Western Municipal Water District (Western Water) recently celebrated the artistic talents of six students from Riverside County schools at a special event dedicated to honoring their award-winning artwork. In addition, Western Water awarded more than $15,000 to 21 teachers through its Lois B. Krieger Water Project Grants for Educators (Krieger Grant) program.
Western Water’s annual Water is Life Art Contest invited K-12 students throughout its service area to submit their artwork for evaluation by local water education and art professionals. This year’s contest theme, “Being water wise is…,” encouraged students to express their understanding of water conservation creatively. The celebratory event marked the culmination of this contest, where winners were presented awards, and their artwork was unveiled for display at the Donald D. Galleano Water is Life Art Gallery located in Western Water’s lobby.
“We strongly support the goals of the Water is Life Art Contest and are excited to display the outstanding work of our young artists,” said Fauzia Rizvi, Western Water’s Board Member. “By motivating local students to engage creatively and focus on water issues in their communities, we are fulfilling our mission.”
The Krieger Grant program has attracted Riverside County teachers for over 20 years. This year, Western Water awarded more than $15,000 to 21 teachers. Grant awards support the implementation of water education lessons in classrooms, coordination of field trips, and other activities that might not otherwise have been feasible.
"The Krieger Grant program provides essential resources for comprehensive water education," said Craig Miller, General Manager of Western Water. "This funding supports innovative lessons and activities fostering a deeper understanding of water science and conservation. By investing in education, Western Water promotes sustainable practices and responsible water use in the community."
Lois B. Krieger served on the board of directors for Western Water and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for 25 years. She was the first female chairman of the MWD board from 1989 to 1992. The grant bears her name due to her commitment to water education. Western Water provides funding for the grants in conjunction with neighboring water providers who bring water education to local classrooms.
To learn more about Western Water’s education program, please visit WesternWaterCA.gov/Education.
2023-24 Water is Life Art Contest Winners
Elementary
1st Place: Brody Arias, 5th Grade, Tomás Rivera Elementary School
2nd Place: Ashley Murray, 5th Grade Tomás Rivera Elementary School
3rd Place: Samantha Garcia, 5th Grade Tomás Rivera Elementary School
Middle
1st Place: Baylee Mullican, 7th Grade, Frank Agustus Miller Middle School
2nd Place: Nataly Scarff, 7th Grade, Amelia Earhart Middle School
3rd Place: Cassidy Marchand, 8th Grade, Frank Agustus Miller Middle School
2023-24 Lois B. Krieger Water Project Grants for Educators Awardees
Abigail DeSantiago, Amanda Clark, Perla Ramirez, Rose Halvorson, and Joshua Sandoval
Science Through Art | Wildomar Elementary School, Wildomar
Allison Wagner | The Wonders of Water
Lake Hills Elementary School, Riverside
Araceli Anguiano | Earning the Grade: Water Quality Report Cards
Corona High School, Corona
Christy Wong Ah Sun | How Does Water Support an Ecosystem
Mountain View Elementary School, Riverside
Claudia Galvan | Wetlands Field Trip
John Stallings Elementary School, Corona
Danielle Scholl | Wind and Water Change Earth
Vicentia Elementary School, Corona
Dinah Palagi | Pedley Garden: The Need of Water
Pedley Elementary School, Jurupa Valley
Elda Conaway | Rubner Childre’s Garden
William Collier Elementary School, Wildomar
Holly Dong | Water Quality Testing and Chemical Solutions
Riverside Virtual School, Riverside
Janine McConnell | Water Wheel Challenge
Woodcrest Elementary School, Riverside
Julie Smith | Environmental Principles and Water Education
RUSD Grant Center, Riverside
Mark Zavodnik | 5th Grade Science Camp
Murrieta Elementary School, Murrieta
Melissa Deinzer | The Human Water Cycle – Challenge on Hydro Dynamics
Eisenhower Elementary School, Corona
Monique Sanchez | Abracadabra! Gardening without Soil
Woodcrest Elementary School, Riverside
Patricia Ball | Aquarium on Wheels
Victress Bower School, Norco
Rebecca Southworth | Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour + Additional Lessons
Quiver Homeschool Co-op, Riverside
Vivian Madrid | Studying the Water Cycle with Terrariums
Garretson Elementary School, Corona