Finalists announced in the Birmingham Water Works Award Ceremony
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Learning the Wonderful Works of Water school program initiated by the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) recently held its 2014
“Water for Life!” Poster Contest Award Ceremony at the Birmingham Crossplex on Friday, April 25th. 5th-grade student JaReese Russell from Phillips Academy received first place with a
prize of an iPad Air, along with his poster placed on t-shirts that were given to each student in recognition of National Drinking Water Week – which spotlighted the essentials of water May 4 – 10. Glen Oaks Elementary student Lauren Palmer received second place and a prize of an iPad mini, while Trinity Coleman, who is also a student of Glen Oaks, placed third and received
an iPod Touch.
Students gathered at the Crossplex for the ceremony, but also received knowledge of the varying roles water plays from speakers of the event. Registered Dental Hygienists, Anja Crews and
Michelle Luce from Microscope Enhanced Laser Assisted Comprehensive Dentistry led presentations in speaking to students about the importance of dental hygiene. BWWB EnviroLab
and Water Quality Department Manager Anton Jones amused students with his presentation of how the utility operates and functions in producing quality drinking water. The last presentation,
given by McWane Science Center Director of Community Programs, Lawrence Cooper, livened students with an animated “Water for Life!” demonstration, which highlighted the water cycle.
Throughout the ceremony students were able to celebrate as they attained knowledge of water and its many benefits. Following the presentations, BWWB Communications Spokesperson
Binnie Myles had students to interact with the company’s mascot, Willy Waterdrop.
“Last year, our Board Director Sherry Lewis asked that we challenge students in the school program,” said Myles. “With this in mind we worked towards becoming more interactive with
the schools, which has shown to be very successful.”
Numerous 5th-graders in the BWWB’s service area displayed the “Water for Life” theme through colorful pieces of artwork. More than 80 posters were submitted from students who were told to
display the essentials of water in health and the human body. Judging was based on categories like use of theme in design, creativity, factual information, display of 3D elements, originality of
artwork, and more. Elementary schools such as Erwin Intermediate, Phillips Academy, Oxmoor Valley, Concord, Brookeville, Chalkville, Epic, and more participated in the contest.
“I was simply amazed at the creativity from the students,” said Jackson. “I can tell they had fun with it, and so did we.”
The Birmingham Water Works serves 600,000 people in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair and Walker counties. For more information about your Birmingham Water Works Board, please call
us at (205) 244-4000 or visit our Web site at www.bwwb.org.
