Arts & Entertainment

CV Student Wins Statewide Art Contest

Fourth-grader Sam Kagle's artwork promotes protecting the region's waterways and won a statewide contest.

A student’s artwork won a statewide competition that asked kids to show why we should protect our waterways.

Sam Kagle’s drawing was selected as the winner out of 800 entries submitted to Pennsylvania American Water’s 10th annual “Protect Our Watersheds” art contest.

The fourth-grader, who lives in Collier Township and was , drew ducklings paddling with their mother in water with the words “Protect our watersheds for generations to follow...” above them.

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“Watersheds are important because every living thing needs clean water to live,” Sam wrote in a short essay that accompanied the artwork.

Sam went on to write about going on a recent trip to remove litter from the Chartiers Creek.

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“Seeing the creek made me feel two emotions at once–sad that the creek was so dirty, and fortunate that we have clean, healthy water,” Sam wrote. “This experience made me realize how important it is for us to protect our watersheds–not only for our own health, but for the health of generations to come.”

The colorful drawing will be placed on “bloomer cards” provided by the water company that are filled with seeds and will grow a variety of wildflowers.

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

Brenna Litynski, a homeschooled student from Washington, placed second, and Dustin DeHaas, a student at Jefferson Middle School in Mt. Lebanon, finished third in the western Pennsylvania region. All three students will receive gift cards for their winning artwork

The contest is part of National Drinking Water Week that runs May 6 to 12.

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