FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2023
2023 Imagine a Day without Water Art Contest Winners Announced
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, THE ALBEMARLE COUNTY SERVICE AUTHORITY (ACSA), AND THE RIVANNA WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY (RWSA) PARTNERED IN THEIR NINTH ANNUAL “IMAGINE A DAY WITHOUT WATER” CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF WATER. THE GOAL OF THIS CAMPAIGN IS TO ENCOURAGE WATER CONSERVATION IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.
Imagine a Day without Water is a national education campaign and, locally, it raises public awareness through an art contest inviting youth from throughout the City and County to illustrate their “Action to Save Water.” This year’s art contest allowed for flexibility to ensure our entire community could participate in the contest accepting traditional as well as digital submittals. Judges from the City, ACSA, and RWSA evaluated the artwork for creativity, originality, and incorporation of the contest’s theme. Of the 271 poster entries received from youth in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, one winner was chosen from each of five grade divisions. In addition, the top 75 entries were made available to the public for online viewing and voting of a favorite art entry. With 2,030 total online votes, a fan favorite was selected. All six winners will receive a $200 gift card and a water conservation goodie bag.
The winners for the 2023 Imagine a Day without Water Art Contest are:
- K – 2nd Grade: Willa Chow, 1st Grade, Greenbrier Elementary School
- 3rd – 4th Grade: Saya Cantor, 4th Grade, Mountaintop Montessori School
- 5th – 6th Grade: Ava Canine, 6th Grade, Henley Middle School
- 7th – 8th Grade: Helen Hernandez, 7th Grade, Village School
- 9th – 12th Grade: Shoukufeh Alizada, 10th Grade, Charlottesville High School
- Fan Favorite: Aaron Hu, 3rd Grade, Hollymead Elementary School
In addition, teachers were encouraged to promote student participation, and four teachers were selected to receive a $200 gift card to be used for classroom projects: Jeannette Stott (Monticello High School), Lynne Herman (Greenbrier Elementary School), Dana Snead (Henley Middle School), and Kim Taylor (Village School).
Check out the City’s special video honoring the Imagine a Day without Water Art Contest winners and participants (LINK).
“We can’t wait to share with the community the actions our youth have identified as important to save water,” said Jill Greiner, the City’s Water Efficiency Program Coordinator. “We hope the community is inspired by these actions to save water each day.”
In addition to the art contest, the campaign provides awareness and useful information on how to conserve water. The City and ACSA offer rebates for installing WaterSense labeled toilets and rain barrels, as well as offer water saving devices available for pick up at their respective offices. Additionally, they stress the importance of finding and fixing leaks in homes, as even a small drip can waste 3,000 gallons of water each year.
For more information about the Imagine a Day without Water Art Contest including full contest rules and official entry form, visit www.charlottesville.gov/artcontest.
More background information about the Imagine a Day without Water campaign can be found here: http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org.
Media Contact
Jill Greiner
Water Efficiency Program Coordinator
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3877
greinerj@charlottesville.gov
2023 Imagine a Day without Water Art Contest Winners
K – 2nd Grade Winner: Willa Chow, 1st Grade, Greenbrier Elementary School
3rd – 4th Grade Winner: Saya Cantor, 4th Grade, Mountaintop Montessori School
5th – 6th Grade Winner: Ava Canine, 6th Grade, Henley Middle School
7th – 8th Grade Winner: Helen Hernandez, 7th Grade, Village School
9th – 12th Grade Winner: Shoukufeh Alizada, 10th Grade, Charlottesville High School
Fan Favorite Winner: Aaron Hu, 3rd Grade, Hollymead Elementary School