The Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership (a branch of the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council), and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center are excited to announce this year’s winners of the 4th Grade Water Ethic Contest. The annual contest was open to all 4th grade classes throughout Coconino County, including cities, towns, and tribal communities.
The contest creates a fun and rewarding opportunity to introduce children to the concept of ethical water use, including conserving, rainwater harvesting, and water reuse. It also provides an opportunity for the classrooms to discuss where our water comes from and the importance of healthy watersheds, clean waterways, and water for all living things and uses. Participating students demonstrate the principle of responsible water use through both artwork and essays.
Contest winners are:
ESSAY:
1st place essay award: Quinn W. (Mountain School)
2nd place essay award: Taylor P. (Sechrist Elementary)
3rd place essay award: Resse W. (Sechrist Elementary)
ARTWORK:
1st place artwork: Audrey S. (Kinsey Elementary)
2nd place artwork: Yareli M. (Grand Canyon School)
3rd place artwork: Da’Mare T. (Kinsey Elementary)
Winning students and their teachers will be recognized with certificates, a class party, and Water Saver Superhero Toolkits that include rain gauges, water conservation coloring books, playing cards, reusable water bottles, and a reusable bag and other fun prizes like stickers and magnets. In addition, this year the winning submissions will be displayed at the Coconino Center for the Arts during the Youth Art Exhibition.
Winners, and other selected 4th grader’s submissions are utilized for promoting water stewardship throughout Northern Arizona. Posters are created for classrooms, events, presentations, and are developed into bathroom water awareness signs. The bathroom signs have grown in popularity and can be seen at several public places such as the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor’s Center, City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, City of Sedona, Northern Arizona University, Marshall Elementary, Grand Canyon School, and many more places throughout the community are in the process of obtaining the bathroom posters.
Next year’s contest is right around the corner so keep an eye out for the contest in August 2023.