John-Paul Heil, 2005 Grand Prize Winner

Pennsylvania American Water is accepting entries for its fifth annual Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest for fifth graders in areas served by Pennsylvania American Water.

The deadline for entries is March 31.

The contest encourages students to utilize their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting Pennsylvania's watersheds and water resources. As part of the entry, students are asked to write a short description of how watershed protection impacts them personally.

Winners will be selected based on creative vision, artistic talent, understanding of watershed protection and the ability to communicate that understanding.

Four students will be recognized statewide: two regional first- place winners will be rewarded a $500 educational savings bond and two second-place winners will receive a $250 educational savings bond. All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion certificate.

In addition, the first-place winners will compete for the grand prize, having her/his artwork printed on "Bloomers" cards distributed by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomers are seed-filled gro-cards that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers.

"The art contest is a fun and creative way for students to learn about the importance of protecting a most valuable natural resource: water," said Dan Warnock, president, Pennsylvania American Water. "These students are the future stewards of our land and resources, so it's critical that we help to increase their understanding of the impact humans have -- positively and negatively -- on our watersheds and ultimately on our drinking water sources."

The company received over 180 entries from across the state for the 2005 contest. Last year's grand-prize winner, John-Paul Heil, a home school student from Camp Hill, Cumberland County, wrote in his brief entry comments, "Watersheds are important to all forms of life. If our natural resources are destroyed, our future will be destroyed as well."

Awards will be presented in May during Watershed month.

The 2005 contest winners are posted online.

For more information and contest entry materials, visit the Protect Our Watersheds Air Contest webpage or contact Communications Manager Joi Corrado at 717-531-3228 or jcorrado@amwater.com .

2/10/2006