Lake Jennings 2023 Spring Photo Contest Winners Announced
Scenic views, beautiful birds, and unusual weather are all featured in the winning photos in the Lake Jennings 2023 Photo Contest. The contest is held annually by the Helix Water District.
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Lake Jennings 2023 Spring Photo Contest Winners Announced
Scenic views, beautiful birds, and unusual weather are all featured in the winning photos in the Lake Jennings 2023 Photo Contest. The contest is held annually by the Helix Water District. Winners were named this week and recognized at the September Governing Board meeting.
The Helix Water District board recognized the 2023 Lake Jennings Photo Contest winners at its September meeting. Back row (L to R): Board members Andrea Beth Damsky, Dan McMillan, Kathleen Coates Hedberg, Joel Scalzitti, Mark Gracyk.
Front row (L to R): Chaylee Gregory, Billy Ortiz, Charles Ham, Aaron D’Souza, Debra Colwell. Photo: Helix Water District
The District runs the contest each year as a fun way to connect with its customers and recognize their achievements.
Now in its 12th year, the contest drew 60 entries from throughout San Diego County. This year’s entries depicted the wide variety of activities at Lake Jennings including camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife and enjoying the view. The contest was open for photos taken between March 1 and August 31, 2023.
2023 Spring Photo Contest Adult Category
First Place – Billy Ortiz, “Reflection”
First Place: Billy Ortiz, “Reflections.” Photo: Helix Water District
Second Place – Charles Ham, “Bald Eagle”
Second Place: Charles Ham, “Bald Eagle.” Photo: Helix Water District
Third Place – Debra Colwell, “Quail Enjoying The View”
Third Place: Debra Colwell, “Enjoying The View.” Photo: Helix Water District
2023 Spring Photo Contest Youth Category
First Place – Aaron D’Souza, “Calm Before Tropical Storm Hilary”
First Place: Aaron D’Souza, “Calm Before Tropical Storm Hilary.” Photo: Helix Water District
Second Place – Chaylee Gregory, “Duck, Duck No Goose”
Second Place: Chaylee Gregory, “Duck Duck No Goose.” Photo: Helix Water District
The Helix Water District honored the winning photographers at an awards ceremony during its board of directors meeting on Wednesday, September 27.
The winning photos can be viewed on Lake Jennings’ Facebook page and on the District’s website.
Lake Jennings is among San Diego County’s most scenic parks. The lake is a drinking water reservoir located in Lakeside, California, owned and operated by Helix Water District.
Lake Jennings is named for William H. Jennings, an attorney who grew up on his family farm in Lakeside. He served as San Diego County Water Authority general counsel for 26 years and served on the California Water Commission. Jennings played a major role in the State Water Project in the 1950s and helped secure imported water for San Diego County in the 1960s. The lake was named in his honor in 1964.
(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
Eight Student Photographers Selected as Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners
Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area.
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners Announced
Chula Vista, Calif. – Eight local high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs at the Sweetwater Authority Board Meeting on April 26. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay who submitted 148 entries for the Authority’s High School Photo Contest.
“The Board is proud to support this annual contest, and looks forward to seeing the entries and continued involvement from our local high school community,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area and we encourage residents to go to see the photos at the Bonita Museum and Historical Society.”
Sweetwater Authority 2023 Student Photo Contest Open
The 15th annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest is now open for entries. The contest showcases and celebrates how safe, reliable water service supports our daily lives through photography.
The theme for the 2023 contest is “Water In Daily Life.” Past winners have featured photos from landscapes to everyday household activities and using water to wildlife and pets.
1st Place in the 2002 Color Category: Ashley Monroy, Hilltop High School, Grade 12 – “Summer Day.” Photo: Sweetwater Authority
“Water in Daily Life”
“Whether at home, outdoors, at school, or within our community, water is vital to everything we do,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “This contest offers students a chance to reflect on how water supports their lives and showcase that through their artistic talent. The Board is proud to continue this tradition of engaging with local students about the value of water, both through this contest and our other education programs and partnerships.
Winners will receive monetary prizes, have their artwork displayed at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, and receive recognition at a Sweetwater Authority Board meeting in May 2023.
Creativity, technical quality, visual appeal, and theme
Honorable Mention winners in the 2022 Color Category: (L) Skyler Yowakim, 9th Grade, Bonita Vista High School, “Stepping Into The Future;” (R) Sebastian Pimentel Lugo, 9th Grade, Sweetwater High School “Solin Bath.” Photo: Sweetwater Authority
The contest is open to students who live or attend school in the Sweetwater Authority service area.
The deadline to submit entries is 5 p.m. March 17. Photos must be taken in 2022 or 2023 within the Sweetwater River Watershed or the Sweetwater Authority service area boundaries covering National City, Bonita, and western and central Chula Vista.
Photos may be in black and white or color. Entrants can submit up to three photos in each category. Students are permitted to edit the photos for minor adjustments only and must retain a natural, realistic appearance. Photos may not depict bottled water or the ocean or beach.
1st Place in the 2022 Black and White category: Skyler Yowakim, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 9 – “Making A Wave.’ Photo: Sweetwater Authority
In addition, each photo must include a short essay of 50 to 100 words describing how the photo related to the contest theme. Judging will be performed by a panel of Sweetwater Authority staff and community experts. Judging criteria includes creativity, technical quality, adherence to the theme, visual appeal, and the narrative to explain the significance of the photo
Winners receive cash prizes: $400 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. Sixty-five students submitted entries in last year’s competition. Full contest rules and submission information is available at www.sweetwater.org/photocontest. Submissions must be emailed to . Photos must be in JPEG form, 10 MB or less, and 300 PPI resolution. Photos must be sized to 8 x 10 inches.
(Editor’s note: The SweetwaterAuthority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest Open
The Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest gives amateur photographers more visual opportunities in its 16th year, accepting entries from Fall through early Spring 2023.
Designed to be a fun and educational way to showcase the natural beauty at Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, the contest is open for entries from November 21, 2022 through April 23, 2023.
“This is the first year that we’ve held the contest over the fall and winter months, and we hope that it will inspire visitors to view and photograph the reserve in a new way,” said OMWD Board President Larry Watt.
Natural backcountry
Located west of Escondido, the 784-acre reserve celebrates 30 years of recreational opportunities in 2022. EFRR‘s 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails offer views of the Pacific Ocean, Olivenhain Reservoir, Escondido Creek, and the natural backcountry.
The 2023 Elfin Forest Photo Contest is open to all photographers through April 23, 2023. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Photography prizes
Winners will be selected from six categories: Water Scenery, Scenic View, Plants, Animals, Youth (age 15 and under), and People’s Choice.
Winning photographers are eligible for prizes from contest sponsors, including $100 cash from the Escondido Creek Conservancy, Zoo/Safari Park passes from the San Diego Zoo, a 24″ x 36″ canvas print from PC-Photo.net, and gear from REI. Select winning submissions will be displayed at the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty.
Contest entries serve to help educate the public on local recreational opportunities and support EFRR’s mission to protect wildlife and natural resources. For official rules and to upload entries, go to: www.olivenhain.com/photo.
Supporting the mission to protect natural resources
“Reservoir Dogs” by CJ Edingfield-Murphy won the 2022 Elfin Forest Reserve Photo Contest Animal category. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
In previous contests, talented amateur photographers turned their lenses on skies and streams, coyotes and cacti, and found hidden details in nature to produce winning images of the natural beauty protected at EFRR through a partnership between OMWD, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the San Diego County Water Authority.
Open daily from 8 a.m. to approximately thirty minutes before sunset, EFRR is located at 8833 Harmony Grove Road in Escondido. The interpretive center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., subject to docent availability. Admission and parking are free.
“Serenity” by Peter Montgomery was the 2022 Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest “Best in Show.” Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
(Editor’s note: The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region. The Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is an element of the Olivenhain Water Storage Project and the San Diego County Water Authority’s Emergency Storage Project. Owned by the Water Authority and managed by OMWD, the Reserve has been designed to unify the interests of domestic water supply development, natural resources management, and recreational opportunities.)
Lake Jennings 2022 Spring Photo Contest Winners Depict Lake Activities
Sunsets, wildlife, and family fun inspired the winning photos in the 2022 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest, held by the Helix Water District. Winners were named this week and recognized at the June Governing Board meeting.
Lake Jennings 2022 Spring Photo Contest Winners Depict Lake Activities
Sunsets, wildlife, and family fun inspired the winning photos in the 2022 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest, held by the Helix Water District. Winners were named this week and recognized at the June Governing Board meeting.
The water district offers two yearly contests to connect with their customers and recognize their achievements.
Now in its 11th year, the contest drew 47 entries from throughout San Diego County. This year’s entries highlighted the unique beauty of camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife, and enjoying the view at Lake Jennings. The contest was open for photos taken between March 1 and May 31, 2022. The following photographers took top honors.
2022 Spring Photo Contest Adult Category
First Place: John Wozny, “Casting A Sunset.” Photo: Helix Water District
Second Place: Crystian Baird, “No Shoes, No Problem.” Photo: Helix Water District
Third Place: John Wozny, “The Eagle Has Landed.” Photo: Helix Water District
2022 Spring Photo Contest Youth Category
First Place: Lucas Sides, “Lunch.” Photo: Helix Water District
Second Place: Lucas Sides, “A Day At The Lake.” Photo: Helix Water District
Third Place: Lydia McQuiddy, “Blue Sky Day.” Photo: Helix Water District
The winning photos are also available on Lake Jennings’ Facebook page and the District’s website.
Scenic community resource for six decades
Lake Jennings is among San Diego County’s most scenic parks. The lake is a drinking water reservoir in Lakeside, California, owned and operated by Helix Water District.
Lake Jennings is named for William H. Jennings, an attorney who grew up on his family farm in Lakeside. He served as San Diego County Water Authority general counsel for 26 years and served on the California Water Commission. Jennings played a significant role in the State Water Project in the 1950s and helped secure imported water for San Diego County In the 1960s. The lake was named in his honor in 1964.
(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
Sweetwater Authority Recognizes Student Photography Showcasing Water
Twelve talented photographers from South Bay schools won honors for their work creatively showcasing the importance and beauty of water in the Sweetwater Authority annual High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from 65 students who submitted more than 150 entries in two categories: black and white and color photography.
Sweetwater Authority Recognizes Student Photography Showcasing Water
Twelve talented photographers from South Bay schools won honors for their work creatively showcasing the importance and beauty of water in the Sweetwater Authority annual High School Photo Contest.
The winners were selected from 65 students who submitted more than 150 entries in two categories: black and white and color photography.
In each photo, water plays a central part in favorite activities and quality of life.
“The Board is proud to support this annual contest, which helps draw attention to water as an essential and precious resource,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Alejandra Sotelo-Solis. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area.”
Color Photography
1st Place: Ashley Monroy, Hilltop High School, Grade 12 – “Summer Day.” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Ashley Monroy, Hilltop High School, Grade 12 – “Summer Day”
First place winner Ashley Monroy, a senior at Hilltop High School, described her winning entry “Summer Day.”
“I wanted to show how two best friends are playing with water on a sunny summer day,” said Monroy. “These two girls are playing with water balloons. This is something you do for fun with your friends and family.”
2nd Place: Huynh Hoang, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 12 – “Drip Drip.” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Huynh Hoang, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 12 – “Drip Drip”
Bonita Vista High School senior Huynh Hoang portrayed the value of groundwater in “Drip Drip.”
“The repercussions of over-using fresh water are vast: future generations will struggle for water supply, the cost of drilling and pumping water will rise,” said Hoang. “Being a responsible water user is to look at daily habits and use of water and make changes that will minimize or eliminate water waste.”
3rd Place: Guadalupe Estrada, Chula Vista High School, Grade 11 – “Kissing Reflection.” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Guadalupe Estrada, Chula Vista High School, Grade 11 – “Kissing Reflection”
Guadalupe Estrada, a junior at Chula Vista High School, called his photo “Kissing Reflection,” writing, “A bird is digging through the water, finding and eating any insects swimming around, creating a perfect mirrored reflection of it at the same time. This goes to show how not only is this resource valuable, but is also a gateway to hidden beauty and serenity.”
Black & White Photography
1st Place: Skyler Yowakim, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 9 – “Making A Wave.” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Skyler Yowakim, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 9 – “Making A Wave”
In her entry essay, Freshman Skylar Yowakim of Bonita Vista High School described her winning photo: “Drainpipes allow wastewater to be disposed of from buildings. The wastewater is then conserved by flowing through our community’s sterilized sewer system and then transferred to a wastewater treatment facility. Wastewater treatment facilities are beneficial because they protect people and our ecosystem from the toxic elements that are found in wastewater.”
2nd place: Andres Cornejo, Chula Vista High School, Grade 11 – “Eleutheromaniac.” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Andres Cornejo, Chula Vista High School, Grade 11 – “Eleutheromaniac”
Second Place winner Andres Cornejo, a junior at Chula Vista High School, came up with the unique title “Eleutheromaniac” for his photo, providing this definition: “Eleutheromaniac: one who seeks freedom beyond reach. He notices that the water has overcome this freedom and can course freely anywhere with no halt or hesitation. A constant freedom that fills the subject with jealousy at fault. A constant search that humans try to achieve this natural state of water.”
3rd Place: Joaquin Angulo, Hilltop High School, Grade 12 – “Showers.” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Joaquin Angulo, Hilltop High School, Grade 12 – “Showers”
Joaquin Angulo, a senior at Hilltop High School, won third place for his photo “Showers,” which described his experience. “Having access to clean, fresh water is something that people often take for granted. I am thankful that I have access to water because it is essential for one’s wellbeing.”
Honorable Mentions awarded to eight additional photos for their outstanding quality
Honorable Mention winners, Color Category: (L) Carlee Gregg, 11th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Refreshing Life,” (R) Nathan Isaac C. Colmenares, 12th Grade, Chula Vista High School, “Simple Joy.” Photos: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Color Category: Carlee Gregg, 11th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Refreshing Life;” Skyler Yowakim, 9th Grade, Bonita Vista High School, “Stepping Into The Future;” Sebastian Pimentel Lugo, 9th Grade, Sweetwater High School “Solin Bath;” Nathan Isaac C. Colmenares, 12th Grade, Chula Vista High School, “Simple Joy.”
Honorable Mention winners in the Color Category: (L) Skyler Yowakim, 9th Grade, Bonita Vista High School, “Stepping Into The Future;” (R) Sebastian Pimentel Lugo, 9th Grade, Sweetwater High School “Solin Bath.” Photos: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Black and White Category: Joaquin Angulo, 12th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Leaf Droplets;” Esteban Robledo, 12th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Handwashing Against The Virus;” Janet Mendoza, 11th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Backyard Beauty;” Noah Kitcher, 10th Grade, Bonita Vista High School, “Misty.”
Honorable Mentions, Black and White Category: (L) Joaquin Angulo, 12th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Leaf Droplets;” (R) Noah Kitcher, 10th Grade, Bonita Vista High School, “Misty.” Photos: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Judging was done through a blind selection process by Sweetwater Authority staff members and Bonita Museum & Cultural Center Director Wendy Wilson. First-place winners in each category were awarded $400; second place, $300; third place, $200; and $50 for Honorable Mention.
Honorable Mention, Black and White category: (L) Esteban Robledo, 12th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Handwashing Against The Virus;” (R) Janet Mendoza, 11th Grade, Hilltop High School, “Backyard Beauty.” Photos: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
The winning photos can be viewed in a slideshow on the Sweetwater Authority website. A special exhibit at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center will showcase the winning photographs through June 30.
(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
