks Elementary in Santee, represents the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Her teacher is Amile Sicat.

Ava Fabunan, a sixth-grader at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Chula Vista, is the Otay Water District’s winner. Her teacher is Christina Stencil-Dare.

Ava’s creative piece highlights ways to use water wisely at home. She explains, “I thought that by making a character talking about how to conserve water, it would really inspire kids of all ages.”

Ava Fabunan’s original artwork is on display with the other winners at the Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles. Photo: Otay Water District

Calendars are available to Otay customers at its offices at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard in Spring Valley.

Tristan Ong, a fourth-grade student at Allen Elementary School in Bonita, represents the Sweetwater Authority. His teacher is Ellen Sinong.

Conservation message delivered through creative talent

Winners were recognized at a celebration in December. Photo: Otay Water District

The “Water is Life” Student Art Calendar was created 36 years ago. It selects student art submitted from grades K through 12 to help convey vitally important water conservation messages. Member agencies submit artwork for consideration among the winners of their local competitions.

Artwork from the student winners will remain on display at Metropolitan’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters in January. The traveling artwork will visit member agencies throughout the year. The annual calendar is distributed to 13,000 recipients each year.

Sweetwater Authority hosted a group of students and faculty from Stanford University for a tour and discussion of issues related to climate change and water in California. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Sweetwater Authority Hosts Stanford University Students and Faculty

September 30, 2024/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently welcomed fifteen students and faculty from Stanford University’s The Bill Lane Center for the American West. Group members are part of the university’s multidisciplinary course of study on “Coastal Resilience: Problems and Solutions to Extreme Weather Challenges on the West Coast.”

The Bill Lane Center for the American West is dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America. The Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about Western land and life in the United States.

The Stanford University group visited the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, as well as the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The students and faculty first toured the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, where they learned how the Authority secures and treats local water, maintains a historic dam, and manages watershed activities for the beneficial use of agency operations and the protection of environmental resources.

The group then visited the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. There, the students and Authority representatives discussed challenges facing groundwater supplies due to climate change before touring the award-winning facility.

Collaboration Addresses Challenges of Climate Change

“It was our honor to host the Stanford group and engage in these important discussions with the next generation of leaders,” said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

“The challenges presented by climate change as it relates to providing a sustainable and drought-proof water supply are great, and we need the brightest minds working to ensure long-term resilience for the western region,” said Authority Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez.

In its vision to become a leader in sustainability and the fight against climate change, the Authority’s Governing Board sets objectives within the agency’s Strategic Plan to work toward achieving carbon neutrality.

Current fiscal year objectives include implementing a Green Fleet Plan, installing EV stations at its facilities, and exploring green energy solutions like a proposed floating solar project at Sweetwater Reservoir to reduce costs and offset carbon generated as part of water agency operations. For more information, visit www.sweetwater.org/workplan.

Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board President Bill Pommering with winners of the District's 2024 Student Poster Contest. Photo: Padre Dam MWD

Padre Dam Honors Winners of the 2024 Student Poster Contest

June 17, 2024/in Education /by Gayle Falkenthal

Elementary school students in Padre Dam Municipal Water District schools are making a splash and being recognized for their artwork, which highlights the importance of being water-wise.

Padre Dam’s Board of Directors announced the winners of the District’s “Being Water Wise Is…” Student Poster Contest during its June board meeting.

Thirteen kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee schools took top spots for their creativity and eye-catching artwork. Students, their teachers, family, and friends viewed their artwork on display at Padre Dam’s August A. Caires Customer Service Center.

During the Board meeting, the students were individually recognized, and each received a certificate and an art kit.

Padre Dam Student Poster Contest Winners for 2024

Alias Brias, Hill Creek School, Santee, fifth grade

Alison Ambriz, Boulder Oaks Elementary School, Alpine, third grade

Anthony Avila Medina, Pepper Drive School, El Cajon, kindergarten

Ava Turnwall, Cajon Park School, Santee, fifth grade

Bruce Dowding, Boulder Oaks Elementary School, Alpine, second grade

Elena Zeitsen, Carlton Oaks School, Santee, fourth grade

Emma Wachter, Boulder Oaks Elementary School, Alpine, first grade

Kenziee Bowen, Carlton Oaks School, Santee, fourth grade

Sayuri Sarmiento, Sycamore Canyon School, Santee, fourth grade

Shy’Lynn Verissimo, Boulder Oaks Elementary School, Alpine, first grade

Tegan Heckeroth, Boulder Oaks Elementary School, Alpine, fourth grade

Zoey Miller, Hill Creek School, Santee, third grade

Alex, Boulder Oaks Elementary School, Alpine, fifth grade

“We are excited to celebrate these talented students and their artwork,” said Bill Pommering, Padre Dam board president. “This annual contest demonstrates a commitment to water use efficiency and reminds us of the important ways we can protect this precious resource.”

Winners Shed Light on Efficient Water Use

The 13 winning pieces of art were selected from over 400 entries. Each hand-drawn poster was created around the theme “Being Water Wise Is…” The students’ artwork shed light on wise and efficient water use at home, school, and throughout the community.

Boulder Oaks Elementary School in Alpine was recognized as this year’s top submitting school. The school will receive a sponsored Splash Mobile Science Lab during the upcoming academic year.

Selected artwork will advance to a regional art contest held by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Winning entries from Metropolitan’s 26 member agencies will be featured in its 2025 calendar. This calendar is expected to be distributed to about 13,000 recipients.

L to R: Helix WD director Mark Gracyk, director and scholarship committee chairperson Andrea Beth Damsky, scholarship winners Layth Polus and Paige Newlon, vice president Joel A. Scalzitti, board president Dan McMillan, and director Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Photo: Helix Water District

Exceptional Students Win College Scholarships from Helix Water District

June 6, 2024/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

The Helix Water District selected two East County students as recipients of $1,000 college scholarships for 2024. The students were recognized at the May Board of Directors meeting.

Paige Newlon Receives Friedgen Scholarship

Paige Newlon of El Cajon is the 2024 recipient of Helix Water District’s Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship. Newlon poses with Director and Scholarship Committee Chair Andrea Beth Damsky and Board President Dan McMillan. Photo: Helix Water District

Paige Newlon received the Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship. It was established upon Friedgen’s retirement in 1998, after serving as Helix’s general manager for 19 years. Friedgen provided the seed money, and the board and others contributed additional funding.

Newlon graduated from The Academy of Our Lady of Peace. Newlon will attend Loyola Marymount University next fall and plans to major in chemistry and political science to effectively navigate and lead in both science and policymaking.

Newlon played volleyball on the Academy’s varsity and beach volleyball teams, and with a club team. Her team won the San Diego Section, Division 2 champions in 2023, a first for The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, and Newlon was named to the San Diego City Conference All-Academic Team.

Newlon was co-president of the Academy’s academic league, organizing student teams to compete with
other schools, and was also on the speech and debate team. Newlon wrote for the Pilot Post school
newspaper, performed in the Academy’s Spring Sing musicals, and is an ambassador to prospective
students and their families.

Layth Polus Receives Childs Scholarship

Layth Polus of Spring Valley is the 2024 recipient of Helix Water District’s Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship. Polus poses with Director and Scholarship Committee Chair Andrea Beth Damsky and Board President Dan McMillan. Photo: Helix Water District

Layth Polus received the Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship. The Helix board established it in 1999 to honor Childs upon her retirement from the board and recognize the 20 years of service and leadership she had given to the district.

Polus graduated from Valhalla High School. Polus will attend UC San Diego next fall and plans to major in human biology. He plans to attend dental school and become an orthodontist.

Polus founded and served as president of the Medical Pathway Club at Valhalla High School for students interested in medical careers. He also organized Healthcare Town, an event that brought 60 club members to Vista Grande Elementary School to teach third-grade students about personal health.

Polus volunteered over 400 hours at Sharp Grossmont Hospital as a nurse’s aide and in other roles and
over 200 hours at the Red Cross, helping with blood drives, food drives, and the nonprofit’s Volunteer
Connect software application. He participated in Valhalla’s academic league as a Junior Ambassador
to help other students engage with their community on Norse Crew, which welcomes and assists
Valhalla’s newest students, and in Toastmasters.

Both Newlon and Polus also have part-time jobs.

Helix Annual College Scholarship Supports District Students

The Helix Water District contacts high school counselors in the fall to inform students about the annual scholarship contest. Applicants must live in the district’s service area, have excellent academic standing, and excel in community service and extracurricular activities. Applicants submit an essay about the East County Advanced Water Purification Project and provide a personal goals statement with two letters of recommendation.

Winning artwork in the Helix 2024 Student Poster contest. Left: Ranya Boubetana, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 7. Right: Arya French, Flying Hills School of the Arts, Grade 4.

Helix Water District 2024 Student Poster Contest Winners Illustrate “Being Water Wise Is”

June 6, 2024/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

At the June Helix Water District board meeting, talented student artists were honored for their winning work in the 2024 Student Poster Contest. The students created winning posters to depict the theme “Being Water Wise Is visually.”

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California holds the regional poster contest to increase student awareness about water. Kindergarten through eighth-grade students in local district schools are eligible to compete. This year, 174 students from 19 schools within the Helix Water District Service area submitted posters depicting how to use water wisely.

The following students took top honors:

2024 Student Poster Contest: Grades K – 4 Category

First Place – Arya French, Flying Hills School of the Arts, Grade 4

Second Place – Peyton Terrell, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 3

Third Place – Audrey Pierce, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 3

Honorable Mention – Norma Ahmadi, Anza Elementary School, Grade 4

Honorable Mention – Kierra Juanes, Flying Hills School of the Arts, Grade 4

2024 Student Poster Contest: Grades 5 – 8 Category

First Place – Ranya Boubetana, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 7

Second Place – Catalina Raquel Jones, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 8

Third Place – Audrey Robinson, Art with Larisse Art School, Grade 8

Honorable Mention – Joaquin Saguaro Alcantar, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 7

Honorable Mention – Charlotte Chatham, La Mesa Arts Academy, Grade 8

This is the second year Catalina Raquel Jones and Audrey Robinson have been named poster contest winners.

All winning posters will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Water District to be considered for inclusion in its 2025 “Being Water Wise Is” calendar. All posters are displayed on the Helix Water District website and Facebook page.

Winning artists display their entries in the 2024 Escondido Student Poster Contest. Photo: City of Escondido

City of Escondido 2024 Student Poster Contest Winners Named

May 21, 2024/in Education /by Gayle Falkenthal

The City of Escondido’s Environmental Programs division announced the 2024 Water Awareness Calendar Contest winners at the May 15 City Council meeting. Twelve fourth-grade students enrolled in Escondido’s public and private elementary schools were honored by the City Council in front of their families, city staff, and teachers for the art they submitted to the annual contest.

The top 12 Poster Contest winners are currently displayed in the Escondido Library in the Children’s section and at the Escondido East Valley Community Center. Photo: City of Escondido

Winning images showcased each artist’s perspective on the calendar theme, “Love Water, Save Water.” Three student artists were chosen to represent Escondido Water in the North County Water Agencies 2025 calendar

The winning students and their artworks:

Winning artwork from Cora Edwards, “When You Take A Sip Of Water.” Photo: City of Escondido

Cora Edwards, Fourth Grade, Grace Christian School

Winning artwork from Salma DeLeon, “Be The Solution, Not The Pollution.” Photo: City of Escondido

Salma De Leon, Fourth Grade, Grace Christian School

Winning artwork from Aubrey Vuoti, “Don’t Be A Waster, Be A Saver.” Photo: City of Escondido

Aubrey Vuoti, Fourth Grade, Grace Christian School

One Hundred Students Participated In 2024 Student Poster Contest

The 12 winning students and their families were recognized at the May 15 City of Escondido Council meeting. Photo: City of Escondido

The Environmental Programs division received over 100 artwork submissions this year after City staff visited fourth-grade classrooms across Escondido this spring.

During classroom visits, City staff educates fourth graders on how Escondido’s Water Treatment facility operates, and the unique resources found within Escondido that provide local water to the treatment plant including Dixon Lake and Lake Wohlford. Students get the opportunity to experiment and design water filtration models to solidify how vital access to fresh and clean water is to this community.

Winning students and their teachers received prizes generously donated by local businesses. The top 12 Poster Contest winners are currently displayed in the Escondido Library in the Children’s section and at the Escondido East Valley Community Center. They will be featured on Escondido’s website starting in June.

To learn more about the City’s educational program specific to the environmental programs section, please visit https://www.escondido.gov/576/Education-Outreach or email .

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