Students Honored For Accomplishments by Vallecitos Water District

The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors recognized students from local schools for their excellence in the classroom through its scholarship program and through its annual student poster art competition.

The District awarded $2,000 scholarships to six deserving students at its May board meeting. 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, to encourage students to pursue a water career.

Winning Lineup of Scholarship Winners

Vallecitos Public Information/Conservation Supervisor Chris Robbins introduced the scholarship recipients in the style of a ballpark public address announcer in a unique and popular presentation. Each student stepped up to ‘the plate’ as Robbins offered personal information about each recipient.

“Leading off for the Vallecitos Scholarships, setting the table, Palomar student and successful intern with Vallecitos during the Fall 2025 semester and currently working as the Outreach Specialist for the Water and Wastewater Technology Program at Palomar, Carly Gresham.

“Second in your lineup is a three-sport star, an honors student, ASB leader, and varsity captain ready to help shape the future of California infrastructure — planning to attend SDSU, from San Marcos High School, Carson Hackett.

“Batting third for Vallecitos, a leader, AVID student, bilingual scholar and community volunteer has the vision, resilience, and leadership to help shape tomorrow’s projects and communities — also planning to attend San Diego State, from Mission Hills High School, Ashley Perez.

“In the cleanup spot, working to keep the campus clean at Mission Hills High School and planning to attend UC Irvine and get a degree in Environmental Science, from San Marcos High School, student athlete runner and dancer, Keira Klima.

“Up fifth, keeping the rally going, this future innovator has already launched businesses, tutored fellow students, and explored the frontiers of AI and cybersecurity – Planning to attend UCLA, from Mission Hills High School, Tanner Rankin.

“Last but certainly not least, a student whose internship experience here at Vallecitos along with his D2 and T2 certifications, make him a future water professional committed to protecting one of our region’s most valuable resources — from Palomar College, Charles Zhou.”

Students Honored as 2026 Student Poster Art Contest Winners

Vallecitos 2026 Student Poster Contest winners (L to R): Board Member Tanis Brown, First Place Winner EV Casiday, Board Member Jim Hernandez, Second Place Winner Fiona Basham, Board President Jennifer Kerschbaum, Third Place Winner Ayleen Guillen, Board Member Jim Pennock. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Also at the May board of directors meeting, three students were recognized as the winners of the 2026 Student Poster Art Contest, sponsored by water agencies throughout Southern California as a way to educate students about water conservation. All winners received Amazon gift cards and tickets to the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

Winners will be entered into regional competition for the opportunity to appear in the 2027 Metropolitan Water District calendar.