PA American Water Wednesday announced entries are now being accepted for its 15th Annual Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest.  The deadline is March 31.

All fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water are eligible, as well as individual students who live in the company’s service area.

The contest encourages students to tap into their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting Pennsylvania’s water resources.

“In today’s classrooms, students are more in touch with our environment, learning the role they play in protecting our natural resources,” said PA American Water President Kathy L. Pape. “Art is an important aspect of the educational program, and educators are using more STEAM projects in their lessons -- this contest is another facet of that concept.”

Pennsylvania American Water recently sent contest information and applications to teachers in nearly 500 schools in its service territory. Winners will be selected based on creative vision, artistic talent, understanding of watershed protection and the ability to communicate that understanding.

As part of their entry, students must write a brief narrative on the personal impact of watershed protection.

In 2016, the company received more than 500 entries from students across the state. The grand prize winner was Sanaa Amanullah a sixth-grade student from Spring-Ford School District in Montgomery County (photo).

In total, six students will be recognized with a first-, second- and third-place winner selected from eastern and western Pennsylvania.

First-place winners will be rewarded with a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Two second- and third-place winners will be awarded a $50 and $25 gift card, respectively.

In addition, the overall grand prize winner will have her/his artwork featured on “Bloomer” cards distributed by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomer cards are seed-filled packets that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers.

All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion certificate. Awards will be presented in May as part of National Drinking Water Week activities.

Contest guidelines and entry forms are available on the Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest webpage.

(Photo: PA American Water Senior Supervisor Ed Baetzel, Spring-Ford teacher Maria Talone, 2016 Grand Prize winner Sanaa Amanullah, and Spring-Ford principal Heather Nuneviller.)

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[Posted: Feb. 1, 2017]

2/6/2017