2015 Water Spots Winners Announced

SACRAMENTO-- Noah Lopez-Koen and Matt Dazey from Whitney High School in Rocklin took top honors in the 2015 Water Spots Video Contest, sponsored by the Regional Water Authority, local water providers and The Sacramento Bee.

Lopez-Koen and Dazey won the “Judge’s Choice” first place award, while Skyler Downes from Center High School in Antelope took home the “People’s Choice” award for receiving the most online votes. Winning videos can be viewed on Be Water Smart’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/BeWaterSmartinfo.

Their videos were among the 75 submitted by middle and high school students from Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties. Videos conveyed thoughtful and clever messages focused on the 2015 contest theme: BEAT THE LEAK! Find and Fix Leaks Fast. Several demonstrated how leaks can quickly add up to thousands of wasted gallons. Another urged viewers to become a “household hero” by fixing leaky faucets today.

Celebrity judges narrowed videos down to 10 finalists and then selected the top three winners for “Judge’s Choice” awards. The public then voted for their favorite to receive the “People’s Choice” award.

The finalist videos and winners were unveiled April 12 on Raley Field’s Jumbotron before a Sacramento River Cats game. Winning students and teachers also received cash prizes.

Other winners included:

•”Judge’s Choice” second place: Hanah Brady and Destiny Burrows, Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs (Inez Lauerman, teacher)

•”Judge’s Choice” third place: Justin Lok, Franklin High School in Elk Grove (Brad Clark, teacher)
Water Spots finalists included:•Blain “Cameron” Stumpf, Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs (Inez Lauerman, teacher)

•Katie Fucciolo, Daniel Guzman, Will Morris and Jordan Rooker, Weimar Hills Charter School in Weimar (Jon Oates, teacher)

•Colton Reeves and Kai Reimers, Weimar Hills Charter School in Weimar (Jon Oates, teacher)

•Michael Abshear and Noah Spahn, Whitney High School in Rocklin (Benjamin Barnholdt, teacher)

•Gelline Guevarra and Aileen Bi, Whitney High School in Rocklin (Benjamin Barnholdt, teacher)

•Bobby Cary, Woodcreek High School in Roseville (Mark Hajewski, teacher)

Judges included Kathleen Dodge from the Tahoe Film Commission; Monica Woods from KXTV News10; Rita Schmidt Sudman from the Water Education Foundation; and Brett Salmi from the Roseville Utility Exploration Center. The selections were based on creativity, entertainment value, accuracy, originality and incorporation of the 2015 water efficiency message.

For more information about finding and fixing leaks, as well as free water-efficiency services and rebates, visit BeWaterSmart.info.

About the Regional Water Authority: RWA is a joint powers authority representing two dozen water providers and affiliates in the greater Sacramento area. Its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources.