Free calendars feature fourth-graders’ water artwork

 About 300 Fallbrook fourth-graders put their creative caps on for the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s annual water conservation poster contest. But only 14 made it into the final product: the 2025 “Be Water Smart” calendar.

Twelve of those winning images appear inside the calendar – one for each of the 12 months of the year; another image is printed on the cover, and another is for January of 2026.

The calendars are available free at the Fallbrook Public Utility District office, Northgate Market, and the chamber of commerce, while supplies last. They were also previously available at Albertson’s, Major Market, and Grocery Outlet.

The pupils’ colorful images vividly depict the contest’s theme. FPUD judges scrutinized the entries to find the most eye-catching images illustrating the need for saving water.

Those 14 student artists were recognized at the Dec. 9, 2024 board of directors meeting. Each received an Amazon gift card, school supplies, and their artwork was matted and framed for them. The top three winners also received a T-shirt with their artwork printed on it.

First place is Sofia Luciano of Maie Ellis Elementary. Second place is Jackie Bernier of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School, and third place is Erick Siquina of Fallbrook STEM Academy. The cover artwork is by Alexa Navarro of Maie Ellis Elementary.

The other winners are:

Fallbrook STEM Academy –Remin Schuessler, Nathalie Maldando, Natalia Juarez and Davi Espinoza;

Live Oak Elementary – Charlie Madden, Makena Castro and Mason Moore-Bagshaw;

St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School – Victoria Badillo

Maie Ellis Elementary – Ariel Ramirez and Ariana Gonzalez

The annual contest is open to all fourth graders within FPUD’s service area. It is an effort to highlight water awareness in semi-arid San Diego County. Fourth graders have studied water and the water cycle, and can vividly depict the need for saving water.

Most of Fallbrook’s fourth-grade classrooms were visited by FPUD spokeswoman Noelle Denke who tested their knowledge with a game of water bingo and talked about water conservation.

Posters were judged on best expression of the theme, also design, creativity and artistic skill. Winning artwork will also be displayed in FPUD’s boardroom throughout the year. It is also on the FPUD website and will be used in the district’s social media posts on Facebook and Twitter.