Two Students Representing Otay Water District Win Southern California Art Contest by Otay Water District Dec 21, 2023 Member Submitted News SPRING VALLEY – Two students from the Otay Water District’s service area have won a regional Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) art contest. Artwork by Sofia Cardenas Loera from STEAM Academy in Spring Valley and Sophia Garvida from Bonita Vista Middle School in Chula Vista will appear in MWD’s 2024 Student Art Calendar. Each year, MWD invites K-12 grade students from water agencies across Southern California to participate in the art contest. Students are required to submit a poster with a water conservation message and illustration of the importance of being waterwise. “My drawing represents what happens to life when we don’t use water wisely,” said Sofia Cardenas Loera. “My drawing is split in two. One half shows how life blossoms. The other half shows what happens when we don’t use water wisely. Without water, nothing can grow, and nothing can thrive.” The Otay Water District holds a similar art contest in the spring and submits the winning posters to MWD’s contest. MWD will then select their own set of winners and the winning artwork will be featured in MWD’s annual calendar. The District’s participation in MWD’s contest is part of its commitment to supporting water sustainability educational programs. The contest is an opportunity for students to highlight their creativity while spreading awareness of the importance of water conservation and stewardship. “The program helps expand our educational reach to students and their parents,” said Otay Board Director Gary Croucher, who represents division three where Cardenas Loera attends school. Otay Board Director Jose Lopez, who represents division four where Garvida attends school said, “The winning artwork represents the knowledge our students have about the importance of taking care of our water resources for the well-being of future generations.” On Dec. 14, MWD held a virtual recognition event to present awards to the contest winners. The winners also received a box of prizes, including a certificate and an art kit. District customers may pick up a free copy (while supplies last) of the 2024 calendar at its front office at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley, CA 91978. For more about MWD’s contest, visit www.mwdh2o.com/education-landing-page/outreach-programs. The Otay Water District is a public agency providing water, recycled water, and sewer service to more than 240,000 customers within approximately 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including the communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and eastern Otay Mesa along the international border with Mexico. For more information on the Otay Water District, visit otaywater.gov. ### www.twitter.com/OtayWater www.instagram.com/OtayWater www.facebook.com/OtayWaterDistrict www.youtube.com/OtayWaterDistrict www.linkedin.com/company/otay-water-district www.nextdoor.com/pages/otay-water-district
