“Why do you love water?”

That question was answered by local students recently through visual art, as the Henry County Water Authority hosted its annual art contest for participants in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

According to HCWA officials, students were challenged to illustrate the many ways they use water daily, in addition to why they love water and why it’s so important to conserve and protect this valuable resource. The contest was open to students in the county’s public and private schools as well as homeschooled young people.

Each submission had to be an 11 x 17 sized poster, and only original artwork was accepted. The illustrations could be made with paint, colored pencils, markers, or crayons, but not with graphic design. Posters/illustrations were judged on creativity and representation of the importance of water conservation and protection. 

Winners in each of the four age group (grade) categories received gift cards of $100, as did a teacher selected via a drawing. Each teacher received one raffle ticket for every student participating in the HCWA Art Contest from their class.

Here are this year’s winners:

Harper Johnson (K-2), from Angie Sorby’s class at Locust Grove Elementary School. 

Trisha Patel (3-5), from Katie Medley’s art class at East Lake Elementary School.

Brooklynn Mevissen (6-8), from Darsha Jackson’s class at Locust Grove Middle School.

Charlize Brown (9-12), from Mark McBride’s class at McDonough High School.

People’s Choice Award – Riya Puri (People’s Choice Award), from Lydia Dollar’s class at Stockbridge Middle School.

Cornelius Harper (Teacher Drawing)from Woodland Middle School.

“We always enjoy seeing the creative talent by the students to show the importance of protecting our water resources,” said Lindsey Sanders, HCWA communications and regulatory coordinator, who organized the Art Contest. “Their artwork can make a powerfully important environmental statement.”