City of Santa Ana
Youth Water Poster Contest
Thank you to all of the students, teachers, schools, families, and judges who participated in the City of Santa Ana’s 11th Annual Youth Water Poster Contest.
This year’s contest invited students to complete the phrase “Water is _________” through original artwork. More than 500 students from 37 participating schools submitted creative entries exploring the importance of water in their lives, their community, and the environment.
Sponsored annually by the City of Santa Ana’s Water Resources Division, the contest encourages students to learn about water through creativity and imagination while promoting awareness of water conservation, stewardship, and sustainability.
Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists. To view the winning artwork, click on the button below.
Information about next year’s contest will be posted here when available.
Our goal
Santa Ana’s Water Resources team is dedicated to enhancing students’ understanding of water and related environmental issues through engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Our goal is to inspire a lifelong appreciation of water and instill a sense of shared responsibility for our ever-changing environment.
Creativity & Learning
By using their imagination and artistic skills, students can better understand the importance of water conservation and protecting our water resources, fostering a deeper connection to their environment.
2026 Contest
For Students
This year’s poster theme invites students to complete the phrase “Water is…” Create artwork that illustrates what water means to you and the many ways it supports daily life, our community, and the environment. From supporting health and well-being to enabling everyday activities, recreation, and environmental sustainability, water plays an essential role in our lives. Need inspiration? Check out our 2026 Activity Book for helpful ideas and information.
Be sure to download the Activity Book, Poster Contest Flyer, and Contest Rules & Guidelines using the links on the right. Carefully read and follow all instructions.
Water plays an essential role in our lives. By understanding its value and practicing water-wise habits, we can help protect this vital resource for the future.
A conversation with grand prize winner Alam Cornelio, and his art teacher, Ms. Lemus, at the Youth Water Poster Contest Awards Ceremony and Reception on May 18, 2024.
Important Information
- The City of Santa Ana’s Annual Youth Water Poster Contest is only open to youth ages 5-18 residing or attending school in Santa Ana.
- All posters must be drawn horizontally on 12”x18” white drawing paper or poster board and must include a short message that completes the theme phrase “Water is …”
- Each entry must include the 2026 Entry Form (see form in Contest Rules & Guidelines) attached to the back of the poster. Entries that do not adhere to all poster specifications will be disqualified.
ENTRIES ARE DUE BY 4 PM ON
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026
Poster Contest Flyer
Download the flyer for the 2026 Youth Water Poster Contest in three languages:
Contest Rules & Guidelines
To view and download details about the Contest Rules and Guidelines, please select the language of your choice:
Activity Book
Download our 2026 Activity Book for ideas, inspiration, and learning about this year’s poster contest theme.
Winners & Prizes
After the poster submission deadline, our volunteer judges review all the entries and select the winners.
Winners are notified and invited to the Youth Water Poster Contest Recognition Ceremony at the City Hall Council Chambers. During the public City Council meeting, officials will present winners with a certificate and celebrate their artwork in front of family, friends, and the community.
Special prizes are awarded to a Grand Prize Winner and two Finalists in each age group: ages 5-8, 9-12, 13-14, and 15-18. Prizes range from gift certificates to PS5s and MacBook Airs!
2026 Contest
For Parents/Guardians
If your student wishes to participate in the contest, please download the Poster Contest Flyer and Poster Contest Rules and Entry Form above. Poster artwork must be delivered in a flat, sturdy box or tube by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026 to:
City of Santa Ana Water Resources Division
215 South Center Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
Attn: Youth Water Poster Contest
A Word
From Lathrop Intermediate Principal
“One of the big things that we like to do is get our kids involved in the city, in community service, and entering contests so that they can show off all their great skills. Visual performing arts is really important for us. I am a product of Santa Ana Unified and I grew up here just down the street, so I’m really happy to support these types of projects and our community.”
– Cesar Flores
2026 Contest
For Teachers
We encourage you to utilize this educational activity in your classroom curriculum with students. Please download the Teacher’s Packet here for all the information needed to instruct students on the contest rules and guidelines.
Also, our 2026 Activity Book contains fun activities you can share with your students to make the contest not only fun but also educational.
Teachers who are interested in participating can email us at conservewater@santa-ana.org to order materials and free activity books for their classroom as well as parental forms that can be sent home with students. Please note: by participating and requesting art supplies, teachers agree to return a majority of the posters to the City of Santa Ana Water Resources Division.
Ms. Lemus, an art teacher at Cesar E. Chavez High School, shares her thoughts about encouraging classroom participation in the contest. Ms. Lemus assigned the contest as a classroom project for her students and entered more than 20 posters this year. One of her students, Alam Cornelio, was selected as the Grand Prize Winner!
Teacher Drawings
Teachers have two exciting opportunities to win a $200 Art Supply Warehouse gift card:
- Early Bird Request Drawing: Request via email contest information or order materials for your classroom by January 30, 2026, and you’ll be automatically entered into this drawing.
- Classroom Participation Drawing: A second drawing will be held among teachers with the highest classroom participation. The winning teacher will be announced when poster contest winners are revealed.
Poster Contest & Classroom
Resources
Activity Books
The 2026 Activity Book is filled with fun facts, coloring pages, mazes, crossword puzzles, word scrambles and more … all which help students explore what water means to them by identifying the different ways it supports health, well-being, and everyday activities. The activity book will also help Inspire students to recognize their part in protecting this vital resource through lasting, water-wise habits.
Be sure to download the 2026 Activity Book.
Download Other Activity Books
For more fun, you can download these Activity Books too!
2025 Activity Book
2024 Activity Book
2023 Activity Book for Kids
2023 Activity Book for Teens
2022 Activity Book
2021 Activity Book
2020 Activity Book
2019 Activity Book
2018 Activity Book
2017 Activity Book
Poster
The Water Cycle Poster
Water as a renewable resource is depicted in this 36×24 inch color poster. Water is renewed again and again by the natural hydrologic cycle where water evaporates, transpires from plants, rises to form clouds, and returns to the earth as precipitation.
To order your free copy, please call (714) 647-3380 or email conservewater@santa-ana.org.
Student Entries To Date
Participating Schools in 2026
Student Winners To Date
Years Established
Get In Touch
City of Santa Ana Water Resources Division
220 South Daisy Avenue, Bldg A
Santa Ana, California 92703
Telephone: (714) 647-3380
Email: conservewater@santa-ana.org
Web: www.santa-ana.org