Media Corner

For Immediate Release
July 28, 2004

Local Student Honored by Central Basin MWD

Carson, CA - Sixth-grade student Ashley Martinez from Montebello Intermediate School was honored by the Central Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors as the winner of the District's "Water is Life" poster contest during its monthly board meeting of Monday, June 28, 2004. Martinez submitted the winning poster depicting water conservation practices inside and outside the home.

Accompanied by her family and teacher, Martinez received the grand prize - a fully-loaded Apple iBook laptop computer. Her poster also will be included in the 2005 "Water is Life" Calendar, published by the Metropolitan Municipal Water District of Southern California showcasing other winning entries. Her poster was chosen from a field of 210 posters from 36 schools, the largest number of entries received by Central Basin MWD in the history of the contest.

"This poster contest is a significant part of the District's youth water education program," said Central Basin Board President Bob Apodaca. "It's a fun and creative way for our students to learn about the importance of conserving water to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for future generations."

Each year during the month of May, the Central Basin MWD, in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, sponsors the poster contest in celebration of Water Awareness Month throughout California. Water Awareness Month encourages water conservation, recycling and water education. The theme for this year's poster contest was "Water is Life."

The contest was promoted to all primary and secondary schools throughout Central Basin's service area. Students were encouraged to depict wise use of water at home, school, industry or business, the environment, agriculture or recreation.

Martinez's winning poster can be viewed on the District's website at www.centralbasin.org.

Pictured from left to right are Director Gary A. Morse, winner Ashley Martinez of Montebello

Intermediate School and her teacher, Cheryl Ford. Director Morse represents Division I, which includes

Montebello. (An electronic version of the photo is available upon request.)