winners Archives

Seven Local Photographers Honored for Their Images of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

Encinitas, Calif. — At its June 21 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors recognized seven photographers for their winning images in the sixteenth annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest.

The contest offers amateur photographers an opportunity to connect viewers with wildlife and the outdoors. Submissions support EFRR efforts to protect wildlife and natural resources.

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Honorable Mention: "Ripples and Rocks," Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School

Eight Student Photographers Selected as Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest Winners

April 27, 2023/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

Eight high school students were honored for their award-winning photographs in the annual Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Contest. The winners were selected from a group of 62 students from high schools across the South Bay within the Authority’s service area. Students submitted 148 entries in two categories, color, and black and white.

Winners were recognized at the April 26 Sweetwater Authority board meeting.

“The Board is proud to support this annual contest and looks forward to seeing the entries and continued involvement from our local high school community,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We are continually amazed by the talent and photography skills of students in our service area, and we encourage residents to go to see the photos at the Bonita Museum and Historical Society.”

Color Category Winners

First Place: “Make A Splash,” Cristian Ramirez, Hilltop High School, Grade 12

Second Place: “Life,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10

Third Place: “Hilltop Park Stream,” Daniel Hernandez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 9

Honorable Mention: “A Stroke of Color,” Andrea Covarrubias, Hilltop High School

Honorable Mention: “Calaman-sea,” Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School

Honorable Mention: “Ripples and Rocks,” Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School

Black & White Category Winners

First Place: “Match,” Averie Acosta, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 10

Second Place: “Kick the Water,” Allison Reyes, Bonita Vista, High School, Grade 11

Third Place: “Drops on Umbrella,” Stuart Nelson, Hilltop High School, Grade 12

Honorable Mention: “Morning Dew,” Jeremy De Las Alas, Bonita Vista High School

Honorable Mention: “The Rose,” Nicholas Gallegos, Hilltop High School

All the winning photos are displayed online, and at a special exhibit at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center.

(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

Vista Irrigation District Recognizes Scholarship Winners and Student Artists

June 3, 2022/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Water News Network

The Vista Irrigation District awarded college scholarships to seven high school seniors selected as winners of the district’s annual scholarship contest. Three fourth-grade students from the local community were also selected as winners of the district‑sponsored Student Poster Art Contest.

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First Place – Abraham Hernandez, STEAM Academy @ La Presa, Grade 6. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix Water District 2022 Student Poster Contest Winners Highlight ‘Water is Life’

May 26, 2022/in Education, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

The Helix Water District Board of Directors honored East County student artists for their winning “Water Is Life” posters in an online awards ceremony during its May 2022 board meeting.

Southern California students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to participate in their regional water agency’s Student Poster Art Contest to increase awareness about water conservation. This year, 349 students from 22 schools within the Helix Water District submitted their posters depicting how to use water wisely, a 33% increase in entries from the 2021 competition.

These students took top honors in two categories

Grades K – 3

First Place – Aiden Galaz, Vista La Mesa Academy, Grade 3. Photo: Helix Water District

Second Place – Charlotte Pierce, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 3Second Place – Charlotte Pierce, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 3. Photo: Helix Water District.

Third Place – Belen Cardenas Loera, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Grade 2. Photo: Helix Water District

Honorable Mention – Clare Brandt, Our Lady of Grace School, Grade 3. Photo: Helix Water District

Honorable Mention – Gabrielle Portilla, Lakeview Elementary Elementary, Grade 3. Photo: Helix Water District

Grades 4 – 8

First Place – Abraham Hernandez, STEAM Academy @ La Presa, Grade 6. Photo: Helix Water District

Second Place – Abigail Payne, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 8. Photo: Helix Water District 2022

Third Place – Catalina Jones, Lemon Avenue Elementary, Grade 6. Photo: Helix Water District

Honorable Mention – Kayla V. Osuna, STEAM Academy @ La Presa, Grade 7. Photo: Helix Water District

Honorable Mention – Lindsay Lu, Christ Lutheran School, Grade 8. Photo: Helix Water District

Winners now move on to compete with other regional winners for the opportunity to appear in the 2023 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California calendar.

Third-grader Lucas Regimbal from Christ Lutheran La Mesa School in the Helix Water District was the youngest of four San Diego County residents to appear in the 2022 MWDD “Water Is Life” calendar.

Lucas explained his message. “I think there are so many big things to do to save water and conserve. But there are also many little things we can do as well. A lot of little things come up to some very big things. By fixing drips, each home or business can save hundreds of gallons of water per year. That means a lot if lots of families and business did this one little thing.”

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Helix Water District-Lake Jennings-Winners-Photo Contest

Lake Jennings 2021 Spring Photo Contest Winners Depict Life At The Lake

June 28, 2021/in Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

The theme “Life at the Lake” inspired 61 photographers to enter the 2021 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest, held for the 10^th year by the Helix Water District.

Photographer Johnathan Bradley of Lemon Grove won first place for his image titled “Open Field” and second place for the photo “Sun Star.” Third place went to Jeff Morin for “Ladies On A Lunch Break.”

Each of the entries highlighted the unique beauty of Lake Jennings activities enjoyed by locals and visitors, including camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife, and enjoying the view. The contest was open for photos taken between March 1 and May 31, 2021. Eleven entries from March 2020 were included since they were entered before Lake Jennings closed due to the pandemic.

“This year’s contest had photographers from all over the county and even some international participants,” said Kira Haley, Lake Jennings recreation manager. “Our photo contest visitors brought the lake to life through their experiences camping, fishing, watching wildlife, and exploring the many trails and vistas of the lake.”

Adult Category Winners

First Place – Johnathan Bradley – “Open Field”

Second Place – Johnathan Bradley – “Sun Star”

Third Place – Jeff Morin – “Ladies on a Lunch Break”

Honorable Mention – Erik Hyman –”Deep Pier”

Youth Category Winners

First Place – Aaron De’Souza – “Cacti by the Lake”

Second Place – Gabriel Heilpern – “Fishing on the Lake”

The winning photos are also available on Lake Jennings’ Facebook page and the District’s website.

Helix Water District Announces 2021 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest Winners

June 24, 2021/in Agency News, News /by Mike Lee

Helix Water District is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest, with this year’s first place in the adult category going to photographer Johnathan Bradley of Lemon Grove for his image titled Open Field.

Now in its 10th year, the contest drew 61 entries from throughout the county. This year’s theme was Life at the Lake, and each of the entries highlighted the unique beauty of camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife and enjoying the view at Lake Jennings.

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Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Announces County Winners

May 11, 2020/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Del Mar Timesby Laura Groch

San Diego County students showed off their expertise at the recent 2020 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, with dozens being named winners for their projects.