The Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) recently announced the student winners of its 33rd annual student poster contest, featuring this year’s theme, “From Ripple to River.” Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Water District

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) recently announced the student winners of its 33rd annual student poster contest, featuring this year’s theme, “From Ripple to River.”

Elementary school students in grades four through six in the San Juan Unified School District and other participating partners used their imaginations to creatively illustrate the water cycle and the value of water as a limited natural resource.

Participating schools included Skycrest Elementary, Trajan Elementary, Mariposa Avenue Elementary, Kingswood K-8, Carriage Drive Elementary and Woodside K-8 in Citrus Heights.

The top three winning students were invited to share their posters with members of the Board of Directors of the Citrus Heights Water District where they each received individual certificates of achievement and a cash prize.

Judges were especially impressed by the creativity, effort and thoughtful interpretations of how water moves through our environment and infrastructure, said CHWD Public Affairs Manager Mary Elise Conzelmann.

This year’s three winners were all students attending Trajan Elementary School in Orangevale.

Bexley Frink, a student in Mr. Alexander’s fourth grade class, was chosen as the overall poster contest winner.

Her winning poster design includes a colorful rainbow and depicts the steps of the water cycle as it flows down from the surrounding mountains into the greater Sacramento valley.

Runner-up winners included Addy Macedo, a fellow student in Mr. Alexander’s fourth-grade class, and Elia Sadat, a fifth-grade student in Mrs. Delzer’s class at Trajan Elementary School.

In her poster, Addy Macedo, used smiling blue water droplets sitting atop white puffy clouds to represent people, “reminding each of us to save water as we needed it to survive.” A turtle, her favorite animal, is also featured in her poster design.

“I also have hearts coming out of the clouds (as drops) because people should love water,” she said.

Members of the CHWD Board of Directors are Caryl F. Sheehan, David C. Wheaton and Raymond A. Riehle.

The annual student poster contest teaches students the value of water as a limited resource, the importance of conservation and the need to use it wisely.

Students were invited to explore the journey of water - from a single drop to the larger eco systems that support the community - highlighting how every ripple plays a role in sustaining reliable water supplies, explained Mary Elise Conzelmann, CHWD Public Affairs Manager.

“Thank you to all the students and teachers who participated in this year’s poster contest,” said Board President Caryl Sheehan.

The district also extended its sincere congratulations to the winners and appreciation to all participants for helping bring awareness to the value of water through art.

“Your creative artwork shows us that you really understand how water supports our community, from where a drop hits the ground all the way to the systems that bring it to every home and business. We are excited to share your work and show it to the public.”

CHWD customers will soon be able to pick up a 2027 calendar featuring this year’s winning entries at the water district office at 6230 Sylvan Road in Citrus Heights.

The Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD), established in 1920, provides safe, high-quality water to over 70,000 customers in parts of Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael and Roseville.

For more information about next year’s CHWD student poster contest, visit: chwd.org/community or call 916-735-7727. The winning poster entries are featured in a special video link at: chwd.org/postercontest2026.