A Lackawanna County sixth grader from South Abington Township earned the top statewide prize in Pennsylvania American Water’s 11th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Art Contest.

The company received approximately 525 entries from fourth-, fifth- and sixthgraders across the commonwealth. Pennsylvania American Water announced the contest winners as part of National Drinking Water Week, which runs May 5-11.

Abington Heights Middle School student Shannon Baransky earned first place for eastern Pennsylvania and the grand prize for her artwork illustrating a wildlife scene depicting how watershed health impacts land and water animals as well as humans.

In addition, Aamnah Amanullah, a fifth-grade student from Spring-Ford Intermediate School in Royersford placed second, and Ava D’Alessandro, a sixth-grade student from Duryea placed third for eastern Pennsylvania. The three students will receive gift cards for their winning entries.

"We are excited that so many students participated and used their creativity to express the need to protect our watersheds," said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. "The contest is a fun and meaningful way to help them better understand the importance of environmental stewardship.”

As the grand prize winner, Shannon will have her artwork featured on “bloomer cards” distributed across the state by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomers are seed-filled cards that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers.

All students from northeast Pennsylvania who participated in the art contest will have their artwork displayed during RiverFest at Nesbitt Park and the River Common along the Susquehanna River.

The event, which runs June 21-23, features environmental exhibits, three river sojourns, children’s activities, nature walks and entertainment on both banks of the river. The event culminates with the annual Dragon Boat Races on Sunday, June 23. Pennsylvania American Water is sponsor of the annual RiverFest celebration.

Pennsylvania American Water’s contest requires the students to accompany their artwork with a short description of how watershed protection affects them personally. After reviewing the entries, a panel of judges selected three top drawings from both eastern and western Pennsylvania before naming Shannon as the grand prize winner. 

5/27/2013