Title
Special Recognition - Water Resources Stewardship Calendar Artists
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize Olympia Middle School students whose artwork was selected for the 2027 Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recognize Olympia middle school students whose artwork was selected for the 2027 Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar.
Staff Contact:
Cameron Coronado, Senior Program Specialist, Public Works Environmental Services, 360.570.3936
Presenters:
Cameron Coronado, Senior Program Specialist
Background and Analysis:
The Public Works Department, Water Resources and Drinking Water divisions held the 8th annual Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar contest for Olympia middle school students. The contest promotes stormwater pollution prevention, water conservation and stewardship of local waterways, while providing students with an opportunity to creatively express their knowledge and ideas about protecting our shared water resources.
The calendar is a collaborative effort between the City’s water utilities and provides an opportunity to advance a shared vision for water protection. Student artwork reminds everyone that they have a role in protecting the water we depend on, and that young people have an important voice in creating a healthier, more sustainable community.
Stormwater pollution prevention was a prominent theme among submissions for the 2027 calendar. Student artwork addressed the following topics:
• Only rain down the storm drain
• Use a commercial car wash
• Scoop, bag & trash pet waste
• Practice bee friendly yard care
• Don’t drip & drive - fix vehicle leaks
• Rake a drain
In recognition of the strong focus on stormwater pollution prevention, the 2027 calendar is subtitled “Stormwater Pollution Prevention,” replacing the previous subtitle of “Stormwater Pollution Prevention & Water Conservation.”
The city selected 13 student artworks for the 2027 calendar, with four students receiving honorable mentions. The City of Olympia recognizes the following selected artists:
• Elliot Taylor, Reeves MS
• Julianna Hall, Washington MS
• Helen Smith, Reeves MS
• Tealia Bagley, Reeves MS
• Camila Herrera, Reeves MS
• Louisa Penrod, Washington MS
• Hayley Bartholet, Reeves MS
• AnnaSophia Peth, Reeves MS
• Rowan Thompson, Reeves MS
• Elliott Becker, Washington MS
• Aurora Shock, Reeves MS
• Veronica Cho, Reeves MS
• Mateo Montano, Reeves MS
• Alana M, Reeves MS
• Vera Poley, Reeves MS
• Federick Mahoney, Reeves MS
The city will distribute the calendars to each selected artist and their family, Olympia Middle Schools and they will be available at City Hall.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar is part of the City’s broader environmental education efforts to build awareness of how everyday actions can protect clean water, strengthen healthy ecosystems and support a more resilient community.
The prominence of stormwater pollution prevention themes in this year’s submissions reflects the Water Resources Environmental Services workgroup's continued emphasis on stormwater education, including Stormwater Middle School Week (SWMSW), which runs from April through May.
The SWMSW curriculum is designed to develop students’ sense of place and connection to the natural world while building their capacity to understand and address challenging environmental issues that affect community well-being. Through hands-on exploration of stormwater and pollution prevention measures, students learn how everyday choices can influence the health of local waterways and the environment.
The city launched SWMSW in 2023 as a pilot program at Washington Middle School. Positive responses from students and faculty have supported the program's annual expansion. In 2026, Environmental Services visited every 6th-grade classroom in Olympia and engaged nearly 700 students.
What began as a pilot at one school has grown into a citywide environmental education program, providing hundreds of Olympia students with knowledge, connection and practical tools to become informed stewards of their community and its waterways.
To broaden the program’s focus beyond stormwater pollution prevention and further support collaboration among the City’s utilities, Environmental Services is exploring adaptations to the SWMSW curriculum. Potential additions include hands-on learning stations covering groundwater and its connection to drinking water, and further developing the waste and recycling education components.
Financial Impact:
Each selected artist will receive a $50 Visa gift card and City Council recognition.
The Water Resources and Drinking Water divisions contribute equally to program costs, totaling approximately $2,187 per division. The cost covers calendar printing and gift card prizes for the selected student artists.
Attachments:
Calendar
Stormwater Week Journal