Bethpage, NY (June XX, 2016)—The Bethpage Water District Board of Commissioners William J. Ellinger, John R. Sullivan and John F. Coumatos recently presented awards to local fourth grade students who finished in first, second and third place in the District’s annual water-conservation poster contest, No Bethpage Without Water.” The students’ accomplishment was based on posters they submitted to the District answering the question, “When do I use water the most and why is it important to conserve water?” The nine students honored at the award ceremony were chosen from more than 200 fourth grade participants from the Bethpage School District.
“We were incredibly proud to see so many local students participate in this year’s water conservation poster contest,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman William J. Ellinger. “An interest in the community’s water supply is essential to its future protection. We aim to encourage students to learn more about their water supply in hopes of inspiring the water plant operators and engineers of tomorrow.”
The winning students’ posters were on display during the award ceremony for friends, family, school faculty and Bethpage Water District staff. The students received certificates, trophies and citations from Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker and Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer. Bethpage Water District Superintendent also gave remarks to congratulate the students on their award-winning posters.
“It was challenging to choose only nine out of the 200 students in the Bethpage School District who submitted entries to this year’s poster contest,” said Board of Commissioners Treasurer John R. Sullivan. “We were ecstatic that students, teachers and members of the community have taken an interest in learning about our most important resource.”
The Bethpage Water District annual poster contest is intended to encourage students to learn more about their water supply and the power they have to influence it, today, and in the future. In addition to conducting this year’s contest, Superintendent Michael Boufis also led a water-cycle lesson for fourth grade students in each elementary school. The winning posters will be on display throughout the summer at the Bethpage Public Library in the children’s section.
“Educating our youth about the water supply is crucial to better serving our community,” said Board of Commissioners Secretary John F. Coumatos. “In the coming years, we will need to think of new and innovative ways to better protect our water, and these students will be the ones to take on the challenge.”
The winners of the 2016 Bethpage Water District Water Conservation Poster Contest include: Charles Campagne Elementary School (CCS) fourth graders Sophia Heinz (first place), Caitlyn Filardi (second place) and Harsh Shah (third place). Kramer Lane Elementary School fourth graders Emily Melman (first place), Marissa LoBosco (second place) and Max DeVito (third place). Central Boulevard Elementary School fourth graders Kayla Cha (first place), Jake McAuliffe (second place) and Joshita Singh (third place).
For more information, please contact the Bethpage Water District at (516) 931-0093, log onto www.bethpagewater.com, or the district’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BethpageWaterDistrict.