Student Videos Showcase Creativity, Humor

SACRAMENTO—Humor, animation and even an original jingle or two—these are some of the highlights from the more than 70 videos submitted as part of the 2015 Water Spots Video Contest.

Sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA), Sacramento Bee and local water providers, the contest challenged teens to create videos focused on the 2015 theme “BEAT THE LEAK: Find and fix leaks fast” for a chance to win cash prizes.

A panel of distinguished judges narrowed the videos down to 10 finalists, now it’s the public’s turn to vote for their favorite by Sunday, March 29, 2015 at www.sacbee.com/mie.

Leaks can waste 10,000 gallons per year (the equivalent of 270 loads of laundry) for an average household. Videos conveyed thoughtful and clever messages about finding and fixing 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.

Water Spots finalists represent high schools and middle schools in Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties and include:

• Skyler Downes, Center High School in Antelope (Vernon Bisho, teacher)

• Justin Lok, Franklin High School in Elk Grove (Brad Clark, teacher)

• Hanah Brady and Destiny Burrows, Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs (Inez Lauerman, teacher)

• Blain “Cameron” Stumpf, Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs (Inez Lauerman, teacher)

• Katie Fucciolo, Daneil 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)

• Noah Lopez-Koen and Matt Dazey, Whitney High School in Rocklin (Benjamin Barnholdt, 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)

The finalists, “Judges Choice” and “People’s Choice” winners will be unveiled on Sunday, April 12 at 12:25 p.m. on Raley Field’s Jumbotron before the Sacramento River Cats game. Winning students and teachers will receive cash prizes.

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 22 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.

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