Free calendars feature fourth-graders’ water artwork

Dec. 5, 2025

About 300 Fallbrook fourth-graders grabbed their crayons and let their imaginations run for the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s annual water conservation poster contest. But only 14 made it into the final product: the 2026 “What Does Water Mean to Me?” calendar.

Only 14 made the final cut.

Those winning designs became the 2026 “What Does Water Mean to Me?” calendar. Twelve fill the monthly pages. One shines on the cover. Another is already lined up for January 2027.

The calendars are free while supplies last. Shoppers can pick them up at Albertsons, Major Market, Northgate Market, Grocery Outlet, the FPUD office, and the chamber of commerce.

This year’s theme invited students to show water as life — plants, animals, and people thriving. Water as fun — swimming, splashing, playing with pets. Water as food — growing gardens or keeping livestock healthy. And water in the community — rain on a neighbor’s yard, local water towers, and the everyday sources that keep Fallbrook flowing.

The colorful images vividly depict the contest’s theme. FPUD judges scrutinized the entries to find the most eye-catching images illustrating the theme.

Those 14 student artists were recognized at the Dec. 8, 2025 board of directors meeting. Each received a gift card to Amazon, school supplies, and their artwork was matted and framed for them. The top three winners and the calendar cover artist also received a T-shirt with their artwork printed on it.

First place is Callie Robinson of William H. Frazier Elementary. Second place is Ariana Reyes of Live Oak Elementary, and third place is Mikey Strizic of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School. The cover artwork is by Aubree Schilling of Live Oak Elementary.

The other winners are:

Fallbrook STEM Academy –Melanie Cantrell, Santiago Cortez and Maria Tomas Tomas

Live Oak Elementary –Elli Mullins and Ava Parker

St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School – Giana Rodriguez and Elizabeth Bernier

Maie Ellis Elementary – Hazel Ussher

Zion Christian Learning Center – Ezekiel Higinio

William H. Frazier Elementary  – Adeline Ramirez

The annual contest is open to all fourth graders within FPUD’s service area. It is an effort to highlight water awareness in semi-arid San Diego County. Fourth graders have studied water and the water cycle, and can vividly depict the need for saving water.

Most of Fallbrook’s fourth-grade classrooms were visited by FPUD spokeswoman Noelle Denke who tested their knowledge with a game of water bingo and talked about water conservation.

Posters were judged on best expression of the theme, also design, creativity and artistic skill. Winning artwork will also be displayed in FPUD’s boardroom throughout the year. It is also on the FPUD website and will be used in the district’s social media posts on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.