Published: Jun 28, 2013 | 21:09 PM

Poster Contest Winners Honored at Ceremony

Thirty-six students from all over the Southern California region, including Ben Zolner from the  Irvine Ranch Water District service area, were honored for their creativity at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s annual “Water is Life” student art event on December 13.

“Our staff is like kids with birthday presents when the entries start rolling in,” said Russ Donnelly, Education Unit Manager for MWD.

Ben was a fifth grade student at Lake Forest Elementary when his poster was selected by IRWD as one of five finalists to be sent to MWD for regional judging. IRWD received more than 200 entries. Ben’s poster depicted four ways to conserve water – take five-minute showers, fix leaky faucet, install an artificial lawn and water landscaping at night.

Ben said his inspiration for his poster was the family's artificial turf lawn and that his dad is always reminding him to take five-minute showers.

All 36 posters have been published on the 2013 “Water is Life” Calendar. Ben’s appears on the November page.

This is the 24^th year for the contest, which is sponsored by MWD. Member water agencies, including IRWD, put out the call for poster contest entries from among the schools in their respective service areas. Donnelly said 29 agencies from all over the region participated, the largest number ever.

Beginning in January, the 36 posters will be featured in a traveling art show set up in the lobbies of participating water districts, including IRWD, at a future date. Please visit www.irwd.com for an announcement of the arrival of the student art show.