April 25, 2023
Students from Palos Verdes, El Segundo and Culver City take home top prizes
The West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors announced the grand prize winners and honorable mentions of this year’s Water is Life student art contest. West Basin received more than 900 entries from local students who created inspirational pieces of art that encourage Southern Californians to use water efficiently.
Of the entries, one grand prize winner and four honorable mentions were selected in each of the elementary, middle and high school categories. To view the full list of awardees and artwork, please visit www.westbasin.org/waterislife.
“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Water is Life student art contest! With more than 900 entries received, we are ecstatic about the record participation, as well as the incredible creative and artistic talent on display showcasing our need to use water wisely,” said West Basin Board President Scott Houston. “While California was fortunate to receive an abundance of rain and snow this winter, it will take continued conservation, water use efficiency, and innovative water management practices to ensure we meet our state’s long-term water supply needs, and West Basin is committed to doing its part.”
2023 Grand Prize Winners
- Elementary School Grand Prize Winner: Dagny Tang, 4th Grade, Montemalaga Elementary School, Palos Verdes Estates
- Middle School Grand Prize Winner: Dheekshana Kamalakannan, 7th Grade, El Segundo Middle School, El Segundo
- High School Grand Prize Winner: Ava Steins, 10th Grade, Culver City High School, Culver City
The student artists were honored with an award ceremony held during the regular meeting of the Board on April 24, 2023. To view photos from the award ceremony, visit the West Basin Media Gallery: www.westbasin.org/news/multi-media-gallery/.
Each winner was awarded a new Apple iPad, with Grand Prize winners additionally receiving a digital stylus pen and $25 Apple Store gift card. Prizes were sponsored by Aleshire & Wynder, LLP, the Water Replenishment District, and Veolia North America.
West Basin hosts an annual Water is Life art contest to encourage third through 12th grade students to showcase their artistic creativity through the depiction of responsible water use in their homes, schools, and communities. The contest is a collaborative water education program between West Basin and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). Winning artwork from West Basin’s local contest will advance to Metropolitan’s regional competition and may be featured in the agency’s 2024 calendar.
