The Regional Water Authority is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Water Spots Video Contest:
Grand Prize and Judge’s Choice First Place— earns a premiere and screening at a local movie theater this summer and $500 split 50/50 between student and sponsoring teacher
- “Saving Water PSA” by Breana Rodriguez (Brad Clark, teacher), Franklin High School in Elk Grove
People’s Choice (determined by online voting)—earns $500 split 50/50 between student and sponsoring teacher
- “Water Rap” by Stella Szura and Malia Romias (Matt Rowland, teacher), Arden Middle School in Sacramento
Judge’s Choice Second Place—earns $300 split 50/50 between students and sponsoring teacher
- “Water Spots” by Francisco Saez (Brad Clark, teacher), Franklin High School in Elk Grove
Judge’s Choice Third Place—earns $200 split 50/50 between students and sponsoring teacher
- “How to Find Indoor Leaks” by Braden Fletcher (Brad Clark, teacher), Franklin High School in Elk Grove
Top scoring video from each school—earns a $50 Amazon gift card (minimum was five eligible videos per school; Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice winners not eligible)
- “The Right Way to Save Water” by Luis Pogemiller, Quenton Forrest and Adrian Vargas (Brad Clark, teacher), Franklin High School in Elk Grove
- “Do Your Part Be Water Smart” by Elvis Clark, McKenna Harney (Wendy Esquivel, teacher), Will Rogers Middle School in Fair Oaks
Note that there were no Teacher Participation Prizes awarded this year, which require a minimum eligibility of 10 videos submitted by a teacher.
The Water Spots team will contact teachers to arrange delivery of prizes.
Students were invited to explore the topic “DO YOUR PART TO BE WATER SMART” the contest’s 2023 theme. Expert judges narrowed videos down to 10 finalists and then selected the top three winners for “Judge’s Choice” awards. The public then voted for their favorite to receive the “People’s Choice” award. Over 3,500 votes were cast this year. The People’s Choice winning video received 1,449 votes.
A HUGE “thank you” to our expert judges for lending their expertise!
- Monica Woods, Chief Meteorologist at ABC10
- Kathleen Dodge, Executive Director of the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Media Office
- Lisa Cuellar, Program Manager at the California Water Efficiency Partnership
Their selections were based on creativity, entertainment value, accuracy, originality and incorporation of the 2023 water efficiency message.
The Water Spots Video Contest is sponsored by the Regional Water Authority and local water providers. Now in its 11th year, the contest challenges students to create videos focused on a select water efficiency theme. Learn more about the Water Spots Video Contest, water-wise tips and information about free water-efficiency services and rebates at BeWaterSmart.info.
All of the top scoring videos can be viewed on Be Water Smart’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/BeWaterSmartinfo
For more information or questions, please contact Chris Perry or Christine Kohn, Water Spots Outreach Coordinators, at WaterSpotsContest@gmail.com or (916) 416-7367.
The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing 20 water providers serving 2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources. Learn more at rwah2o.org and BeWaterSmart.info.
Sacramento-Area Resources
- “Living Rivers” Student Supplement: This 20-page digital supplement explains the importance of rivers to us and our region. Rivers provide habitat for many plants and animals. People depend on rivers as a source of food, drinking water, transportation, hydroelectric power and irrigation for agricultural fields.
- Virtual lessons from your local water provider: Many local water providers are offering virtual classroom visits to explore where local water supplies come from, how water gets to your tap, and ways to use water wisely. Contact your local water provider for details.
California- and U.S.-Focused Materials
- “Water Wednesdays” online water education program from the California Department of Water Resources: Held each Wednesday at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10-14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. This week’s program is about “California’s Super Salmon—The End of a Journey Brings Life Anew.”
- Water education materials from the California Department of Water Resources: Includes a wide variety of workbooks and worksheets—from independent work activities like coloring sheets for younger children, to workbooks for tweens to simple hands-on science experiments.
- Homeschool activities from the Water Education Foundation: Includes videos, resources and presentations for pre-K through college.
- Project WET Foundation, Discover Water: Games, videos, and more that help kids discover the role that water plays in their lives.
- Water Science School from the U.S. Geological Survey: Information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can test your water knowledge.
For more information or questions, please contact Chris Perry or Christine Kohn, Water Spots Outreach Coordinators, at WaterSpotsContest@gmail.com or (916) 416-7367.
Sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and local water providers, the Water Spots Video Contest challenges students with a real-life project: Create a 30-second public service video that educates and motivates the public to use water efficiently and stop water waste. Videos from past winners are available on the Be Water Smart YouTube channel.
