The Otay Water District selected four winners in its New Year-themed Instagram photo contest as part of its campaign to encourage water-saving efforts during the statewide drought. One is an Otay Water District customer, and three others live within San Diego County.
The four talented photographers put their skills to use, helping to make their community’s residents and businesses more aware of the need to save water.
The Sweetwater Authority calls on high school student photographers to enter its 2022 High School Photo Contest. This year’s contest challenges students to creatively photograph the many ways people use water.
The 2022 theme is “Water In Daily Life.” Water supports our daily lives. It flows into our homes, helping to quench our thirst, cook, clean, grow food, and keep us healthy. Students are encouraged to answer this question with their work: What ways do you interact with water?
Hot, dry, and ‘unrecognizable’ describes July 2021.
The West boiled with record-breaking heat, and persistent drought that has left the Colorado River, Lake Mead and Lake Powell two-thirds empty, a ‘bathtub’ ring lining the shores of the largest water sources serving California.
As more frequent heat waves broke records this summer, our photojournalists documented what it looked like and how we coped.
Thirteen talented student photographers creatively captured the importance of water in their homes and in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in Sweetwater Authority’s 2021 High School Photo Contest.
Winners were selected from 50 students from South San Diego Bay high schools who submitted more than 100 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.
Thirteen talented student photographers creatively captured the importance of water in their homes and in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in Sweetwater Authority’s 2021 High School Photo Contest.
Winners were selected from 50 students from South San Diego Bay high schools who submitted more than 100 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 water agency acknowleged it was an unusual year and thanked students for their contributions during an unusual school year.
“This year’s contest was unique, in that we asked students to reflect on the meaning of water in their homes and in the context of the pandemic,” said Leslie Payne, Sweetwater Authority public affairs manager. “The entries we received and their accompanying essays reflected not only on the importance of water but also of the ability of art to uplift us all during difficult times.”
First Place, Color: Winner Kayla Rosenberg, a freshman at Hilltop High School, said her entry “Sunshine Shower” portrayed the family dog’s sense of fun. Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
First place winner Kayla Rosenberg, a freshman at Hilltop High School, said her entry “Sunshine Shower” shows how her family uses water to have fun. “During the long hot days, I usually turn on the hose to water the grass and plants. But, my biggest dog just can’t resist the shower of water.”
Second Place, Color: Chula Vista High School sophomore Araceli Romo portrayed her love for watercolor painting in “Watercolor Wonderland” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Chula Vista High School sophomore Araceli Romo portrayed her love for watercolor painting in “Watercolor Wonderland.” Her photo won second place.
Third Place, Color: Trinity Fuentecilla, Eastlake High School, “Water for Roots” Photo Courtesy: Sweetwater Authority
Alia Kircher, a senior at Bonita Vista High School, said her photo “Roots” depicting a plant’s roots growing in water “symbolizes how water keeps us alive.”
First Place, Black and White: Mariah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, “Shelter In Place” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Junior Mariah Journigan of Bonita Vista High School described her winning photo “Shelter In Place” in her entry essay: “Every drop of water in this picture represents two things: The chaos and uncertainty in the past year during COVID-19, and the daily lifeline it has been to us at home … Having water to wash our hands has been a lifeline and nothing less than an essential part of my daily life this past year.”
Second Place, Black and White: Airyl Van Dayrit, Sweetwater High School, said “Water’s Vibrant Shades” represents both the comfort of water as an essential element along with the realities of water pollution and scarcity. Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Second Place winner Airyl Van Dayrit a senior at Sweetwater High School, said “Water’s Vibrant Shades” represents both the comfort of water as an essential element along with the realities of water pollution and scarcity.
Honorable Mention: Trinity Fuentecilla, 9th Grade, Eastlake High School – “Tree Branch View” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Trinity Fuentecilla, a freshman at Eastlake High School, won third place for her photo “Water for Roots,” celebrating a new love of plants developed during the pandemic.
Honorable Mention: Esteban Robledo, 11th Grade, Hilltop High School – “Let’s Take a Leap of Faith” Photo: Courtesy Sweetwater Authority
Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Vu, 12th Grade, Hilltop High School – “Thirst Quencher” Photo: 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.
The winning photos are displayed in a slideshow. A special exhibit at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center will showcase the winning photographs from May 15 through June 12.
(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.)
Ten South Bay area high school students were honored for their winning photos at the March 11 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting.
Nearly 100 students from Sweetwater’s service area entered its annual water photo contest, which challenges students to showcase the importance of water in everyday life through photography. Students submitted photos in two categories.
The following students took the top honors:
1st Place, “Blessed Stream,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
1st Place, “Blessed Stream,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
2nd Place, “Pouring Out,” Stephanie Mauricio, Sweetwater High School, Grade 12
2nd Place, “Pouring Out,” Stephanie Mauricio, Sweetwater High School, Grade 12
3rd Place, “Running River Water,” Erick Gallardo II, Sweetwater High School, Grade 11
3rd Place, “Running River Water,” Erick Gallardo II, Sweetwater High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “An Apple a Day,” Jaliyah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “An Apple a Day,” Jaliyah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Aqueous Perspective,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Aqueous Perspective,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Sun + Splash,” Kaitlyn Vu, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Sun + Splash,” Kaitlyn Vu, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
1st Place, “Last Glass,” Tiffany Mayoral, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
1st Place, “Last Glass,” Tiffany Mayoral, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
2nd Place, “Daily Utilities,” Carlos Guerrero, Sweetwater High School, Grade 9
2nd Place, “Daily Utilities,” Carlos Guerrero, Sweetwater High School, Grade 9
3rd Place, “Thirsty Tom,” Valeria Cano, Chula Vista High School, Grade 12
3rd Place, “Thirsty Tom,” Valeria Cano, Chula Vista High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention, “My Memories,” and “Less Developed Countries,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “My Memories,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
“Less Developed Countries,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Drying Off,” Katherine Ochoa, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Drying Off,” Katherine Ochoa, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Floating,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Floating,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
All winning photos will be on display at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center beginning in April.
Ten East County high school students were honored for their winning photos in the 2020 Helix Water District High School Photo Contest. The winning photographers were recognized at the February 26 board of directors meeting.
This year’s photo contest challenged high school photographers to highlight the importance and beauty of water in our everyday lives. Entrants were asked to show how water is used in homes and landscapes, in local businesses, for irrigating public spaces and parks, producing the goods we use and foods we eat, street cleaning, and firefighting.
Ten East County high school students were honored for their winning photos in the 2020 Helix Water District High School Photo Contest. The winning photographers were recognized at the February 26 board of directors meeting.
This year’s photo contest challenged high school photographers to highlight the importance and beauty of water in our everyday lives. Entrants were asked to show how water is used in homes and landscapes, in local businesses, for irrigating public spaces and parks, producing the goods we use and foods we eat, street cleaning, and firefighting.
Water flows through everything we do. Indoors, we use water for drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning. Outdoors, we use water to fill our swimming pools, wash our cars and grow plants in our yards.
High school students living or attending school within Helix’s service area were eligible to enter, which includes La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Spring Valley, and areas of Lakeside. Sixty-nine students from three schools entered the annual competition.
First-place winners received a $150 cash prize; second place received $100; honorable mention received $50.
First Place – Rylee Koval, Santana High School, Grade 10
First Place – Rylee Koval, Santana High School, Grade 10
Second Place – Faith Farrell, Santana High School, Grade 12
Second Place – Faith Farrell, Santana High School, Grade 12
Third Place – Bri Massaro, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Third Place – Bri Massaro, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Faith Rowe, Santana High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Faith Rowe, Santana High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Mirna Dawood, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Mirna Dawood, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
First Place – Avery McFedries, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
First Place – Avery McFedries, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Second Place – Emily McCann, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Second Place – Emily McCann, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Third Place – Fernando Lara, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Third Place – Fernando Lara, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Jaqueline Aguilar, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Jaqueline Aguilar, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Daneca Perez Opinion, Grossmont High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention – Daneca Perez Opinion, Grossmont High School, Grade 11
The winning photos will be on display through May at the district’s administration office at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The photos are also posted on the district’s Facebook page.
The Otay Water District named eight winners of its first Instagram photo contests, asking customers to depict two distinct themes.
In the first contest, four Otay Water District customers were selected winners of the agency’s first Instagram photo contest, “Thankful for Water.” During the 2019 holiday season, Instagrammers were invited to submit photos reflecting their appreciation for water.
At its November 13 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors recognized amateur photographers for their winning images captured in the 14th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest.
“I am impressed with the quality of images and talent of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve visitors,” said Bob Kephart, OMWD board secretary. “This year’s winning images put together a strong case for just how important it is to preserve open space for native habitat.”
Contest entries help to promote Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve and educate the public on the importance of wildlife and habitat protection. There were 84 entries in five categories: Scenic View, Water Scenery, Plants, Animals, and Youth (under 15 years of age).
The public also selected a People’s Choice Award winner by voting for their favorite photo from among 10 entries posted on the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve’s Facebook page.
Best-in-Show winner Francesca Hummler explained to the board, “I fell in love with photography in high school as a darkroom assistant. I particularly enjoy macro photography, a style which I found suited the color and repetition of the plant in my photograph well.”
“Paint Brushes” by Francesca Hummler received this year’s Best in Show award. Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
“Misty Morning Over Lake” by Jeff Brock won in the Scenic View category. Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
“Behind the Grass” by Daniel Humphrey won in the Water Scenery category. Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
“Shine Bright” by Maria Ana Karina Lara is the Plants category winner. Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
The Animals category winner is “Western Fence Lizard” by Karen Wood. Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
This year’s Youth category winner is Stella Klins for “New World.” Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
After a vote by Olivenhain’s Facebook followers the “People’s Choice Award“ was “Red Jumping Spiderman” by Sabine Kurz-Sherman. Photo courtesy: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Prizes included tickets donated by San Diego Zoo, a 24” x 36” canvas print donated by PC Photo & Imaging, outdoor equipment donated by REI, and a $100 cash prize donated by contest partner Escondido Creek Conservancy.
All of this year’s winning photographs will be on display from January 1 to April 30, 2020, at the Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty located in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve’s staging area.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
